Officer training in Texas

This Summer James went away for Officer Training Camp in San Antonio, Texas. We were pretty bummed since it was for six whole weeks and he had just been gone for a week and a half for APHIS training at Plum Island. Boo. But at the same time, we were happy to finally get the dreaded task over with and hoped that we would be up for the challenge. Thankfully, we all survived! And not only that, we had a happy summer even without our number one man. We missed him like crazy, but it was empowering in a way, to know that we could fly solo if we needed to. That being said, I never want to have to again (even though I know that we will).

Even though James missed us, he had a great experience of his own and made some great friends. 

When James got off of the airplane, he was directed onto a bus along with other fellow officers in various medical, dental, and vet programs around the U.S. James expected the worst treatment possible after hearing horror stories of boot camp and steeled himself for the harsh treatment. As it turned out, there was a misunderstanding and all of these officers in training was dropped off where all of the regular kids get dropped off for boot-camp. As soon as they climbed out, they started getting yelled at and told to form a line and stand at attention-basically exactly what James expected. That went on for a couple minutes until it became clear that the new comers were officers, and therefore, of a higher ranking. After this, much groveling comensed and James and his party were delivered to their proper location.

Which, as it turned out, was this fancy hotel. Boot camp for officers is really hard.

James's barracks for the first three weeks and on the weekends when he was out at camp:

James's roommate turned out to be a really great guy named Shane Barney. Shane is a med student and also LDS! Pretty cool! 

Proof that he missed us

During the days during the week, James went to the base for training. But on the weekends and at nights, he had time to do whatever he pleased. So there were many phone calls and many walks while he explored the area. 

After the first three weeks, they started roughing it during the week where they learned what life would be like (or more what it would be like) if they were deployed and in a war-like setting, It was interesting but also obvious that the army wanted their medcore for their brains and not for their brawn. They didn't even let them do hand-to-hand combat training because they were too afraid that it might hurt their hands. Kinda a let down for James who was excited for acquiring the skills.

James with some of his favorite battle buddies

Morning shaving parties

Where they slept while they were out at camp

Exercise time

He got to go to the San Antonio temple with his branch

While James missed us, he spent his free-time roaming San Antonio looking for gifts for the boys

James would go out with his roommate to eat in the evenings. He really enjoyed his roommate, but they both felt a need to loudly talk about their wives so that nobody thought that the romantic setting was for a date night

One of his yummy meals

One weekend, James was on a walk while we talked on the phone and saw this huge water snake!

Life out at camp

What they drove around in

This is how James felt when he was missing us. Or maybe it was how he felt wearing his ACU's in Texas heat? Nah, he was just missing us.

James and the boys couldn't wait to see their gifts so James plopped down and let them open them while he waited for the rest of his baggage at our mini airport

An armadillo for our armadillo Char

Mason liked his gator head as much as James had hoped

We missed Poppy!!!!!