Ditto what everyone said. God bless Garrett his family and America !!

Update.....we received a letter from him, he's loving it! A Lil homesick but he'll be fine. They were issued their weapons Monday. He's in the 1st two pictures, the activities is all him! GO WARDOGS!!!Attachment 49621Attachment 49622Attachment 49623Attachment 49624

Please thank him for his service...

God bless you and your family Jeff. Tell your son thanks for wanting to protect our country. My oldest son is in the army and it was a harder road for me as a father. Those 6 months seemed like a year. Hang in there because when you make it to graduation the feeling you will have when you see him again is to die for. Praying for him and y'all. God bless. If you need support give me a shout because it was a hard on me as I'm sure it will be for you. God bless our troops and watch over our children. Amen

Congrats to you and your son. He is making memories and friends he will never forget - these are good times for him.

When will he go to AIT and wha is his MOS (military occupational speciality) going to be?

He'll leave a day or so after BCT (Late June) & head to Virgina for AIT, Diesel track mechanic.

That's cool.

Is the in the National Guard, reserves or active Army?

National Guard.....After his letters & pictures....I'm all jacked to go to graduation.

The BDUs are a lot nicer than when i went in 1987....i am sure he will do well and congrats....best advise during basic...if the DIs do not know who you are by the first few weeks...you are doing the right things...you mentioned about him getting his weapon....i bet after 2 weeks he will wish he did not have it...lol

He's all about a challenge! Been that way for 20 years! He'll be fine!

AMEN!!!

Thank your son for his service.

A really good friend of mines daughter left about a month ago to go to Japan. She's a Marine in food Service. So far shes loving it.

Here's the update! Have gotten to talk to him a lot more than expected! You get phone calls when you excel in the trainings. Don't know where to start! He was in the 1st 5 to finish his PT's, got a expert medal in shooting, finished top in Hand grenades:eek: was issued another rifle, started with a M-16 then received a M-4 with infrared laser & red dot, he said the night shooting with night vision is freaking awesome. He's in the running for Soldier for the Cycle in which only 5 are nominated. He is loving it! I'll get to see him June 26th & he graduates the 27th hopefully with that soldier of the cycle award! He was already stout when he left but I can see it in his face, he's becoming a U.S. Soldier!!!!!!!!!!!

Man that's awesome!! I see what your saying about seeing it in his face. Looks like he's becoming a man quick. What an honor, you should be very proud and boa****l. Congrats to you and major props to your son. Be sure to tell him him thanks for fighting for my freedom.

The starred out word is b o a s t f u l^^^. Not sure why that's censored.

Thanks BJ.....I'm super proud of what he's done. He knows a few of these guys here & thinks the world of them, I've let him know the support from everyone here. He's already talking about full time.

That is awesome jeff!

It's a blessing for all of us to have such men as your son to stand first in line for our country, and for our protection.
Be very proud sir, I know I am for you, and Happy fathers day!

Ps. theres no doubt that boy's got killer instinct writen all over his face!!!!

Great
 

Hey Wretrievers,

First of all thank garrett for me for what he is doing. He will do fine. The brotherhood and comraderie he is about to experience is like nothing else.

Secondly, please let me know if he needs any info once he gets back home. I am a 9 Yr veteran and I've been in the Guard now for 5 yrs. Im active duty in the guard now and work fulltime for them. Id be glad to help y'all however i can. Tell him keep his chin up, his head down, and his mouth shut and he will enjoy the training! LOL

Very respectfully,

Corey Donaldson (SSG LAARNG)