Jurassic War

Mary,

I hadn’t gotten any letters from you, then four came today like before. Things are going well, and I expect to graduate on time. The only way you don’t graduate as scheduled is if you get cut or recycled. If you get dropped, then you wait in a casual platoon and go home a civilian a month or two after your platoon graduates. And if you get recycled, then you are sent back to an earlier phase and get picked up by a new platoon. This happens if you fail to qualify at the rifle range, or fail a PT test, or don’t pass a mandatory exam.

The drill instructors hate pick-ups. We got one and I was in the barracks heading out when he came in doing the sea bag drag. Our drill instructor kicked him to the ground and when he got up, kicked him to the ground again. Then he called over to me and said: “Dawson, don’t let this low life pick-up even touch you!”

You don’t have to worry, though. Because I qualified as an Expert Marksman!

We’re done with second phase training and will march about 5 miles back to our regular barracks. Not only that but we had the pugil stick competition. You’re not going to believe how that went down. My platoon was tied in the series for the most wins. The combat instructor told the DIs to pick their champion to fight for the title. The other platoon selected a 6-foot 4 monster and he lumbered into the circle. Then my Senior DI picked me. The guys all booed. I’m not that big as you know. He said, “Now, all of you can watch what a motivated Marine can achieve. He can move mountains. And Dawson knows how to persevere.” Then he smiled and gave me a friendly nod, like he knew that I could do it.

So, I stepped into the ring thinking that I could win. The other recruit swung the pugil stick and smashed me in the head and sent me reeling. Then he pounded on me. I put my stick up to block his blows, and the guy smashed my hands. My fingers hurt so badly, I could barely hold onto my stick. He hit me over and over until my head spun. I figured I couldn’t beat the guy. And he just kept coming. But I kept at him, fending him off, wearing him down. Perseverance. Finally, he tired and stumbled, and I went at him like a crazed man, until he finally dropped a knee. I smashed him in the back, and he dropped into the sand. The combat instructor came over and grabbed my hand, raised it in the air - the victor.

Things are really going well. It has picked up for the better. Now, the drill instructors seem to leave me alone for the most part. They are focused on trying to break people they’re worried about in combat. They still harass me on occasion. One picked me up by the shoulders and almost lifted me from the ground. He’s a tough son-of-a-bitch. But he has his favorites. Luckily, I’m not one of them. They get thrashed all the time.

Boy do I look forward to getting your letters. I keep them all in my footlocker in the order they’re dated. I haven’t written as much as I would like. It often takes me three or four days just to finish one letter. By the time I read yours and get ready for the next day, time has about run out. I look forward to when this is done, and the war is over. We can live in our own apartment. Be together. You get me. We can get a house and have kids. I don’t have much money, but we’ll do fine and have nice things.

I’m glad that you feel the same way as me and I trust you completely. Went to church recently and afterward I went to a “Marriage in the Military” class. The Chaplain talked about what it would be like and the temptations service members face overseas. No way! Not for me. The Marines teach you Semper Fi. Always faithful.

You can count on me to be faithful. He must be thinking about those Navy boys. I love you so much and thinking about you gets me through this. Not only that, but I think having your support has helped make me strive. A squad leader hurt his ankle and got pushed back, recycled. I’ve taken his place. Makes me think it’s because of you that they picked me to be his replacement. Pushing hard because you give me purpose.

Love,

Randell

Randell,

I’m glad to hear that you are doing so well. We are all so proud of you here. Seems like it has gotten a lot better. Maybe they just like to spend the first half of training weeding people out. You sound so positive. I’m sure that you’ll graduate on time. That reminds me to ask you what the weather will be like. I will definitely be coming down for your graduation, so I’ll need to know what to bring to wear. I’ve never been in the south before. Too bad you don’t get to leave the base during training to see what the town is like. I can’t wait to see you.

At first it was really hard, then I kept busy and time seemed to go by fast. But now almost every day here is like the day before. The same routine. And it gets harder and harder to write to you because I miss you so much. Now, I just can’t wait to see you. Since you’ve been gone, I’ve come to realize what a good influence you’ve been. I’ve gotten so much self-confidence and try to do my best at everything, too. You’ve helped me grow and to grow up into a young woman. You are such an incredible person. You’ve given me so much. I don’t know where to start to tell you all the things I love about you. I think you know, but if you don’t, then I’ll tell you all about it when I see you next.

The only thing new is that my cat Byron has a new trick. He likes to wake up at 4:30 in the morning and scratches at my door and meows until I let him in. Then he jumps on my bed and goes to sleep. He’s a pest because it’s hard to get back to sleep. Every time somebody even steps foot in the kitchen or opens the refrigerator door, he runs in and thinks somebody is going to feed him. He’s so cute though. I’ve put a paper grocery bag on the floor, like the time that you did it for him. He jumped in, but it wasn’t quite the same.

I really do miss you. But this is a big war that we’ve just got to win. You’ll do your part and with God willing, we can settle down and have a good life together.

Love always,

Mary