Thursday, 22 July ’04, around 21:30:
Most people by their first night in bed have already written letters to someone. Luckily, I don’t have that need because that is one less thing to get in trouble for. This is recruit handwriting [all caps] and this is my first risky journal entry. This has to make itself hidden till Sep. 19 [as I mail it home in pieces]. I am looking forward to every day at boot camp. I have yet to have a bad experience. From your recruit station, you will ride a shuttle to your DEP station. You will go through MEPS and swear in active duty. You get to MEPS at 6am and leave the airport for basic at 6pm.

You will have slept in the Radisson. While staying there, I was walking back from the gas station when a metal ring caught my feet. I bruised my left leg by my knee and scabbed my left hand. When you first get to basic, you will get off the bus and [go] through double doors. Then a big dude yells at you till you get to use the phone. I got yelled [at] to move quicker. I called Mom and told her I made it and how much fun I was having. After, you go to a big room where you will be issued everything but 1st and 2nd issue uniforms. I cut myself getting the locker keys off the ring.

Already, I realize some people are gonna have major problems. I was so tired but couldn’t tell, that was the last thing on my mind. You sip and walk to take a piss test, then height and weight, [and] again more yelling. I have already made some male and female companions, which shall remain unnamed until out of basic for their safety. The first night you get a 1hr nap, depending. Before you are up all day in chow, head [bathroom], and ship [barracks]. The food is good, but some shouldn’t be there (cake, soda). You have 40 girls in 8 shower heads at the same time. It gets wet and dangerous.

In the ship, you will make your rack [bed], organize your locker, and stamp everything with your last name, last 4 [of your] social, and division #. My second night, we got the rest of our division. We started with 18 and now have 88. We were in rack by 22:00 on Wed. We got all the new recruits caught up, some are still behind. We have a Private Pyle [reference to Full Metal Jacket] but haven’t come up with a nickname for the other [one] who makes mistakes in our division. I’ve been nicknamed Spice.

Today, we got blood taken, 1st issue uniforms, and we have been in and out of classrooms for lectures, meds, waiting, and studying. In the ship, we have started note time, and the chaplain (priest) came. Already, too many people crying for who they miss. I hope they make it. I’m glad I joined young to have no husband or kids to leave behind. I don’t miss my friends because I know the true ones will keep in touch. We got to send a paragraph of comments home where I told Mom about Pyle and RDC Vargas. I like him. I think that he is good at what he does.

People still don’t know how to stay in step so they can march closer. I hope they learn soon. I’ve got to get some sleep, more meds tomorrow, and finally PT on Monday. Wish me luck.

Recruit’s comments: Mom, this is nothing like Barry said. I know that I haven’t started PT yet, but I’m having fun. I’ve made new friends, haven’t messed up too much, and have a good RDC (Vargas). It’s yet to get worse before I graduate, but I love the choice I made. I feel exactly like Joker in Full Metal Jacket because I take care of Private Pyle, more details later gotta go. I already cleaned the head and got fire watch! Love Jessica

Friday, 23 July ’04, 21-22:00:
Today, we got [our] eyes and ears checked. We got a new galley, and I got to be [a] road guard. The female RDC is always missaying and I smiled. Vargas caught me and said fuck 10 times. Then another PO called me a disgrace in his service for posting guard in the road (I was on the curb.) Well, again, Vargas heard, bitched, and told me he knew who I was. It’s TAPS, and I haven’t gotten in trouble yet. We did do 8 count[s] and jump[ing] jacks for not staying at attention. And while on road duty, I talked to the OOW. Oh! and I saw Nick Schubmeil. He is a recruit from [Copperas] Cove and has been here a month.

A shipmate says we have 56 days left. I prayed tonight with Pyle, she’s Catholic. Some people are getting edgy as they get more homesick, but others continue to grow better. Again, more stenciling. We still need shots, pap smears, and 1st issue. I’m looking forward to shaving my legs on Sunday. Goodnight.

Saturday, 24 July ’04, 20:00:
Today wasn’t very eventful. I was road guard for breakfast and lunch and didn’t mess it up. Everyone’s feet and legs are sore, including mine. Tonight, we had no showers, but I look forward to that and a call to Skinner [my recruiter] tomorrow. We went to the NEX and bought more socks and tampons. 4 pairs of shorts are $32. We talked too much and owe Vargas. He said we are going to close the windows and make the walls sweat. Oh dear! Instead of writing letters home, I will send these journal entries to be kept safe where Mom can read them and get an idea of what is going on.

And soon, I will be dressed in utilities and dog tags. We are getting better at marching. Vargas gave us a compliment. I can write more tomorrow. I definitely need my sleep. I love you, Mom, and am looking forward to Florida. I have found 3 others going. Yeah!

Sunday, 25 July ’04, 10:30:
I’m glad I’m keeping up because time flies. I’ve got shin splints, but at least I got to shave them, though I can’t go to medical because that will set me back a week. I’m gonna try and call my recruiter, but either way, please call her and tell her I’m having a different experience and I have seen Nick. Not much time left. Don’t worry too much and tell Tiffany I love her. I will write her next Sunday and just send you my journal. I love you. I don’t want to waste this sheet, but we have so much to do on our day off.

Though, no matter how bad it gets, we are not allowed to be late to chow. We are in Ship 01 with Divisions 331 and 332. I’m in 331, but at yesterday’s lunch, me and another shipmate sat in 332. Well, I finished eating even after I found out because I wanted to be full before getting in trouble. Vargas only told us to sit, yet another small getaway. There’s gonna be an awesome party for sure after graduation before I go to Florida. Sorry, just taped my guidebook and talked to Vargas. Envelope, here I come. You can write me as much as you want, but I don’t get mail on Saturday or Sunday, and I can only mail [out] on Sundays.

Tell everyone I said hello and tell Jason to be gone as much as possible so he doesn’t die of [his] father’s irritation and boredom and that he should take the ASVAB and join the Coast Guard. It’s well worth [it]. I send him my luck for his junior year. Tell him to enjoy high school because once you are out, you can’t go back, though out of us kids, who would want to. Ok, love you, oh, and don’t think I forgot. Tell Fatass and Faggety [Peanut the pug and Pancho the Boston terrier] that I love them, and I hope Ugly Mutt [aka Maggie the Boston terrier] rots in the yard. She’s too greedy and ugly.

I’ll write you before I come home or call you to tell you what I want to eat. The food may be good, but having the same thing every day gets a little too repetitive. A little pic [four squares facing four others to represent the shower situation] before I go, and cadence. [The] head has pull curtains. I can poop better than I did in the bunkhouse. Cadence: 1, 2, 3, 4, left on odd. And 88 bunk racks 3 feet apart. We’re on the 2nd floor outta 3. Time for lunch chow. Bye. I love you.