Letter From John

Dear Mom/Blog,
I have a lot to catch you up on... so I just got back from my 3 day FTX (Field Training Exercise). It was mostly a good time. We went on Tuesday morning and set up our tents, which consists of two ponchos buttoned together, two poles, and somebungee cords. All day Tuesday we practiced kicking in doors and storming and clearing a building. Pretty neat stuff I hope I never have to use.
Later that night, we were all issued blanks for M16s and we went on night patrol. We were wandering throught the woods. As we were wandering, we saw another platoon walking down a trail. We all laid down, got very quiet, and ambushed the other platoon. They all freaked out and all got "killed." We did a couple other day and night operations out there and learned how to run a traffic check point. On the night before I got back from the FTX I started to feel a little sick. I stuck it out through the next day until we got back from the field, but when we arrived at the barracks I told the Drill Sergeant I needed to go to the doctor. He told me to wait until the next day. I said, "Negative Drill Sergeant. I need to go tonight." He took my temperature and it was 102! He took me to the hospital and I spent the night there. Turns out I had severe Tonsilitus. My throat hurt! For medicine they gave me two bags, (2000cc) of IV fluids, two shots in the butt (one antibioitic, one for pain), 800mg Ibuprophen (one every six hours), 325mg Tylenol (one every four hours), Robitussin (as needed for cough), and throat lozenges (as needed for pain). I feel much better today. when I checked in to the hospital, my pulse was 110 and my blood pressure was high. Today my pulse is 56 with a blood pressure of 114/66. Much better. Now I'm out of the hospital in medical quarters and should return to duty tomorrow.
I did miss one mandatory event while I was in the hospital so I will have to make it up. I missed Remagen, which is the grenade range. I should make that up during graduation week.
Monday we went to Kasserine Pass which is a large weapons range. We got to shoot the M203 grenade launcher, the M249 machine gun, and the M136 also known as the AT4 antitank weapon system. That was lots of fun. The AT4 is crazy. It's like a modern day bazooka. When the round hits, it makes the ground shake and you can feel it in your chest.
Well, I need to get my rest so I can get out of Med quarters. I love you and miss you.
Love,
John