I’m back with an Esky this time

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Going into WOT5 for Jack. Have not talked to him since he left July 30th, but we have communicated thru letters. He got to call when he got there to tell us that he made it. But that was a scripted call that he made to his mother.
Video showing their first call. I’m glad he called his mom.

He got to Lackland Air Force base a day later than the rest of his flight because of the last minute call from his recruiter when one of the recruits got into a car accident on his way to MEPS for final swear in. He broke his arm which gave Jack his job opening but had to leave within 24 hrs. They also gave Jack $25k “sign on” bonus because of the short notice. And he’s also getting another $10k after tech school.
So because of his day behind arrival, the Air Force has been posting pictures of them in process of their training and we have not seen Jack in any of them. Mainly the ones from intake of the trainees Getting their gear and such. But now we are starting to see him pop up in the pics. This week he gets his dress blues and their air force pictures. Can’t wait to see that one.

 

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Couple updates. I should have put Jack’s Air Force update on the 02 Escalade thread but at any rate, I’ll finish it off here.
He graduated from Lackland Air Force base on 9/18 & 9/19. First day is the airman’s run and coin ceremony. The second day is the graduation parade and their final swear in. Both days after the ceremony they have to stand at attention until they get “tapped out” by their family or friends. After not seeing him for so long and having limited communication it’s an emotional moment to say the least. They start with their morning 1.6 mile run and at the end of it is where they run through the crowd of their loved ones. The video is our first glimpse of them as they come out. I’ll tell ya, the hair on my arms stood straight up and my eyes started tearing with the overwhelming feelings of pride, happiness, love, respect and joy. Words can’t describe it.

I know I was suppose to “tap” him out but I couldn’t help but to grab him around his neck with a tight hug. So proud of my son!

After that he got a town pass and we spent the day together hearing all about his experiences. He just wanted to sit back at the hotel in the AC and catch up and I was fine with that. It was 106° that day in San Antonio and 101° the next. Jess and I were at the base both days by 5am to get good parking and claim our seats. The events didn’t start until 9am so it made for a long day but I didn’t care. I figured Jack put in a lot of work in this heat, I could handle a couple days for him.

I won’t bore you with all the pictures and play by play so I made a short video of our experience.

Jack’s mom and husband along with my son Josh were there as well (Josh with his crazy hair in picture). Jack, Josh, Jess and I took Jack the first day after we all went out to eat and then he went with his mom, Dave and Josh the second day but their hotel was outside the 1604 which is the highway that circles San Antonio and was Jacks boundary so they couldn’t go to their hotel. Worked out for me because he ended up coming back to my hotel and Jess and I were able to spend more time with him and bring him back to base and say our goodbyes again.
He got on a bus early Friday morning and headed off to tech school at Sheppard Air Force base in Wichita Falls Texas. He got his orders the following week and will be going to South Korea in January. He will be stationed at Osan AFB for a year before getting his next assignment. He’s in the 462/2W1 weapons regiment where he’s an aircraft armament specialist and he’s working on A-10 warthog thunderbolt at the moment. Pretty cool. He’s already bumped up to phase 2 in school and it’s a lot more laid back and he has his phone so we talk almost every day.
I can’t believe how much he has changed as a person. They definitely broke them down and rebuilt them. He’s always been a good kid but the military has a way to take people and turn them into disciplined soldiers in such a short amount of time. It’s hard to explain but he’s a man now with so much more respect and just Carrie’s himself differently. Something I could have never done as a parent.



He will be coming home in December around Christmas before he heads overseas.

 

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As far as this Escalade goes, I still have it and might keep it, might sell it, haven’t made up my mind yet. I picked up another vehicle for Jess. The fuel was killing her and I know this thing needs some more TLC as it’s getting older and miles.
I found a good deal on an 18 GMC terrain SLE. One owner, 50k miles, it’s selectable AWD and it’s clean. Has everything she wants and needs but it’s smaller and way better on fuel.

 

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Oh, and did I mention, it’s diesel! 28/36 MPG. When I seen this come up for sale, I had to get it for her. It’s quiet and she really likes it.