I talked to Nic

Nic called this morning and he sounded GREAT! Last week we all missed his call so I was really looking forward to talking to him. I made a list a questions I wanted to ask him and felt like I was interviewing him. He said next Sunday they start White Phase, which is the second of three phases. He gets to shoot his new rifle then and is excited for that. He also got a "full assault armored vest" with plates that weigh 20lbs each.

Here are some things I asked him:
What did he think of the Victory Tower?
He had a BLAST and it was one of the funnest things he has ever done.
How many people are in his "group"? (I don't understand all the different battalions, companies, platoons, etc.)
He is in Echo Company and there are four platoons in this company. He is in second platoon and there are 55 people in it. There are 15 girls in each platoon.
His recruiter said they would probably be in dorm-like rooms. I asked him how many were in his room:
55! He said its a big bay and everyone is together. He said its much better like this instead of separate rooms.
What's his favorite part of basic?
All the training. He LOVES it! He is getting in great shape and learning a ton.
How are the people he is with and has he made friends?
Yes! He met a guy named "ford" in SLC before leaving and they have been together the whole time because of abc order. There is another guy from SLC with them. Everyone is "cool".
When is graduation (for sure)? April 10 and we HAVE to be there.
Has he been getting his mail? Friday was the only day they have delivered mail and he got a valentine from mom and grandma goss. I told him somewhere there are 3 letters from us, with two more on the way (one with vitamin C as requested), and 2 from grandma.
Can he get anything besides letters and cards? Yes, but no games or playing cards (the drill sgts take those) and absolutely nothing consumable. He can have hygiene items and paper to write home.

It was wonderful to talk to him and he said he can't believe he has already been there 3 weeks! He said he hoped to see Alex at church today but he didn't. Maybe next week.