232 PFC Mueller :)

I found this recent picture of Travis (232 PFC Mueller) on the Fort Benning photo website. I'm a member of a group on facebook made especially for those waiting for loved ones who are in training in the same company as Trav. It is really fun and helpful to see interactions between other people and see that I'm not the only one with questions. It helps to know that there are other wives out there who don't just feel bad or "know what it's like" from past experiences but who are experiencing this at the same time as me. We all discuss what we're told in letters and try to figure out our plans for the 36-hour pass next month and graduation. It's like I found a new group of friends I can relate to. I guess this is what they call the Army family.
Travis is doing really well. Although they only give them 4 minutes to eat he has gotten better at eating faster (what an accomplishment...) so he's eating more. Still, he's lost over 20 pounds. Makes me want to go on the Army diet almost... almost.
In his own words he's "been kicking butt this week." He got perfect on Advanced Marksmanship last week. Here is a large excerpt from his last letter:
"[Battle March and Shoot is] a competition between the platoons which consists of running an unknown distance carrying boxes of MREs, jugs of water, a stretcher with a drill sargent on it and pushing a truck the whole way. When we get to the end we have to shoot at a bunch of targets while controlling your breathing (or else your aim is way off). It was a 3/4 mile run and it was a competition too so my platoon freakin sprinted the whole time. While we ran, there were DSs who would hide in the woods and toss dud grenades at us (the first one scared the piss outta me). It's supposed to simulate like a situation where we have malfunctioning transportation and we have to run to a battle while dodging the enemy. Our platoon had the fastest time but like 5 guys' guns jammed so we lost and were pissed and exhausted. It was pretty darn intense so I thought it was pretty fun."
 "Thursday we had IEDs and mines... they also showed us how vehicles defend themselves from IEDs. Then we were taught how to use a claymore mine. Then we had to march, not walk, march 4 miles back to the barraks."
"Today (the 10th) we had rocket launchers and I did well (blowing stuff up is what I do best). It was the AT-4 if my dad asks. Tomorrow we are gonna shoot the M240 and M249 SAW. They are both BA machine guns so we are all pretty stoked about that."
"We are supposed to do the .50 cal (machine gun) and MK-19 (grenade launching machine gun) sometime soon too."
"Anyway, we had locker inspections today and we passed so we were pumped about that."
"I had CQ (change of quarters) from 8-9 so no fireguard tonite... "
"The DS was cleaning out their truck and gave my buddy and me a soda and granola bar. It was like liquid heaven."
"We have a 3.5 mile run (sprint) for PT tomorrow."

So, things are really rough but he is surviving. We both can't wait for this to be over but while it is lasting he is making the most of every day. I am very proud of how well he is doing. If you would like to send him a card or letter (no packages please. The drill sargents use every excuse to get the soldiers in trouble) here is his address:
 

232 PFC Mueller

Alpha Company, 2-19 Infantry

198^th Infantry Brigade

9050 Kinsman Drive

Fort Benning, GA 31905

Thanks for your support (and for reading all of this!).