Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, August 30, 2011~

Sir, Airman Perkins reporting as ordered, Sir!

All kidding aside, I can't believe that  my basic training is almost over!  I have only 1 1/2 weeks left, then I will go home for one month for "R & R"; then, after that, I will be going to Alaska, where I will be stationed for the next four years of my life.  

I will be working on aircraft as an aircraft mechanic; I will be repairing C-130's.

It (Basic training) has been hard, but I think it will be worth it.    It has made a new man out of me: I'm not nearly as goofy as I used to be.  I think I am starting to grow up and act more my age, though some of the older airmen pick on me by referring me as "The Baby" or make digs about if I need to be fed or have my diaper changed.

All in all, my Air Force experience has been rather good; I just don't like it when the Training Instructors (TI's) get on one's ass or punish the whole flight (that's Air Force talk for team) for the stupidity of one person.  That happened last week when Airman Gonzalez put a fake spider in TI Rutherford's bunk.  It was a fake tarantula.  I thought TI Rutherford was gonna come unglued.  LOL  It was pretty hilarious, but not when TI Rutherford lowered the boom on us.  We had KP duty for two weeks (peeling potatoes).

Lesson learned.  NEVER, EVER put a fake bug (or in this case, an arachnid) in the TI's bunk!  LOL  

TI Rutherford, as we found out, is arachniphobic.  He absolutely HATES spiders!!  LOL

I can't wait to get home to New Hamshire and see my family again!  I have missed my mom and dad, and I have especially missed my brothers, in particular, Joshiah, who is the baby next to Dyamond, my sister (I miss her as well).  I wonder how Joshiah has been doing: whether he's ended up in the hospital again or if he's made any progress in his development (somehow I doubt that he has, but hope springs eternal, as they always say).  

It has been brutally hot here in Texas.  We are currently experiencing an extrmeme drought: it hasn't really rained all that much this summer and everything is drying up and/or dying.  And the lows at night don't get out of the eighties or even NINETIES!  It's bad here!  During the first few weeks of basic, I thought I was gonna DIE from the heat!  I got sick a few times, but I'm now okay.  Just have to make sure I drink plenty of water or Gatorade to keep myself hydrated and eat enough before doing my exercises.  

Another lesson learned.

I do know one thing: when I get to Alaska, I'm probably gonna freeze my ass off.  BRR!! Suddenly it makes the winters of New Hampshire and New York seem more like Miami Beach, Florida!  LOL  

Winters there are mild compared to what I will be facing in Alaska!!

Well, if TI Peterkins catches me writing instead of making my bed or getting dressed, I will be in hot water, so I'd best quit while I'm ahead. .  I will write in here again, probably when I return home to New Hamster, as I lovingly call New Hamshire.  I do know this much: I cannot WAIT to see my family and friends again; I have missed everybody so badly!  Take care and God bless; talk to you soon!

~Goon.

~To be continued.~