Saturday, March 10th

Andrew in his Navy Service Uniform, also known as his "Peanut Butters"

With his parents before they head back to ND.

Chicago's BEAN in Millennium Park

Marisa and her dad with the BEAN

Andrew having a true Chicago Dog - smothered in pickles, hot peppers, onions and everything else gross!

Us with a great view of Chicago overlooking Lake Michigan. It was a great day in the Windy City!

Finished our night having Chicago style pizza.

GRADUATION March 9, 2012

Navy Bootcamp at RTC, Great Lakes, IL....WooHoo!!! 

Andrew came out with the Honor Guard and marched the drill deck for pictures before graduation began.He found us right away because we were sitting VIP because of his dad's Colonel rank. He snuck out and came up to us in the bleachers before graduation started!  I was so surprised and we got to talk :)

  second row, second from the left

They looked great with their rifles!

Graduation begins!  The 50 state flags march in and shape spelling out "NAVY". It was impressive, one of my favorite parts of the performance. 

In march all the divisions.  There were a total of 487 graduates this day.  They came in from the 35 degrees outside wearing their black coats.  They then took them off and piled them in a heap behind their division lines.                                

Here comes the Honor Guard.... Andrew is now second row, second from the right. They will be inspected by a Colonel.

This is one of my favorite pictures from graduation. I love all the flags in the back.

Looking sharp!

 

This is another part of the Honor Guard that did rifle throwing and spinning... pretty sweet!

If you remember, Andrew was selected for DIV 917 which is the staffing division.  I was pretty impressed with my focus skills on this shot!

Our first embrace since he left January 11th! 

Andrew and his parents, Steve and Meredith

Andrew with my dad and me

  

 I am so proud of Andrew, my Navy Sailor!!

2 letters received 3-1-12

We are officially T-7 days to graduation (march 9th)!!! (Marisa writing this)

 
22Feb2012
Dear Marisa,
       I received 4 of your letters yesterday. I guess since the long weekend mail got backed up.  I also received mail from your mom and my mom as well.  Your mom sent me a long letter about Christmas and had copies of thank you cards from Teen Challenge. It was awesome to see their gratitude.  My mother sent me a picture of you with my flowers. You are so beautiful.
       I love so much talking to you the other day on the phone.  Only another week or so till the next phone call, then I'll have my orders.
       President's Day was so very boring and I hate these days. Not a lot going on and too much down time. I did received another ribbon for my pistol shooting skills.  That's 2 now. One for joining the Navy in a time of war and marksmanship ribbon.
       We took our division picture today and got a chance to order pictures and a DVD. Don't get too excited because I drop $210. But you will be so happy with the purchase. I got you a surprise. We can also buy more pictures later when you come here. I got 4- 8x10 for you and our families along with others.
       I ran 5 miles yesterday and PFA weigh-ins are tomorrow. First time I get to see my weight since MEPS. We start damage control and firefighting these next two weeks. I'll finish more then. I love you and hope I dream about you. 
  
23Feb2012
       Hey Hey, So today was the big day. Weight-in's! So I didn't eat breakfast and went to Freedom Hall with the divisions to have my final weigh in. If I failed I would be set back until I passed. So I stepped on the scale and..... 207. WHAT!! I didn't even lose a pound. Now I'm worried. So I have to be taped now. I have to be under 22% body fat.  If you remember I was 21% with a 16in neck and a 38in waist. Now I get taped and I'm a 16in neck and a 36in waist. I'm so happy.  Now what this means is although I'm not losing weight, I'm losing body fat, even better in my opinion. I'm getting stronger. I have come to the realization that I may not be under 200 ever. So that's ok with me.  Needless to say, I passed and I'll graduate on time if I pass my final PFA on 6-2 and battle stations. I'm good to go.
       I have a few guys here that wanna write to Jilayna and have her write back. So there are letters inside for her. Kinda weird but whatever.
       We start damage control today and firefighting. Seems pretty good. The gas chamber is this Monday. I'm nervous. 
       Have you played on your Kindle any more? We got a bit of snow today. Any more there? We got beat a few days ago for some kid's stupid disrespectfulness and not following instructions. It was long and my uniform was soaked. Gross. Have you been working out?
       I miss your smile. I miss your smell. I miss our naps. I miss tacos. I miss Hunger Games reading sessions. I miss your body warmth. I miss kissing. I miss sharing things with you. I miss movie nights. I miss church with you. I miss being loved. I miss my best friend.
       This place is so close to being over but then more time apart. At least you can travel and talk to me on skype. Have you thought any more about a new computer for you? Or are you ok with the desktop? I just want to be sure we can skype everyday.
       What about a dog or kids? j/k I have been thinking a lot about our family and future and lovely wife. I talk about you to the guys all the time. I love you so much.  (He drew a picture of a big hug with outstretched arms).
Your hubby/Adventure partner for life.
Andrew


26Feb12
Hello Lady,
       It's the end of week 5 and week 6 starts tomorrow. I'm almost there and it feels great. This will be an exciting and intense week of training. This week is firefighting. We also have gas chamber tomorrow. I'm nervous. I hear mixed reviews from other divisions. This week also consists of Test #3, final PFA (the one that counts), and our last inspection. For this inspection, we have to get into 1 of 3 uniforms correctly. Then they inspect us and answer a question. This is the "PI" part. PI is personal inspection. Then right after we have our DMI inspection. Dynamic Material Inspection where we have to fold and stow the uniform we just put on correctly. This is all timed as well. 20 minutes for each inspection. Plenty of time for me but others struggle.
       So today (Sunday) I spend my time taking a long shower (only on Sundays), shining my boots and dress shoes, writing my amazing wife, and I'll go to church soon. I'm trying the gospel service this week with a few of the black guys I met here. The guys are awesome and they assure me I won't be the only white person.
       I got your letter and the one with the puzzle (crypto) was awesome. You forgot to write the clue down but me and some fellow recruits mastered your puzzle. They loved it and many had never seen one!
       You asked some questions so I'll answer:

• We did go to the USS Missouri and shot the 9mm and shotgun. I scored marksmen which is like 3rd place. I couldn't see the target at 15yards very well.
• I did not have to get glasses/BCG's. And we were one of the first divisions to try out the new frame because BCG's are phasing out. They are small square black frames.
• Firefighting is this week at the USS Chief.
• Gas chamber is tomorrow.
• Marlinspike is a practice for basic seamanship skill to tie the ship to the docks and what not.
• Battlestations is my final test a week from tomorrow (3-5-12). I am up for 48 hours. We start on a ship using all the skills I have learned. It is on 7-1.
• We only swam once to pass the test. Super easy for be since my mom made swimming a huge part of us kids' lives so no problem there. We don't swim at all here. The test was three weeks ago.
• The ceremonial drill guard is not what I'm on. I'd love to be in Navy Honor Guard some day.

Changes/Learned
I want to talk a little about how this experience has changed me:

• First, being married has to be the best part of my life. Being around all these kids really draws me closer to you.
• I have come to realize that Navy will be more difficult than I thought with deployments and moving. I'm really going to need you to be by my side. You're amazing already but it will be hard and besides Christ, you are my everything.
• I have learned I love cereal.
• I have learned that I'm wiser than I thought.
• I have learned that I'm organized and a great teacher.
• I have learned that I am week and have weaknesses, you being one of them. I often cry because I never realized the impact you have on me and how concerned I am for you.
• I have become more of a worrier.
• I have learned I am a control freak and you lose all control at boot camp.
• I have learned I'm an individual more than a team player. I need to change.

       You need to give my mom a message and thank her for all the letters. I miss my weekly phone calls with her and her letters really help. I like to know what's going on and can't wait to see them in two weeks.

       It may be good idea not to send (and tell others) any letters after March 3rd. Mail will be forwarded to me at A-School but don't know when. Can't wait to talk to you on 7-2 (March 6th). Love you so much. Thanks for all you do and the long letters, they help me so much.


Love, Andrew