DS is excited because he will be home in 1 week.. He has stayed on Post for the 1st summer session and according to him today marks the longest stretch that he has been away from home. He must have been tracking it. It is an amazing place that they will despise at times, yet it some how holds their hearts and their loyalty. He said that he wants to return early for his next semester before the Rats matriculate, that there are benefits of getting guard duty out of the way etc with the early return. It has been an awesome year.. and an extremely fast one. You will be amazed at the changes Goarmymom. You drop off a boy and get back a man.. a very capable one, and the difference in just one years time is amazing. It is a hard year for them and you, but stay the course when it may not seem so appealing. STP is just the beginning and it is so worth it. Your DS will begin to realize that he has made one of the best decisions he could make in going, especially come August.