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Marine Boot Camp: The Crucible…In the Snow?
Posted on January 8, 2010 | 4 CommentsJanuary 5, 2010 We’re one day away from our initial 6-mile hike into the 15 degree darkness of the crucible. Rumor on base is that it is going to be one of the coldest on record…and they’re even predicting snow for Thursday night. As if... -
Marine Boot Camp: Final PFT & Written Exam
Posted on January 8, 2010 | No CommentsJanuary 4, 2010 Today our Platoon knocked two more obstacles off the list of graduation requirements…the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and the Final Written Exam. The exam was a cake walk. Not really even worth mentioning. If you even kind of paid attention during boot... -
Marine Boot Camp: Another Day in Paradise
Posted on January 6, 2010 | No CommentsYesterday marked the last Friday that I will be sleeping in a barracks on Parris Island (God willing). Next Friday we’ll be on the crucible and the following Friday is graduation. I can almost count the days down without having to use my toes. I... -
Marine Boot Camp: Happy New Year…?
Posted on January 5, 2010 | No CommentsJanuary 1, 2010 So, it’s officially 2010. Not sure if I should be excited or depressed? It’s strange spending so many holidays on Parris Island at Marine Corps Boot Camp away from family, but being here, you hardly even know it’s a holiday. While the... -
Marine Boot Camp: Not All Recruits Deserve the Title
Posted on January 5, 2010 | 1 CommentDecember 31, 2009 Throughout my life and 22 years of being part of a basketball team, I’ve gained a very strong understanding of teamwork and working together to complete a common goal or overcome an obstacle. Marine Corps Recruit Training is supposed to instill this... -
Marine Boot Camp: Combat Fitness Test
Posted on January 4, 2010 | 2 CommentsOur platoon ran the Combat Fitness Test yesterday, which is one of the many final obstacles that had to be completed before graduation. Now we jut have the Practical Application Test, Final Physical Fitness Test (PFT), Final Written Test, Final Drill, Battalion Commander’s Inspection and... -
USMC Boot Camp: Combat Hunter & Phase Three Top 5
Posted on January 4, 2010 | No CommentsDecember 28, 2009 Today was our Basic Combat Hunter Class & Training…which is the basics in observing, tracking, hunting and killing (within lawful and ethical boundaries). I’m talking about the enemy in case you’re wondering. The class and videos were some of the most interesting... -
USMC Boot Camp: Combat Conditioning Course
Posted on January 4, 2010 | No CommentsDecember 26, 2009 God willing, I’ll be a United States Marine in 14 DAYS…even sooner by the time my wife has this posted. (That’s true…now I think it’s 6!) With that said, our entire platoon got “broke off” today. That means we had what the... -
USMC Boot Camp: Generation…Crap
Posted on January 4, 2010 | No CommentsDecember 27, 2009 I was in my teens the end of “Generation X” and the beginning of “Y.” I saw laziness and disrespect then (and was a part of it), but nothing compared to the current generation. Luckily for me, I was blessed with a... -
USMC Boot Camp: Basic Warrior Training
Posted on January 3, 2010 | No CommentsDecember 25, 2009 The las two days were spent in the field. It was probably the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here. Wednesday started early with classes on combat field and course navigation. We learned how to manipulate obstacles while keeping a low... -
Merry Christmas From Marine Corps Boot Camp
Posted on January 3, 2010 | No CommentsDecember 25, 2009 Today is such a joyous time of year for many people, waking up to a warm cup of hot chocolate and chowing down on some warm, chewy cookies. I can almost see my family now…making wrapping paper angels in the middle of... -
USMC Boot Camp: Blood Drive for Troops
Posted on January 3, 2010 | No CommentsDecember 27, 2009 Just a tip…if you want an easy, somewhat painful way to get free cookies and juice while at Marine Corps Boot Camp, just go give blood. In all seriousness, I was proud to be able to give blood today for the troops.... -
USMC Boot Camp: Expert Rifleman & Combat Fitness Test
Posted on December 29, 2009 | 1 CommentDecember 22, 2009 Today was my day of redemption on the Rifle Range. I left Table One with a 219 score…needing a 220 to qualify expert. That meant that I needed 86 out of 100 ponits from Table Two in order to qualify expert. I... -
USMC Boot Camp: Third Phase Begins
Posted on December 29, 2009 | No CommentsDecember 22, 2009 Third Phase launched today with table 2 of the rifle range. Table 2 is basics in Combat firing. It’s fun…minus the 200 yard runs to the bathroom with a kevlar, flak jacket and ammo belt on. The good news is that I... -
USMC Boot Camp: The End of Phase Two
Posted on December 29, 2009 | 1 CommentDecember 20, 2009 Well…Phase Two ended yesterday with the Company Commander’s Inspection and us getting JACKED UP later in the day. First things first…the inspection. The inspection went well. It was the first time we got to dress up in our Service Alphas and I... -
USMC Boot Camp: Team Week
Posted on December 18, 2009 | No CommentsDecember 15, 2009 Team Week is what I expected…a week where failing recruits catch up on the rifle range and swim quals and where recruits with JACKED up teeth get them fixed. Our platoon has had almost 100 wisdom teeth pulled altogether. It still doesn’t... -
USMC Boot Camp: 7 Mile Hike and Marine Corps Museum
Posted on December 16, 2009 | No CommentsDecember 12, 2009 Today was our glorious hump back from the rifle range barracks to our main-side barracks. We spent the last 2 weeks at the rifle range barracks (which were much nicer than our main-side barracks). The hike wasn’t bad, even with all of... -
USMC Boot Camp: Gas Chamber & Rappel Tower
Posted on November 25, 2009 | No CommentsGas Chamber I wish I could actually describe what the gas chamber feels like. Try to imagine being tired, hungry, suffocating, burning alive while somebody shoots a flame thrower down your throat and pours acid in your eyes. Throw in gagging and add a recruit... -
USMC Boot Camp: Cold Weather, Bugs and Sunburns
Posted on November 6, 2009 | 2 CommentsApparently the sand fleas and mosquitoes were issued winter coast. Today was the first day we wore our sweat tops for PT and it was pretty chilly out. That didn’t stop the sand fleas though. It warmed up in the afternoon. Probably a low of... -
The Real Heroes In Our Country
Posted on October 17, 2009 | 2 CommentsI’ve had a lot of time lately to think about all of the sacrifices that our troops have made, and great thanks should be given to those who serve abroad and are away from their families. However, the real heroes are the families back at... -
The Corps Is Calling
Posted on October 17, 2009 | No CommentsMy blog has been down for a while. I just didn’t have the time to manage it while I was getting the details setup for my new journey. In August of this year I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. A dream and calling...