Here is a picture of Brittany.  This is the only we have right now.  However, in just a couple days we will have a bunch.  She graduates this Friday!  Woo-hoo.....   You go girl!
She is in the background.
(Note: I love the BCG's aka Birth Control Glasses.)

Well, I'm back....

Brittany said people are actually reading this stuff, so I though I'd posts some more.  

Well, she's only 3 weeks away from graduation.  It happens on May 18th.  We will be flying there and will stay there for a couple day.  I guess we can be with her all day Saturday.  A friend of mine said the city was getting ready for us and are getting the signs ready:

  

She said she has gone to the gas chamber and said that the guys cried and whined more than the gals.  As most of you guys know, when Brittany see an opportunity to dog out one of the guys, she will.  So she asked them why they were acting "girly" and wondered if they were giving them estrogen for breakfast.  She just got such a rush seeing them like this, when the gals kept it together.  My feeling is the gals are use to it.  I mean who many times to men pull the bed covers over their wives head when they fart in bed?  Not to say I would ever do that....or would I?

She says that she has the "hots" for some guy there.  Being in a band group, she always has the opportunity to talk to him since they have to rehearse together.  What's funny is that they said that Brittany didn't hold the drum sticks right, so they put her on the cymbals which I said would probably happen in my last blog entry.  But back to this guy, one thing for sure, Brittany sucks in music, so they won't play beautiful music together.  It will be more like AC DC heavy metal....  

I actually told Brittany that she needed to knock off talking to this guy.  She said "Why?"  I told her that this guy has been in boot camp for 5 weeks now and that he probably has "Frogs".  She asked "What the heck is frogs?"  I wouldn't tell her.  However, I did send her this picture....  I think you'll understand...

She said they they promoted her to "Element leader".  What an element leader is, is almost like a Department Head.  You have 1 CEO, then the 1 vice CEO, then 4 Department head.  One thing in the military is you NEVER want to make yourself noticed in boot camp.  You just want to blend in.  Boot camp is the only time you ever want to do this.  When you actually become an airman, then you strive to be #1.  But in boot camp you want to be average.  Not good, not bad, just be in the middle.  Well, she had no choice, they were watching on how she works with people and they wanted her to lead the group.  She said it's not too bad, and one of the benefits was she was in the front when they took the groups pictures. I hope we can get pictures soon but I think this would be probably what it would look like.  

Believe it on not, she says most of the gals are actually working together.  Being a guy, I really find this hard to believe.   How can 50 women live together under one roof without a bunch of drama?   I totally believe what this dude says:

Anyways, that's about it.  She is starting the BEAST week this week.  What that is, is the war games.  They run around with their M-16's in fake combat situation.  Geez, I can imagine the gals asking the enemy "can you give me directions to the al qaeda compound?"  At least with guys, we suck it up and just get lost on our own.  

You've got to love the al qaeda....

Well, until next time....

Brittany's Dad ~

Hi guys, Sorry for the long delay.  I just wanted to get a letter from Brittany so I could pass something along instead of stupid jokes.
For some reason the Air Force decided that Brittany will be in the performance flight group at Basic Military Training (BMT) .  The performance flight is the ones that play the musical instruments during the ceremony.  I can tell the Air Force is really hard up for people playing musical instrument because she has no experience at all.  When she 1st started talking about this, my mind flash to her playing the triangle or cymbals.

  but no, the Air Force in their infinite wisdom, chose her to do the "snare drums". Get this... she had a boyfriend at one time that use to play in a band.  One day he taught her one song on the drums.  That was the  only song she could play.  She has no other experience.  I know I'm dating myself with this comment, but this reminds me of the t.v. show "Green Acres".  "Hot time in the old town tonight" is the only song that the Hooterville Volunteer Fire Department Marching Band knew.  Which is probably the only thing she knows too.

  So the point I'm trying to make is this should be really interesting.

She is asking for letters, and pictures.  It's driving her crazy not having anything to read.  So I've been sending newspaper clippings just to give her something to read.

She still seems upbeat and happy.  She is on Week Of Training (WOT) 3....  Go here to see the schedule:
Air Force Week Of Training (WOT) schedule

My family is actually celebrating right now knowing she's one day closer to being done.  We will have another celebration tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day... until she's done...

Hopefully I will hear some more soon.  Geez only 2 phone calls really suck.  I've learned one thing.  Don't stand between Tessie (Brittany's mom) and the phone when it rings.

That's it.....Until next time....
Brittany's dad ~

btw:  Happy Easter everyone...

Woo-hoo, got a phone call today from Brittany.  This is the 1st call (besides the 15 second "I got here" call)
She is in great spirits.  She sounds like she's having the time of her life.  Being raised in a military family, I think she was hardened.  She is very strong and doesn't let anything get to her.

She says she is the only gal in her "flight" that hasn't cried yet.  A "flight" is a division or group of people.  Of the 42 gals in her flight, only 17 are active duty.  All the others are reservist or part of the Air National Guard (I believe).

She says her physical fitness is going really good:
Last weeks 1 1/2 mile run time:  17:30
This weeks 1 1/2 mile run time:  14:50

Last weeks push-ups:  17
This weeks push-ups:  27

Last weeks sit-ups:  25
This weeks sit-ups:  36

She said that she has gotten in trouble once.  They were working out with a guy "flight", and their (the guys) Training Instruction (TI) made all the guys yell out "POP".  Then the TI told them that he wanted them to get use to it because that is the sound they will hear with they finally get the heads out of their butts.  This cracked her up and they saw her laughing, thus getting in trouble.

She asked for the drivers license # of those that plan on going to her graduation.  That way they will be able to enter the base.

She said she has been really busy and can't write much, but she can receive letters everyday.  She wants to keep her mind occupied and wanted me to send pictures and/or news clippings, but said don't send food or candy since she will be in trouble.

I plan on telling her about the Meth Lab in our neighborhood.

Brittany's Dad ~

Well, since I haven't gotten any letters from her yet, I guess I will post the language difference between the Navy and the Air Force.  (Remember, I'm a retired Navy guy, so it's my duty to hammer on the Air Force every so often (especially since she's not here to defend herself)
Brittany's dad ~

(Click to make bigger)

Today we received Brittany's snail mail address for BMT.  To protect her privacy and to prevent unwanted "spam",  I will not post it here.  However, if you send me an email, I will send it to you.
My email address is:  bri3032001@yahoo.com
Brittany's Dad ~

3/23/12 No calls today.  I have found the schedule of what happens every week, so I thought I'd post it.
(Note: Click on picture and it will get bigger)
~ Brittany's Dad

Yesterday we got 3 calls from Brittany.
-  She called about 11:30am to say she is on the plane in Denver, waiting for it to load and depart for San Antonio Texas.
-  The next call came about 1:30 pm saying she just landed.  She was still on the plane and is awaiting for the yelling to begin.  She sounded really excited and ready to begin her new career.
- The last call came about 8:30pm.  It was a scripted call.  She said "I got to San Antonio fine.  You will receive my address in the next 3 days.  Good bye".  The reason I could tell this was scripted is 1st off Brittany never shuts up.  She cannot say anything that short.  Secondly, she didn't say "Like".  Every female under 25 says "like" somewhere in every sentence.
~ Brittany's Dad

Airport and leaving CO

Hi Everyone! (It is Brittany here)

As you know, I did not ship out yesterday like I was expecting. Booking a ship date only two weeks ago resulted in shipping out a day later because the flight was full. Luckily another Air Force recruit also booked in the last two weeks and is leaving with me today.

I am so thankful to have such a great support system here and Denver. Everyone who showed up to my Oath waited hours to watch just a short cermony.  I am already looking forward to seeing my family and friends again and hearing from them in BMT.

I took full advantage of the extra day and slept most of the day. I took a four hour nap, met my mom and dad for a bit, had dinner with the other shippers (only Army is leaving today), then went back to bed by 9pm. We had a wake up today call at 4:30am and had to report for breakfast at 5am. After catching up on much needed sleep I feel very well rested and ready as I can be for basic training. At 6am we were being shuttled to the airport. My flight does not leave until 11:30am so right now I am hanging out at the USO with the other shippers. Almost everyone is sleeping on the couches trying to get that last nap before basic training. We should arrive in San Antonio around 2:30pm. I won't know what happens after we get there until the time comes. All we are told is to report to the USO and we may have time for dinner or we may just be on a bus straight to BMT.

I am so happy I chose the Air Force already as we get a little more freedom than the other branches. The Army recruits are so jealous that we can have a phone at BMT even if it means only making a 15 minute phone call a week. Also 8 1/2 weeks of basic training is starting to sound a lot better than the Army's 10 week boot camp. I lost a lot of the excitment yesterday after I was told I am not leaving for another day but it is slowly creeping back. I am not nervous yet...

Thank you all for your best wishes! I am so blessed to have so many people to support me and I cannot wait to keep you all updated on this adventure. I will even let you know what makes me cry at BMT ;-) as we all know everyone does! Next post should have my address, I cannot wait to hear from all of you!

MEPS - The oath of Enlistment

Today, 20 March, Brittany started her new adventure.  She woke up at 4:30 am to get ready for breakfast, (normally that is when she went to sleep).  They ate at 05:00 am, and had to be at MEPS at 06:00 am.  She had to go through the last medical checks and were tested again for drug test.  Her family and friends were at MEPS to watch the swearing in ceremony.  Even though she lacked sleep, she looked really good and ready to start her new journey.
Her swearing in was suppose to be at 09:00 am, but as normally with the military, it was the "Hurry up and wait" game.  She wasn't in the 09:00 am group.  So she waited for the next group at 10:00 am, but as luck would have it, she wasn't in that group either.  She finally was notified that hers would be at 11:00 am.  At 11:00 they were bought into the briefing room to go over her contract information.  After signing all the paperwork, she (and the others) went to the ceremony room to be sworn in.
After swearing in, she was notified that she wouldn't ship off that day since the airline flight was already full.  So luckily for her, she was allowed one more day in the hotel, and could catch up on her much needed sleep.  Mom & Dad took her to lunch for Vietnamese food, and she almost went to sleep at the restaurant because of the lack of sleep.  After lunch, Mom & Dad took her back to the hotel and she crashed.  We took home all the items that she didn't need in BMT (Ipad, Iphone, hair straighten, and all the other needless stuff that women tend to pack and don't need).
She woke up at 6:30 pm and asked if we wanted to go and eat.  Because she was still tired, we only went for a quick meal at Burger King.  Because she was still tired, we took her back to the hotel and gave her our last goodbye.  I had mixed emotions, not being able to see her for 8weeks will be hard, but I know the path she is taking is the best way for her to get to her goal of becoming a Physicians Assistant (PA).  My other emotion was from my wallet.  Not slipping her money for various things will make my wallet really, really happy.  Woo-hoo!
Here are some pictures from today's ceremony.
~ Posted by Brittany's Dad ~

Ceremony Room

Ceremony Room

Signing her life away, the contract is signed

Brittany receives her 1st orders from Peyton:  DO NOT LEAVE!

The oath of Enlistment

Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened

The two sisters, Brittany and Peyton

The U.S. Air Force flag.  

Peyton and Brittany

Brittany's adopted family, she loves Peyton, Cameron, and Carter

Brittany, Mom, and Dad

Night before boot camp

Hi Everyone!! As you all know, I have enlisted in the United States Air Force. Tomorrow, March 20th is the day I "ship out" to Basic training (boot camp). I have had so many people curious in the process of joining the military and interested in what basic training will be like. Instead of writing you all a little bit about what is going on, I have decided to write my parents a detailed description and they will post on here for you follow. This is simply so everyone can join me on my journey and help so I am not writing the same story over and over. Please still send letters and ask questions. I will of course write you all back. Tonight is Monday and I'm staying at the hotel in Denver. I have a roommate that is joining the Army National Guard the only reason I'm not sleeping, besides the excitement is my roommate talks in her sleep. Of course I thought I would be the ine person that would be sleeping tonight, but I will be exhausted like everyone else. I am not really nervous, but very excited to start on my next adventure in life. It is almost midnight and we have a wake up call at 4:30, breakfast at 5 and then medical processing starting at 6. I actually swear in and (sell my soul) ;-) at 9am tomorrow, where some family and friends are coming to watch and support.  Look at for an address posted on here within the next few days! I miss you all and I will look forward to hearing from you!  Until next time...