OFFLINE

i was lucky enough to get a picture of my son yesterday!  (don't ask me how, it's classified ) but I can see he has lost weight. his cammies are lose fitting, and his neck is ripped as in muscular.  he looks good.  

OFFLINE

:: at In & Out.......this must be one of the majority conversations during BC right now.......that is really funny to me!!!!!!!! Brenda I am hoping that Marquis has also gained muscle mass.......he was a very "toned" young man when he went into BC....not skinny thin but thin with lots of muscle for his stature........so I really hope the same for Marquis!!!!!! Yes if I can get an answer to MY QUESTIONS as to what size he is wearing right now I would be inclined to buy him a pair of jeans as well!!!!!!!!! @Karin, Im actually looking up in the map today where the closest In & Out is near the Base for Friday...... When I find out I will be sure to post in here for everyone to know as it seems THEY ALL WANT IT!!!!!!! Brenda......desired foods in the motorhome.....hmmmm, cookies, cakes, little pies, gummy worms, KitKats.......::........Home cooked meals it is.....as I said I think my life is going to be in the kitchen for 10 days!!!!!!! But he has said that he wants the Taco Truck...(best damn burritos!!!!), AppleBees, Panda Express, LaNitas, and then of course he wants me to make him Tri-Tip, Borba's Keilbasa, Spaghetti, homemade garlic bread, salad, homemade mashed potatoes, homemade Beef Stroganoff, and on and on.....and now as if it wasn't all about Marquis......Timmy has asked me to make Sopas for when Marquis is home as well........DAMNIT!!!!!!!!!!!~ ::........I guess I just turned into Betty Crocker once again!!!!!!!!!! Bwahahahahahaha......Oh yes it is indeed going to be a very FULL 10 days!!!!!!! And I laugh at the DI's saying DON'T GET FAT on leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess PT will be on Marquis list of things to do when he is home!!!!!!!

OFFLINE

Apryl and Brenda! I laughed out loud when I saw the "Don't get fat!" line haha that made my day! Steven eats enough for 3 people so we'll see how that goes!

Karin! I'm using all my willpower not to ask how you got a picture of your son, I would give anything to have a picture of Steven :/ I am very very happy for you though! I bet it was absolutely amazing to get to see him!! :]

I'm off to an interview for a special events position at my university and then it's off to work as an office assistant! My work life is very exciting as you can see ;] haha have a wonderful day ladies! Crossing my fingers for some mail!!

OFFLINE

:: right Amanda.....Steven sounds just like Marquis.....His idea of lunch is 4 PB&J Sammies, an orange, a banana, chips and then some cookies, then in about an hour he could do it all again!!!!!!!! HAHA, would hate to see what I looked like if I ate like that!!!!!! ......Good luck with your interview today!!!!!!!!! Im sure you will do GREAT!!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed as well!!!!!! Have a great day!!!!

OFFLINE

Aaron's sister & Marine husband made their reservation at the Billeting! Question, for those who called and got a room, were you told that they ONLY have rooms left with 2 twin beds on one side and 2 twins on the other with a bathroom seperating them? My daughter has to pay for both sides even though no one will occupy those 2 other beds on the other side.Thats 50 a night What happen to having A room that occupies 2 only with a private bath for 27 dollars a night? And where's the extra person for 5 dollar suppose to sleep?...on the floor? Am I misunderstanding something?  I rather have my daughter whose an OLDER sibling and married stay on the other side with us and one would be the extra person. We could be all staying for 55 a night so 110, for both nights. If anyone was told different could you let me know? I may be calling them back to see if they can join us all together. Thanks!!

OFFLINE

Brenda I was told the same thing....that there was only a room with 2 twin beds on each side with a bathroom seperating the two........I really thought it was going to be 4 beds in one room with the bathroom off to the side.........Honestly I have no idea what to expect....as you and I BOTH said the reception we got on the phone was not all that welcoming or cordial!!!!!!!!!!! I guess we will just have to wait and see...If youdo end up calling back please let me know how it turns out for you...........It really doesn't make any sense at all what they told you..........I probably would call back and make damn sure they KNOW WHAT THEY are talking about!!!!!!!!!! Love ya girl!!!!!!

OFFLINE

I'd love to hear whether you recommend staying at billeting after your experience.  We are due to be there soon and don't know whether to stay on base or not.

OFFLINE

Originally Posted by Rh Hr:
I'd love to hear whether you recommend staying at billeting after your experience.  We are due to be there soon and don't know whether to stay on base or not.

Rh Hr........From my personal experience I really enjoyed staying on the Base.....it allowed us to be right there for everything...no need to worry about the gate each morning, no need to worry about parking etc......The rooms are descent...basically like a motel room....the beds are small but it is a small sacrafice so that you can be right there!!!!! Some of the rooms do actually have air conditioning in them as my son's room that was right next to ours did....but they do have fans in them.......the water preassure is not the greatest in the showers but again I say a very small sacrafice!!!!!!! I will let you know you are going to do a ton of walking so be prepared for that....it may not seem like a lot, but by then end of each day your little legs and feet will be killing you!!!!!!! Make sure to bring sun block as you are in direct sun most of the time!!!! So again, for me, I would recomend the Base.....simply because of location and ease of being there to see everything!!!!!! There is a Starbucks on Base, there are food places to eat at and there is a little grocery store.........In the grocery store though if you want alcohol or tobaco products you have to have a Military ID to purchase......Enjoy your graduation and family day!!!!!! It is an experience you WILL NEVER FORGET!!!!!!

OFFLINE

This has really helped with unanswered questions.  I plan to stay in Billetting when my son graduates on Septembe 16. good to know when check in is so can plan flight accordingly.  While on that subject. How did you all plan flight arrangements?  Did you go through that CWTSATO web site that was in the brochure that was sent with the recruits first "form" letter?  Any help with planning flight arranagements would be great?  My son's dad and I are divorced and I thought maybe about coordinating things with him but my budget is less than his but want to be able to travel back to TX with my son. Any thoughts on that would be great too?

OFFLINE

Kristen, Hi ! I am friends with Apryl and we both drove to MCRD....but I know most families did go through CWTSATO because they were reasonable. We too stayed on base and loved it! Like Apryl said, alot of walking so wear comfortable shoes!! If you are the only one staying then hopefully you can get a single private room. They are cheap! BTW...I'm from TX in the Central Area!! This will be the most amazing experience you will go through and thank your son for making the best decision of his life!

OFFLINE

How long of a drive was it for you from central TX?  I am from the DFW area.  I have thought about driving but don't think I can do that.  I was also curious to know what type of funds looking at going through CWTSATO. It would be me, and my 2 girls ages 14 & 5?  I cann't wait for the day to come.  I have heard so much about it being amazing and wonderful. Got a letter from him where he was on bedrest from having wisdom teeth pulled and saw family day. He said it was awesome and can't wait for that day either.  

Originally Posted by Brenda Glaesmann Robinson:
Kristen, Hi ! I am friends with Apryl and we both drove to MCRD....but I know most families did go through CWTSATO because they were reasonable. We too stayed on base and loved it! Like Apryl said, alot of walking so wear comfortable shoes!! If you are the only one staying then hopefully you can get a single private room. They are cheap! BTW...I'm from TX in the Central Area!! This will be the most amazing experience you will go through and thank your son for making the best decision of his life!

OFFLINE

Kristen, the cost for Billeting is $50 a night...so it was $100 for Wed and Thurs night in total...well worth it.....as far as cost of food etc...there is a PX Market on Base...pretty reasonable, plus you can leave to get food if you want.....really depends on how much you all eat etc.....For graduation day make sure to have some money as they sell water etc on the parade deck...or you can do what we did and got it at the PX for a little cheaper prior to graduation.....On Thursday (FD) they have a bunch of tents set up with food etc....everything from Pizza slices to burgers to sandwhiches etc.....again pretty reasonable...about 4-5 dollars....or of course you can bring your own stuff....I think we went down there with about $300 and that worked out ok for the 3 of us!!!!