Having email now to talk back and forth with Landon has been such a blessing. It is really nice being able to hear how he is doing and to send some daily words of encouragement. In one of my letters, I sent him a bunch of questions to answer - about OCS and life in general - and this is what he had to say:
What has been the BEST day at OCS so far?
I think this one has to be the day I passed RLP. That was the best feeling to know that as long as I didn't really screw up, I would be seeing you in 9 weeks. Without a doubt the best feeling so far at OCS.
What has been the WORST day at OCS so far?
The worst day at OCS was probably the day before RLP. There was just so much stress involved and I kept doubting myself wondering if I was going to make it or if all my stuff was squared away. That and first Friday were pretty bad days.
Is the food any good there? What meal has been your favorite?
You know the food is actually pretty good. They feed us all sorts of fish and there has actually been a pretty big variety. My favorite meal would probably be the baked Catfish we had one night. It was pretty good. We also had ribs one night and it was dang good.
What do you miss the most while being at OCS?
I miss my wife more than anything. She is my best friend and my whole world. Second to my wife would probably be freedom. I wish I could set my own schedule and not have to be on point all the time.
Is OCS anything like you imagined it to be? Harder? Easier?
Honestly it's much easier physically than I had imagined and a little harder mentally. I thought the physical evolutions they would put us through would be much harder than they are. It really isnt that bad. They RPT us a couple times during the day, and thats it. On the mental side of things, its much more fatigue. You are required to be mentally focused and driven 24/7. There is no resting, there is no chilling, you are required to work from 0500 to 2200 every single day. Yeah your body gets tired, but more than anything your mind gets fatigued.
What is a typical day like at OCS? Do you follow a basic schedule?
For the first three weeks, they keep you completely in the dark. You have no watch or schedule to go off of. They constantly lead you into thinking you are done for the day only to march you somewhere new to be commanded to do something else. In officer Candidate phase they offer you a little more guidance. You have the schedule for the next day and now have a watch. There are landmarks you can look forward too and they don't try and shroud whats going to happen next in mystery.
What are you most excited for when OCS is over?
Do you like your classmates? Have you had an oppurtunity to make some friends?
Mostly yes and yes. There are definitely some people in my class that are slow, disfuntional and weak. They have been a trial to my patience. Others I have developed a pretty tight bond with because we have suffered through something together. Curtis Jorgensen is a good guy and I could see us hanging out in Charleston after OCS.
What is the weather like in Newport?
Its actaully pretty nice. Yes it is very humid and that makes all your clothes constantly wet from sweating, but honestly it has only rained a handful of times and often times there is a nice breeze to cool us off. Our room also has a pretty good view so I can't complain too much about that.
Do you miss doing dishes?
Ha ha this one is probably no. Although I would take dishes over chow hall procedures any day. I am really looking forward to being able to sit back in my chair while I enjoy a meal. My posture has improved quite a bit because they force us to sit up straight while eating.
What is your all time favorite memory of us?
Hmm thats a hard one. We have had some pretty good ones. As of recently, probably the one where you and I were just sitting up in the captains chair of our sail boat just listening to the waves and the wind. It got even better after that as well. Or maybe the time we were curled up in the back of the black ford that freezing night by tony grove by tony grove. Or maybe the plethera of motorcyle rides we have been on together. we really should have gotten those mic things earlier. There are just so many, I think its the collection of all of them that make one giant great memory.
What is your absolute favorite food?
You know this changes all the time, and I'm not a big food person. As you know I'm more of an experience person. So my absolute all time favorite food is betos on Antelope island the night before you left. That was awesome to just sit and talk and hangout and stuff our faces with huge burritos. That's my all time favorite food.
If you won a million dollars what would you do with it?
Hmm. Probably just save it. I know boring right. I really do like the lifestyle we live. I would probably go buy a new motorcycle or a new truck, but thats about it. I think I would charter some sort of amazing trip for the both of us and our families, but nothing fancy, just something awesome. Like a week on our own little island in Fiji with those cool little huts out on the water and a small boat to go fishing on. I might rent a little plane and learn how to fly as well. Wait, I would get a paragliding setup for the both of us and take some classes. Yep I would do that.
What is 9 x 12? (inside joke)
9 times 12 is 108. ha ha funny babe.
What do you want for Christmas?
Hmm. I'm really not sure. Like I said, I think I have everything I could possibly ever want. Maybe a chartered fishing trip off the coast of Florida. Or a trip down to the keys for a long weekend. Something like that would be cool. And of course my favorite girl wrapped up in something nice. ;)
Ok now its your turn. I want you to answer all the questions you asked me on the survey, or at least the ones you can apply to you. Go :)
[SEE HERE]
My (JEN) favorite part:
Did I mention I love you like crazy babe?
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