March 23, 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
I am receiving your letters fine and it is sure nice to get them. Everything is going fine here and we are going along fast. You ask me if I like the Navy and the answer is yes. It takes a little while to get onto the routine, but it a great life. I was talking with our divisional officer and he says that I will get draft leave from Sat. to Monday, just before I leave. I don’t know if this is right but I am hoping.
As I am writing this in the men’s dormitory, there are a bunch of press photographers who are taking some pictures of new entries marking their gear, ect. for a recruiting drive. You may see them in the papers.
We started rifle drill, yesterday and we had more today. The training that I got in the Cadet Corps is a big help. We have another exam tomorrow and I will have to study for it tonight.
I was on duty watch yesterday and I was Corporal of the Gangway from 7 to 9. All I had to do was open the door for officers and salute them as they went by.
Well, I guess that is all for now,
Your loving son,
Malcolm.