BASIC TRAINING
March 1943 to April 1943
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Dear Mother and Father,

I'm very sorry that I didn't write to you yesterday, but here's why. We got up at the usual time, made our beds and cleaned up the barracks and went to breakfast. Speaking of food, this place has the best food possible and all that you want of it. Then, at 7:00 a.m., I started to take psychological tests, which lasted until 4:30 p.m., with only 1/2 hour off for lunch. At the end of that ordeal, I was so tired that I could hardly stand up. But, never the less, I was put on a fatigue detail until supper. We had supper and returned to the barracks to greet the announcement that we were to have a "G.I." party that night.

A "G.I." party consists of a complete scrubbing of the entire barracks. We scrubbed the floor and walls on our hands and knees, cleaned all of the windows and completely polished the entire squadron area.

I was really tired after this. We were in bed by 10:30 after all this work. But as yet I have no exercises. We got up at the usual 5:00 a.m. this morning and spent the entire morning receiving our "G.I." issues, that is, our uniforms. This was very much of an ordeal! But, everything came out O.K. My uniform is certainly a classy one. I am very proud of it.

This afternoon I took what is known as my psycho-motor tests. This consists of a series of tests to discover your amount of coordination. It was a lot of fun, but it took up most of the afternoon. I saw Charles and Albert for the first time today. Their squadron was just returning from a 15 mile hike and looked awful. Charles was that fellow in the last rank that was just tagging along, but Brigham was right up in the front and apparently in good condition.

For the next 11 days, I am not allowed out of the squadron area because of compulsory quarantine. Nothing wrong with me, but some other fellow came down with a contagious illness. Also, I will not be allowed to open post unless I have a written letter from a person in San Antonio saying that I am invited to their home. That is because of the nature of the women in San Antonio.

My squadron is considered the best at this base. That means that I have a good chance of being a success here.

Must close.

Love,
Jack

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