The weather is still cold. The wind has been out of the southwest for the last two days and it just got warm this evening. This morning we went to a lecture on interior guard duty and after the lecture we went out on the cow pasture and had a demonstration of guard duty, relief and challenging. This afternoon I had my cadet physical at 1:30 P.M. We had our teeth checked. Our nose, mouth, and ears inspected plus our hearing. We had our blood pressure taken and an eye test. They took our weight, tested our vision and heart pulse, the movement of our limbs, hands, legs, arms, etc. I went everything OK and got back to the barracks at 2:30 PM. I didn't do anything until retreat except to go to mump inspection.

Today was the first day we had to stand retreat. We wore our class B uniforms. Our ODs with flight jacket and leggens. It was quite thrilling for me. They lined us up and then the band played and marched up and down the field once. Each flight leader reported his flight all present and accounted for then we were brought to attention from parade rest and the national anthem was played. After they finished, all the officers marched to the front and over to the colonal and saluted him then they came back. We were ate attention all the while. Then the band played and everyone followed the band past the reviewing stand and marched around the field once. We were then dismissed. It was quite an impressive ceremony. I got a locker today, it's just a large trunk that stands at the foot of the bed, it has a tray in it that has two compartments. It sure is better than a barracks bag. All my towels and underware, hankies, and leggens are on the bottom. My personal toilet articles are in the right tray and sox, hankies, pajamas in the left. The only thing left in my barracks bag is my fatigues, canteen, and mess kit. My shoes are under my bed and the rest of my clothes hung up on order. First comes the blouse (every button buttoned on everything) next the field jacket then one OD shirt with a pair of pants under it, then the other shirt and pants. Then comes the overcoat followed by the rain coat. Your gas mask sits on a shelf above your clothes with your inner helmet setting on it. The inner helmet is a plastic hat that looks just like a helmet and that fits inside the steel helmet.

We were told to fall out tomorrow with our gas masks so I guess we'll get instruction in using them. I didn't get a letter today and I haven't received any packages yet. Say, tell Connie to write and I'll answer her. Well, I guess that's all for now so I'll say goodnight.

Love,
Rae