120623

Hey Everyone,
     Well, today has been one rough day. First off, my left hip joint has been having some occasional sharp pains for the past 2-4 days. I'm still sick and my left hand has been almost completely numb for a day because we have to hold our arms parallel to the deck with our elbows locked out until we do the movements right. Now today, I got up and got IT'd (Intense Training) for the first time. During PT we did the S&E course (Strength and Endurance) which is a 2.5 mile run with small exercises every 1/4 or 1/2 mile. I coughed the entire way through it. Then we got back to the house and had some free time I had a nose bleed. When I got that one under control the other one opened up. I began to change out change out the tissue and a lot of blood came out and made the entire toilet I was standing over turn red. I had Barrus give me a blessing along with Boyd, another LDS guy in our platoon but he's a returned missionary. It was Barrus's first blessing but afterwards the nose bleed was done and I cleaned out my nose with no further complications. Today has not been my best day :(. Oh well I still need to press on.
     Hey if you guys feel so inclined I would really appreciate it if you could write a simple letter to my rack mate, CHHUTH, because he hasn't received any mail yet. Thanks!

Thanks for the letters and Prayers!
                                           Bryson

June 19 & 20

Hey everyone-
     Got the first two pieces of mail today, thanks Natalie B. and Dad. If you guys can do me a favor and date your letters that would be nice.
     To answer your questions, Chow is great! It's 3 times a day. Breakfast chow is around 0600. We get up at 0500 everyday.  Lunch is around 1100 and dinner is around 1800. On average, I get a salad, jello, and like 4 packets (1 in. by 4 in.) of peanut butter. Then there are 3 main choices you can pick from and 3 veggies to choose from. Then you can have a little dessert (most of the time it's 2 small cookies). We hit the racks around 2100.
     I've been sick for about 4 days now with a bad cold. You just have to battle through it. Training is getting harder but I'm still enjoying it as much as I can. Today (120620) was the bayonet training and pugil sticks. Pugil sticks is where you have padded poles and you fight each other. I lost, but all well. I'm also a prayer leader for the Church in my platoon. That means during our 5 min. devotional every night. I read it for the guys that are LDS in our platoon. I also get to go to church every Tuesday night for training. It's great.
     I've made two really good friends in my platoon, Chhuth, my rack mate and Barrus who is LDS as well. We talk and tell each other what we are going to do right after we graduate. :)
     Well I got to go. Letter are appreciated as well as prayers.
                              Miss you all,
                                    Bryson

Week 2

June 14, 2012

Hey everyone,
    Well don't have much time so I need to keep it short. We ran sprints on Tuesday and we split into 3 groups depending on your IST (Initial Strength Test) run time. I was in the fast group and on the last sprint I was first! Wednesday we started MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program). It was way fun. I'm glad I went to PT (physical training) every change I could cause it's paying off now.
     I've heard two things about Phase one (there are 3 phases) of training, both of which I agree, you'll always be a little tired and you'll always be a little hungry.
                 Well I gtg
                          Bryson

More Letters! Part 2

Here is Bryson's second letter.

Wed June 13(?), 2012
Hey everyone!                                                                                                  
     Well I've made it through a week and a half of basic. I'm in platoon 1022 of Bravo Co. The First week straight up sucked. Then Black Friday came, the day we met our real Drill Instructors, I thought it was going to be horrible but it wasn't all that bad. Wee are doing a lot of drill, marching, right now. That's probably the majority of the day. I don't have much time so I'll just cover the the important stuff. Sunday, now my favorite day of the week :) because... CHURCH. I LOVE CHURCH!!! The two people in charge of the branch are Bro. and Sis. Everett. Both are amazing! Well the moral of the story is I cried my eyes out because of how strong the Spirit was. I know the church is TRUE! I'm making friends. Miss you all!-Bryson

More letters! Part 1

We got two more letters today.

20120607 (6/7/12)
Hey everyone,                                                                                              
I don't know when I get to send this but I might as well write it.
     The week started by going to the hotel and going to bed around 2100 (9:00) but I didn't fall asleep until 2330 (11:30). We woke up at 0430 and went to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). Spent the day there until 1430 (2:30) then went to the airport for a flight that left at 1650 (4:50). I slept on the plane and that was a good idea.
    When we landed we went to the USO (not sure what that stands for) and hung out with other recruits until 2 DI's (drill instructors) came and got us- HOLY CRAP that was scary! They filed us on some buses and made us put on our heads down. When we finally stopped another DI got on the bus and made us stand on the yellow footprints. We got yelled at, got our phone call, haircut, and got issued clothing. Long story made short we were up until Tuesday night. Life sucked completely until the first time we did drill. That raised my spirits a little bit. THANK YOU MARCHING BAND! We have like 3 minutes to eat chow (yes that is the official military term for food). The first time we slept it was heaven except it only felt like 10 minutes. We hit the rack (bunks) around 2000 (8:00) and got up at 0330. They have taken tired to a whole new level. I'm in Platoon 1022 of Bravo Co. right now but that might change because we are cutting the platoon in half. We have 120 guys in the platoon right now. We got some shots and yesterday and I'm still sore. Tomorrow we should get our real DI's instead of our receiving DI. I'm so glad I know some hymns that I can sing in my head.
     Thanks for the support. THANKS FOR THE PRAYERS!
                                            Bryson


I added the parenthesis to help those a little less familiar with the military jargon understand what he's talking about. I'll only do it now for the new terms he adds.

When it rains, it pours :)

We got a couple more letters today! One is from Bryson and the other is from his drill instructor. We also got his mailing address!

Here are some highlights from his drill instructors letter:
"He (Bryson) is about to undergo a rigorous training cycle that will test him both physically and mentally. The first phase of training will take place here at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, California. His training here will consist of: physical training, close order drill, water survival qualification, and an introduction to military life. In addition, he will receive numerous classes on Marine Corps history, first aid, military customs and courtesies, and military law.

The second phase of training takes place at Camp Pendleton, California and consist of rifle marksmanship, field skill straining and the "Crucible" event. During this period he and his fellow recruits will have attained a higher lever of team work and esprit de corps through shared hardship.

The third phase of training will bring your young man back to MCRD. Upon returning to MCRD the last two weeks will consist of final events such as close order drill evaluation, battalion commander's inspection, physical fitness test, the practical examination of military subjects and graduation.

Positive and encouraging letters from relatives and friends will greatly contribute to his moral and attitude."

Here is Bryson's letter:
Dear Dad (everyone),
I have arrived at MCRD San Diego safely. I have been attached with Platoon 1022 of Company Bravo. I have started training. I am allowed to receive mail (and pictures). I am not allowed to receive any contraband. Sorry for a short letter.
-Recruit Chipman

You can write me at:
Rec. Chipman, Bryson, B.
1st RTBN Bravo Company
Platoon 1022
39011 Midway Ave.
San Diego, CA 92140

So feel free to write Bryson. Be aware he may not be able to write you back personally, he may just add it to the "family" letter.

TWO letters... Yup, we're that cool!

We got two letters today! One we got in the mail. The other one came from another marine mom. Her son in down with Bryson but he left 2 weeks before him. So Bryson wrote a letter and had his buddy mail to his mom who then got in contact with Dad and gave him the letter. The first one we got in the mail was just a Father's day card for Dad. He said he loves everyone and misses us too.

Here is his letter that came via other marine mom:

Hey Dad,
I love you! I'm not much of a cryer but since I have gotten to church I've been crying my eyes out. First week went by as smoothly as it could. I'm so glad you have raised me in the gospel. Thank you so much. Tell everyone Hi and that I miss them them. I have scriptures and can't wait to read them. Sacrament is starting so I gotta go.
I love you!
Bryson


So he's alive and as far as we can tell, doing well. Writing address is still pending.

The Adventure has begun.

Bryson entered Basic Training yesterday. Sunday night he stayed at a hotel near the airport. He had to be up at 4:30 Monday morning. He was suppose to be sworn in at 10:00 that morning but due to a hold up, he had to wait about 3 hours. I can only imagine that Bryson was going crazy because he is a very time oriented person. Dad and Christopher were there to watch Bryson swear in. Bryson was able to talk to them for a little bit while they were waiting. He said he didn't fall asleep till about 12:30 and that it was a very restless sleep.

Last night, about 10:30, my dad got a call on his phone. The conversation went something like this:

(Dad) "Hello?"
"This is (whatever his rank is) Chipman. I have made it to San Diego. I am safe. Please do not send any packages. My next correspondence will be through mail. Love you. (Click)
(Dad) "Bye."

Bryson was talking into the phone so loud that I could hear him even though I was 4-5 ft away from Dad. The whole phone call lasted 11 seconds.

Hope he is doing well. I'll keep things updated here.