Letters From Boot Camp - Vol. 3

Yes, I know, it's been a couple of years since my last post.  I have a renewed interest in sharing my memories.  As I read these letters, I try to remember what was going through my mind at the time of composing.  Some are self-explanatory, others just require imagination.

May 26, 1991

Hey everybody!

How is everything?  It's hot here.  I spent all yesterday morning in tents.  Today I went to church. It was neat. Tuesday we meet our regular drill instructor. A Senior DI told us it would be hard or miserably hard. I prefer the former.

May 27, 1991

Hello again,

Time ran out so I'll finish this tonight. Tomorrow is the big day. Our DI. The next month is the hardest part. It is Phase I. It includes physical tests, tests on military history and courtesy, and drill. The older recruits who have already gone through it said that if we get through that the toughest is over.

How's the weather at home?  As you may have already guessed, there's no news, no radio, no nothing.  A girl drove past our platoon last week. We smelled her perfume from at least 20 ft., OUTSIDE!  I finally got to change my utilities (blouse and trousers) today.  We all were wearing our same outfits since Thursday. P.U!  The food is OK and I'm getting enough sleep. We get up early and go to bed early so we get our 8 hrs. sleep. The gist is over tomorrow. We'll probably start PT (physical training) and running sometime soon. Time seems to be flying fast. As the meals pass and nights, too, every tomorrow is one step sooner to being graduation. That date should be, or so everybody says, Aug. 16. I can't wait.

Bradley, what's up with you and your "woman"?  How's school?  Write me a letter and tell me about everything. I'm interested.

Hey Daddy, How's the wine?  Is it ready? I'll be ready when I get back, believe me!

Momma, How's work?  Tell all the relatives I said "Hey!" and I look forward to seeing them when I get home.

Don't forget, tell Pa I said "Hey" too. If there's an emergency and you need to contact me, call the local American Red Cross and tell them the problem or emergency and they will relay it to me. DON'T try to contact me here!

I better go now. I look forward to hearing from you all soon. Take care.

Love,
Patrick

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Letters from Boot Camp - Vol. 2

This is my 2nd letter home dated May 23, 1991. I don't remember who Cheryl is, or the gift I sent her, or Brian at Hair Plus, but I'm sure I got my hair cut there before. I'm not too sure about the Private and Recruit thing, I probably heard it from someone else who heard it wrong. During boot camp, EVERYBODY was called "Recruit".

910523







Dear Mom, Dad, Bradley, etc.







Hi! I finally got my return address. It’s gonna be HELL here, but I have no hair and it’s COOL (ha ha)! How are things at home? I just got started and I’m doing well. I got up Tuesday morning at 4:30 to go to MEPS in Raleigh and I was allowed to go to bed at 7PM on Wednesday (‘cause we got up today at 3AM!) It’s hot! I just had to say that! My receiving drill instructor gave us 20 min to write a letter and send our return address. Guess what? 1st, 3rd, and 4th Battalion (Bn) recruits are called Recruit, but 2nd recruits are called Private. That means I’m in the elite. There is so much formality here, it’s unbelievable. “Sir, Recruit Sutton requests permission to make a head call, Sir!” That translates to “I gotta go to the bathroom.” Weird, huh? Well 20 min almost up. I know it’s on the front, but here’s my return address again. Write it just the way you see it, got it?







Pvt. Sutton



2nd Bn F Co



MCRD Parris Island, SC 29905







(Pass it on to everybody and I’ll get time to write, eventually.)







Love and miss you,



Pvt. Sutton







Over ->







I had some time left, so I will write a little more. Pass on my address especially to Cheryl at Coharie Plaza Revco. It would really make my day to get a letter from her. Oh yeah, a bill from Matthew’s Drug will be coming for a gift I had delivered to Cheryl on Monday. I’ll pay you back later. Also, tell Brian at Hair Plus that my letters to them will start next month.







Love,



Pat

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Letters from Boot Camp - Vol. 1

This was my first letter home. If you can’t tell, it was scripted and dictated to me by my receiving drill instructor. During the first few days, we were taught common courtesy, simple drill movements, and given time to become acclimated to the heat and humidity of Parris Island.



Dear Mom,



I have arrived with my platoon today and am well. I am in good health and being treated fairly. I am writing this note to you to let you know I am fine and to let you know my new mailing address.



Love,

Patrick



Rec. Sutton, P.C.

2nd Bn F Co. Plt 2082

MCRD Parris Island, SC 29905

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