Updates

Monday, September 1, 2008

Drew sent us a few pictures via text messaging, they are kinda fuzzy since they came across on the phone and I tried to enlarge them for the site, but this is our first look at Drew in almost 4 months!

Drew's Army Uniform Class B

Drew in Army ACUs, this is his daily uniform along with the beret from the picture above.

This is the usual mode of transportation for anything outside of 5 km.  It is called a cattle truck and it is essentially a semi with benches and windows.  About 100 usually fit but they have fit up to 150.

Sunday August 31, 2008

We have talked to Drew several times over the last couple of weeks, but with all that has been going on with the baby and me; I have not had a chance to update his page.  The biggest news from Drew is that he was injured during a training procedure where he had volunteered to be a demonstrator.  His Drill Sergeant was displaying a personal defense move on Drew and Drew's foot got stuck in the mat and it ended up twisting his knee and causing some damage to his meniscus.  At this point, they do not think it is torn but he is in a brace and doing physical therapy.  He does not participate in PT (physical training) but he is still participating as much as possible.  Drew still sounds really good and says that he enjoys what he is doing, but he is ready to move on to the next phase of Army life.  He is excited to graduate and move to Ft. Stewart where he will continue training and preparing for deployment, which will happen sometime next Spring.  There have been a few times in the last couple of weeks where his Unit has gotten their Sunday Passes taken away due to unacceptable behavior (for example someone left their toothpaste on the sink and when asked no one would step up and say they did it, so the entire group paid for it).  

Sunday, August 17, 2008

We have not received much mail from Drew in the past couple of weeks.  However, he is calling fairly regularly.  He called Friday night 8/8, Sunday afternoon 8/10 and again Sunday 8/17.  He doesn’t have a lot of news to share.  He asked for his I-Pod to be sent and he is enjoying having his music on the days he has pass.  He is still very happy with what he is doing and learning.  He thought it very cool that he is getting to drive the Hum-Vee in a somewhat reckless manner and they are taught how to evade enemy fire and attacks.  They are having a lot of classroom learning for the next couple of weeks as they prepare for their next “big” test, the "Field Training Exercise”.  His platoon will be in the field for a week as they put into practice what they have learned.  This will include responding to and handling domestic disputes, public disturbances, crowd control, and hand-to-hand contacts.  They are also reviewing and enhancing some techniques they learned in basic.  The actual field work is mid-September.  When they return they spend a week cleaning up and repairing the gear and then their activities are mostly preparing their living quarters for their departure.  Drew says once they return from the field they will be on the down side of everything and everyone will be mentally preparing to have a few days at home before arriving at their permanent post.  He also says that he feels he may not be deployed immediately.  He thinks that there will be more training for him.  He again mentioned that if the US gets more involved in the Russia/Georgia dispute that he could be deployed there.  Drew continues to sound really good on the phone.  He said this weekend that he is beginning to feel somewhat removed from his old friends who are talking about moving back into the dorms and class schedules.  He did say that this did not make him sad so much as just distant.  He said he is very content with the path he has chosen and is glad to be where he is at this time.  Personally, when we have talked over the past few weeks, I have sensed a change in Drew, the way he talks and a lot in the way he “listens”.  We cannot really identify and name it other than to say “our little boy has grown up!”  He is very anxious to see Amie and wants very much to be on leave when Madeleine arrives if he can work it out.  Right now though those dates do not seem to be coinciding at all.  If he misses the big event he says he will definitely use his leave at Christmas so that he can spoil her!  Drew says to tell everyone hello, and he is grateful for each piece of mail he receives. 

July 27, 2008

We had hoped to be visiting Andrew this weekend but for reasons still not clear to us the overnight passes were cancelled.  They did however get an 8-hour pass on Sunday.  Drew called early Sunday just as we were finishing Bible study and then again just before we were leaving for Sunday night worship.  He sounds better than ever.  He was very upbeat and confident about the new things he is learning.  He also seems pretty proud of his “new look”.  Of course we are anxious to see that ourselves!  He shared a little about his graduation from basic and receiving his beret.  He is now in AIT – advanced individual training.  His graduation from that is Oct. 2.  He will then come home with us for a week to 10 days before reporting to his home posting at Ft. Stewart, GA.  Andrew was very excited about the fact that menu choices have changed.  They were allowed NO caffeine throughout basic but now can have anything they want for breakfast.  He also shared that they now get 30-40 minutes to eat rather than the “2” they have been allowed for each meal for the past 9 weeks.  His last few weeks of training were in the field “even farther out into the middle of nowhere than they already were”!  There was a mock town built which his battalion had to take from a Marine unit there on basic.  Their main objective here was to seize control of the power station in the town.  There was also a mock hostage rescue and a few other activities that he thought were pretty cool to be involved in.  There was also a very long march at the end with activities that included using all the different skills they have been working on.  He then shared some of what the AIT will include:  the coolest being the Humvee rollover!  He will get his military license and learn how to drive in a convoy using defensive maneuvers, etc.  He is also enjoying the weapons trainings-especially the 50 cal machine gun!

Drew was very happy to have a few more liberties such as regular passes and calls home.  They are allowed to explore the base during passes.  He says there are a few places to eat, movie theater, bowling, and a few other recreational things.  A few stores and one large Walmart like store that has much more than the small PX he has been allowed to use during basic.  Again, Andrew sounded happy and excited about being a soldier.  He reassures us with each call that this is something he really wanted and does not regret.  He has grown up on us rather quickly and is coming into his own, knowing who he is and what he wants to become.  We are very proud of him!

July 20, 2008

Drew called Sunday 7/20.  He was on a 4 hour pass and on his way to get a haircut and then go hang out at the USO.  There they can play games, watch TV, get free refreshments and hopefully get lucky and find an empty computer spot.  He says FLW is really Fort Lost in the Woods and there is nothing to do on pass except visit the USO.  Unfortunately for Drew, he spent 3 ½ of his 4 hours standing in line to get a haircut so only had a few minutes of actual downtime.  Welcome to the Army!  He continues to be totally enjoying what he is doing and learning.  He did end up getting pretty sick (guess there was a bug going around the unit).  He said he had chills and fever for about 3 days but could not go to infirmary for fear of not being able to make up the training which would keep him from qualifying, thus graduating.  He has a new appreciation for being able to get Tylenol from the med. basket when needed.  He had no complaints at all other than not being up on current events, especially news.  He now feels he will most likely be deployed to < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace="">Afghanistan.  After being posted to Ft. Stewart a few weeks he will go somewhere in the US, most likely the Mojave for “desert training”.  After returning to Ft. Stewart he will be eligible to be deployed.  Our best guess is the new year might see him actually overseas.  I am still praying for Germany although in reality Afghanistan is the more likely location.  He is excited about Madeleine and wants Amie to send pictures weekly so he can “watch” her grow.  Not sure if he meant Madeleine or Amie…lol.  It was great to talk to Drew and know he is doing what he wants to be doing with his life. He says he takes some ribbing due to his mail count but says that getting mail continues to be the highlight of his time there.  He thanks all who are sending notes and cards and asks that you continue to do that as you can.  He appreciates each and every one.  Also, please continue to pray for Drew’s safety and well-being. 

Jamie

July 6, 2008

Drew was able to call home tonight and got to talk for about 15 minutes. He has a pretty awful head cold, and his battle buddy has been in the infirmary since Friday with a fever of 104. He might have mono, so let's pray that Drew doesn't get to feeling any worse. He said it is unbeliveably hot, especially since he is carrying around 70 pounds of equipment and gear all day, every day.

Unfortunately, he isn't going to get an overnight pass anymore. That means we will not be able to visit him and we won't see him until his graduation in October. Instead, they will likely get a few short day passes but we will not know in advance and therefore cannot plan to visit him. He also said that, instead of getting 10-14 days at home before he goes to Ft. Stewart, he will probably get less than 7 days at home. They have been talking about getting deployed very soon after graduation, perhaps to Iran. They are beginning to take classes learning about the Middle East area: geographics, politics, religion, etc. and America's role in what is going on. He will also be learning what he is and is not allowed to share with us once he's deployed.

Overall, he is still in good spirits. But especially since he won't get a family visit anymore, let's be sure to keep sending the mail. That is what he still looks forward to. 

July 3, 2008

Drew's entire letter to Amie & Joel transcribed below...

I just have time for quick note tonight. Usually the only real time I have to read or write is on weekends, and usually just at night.

A little update on me and my activities. We qualified on Friday. I shot a 27/40 which is just the base marksman level since I had to deal with a wicked double feed jam. Today we went to the close quarters combat range and used M68 CCO scopes, which is this sweet little red dot scope. This week is more of the stuff we'll use when we are deployed - tactics and equipment. We'll also be doing hand grenades, firing the M24OB and M249 SAW machine guns, and learning American  weapons (classroom & range style) this week. And next week we'll be going on FTXs (Field Training Exercises).

That's about all I have time for right now. Oh yeah.. my graduation date apparently changed to October 2nd for some unknown reason. I think it has something to do with the days off we may have to take because of crazy heat indexes. Also, feel free to have people just send a list of questions and I can just answer them all at once for the website. I really gotta get going now. I only have a few minutes til lights out.

Love you all SOO much!!

Andrew

July 1, 2008

Drew called Chelsea tonight and they got to talk for about 30 minutes. He (still) sounds great, and talked at great length about his weapons and what he's been doing with them. He now knows how to throw hand grenades, and was preparing to learn how to crawl on the ground while his "battle buddy" shoots off live rounds above his head. Chelsea told him he better eat the dirt and keep his head down! He mentioned the possibility of getting a day pass to go to a local carnival for July 4th. He still isn't sure about when or even IF he will get an overnight pass, which is of course driving us crazy because we are unable to plan a trip. **He thinks his graduation from AIT is going to be changed back to October 2nd (rather than September 25th) because they think there will be days training cannot occur due to higher than usual heat indexes.** He said his post after graduation will be Fort Stewart in Savannah, Georgia.

He is still getting frequent mail and thanks everyone for continuing to think of him. He hinted that his abundant mail is what the drill sargeants give him a hard time about, but didn't seem to want to talk about that so Chelsea didn't push the conversation. He says to keep sending the mail though! It was the first time Chelsea had gotten to talk to Drew, so their conversation was basically catch-up.  He had to hang up the phone rather abruptly for lights out.

June 20, 2008

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Drew was able to call home on Father’s Day.  He sounded great and says everything is going ok.  His main complaint is the hot humid weather.  They were preparing to begin their weapons qualifications on Monday and Drew was excited about that.  Says they will march out to the range, stay all day having MREs or box lunches from the wagon and march back in at the end of the day.  I think they do this for about 2 weeks.  They have been running some exercise called “lost in the woods” and he says they come in just covered with ticks which they literally pick off each other.  Drew says that the days seem to drag but that overall time seems to be going pretty quickly.  He is not sure that he will get an overnight pass at the end of basic but hopefully he will. He said that he gets mail pretty regularly and is always glad that he does.  Drew is very upbeat and truly sounds happy or at least content to be in the Army.  He did say he has lost about 15 lbs. because all they do is exercise and train.  He says hi to everyone and thanks again to anyone/everyone sending letters, cards, etc.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Both Mom, Dad and I got phone calls from Drew today.  He didn't have much time to chat but sounded great and happy!  He told Mom that they have been practicing in the gas chamber.  They have to wear their gas masks in and then while in the chamber they take them off for a couple of minutes, then they have to put them back on before they leave.  He says it is very hot!!  He loves all the mail he is getting and apologizes for not always being able to return them.  He was very excited to talk to Joel and I about his niece and I think he is secretly excited that he is still the baby boy in the family! :)

Amie

A Day in the Life of Pvt. McAlpin

0500:  Wake Up and Accountablity (He stands at the end of his bunk and the drill sergeant makes sure everyone is there.)

0505 - 0520: Hygiene (Time to shave and brush his teeth.  There are 36 males and only 4 sinks.)

0525: Formation

0530 - 0700: PT (Physical Training)

0700 - 0720: Breakfast

0730 - 1200:  Classes, which can cover a variety of stuff

1210 -1230: Lunch

1240 - 1700: More Classes

1710 - 1730: Dinner

1740 - 1930: More Classes or Q&A sessions on topics from eariler in the day.

1930: Hydration Formation (They drink 2 quarts of water)

1930 - 2030: Personal Time (Showers, prepare gear, letters)

2030: Lights out 

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Drew sounds so good!  His letters are full of information about what his days are like and what he is experiencing.  I have listed his daily schedule above.  He continuely asks for wallet size pictures so please send those if you can (I was able to print wallet size at Walgreen's so email me if you need help). He has been issued his M4 Carbine (the main weapon that he will use) and they have named them and learned to field strip them. They are also learning combat lifesaver courses.  Drew says the weather there is very hot and humid (his shirt gets wet just by walking outside).  They have had some outrageous (his word choice) thunderstorms which are quite different than KY's.  He says the thunder rolls on and on.  They are in tornado alley and have had a couple of tornado warnings, during which, they have had to sleep with their gear ready beside their beds so they can grab it and go if necessary.

Joel & Amie

Tuesday, June 2, 2008

Hi all!  We got a phone call from Drew late tonight, around 9pm EDT.  He sounded really well and was upbeat and talkative.  Although he said his schedule was tough and very intense he is enjoying this and happy with his decision.  

The call was very brief but he did want to pass along a big THANK YOU to all the people who have sent him mail.  He says it is a great morale boost to hear his name at mail call.  He also asks that everyone please try to understand that he has a very limited amount of time and that he will probably not be able to respond to everyone that writes him, but please know that each letter means a lot and he appreciates them all!

Roger and Jamie

Friday, May 30, 2008

Drew's entire letter transcribed below....

24 May 2008

Dear Everyone,

After 2 days of essentially no personal time, I finally found a few minutes to write.  I honestly can’t say I regret doing this at all!  Yes, our EXTREMELY long days are full of push-ups, sit-ups, overhead arm claps (much harder than jumping jacks), being yelled at and sitting in overcrowded, hot, muggy rooms.  It’s completely opposite of what I’m used to; instead of having nearly total control over what did, I now have no control.  Even still, I know I’ll adjust over the next few weeks, at which point I’ll be given some more freedoms.  After we begin the AIT portion of our training (about 9 weeks from now) we’ll be allowed to have our phones back, which will make calling you all much easier.

As far as drill sergeants, each platoon has three, only two of which ever do anything.  I’m pretty happy with the two I’ve been assigned.  They seem to know how to balance out everything we do.  But that doesn’t mean we get out of physical stuff.  Today, because a few guys in our platoon decided not to shut up in class, we all went out and did about 100 sit-ups and 150+ flutter kicks, literally.

The hardest part about being here is just being away from everyone.  It’s very easy to get this very distant feeling but then you realize that it will be over soon.  I did get some more info on my post training happenings.  My graduation is scheduled for Sept 25.  After that, I’ll have 10-14 days of leave before reporting to my first duty station.  We got to pick 4 “dream” places, one in the continental US, the others overseas.  I picked Ft. Bragg, NC, Hawaii, Korea and E. Germany.  I’ll likely get Ft. Bragg.

25 May

Church was pretty good today even though the chaplain for this brigade is not as good as the one for the 43rd Reception.  Until we get to AI T and have more freedom I won’t be able to go to a Church of Christ.  But as soon as we get the opportunity, I’ll be going there.

One funny thing to mention is I think of quite a few things to tell you guys about throughout the course of the day but can never remember them by the time I can actually write.  One thing to mention though is that eating is an art around here.  We essentially have 3-4 minutes to eat and drink 2 full glasses of water.  Everything is pretty much eaten with a spoon after being mixed together.  On a little bit more negative note, I realize now more than ever, that my maturity level is higher than most 17-20 year olds.  I say this because they are the ones that usually get us in trouble, i.e. yesterday and when I or other of the mature guys try to get them to stop, we sort of get some looks.  But, really, I’m okay with that; if I’m the one stepping up and taking control the drill sergeants recognize that.

Everything else is really going good right now.  Allergies are back under control with the help of Claritin and Flonase. Being able to go see a doctor and get stuff like that all for absolutely nothing is pretty cool too.  I really don’t have too much more to say since I haven’t gotten any mail back yet to really respond to.  So I’ll go ahead and wrap this up and send it out tomorrow. (Guess he forgot Monday was Memorial Day or maybe they just lose sense of time/dates)  I love and miss you all sooo much!!!!  I can’t wait to see you again.  I’ll keep you informed on if and when I get an overnight pass if you guys want to come out.

Love,   Andrew

Tell Nana I love her a hundred million times to the moon and back.

And tell baby Eubank I said I love him/her!! And everyone else too!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

We got our first letter on Tuesday 5/27, written 5/21, and postmarked 5/22.  He sounded really good and apologized for being so stubborn and insistent when it came to making this decision.  He said he did not regret his decision although he had had brief moments when he wished to be in his own bed and around all of us.  He wished he realized how much he would miss us before he left but reminded himself and us that he will be home in 5 months.  Remember this is Drew's first extended period of time away from the family totally.  He said that "real" basic was due to start on 5/23 and the drill sergeants were already giving them a taste of what to expect for the next weeks. 

He says most of the guys in his unit are pretty cool. Again, he says "Please send mail!" and wallet size pictures if anyone has any.  Drew says the MP Corp is known for being one of the toughest-almost as tough as Army Rangers, which, as you will remember, is what he wanted.  He also says his company - E C0 - is nicknamed the Punishers for speed and violence. Lastly he said accept collect calls from strange numbers-it might be him!! Drew sends love to all!

Jamie

Thursday, May 22, 2008

     The first communication we had was a pre-printed postcard received Thursday May 22, one week and one day after Drew left Lexington.  It was postmarked May 19 from FLW.  The only thing he personally put on it was our name and address (not mom and dad) and his signature.  It basically said that he had arrived safely and would be assigned to his unit in the next 4-5 days. It also said not to bother responding to the address on the card because he would not receive it.  It promised that we would hear from Drew with a good address soon.

     Tonight about 7:30 pm EST, Drew called.  I was driving home so I pulled over.  He immediately said he didn’t have much time to talk.  His calling card that I smuggled into his wallet did not work and I am not sure how he was able to call.  It took a bit to get the address correct, between the pay phone noise, the noise in the background, etc.  He asked me to tell everyone he would really like to hear from them.  Drew did not say he was homesick and I really didn’t want to know the answer to that.  He said that most of the past week was spent “processing in” and that basic actually starts tomorrow, Friday, May 23.  He says he does realize he will not have much free time and asks that whoever receives phone calls and/or letters share with everyone else.  He hopes to get to call home once a week and I pray that is so!

Love to all and don't forget to keep Drew in your prayers!

Jamie