Basic Training

My brother enlisted in the Army.  It was actually a surprise to us all.  He graduated from culinary school and then spent a year trying to get a job with no luck, so he joined the Army so he could support his family.  When I talked with my dad about it after we found out he found some humor in it, since my dad kept going to school to avoid the Army and here his son was enlisting.  We actually found out at the end of last year of his plans.  We all hoped he would be able to use his culinary degree....but no such luck.  My brother's colorblindness prevented that line of work.  So he is training to become a Horizontal Engineer.  Which means he will drive heavy equipment, like bulldozers etc., to flatten ground and build roads and things.  He figures after his 4 years are up that could be a useful skill he can use outside the Army.

He reported to Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri on April 1st.... my mom's birthday.  My dad made a trip out to visit us to align with Wylie's graduation from Basic Training.  We ended-up not making it to the actual graduation, but we did get to visit with him for about half a day right after graduation since he had free time.

It was surreal to say the least.  First of all, I haven't even seen my brother in 2.5 years.  He looked so different.  He had no hair, his clothes fit, and he was in amazing shape.  It was hard to believe he was trained and ready to shoot a gun with decent accuracy.  He talked some about his training, much of which was hard to believe.  But I am thankful for the training!  He now moves on to Advance Individual Training to teach him his specific job.

At the end of the day we had to get him back so they could all march off together.  I filmed it.  I think that was the hardest part of the day.  My brother was one of the oldest...there were young men and women there that were almost 10 years younger than him...and some of them looked it.

Anna had no memory of my brother and spent the whole day being coy and evasive of him.  It was pretty funny, but about what I would expect from my shy little girl.  But as soon as we got in the car after he march away she started to cry and say she missed him.  It was really sweet and heartbreaking.  I really had to keep my emotions in check and not allow my thoughts to wander.  It had been 2.5 years and what if this was the last time.  It is still hard at times.  Most likely I will not be able to attend his next graduation since it will be about the time the baby is due.