October 15, 2009

Unfortunate circumstances has allowed me to have contact with you guy's earlier than expected.

My grandfather died on the 13th and his funeral is on the 17th. I'm not to worried about it, since it means he isn't suffering anymore.

Anyway, there are some things I forgot to mention in my last 'entry'.

A-Vehicles are 'Infantry Combat Vehicles'

B-Vehicles are transport trucks. The SANDF has 5 that I know of:

1. SAMil 20, carries 10 passangers. Can also be modified for equipment transport.

2. SAMil 50, carries 35 passangers. Can also be modified for equipment transport.

3. SAMil 100, equipment transport.

4. SAMil 50 water bunker. Water tanker.

5. SAMil 100 water bunker. Large water tanker.

Since I failed the course, this is rather redundant.

________________________________________ ________________________
September 27, 2009

So, the June thing didn't work out as planned. It is now September.

Here's the deal:

1. I live in Ermelo, Mpumalanga.

2. I am on course in Kroonstad (Crown City), Free State.

That's apr. 235 miles. So I don't get to my computer as much as I'd like.

I'm on a driving and maintenance course now (B-Vehicles). There is till about 5 or 6 weeks left. Then I'm going on another driving and maintenance course (A-Vehicles). And THEN it's exersize Luatla, or whatever it's called, for about a month. Only then do I get 2 weeks vacation over X-mas and new year.

So I'll be rather busy for the rest of the year at least.

See you guys in December.

________________________________________ ________________________
May 8, 2009.

Hi guys. I was gone longer than expected. Here's the deal:

1) Apparently my training ends on June 11, 2009. I am part of the first group that has five months of training.

2) If that is true then why am I speaking to you after only four months? Well, my mother went for an operation yesterday (May 7th) and I received FRL (Family Responsibility Leave) to visit with her. I'm glad to say that the operation went well. I arrived at home on Wednesday (6th) and leave again on Sunday (10th).

3) We got weekend leave over Easter, which explains my activity then.

4) 19th Field is a reserve unit so I'm net being trained there, but, instead, my training is at Kroonstad Army Support Base.

Anyway, see you again in June.

________________________________________ ________________________
Jan 9, 2009.

I hate to say this, but I'm gonna have to take an extended leave of absence from dA starting tomorrow (Saturday Jan 10 2009).

Me and the 'rents are visiting with my grandparents for the weekend after which (Monday Jan 12 2009) I have to report for Basic Combat Training.

I recently joined the SANDF's (South African National Defense Force) 19th Field Engineer Regiment. I'm nervous and excited.

My training starts, as stated, on the 12th and is twelve weeks long. I am among the last recruits that will have only twelve weeks of training. Anyone who joins in the future will have sixteen weeks of Basic Combat Training.

Anyway, I'll see you guys in twelve weeks! I hope...