February 2, 2016

Mom and Dad,
So I have no clue what I've told y'all, so I'll start from the top.  I got an M-16!  His name is Goose and Larkin named hers Maverick.  Cool, huh?  I can take him apart and put him back together pretty quickly.  I'm proud of myself.  We start at the range next week and I'm pumped to see how my shot is!  I want to keep a good shot.  Our (my Platoon's) rifle movements are the best in the Battery.  We have all of the other Platoons hating on us.  We do well working together but not on a social level.  Girls will be girls.  Apparently the cycle of soldiers has the most females ever.  Just our Battery has a 80:120 male to female ratio.  So Girl Power.
I went through the gas chambers the other day.  It was bad but not 100% horrible.  It was like tons of pepper in my lungs and sinuses.  Sadly, I didn't throw up.  But my Drill Sgt. was dancing around w/glow sticks, his gas mask, music blasting, and beat boxing.  We love laughing so hard but he made it less tense.
I almost shaved my head..then I chickened out even though my hair is annoying.
All of the mail I get has made me smile.  I love it.  And I'm thankful for everyone who has written me.
Larkin and I went to the Wiccan Service on Sunday and I am so grateful that I'm LDS. lol I missed church,  But she'll come with me next week, so that will be fun.  The Church actually sent me a thank you letter for my decision to serve in the Military.  It made me feel special.
We've slowly realized that life keeps on going even though we're here.  One female found out that her dad died so she was given 10 days leave.  Another male found out his wife is expecting.  Life keeps  on going.  It's crazy.
I love you guys so much.  You're in my prayers all of the time.  (If you've been praying for me to have good weather, it worked)  Thank you for everything.
xoxo Love, Chloe

I think we found her on Facebook!  Not  on the wall, but that was one of the things that she has had to do, so I put that picture.  (Love, her Mom)

Wednesday 27 January 2016

Mom and Dad,
First off, thank you for the care package!  The hair products work great and the inserts came just in time for my first 4 K march.  Unfortunately though, I couldn't have any of the candy/food.  It's considered "contraband."  So no more of that...The pictures made me way too happy.  My Drill Sgt even got mad at me for smiling so much. lol, and thank you for putting my address up!  I've loved hearing from people.  Mail call is my favourite part of the night.
So we got our M16's yesterday!  D.S. said we had to name them since we would have them 24/7 for the next 9 weeks.  Larkin named hers Maverick and I named mine Goose.  We're a good pair, It's just nice to have someone to talk to here.
I've been pretty sick for the past week but apparently the gas chambers clear it up? So that's tomorrow and we take our masks off for half of it.  Larkin and I are going to eat all dairy to ensure that we do throw up.  It's just a goal of ours.  She also said that if we went to one Wiccan church service, she would go with me to Mormon church on a regular basis and I need another female there so it's a deal!  Should be interesting.
But I love you guys and miss everyone!  But the food is good and I'm where I'm supposed to be right now!  Keep me posted on everything!  love y'all!
xoxo PVT Chloe Kendrick

Sunday Funday Jan 24th

Parentals,
Happy Sunday y'all!  I've been in basic now for 2 weeks.  Crazy huh? But it's been okay.  I've started adjusting and making friends.  Some of the girls I live with are great; others love sass and drama.  So we all suffer as a Platoon.  I've dropped about 5 lbs and ache everywhere.  But it's good.  I'm getting stronger.  
So there are 3 phases in BCT.  Red (1st), White (2nd), and Blue (3rd).  As a battery we have to advance.  So if one Platoon can't advance, then the whole battery stays back.  I'm pretty sure my Platoon will hold everyone back.  We have no discipline...So it's super frustrating.  

They (the drill Sgts.) broke us last night though.  Most of us at least.  So I'm praying for improvement!  It's a process.

Church was really nice!  We got the sacrament and heard 3 talks and everything.  We can get callings too.  I marked available for that...fingers crossed I don't actually get one.  But the Elder (from the missionary couple) is supposed to contact y'all to tell you I'm alive and okay.  The people were super nice.  We got cookies and banana bread.  Made my week.  Mail would make my week but I haen't gotten any of that.  The male to female ratio at church is crazy though.  like around 10:2.  So I sat with one of the 8-10 females there.  I 'm grateful that church is there though.  It really helps.  

I miss everyone but I know I'm supposed to be here and I'll make it through.  If people write me make sure they write a #2 on the back of the envelope.  Because I'm 2nd Platoon.  

Love y'all.  Stay safe.
xoxo PVT  Kendrick

January 22, 2016

Mom and Dad,
I love you guys!  Even though neither of ya'll  answered your phones with my one phone call!
I did about 100 push ups today.  Needless to say, I'm sore.  I hurt everywhere.  But I'm getting stronger, so it's good.  We wake up @4 and go to bed @21:00.  Not that I sleep much with the only light in the room on.  Just my luck, right? Oh well, it lets me read my scriptures and write after lights out.
I've made some friends.  My favourite person is a 19 year old female from Colorado.  Her name is Larlein and she's honestly the best.  Super level headed too.
I'm excited for church on Sunday!  They have an LDS service @ 8:30.  There is 2 other LDS boys in my Platoon and at least 2 others in other Platoons.  Hopefully there are some other female members...we'll see.
I've decided that picking something to hold only every day helps a lot.  Sometimes a hymn just pops into my head and just stays there.  It brings me peace.  Other times a conversation I've had with a friend or family member pops up.  Those make me happy.  It's the little things that make the 17 hours bearable.  Prayers are huge for me.  Every time my Drill Sgt. tells us to hold the down position, I pray I can.  I push myself to.  I'm thankful that I have that.
I miss everyone.  I miss my bed and my 6 million pillows on it...I also miss sleeping in and answering rhetorical questions...Stay safe and send me updates!  I want to hear everything this this snail mail.
xoxoxo Chloe
Anything else you think I should get.  Try and keep it to things that can fit in small, padded envelopes, like the toiletries I requested.  see ya soon.  It'll fly by!

Still in reception

It snowed!  It's so cold.  But they give us some nice thermals that keep our legs and arms warm but not my face.  So it's bad, but not that bad.
Apparently we can get care packages in B.C.T (Basic Combat Training)!  So that's good!  Can Y'all send me something that will make my hair stick like pomade and/or mousse?  I get a lot of fly aways and I get yelled at if it's not a specific way.  The stuff they have at the PX Shopp iisn't that great and it's a limited selection.
I'm ready to be done with reception.  It's all hurry up and wait.  We only do paperwork and bloodwork.  I got the shot in my butt and it kills!  I'm so sore.  Like this giant tender spot.
My boots are slowly breaking in...All 3 of them.  It's hard to rotate through because the moment you start to get one barely breaking in, you have to rotate.
I give myself enough time every night to read to Book of Mormon, pray and write in my journal.  It helps keep me sane honestly.
I love the girls I live with.  Frisco and Mcintosh are really down to Earth and easy going.  Frisco is going to AIT at the same place as me so I'll have a freind on the weekends for sure.  We don't talk to the boys much in reception but the fraternization ups in B.C.T. and A.I.T.
I love you guys.  Thank you for your support.  I'll try and write often.

XOXOXO, Chloe

ARMY STRONG

Processing/reception

Hey y'all!
I miss you guys and hope you're doing well.  My feel kill ...I got 3 pairs of boots and they all are stiff and solid.  It's like breaking in new ice skates.  And we don't have anything to cut moleskin with so I'm covered in blisters.  So if you wanted to send me Dr. Schools men's inserts, that would be awesome.
I got my shots...all 5 of them!  The one in the butt hurt but the thickness of the stuff hurt more.  I sleep well and the food dis great.  It's weird to hear music now since I never do.  I've met some really nice people going to AIT with me.  The drill sergeants are loud but they do their jobs and we learn. They've been really helpful though.
We don't do any running.  We march everywhere though.  And Chant. A lot. A lot of the chants are like adult versions of girls camp songs.  So they're entertaining.
We go to bed at 2130 and wake up at 0430...It's weird hours but good sleep.  My hair is always in a bun.  I miss my bed and hockey.  Send me scores and updates!
Love everyone!
Chloe Kendrick