Poolee Family Day

Saturday was Poolee Family Day for Brandon's Recruiting Sub-Station. And I got to go!
 I was so excited.  

I got to talk to Brandon's Sergeant Major (one of the big bosses) and it was awesome. He asked how we were doing and told me to let him know if I needed anything. He expressed his concern for us since we were out in the sticks alone, and Brandon replaced a Marine that developed a severe drinking problem, and eventually took his own life. I told him we were doing fine (which we really are) and that I had no problem reaching out for help if we needed it. Anyways, Sgt. Major went on to say that it's good that I am busy working and that I don't have depend on Brandon, which I think is a very huge compliment. I even got a hug at the end (oh la la!). It was really nice though to have someone from the command ask me how I am doing. It's the first time anyone from the command has even contacted me since we got here in October and it was just a coincidence that it even happened. Nonetheless, it left me with a sense of commitment to this duty and to Brandon's well-being. This short conversation reassured my confidence in Brandon and our marriage to make it through the next 2.5 years.

Besides talking to the Sgt. Major, my next favorite thing was meeting Beckie. Beckie is the mother of one of Brandon's poolees, Alex. Alex is very, very, very shy, but he wanted to join the Marines. Brandon was worried that he wouldn't make it through MEPS because he is so quiet, but he was able to and he has been a dedicated poolee ever since. He goes to every function and has a good attitude about working out, which Brandon says is key. Well, Alex's mom is the opposite of Alex. She is so outgoing. She took a picture of Brawley within in the first minute of meeting us. She kept saying how cute Brawley is and wanted to pet him and hold him all day long. She is such a character. Her husband passed away last year and I think she struggled to motivate Alex to do anything. So when Brandon would go over to their house and Alex would hop out of bed, she was so grateful. She gives Brandon little presents every time she sees him. It's really sweet. I know that the Marine Corps is going to make a positive impact in this family's life. 

How cute is she?

She also took a picture of Brandon, Brawley and I. 

At the Family Day, the poolees played softball and then the recruiters worked them out, kinda like drill instructors. They were actually supposed to have Drill Instructors there, but because of the budget cuts they couldn't come anymore. So Brandon and the other recruiters pretended to be DI's, which I did not like. I don't like hearing Brandon yell at those poor, sweet boys and one girl. 

But it's kinda funny to listen to him yell at the same time too.