TRAINING WEEK TEN
980629; Monday; (980701; 1910); Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T48
Reveille was at 0400 this morning. We were on the road within a half hour.
Our first stop was the day infiltration course. This was very similar to the Bayonet Assault Course and Rush Course back at MCRD. Just more complex. On the first course we fired blanks. The second course we ran out of old abandoned AMTRAKS and went through the assault course while they fired artillery simulators. The artillery shook the ground when you were crawling near it. The course had wire, trenches, a simulated tree line, and a culvert.
By the time that it took for the whole Company to finish the courses it was getting close to afternoon chow. We humped out to Range 501 where we set up our bivouac. We then ate chow and humped out to Oscar 1.
Oscar 1 is the gas chamber. This is where we spent the afternoon. Overall the gas chamber is overrated. First we had to just break the seal, then put the mask on top of our head (like a catcher's mask), and then hold it out in front of our face. CS gas is basically an irritant. Don't breathe it in through your nose and it helps cut down on the choking. Your eyes water a little bit and your throat burns some. Most of all your face and neck feel as if it were sunburned badly.
After finishing with that we had evening chow and weapons maintenance.
At about 1900 we started out for Delta Draw where the night movement course was. As soon as it was dark we started out on it. The Drill Instructors set out booby traps that we had to avoid and a couple of the DI's were up on one side of the draw lighting illumination torches every once in a while. The torches lit up the whole draw. After we finished up there we went back to Range 501. By the time that we got back and in the hooches it was 2330. I had first firewatch and didn't get to bed until 0030.
Today, Tuesday, and Wednesday we will be eating MRE's. We won't be getting back to the barracks until Wednesday afternoon.
Surprisingly we had mail call today out at Oscar 1 during evening chow.
Our Drill Instructors said that we humped for 20 miles today. Someone else said 15. Either way that's a lot of walking.
980630; Tuesday; (980701; 2010); Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T49
Today we were rudely wakened from our sleep at 0500. Ate morning chow then humped out to Bravo Range (where Lead Series qualified on last week). We spent all day there firing from the prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing positions at 50, 100, 200, and 300 yds with our flak jackets and LBV's.
Today was much simpler and easier than yesterday.
When we hump 1st & 2nd squads integrate and 3rd & 4th squads integrate. One column is on the left edge of the road and one is on the right. The DI highway is in the middle. In each column a squad leader is in the front and one is in the back. On that first Saturday when we humped 5 miles and I was in the back (and have been ever since), I ran a lot. Running with a pack is a pain. We have learned quickly how to keep it tight and avoid running. I do not have to run very much anymore.
About the MRE's, they are actually very good (that's when I'm not comparing them to home cooking). They just tend to be a little dry. We are supposed to drink a full canteen (1 quart) at every meal. Some of the meals are: Spaghetti, Pork Chow Mein, Beef Stew, Frankfurters, Chili and Macaroni, Cheese Tortolini, Beef Ravioli, Ham Slices, Pasta w/Vegetables, Chicken w/Canatelli, Chicken w/Rice, Grilled Chicken Patty, etc. Each MRE has a package of crackers (equivalent to 8 saltine squares) and either peanut butter, jam (apple, grape, or strawberry) or a cheese spread (with or without jalapeno). Some MRE's have fruit or rice. Others chips or pretzels. With the snack they have things like: Chocolate-Covered Oatmeal Cookie (good with peanut butter), Pound Cake, Chocolate-Mint Pound Cake, Fig Bars, or Granola Bars. Just to give you an idea of how much energy these have, an MRE has about 1200-1300 calories in each one.
980701; Wednesday; (980703; 2110); Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T50
Got up at 0500, broke down our bivouac, packed our packs, and ate an MRE for chow. We stayed on Range 501 for firing from unknown distances. From the supported prone, supported kneeling, supported standing, and inclined supported prone (simulating a rooftop) we fired at 3 targets which were at distances unknown to us. This took all morning and we ate noon chow there before getting our gear and humping back to the house.
By the time we arrived at the house it was just after 1300. We were out in the field for 56 hours. The Crucible is 54 hours, is a good 40 miles of humping, and 32 obsticles to challenge. Over Field Week we humped a good 25-30 miles. Only 8 more days left.
The afternoon and evening was spent on weapons maintenance and cleaning. We had to clean and inventory our gear to make sure we had what we were supposed to. We also did our laundry (which there was a lot of).
It's hard to believe that it is already July. It seemed as if it would never get here, and yet as sure as the sun rises, goes down, and the days roll by, the appointed event arrives.
Time in some ways is like God. Time is faithful in its coming and its passing. Time is also unchanging. Time does not change speeds. It is always constant. My God is all the more faithful and constant than time.
This is a quick journal entry that I wrote for English Composition 101 this last fall. It is based off of a quote I read. Look behind the words. If this is time, then what is time's Creator like? Interesting thought to ponder.
Time "When a man sits with a pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute. But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute - and it's longer than an hour. That's relativity." -Albert Einstein-
The passing of time based upon the events around us is an interesting aspect of life to reflect upon. The five year-old confined to the stairway for disciplinary measure seems to be there for an eternity, but in reality only 10 minutes. On the other hand, the child who is allowed to use the computer for one hour seems only to be there for a short time.
When we think back in our past to those times when time stood still, we will observe that it was during those times that we were neither captivated nor entertained. In fact, we were absolutely bored. but then there are those times when time flies; we are so captivated by what is going on around us, and by what we are participating in that we lose track of the time.
It is also interesting to note that, for the most part, we only remember the times when we were captivated. One might say that time already flies by too fast, so why should we encourage it? When in fact time, in and of itself, does not change. An hour is an hour no matter the time of day, month, or year. If time does not change, why should one attempt to slow down their perception of time by boring themselves to death. Instead, one should enjoy time to its fullest. But not necessarily party all the time. A person can and should enjoy their work, school, and other daily activities. Our time should be filled with as many memories as possible. These are irreplaceable and will be greatly desired in one's later years.
980702; Thursday; (980705; 0730); Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T51
Went to the chow hall for breakfast this morning. First time since Sunday that we have eaten at the chow hall.
After chow we went out to Bravo Range for field firing. Through the morning and into early afternoon we fired with protective masks on (gas masks). In the afternoon we fired at moving targets.
In between firing we filled magazines for tonight's night firing. Each magazine had 20 rounds and every fifth round was a tracer round.
Noon and evening chow was an MRE. Tomorrow we will be going back to a normal schedule. Field Week is done today.
At dusk we went back to Bravo Range for night fire. Night fire gives us an opportunity to experience firing at night and in low light conditions. We fired at the 50 and 100 yd lines only. The tracer rounds helped give us an idea of where our rounds were impacting.
At the 100 yd line they fired illumination flares to give us an idea of what artificial light does to the target.
After we were done there we had to get back to the house. We had 15 minutes to hygiene and be ready to get in the rack before taps.
Remember last week I said that my rifle score was 213. Well, it changed. The line score was 213, but the pits score was 214. Since the scorecard in the pits has precedence, 214 stands. I also found out that they gave everyone 6 points and changed the qualification standards. Qualification as a Marksman is 190, Sharpshooter 210, and Expert 220. With the 6 points my score came out at 220. So I did qualify as an Expert.
I'll leave this to God and His provision. I'm not sure how to think of this. I'll just thank Him for it and leave it at that. THANK YOU GOD FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE SO GRACIOUSLY PROVIDED.
980703; Friday; (980705; 0850); Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T52
Today was a very light day. Weapons maintenance and uniform prep. All afternoon was spent on what we call a restricted freetime. With the Senior on duty we IP'd our Service "A" uniform. We were restricted in that we had to IP, but as long as we kept it to a 'dull roar' we could talk. We did this all afternoon.
This evening just before freetime the Senior put us in the classroom where he announced our pro/con marks, meritorious promotions, and the Crucible squads.
First of all, pro/con marks. The average recruit gets pro/cons of 4.2/4.2 (the highest possible is a 5.0/5.0). Pro/con stands for Proficiency/ Conduct. My pro/cons were 4.6/4.6. Squad leaders Aquirre, Stare, and Smith received meritorious promotions. Lane, the guide, is a contract PFC.
It has been a little hard to accept the fact that I will graduate as a squad leader and a private. It is something that I have been trying to leave to God's timing. I have found myself at times wanting to prove my worthiness of promotion. Yet the plan and timing of God and His ever-present involvement in my thinking convict me of my thoughts.
It is hard not getting PFC as that was a major goal of mine, but I know that God has a plan and is with me in my trials and disappointments. This I turn to and to Him I look. I want to be as David:
"But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."
I Samuel 30:6b
980704; Saturday; (980705; 0930); Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T53
Independence Day. My last 4th of July as a civilian. It is so hard to believe that in one week I will be a United States Marine.
Today we cleaned our weapons, IP'd our Alpha's, and washed our gear for JOB. JOB is 'junk on a bunk'. It is inventory and gear serviceability. All prep for the Crucible.
All this prep leaves a lot of time for thinking. One thing I thought about was Jeremy (my brother). For those of you who don't know, Jeremy and I do everything together. We are better than best of friends. We are closest brothers. Now that my journey through boot camp is almost done I wonder and would have most enjoyed going through it together. We could compete with each other, strengthen and encourage each other, and push each other on. It has been hard not having him around doing things together. Our relationship as brothers is always treasured and I hope is an example to others.
I never imagined that life as a young adult just leaving home would be so difficult a change. Things such as marriage and family suddenly jump to the front of your mind as a new responsibility that could be around the next corner.
This is a time to grow deep in Christ's love. A foundation needs to be established before and faith must be strong. This is the time to turn to God as He now holds the flashlight. For without the path is most uncertain. My faith in God is challenged daily. There is a promise that I hold dear. One that my parents knew to be right and full of love.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
980705; Sunday; (980706; 0155); Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - H9
Sunday again. I find it so hard to believe that we are starting the Crucible Week already. The last 3 weeks up here have flown by.
I had my own personal quiet time with God today. I read 2 Samuel chapters 1-6. God works in awesome and mysterious ways. I saw some of these ways as I read.
2 Samuel 1:13-14 ("And David said to the young man who told him, 'Where are you from?' And he answered, 'I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.' Then David said to him, 'How is it you were not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?' ") interesting that it was an Amalekite who killed Saul, especially when we consider I Samuel 15:2-3 ("Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.' ") and I Samuel 15:8-9 ("And he captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.")
A very special relationship is expressed in 2 Samuel 1:26 (" 'I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.' "). My relationship with my brother Jeremy is similar to this one between David and Jonathan.
In 2 Samuel 4:9-12 ("And David answered Rechab and Bannah his brother, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, 'As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, when one told me, saying, 'Behold, Saul is dead,' and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him for his news. How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood from your hand, and destroy you from the earth?' Then David commanded the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet, and hung them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.") David knew that right morals stood before and is more important to God than political position.
2 Samuel 5:2 (" 'Previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in. And the Lord said to you, 'You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.' ") I found this interesting. David a shepherd of sheep is brought by God to shepherd Israel.
2 Samuel 5:10 ("And David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him.") the Lord God of hosts was with David. What an awesome concept.
I read Hebrews 6-9 and again God shows His promises.
Hebrews 7:23-28 ("And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers, because they were prevented by death from continuing, but He, on the other hand, because He abides forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.") such a High Priest, perfect in all His ways.
Hebrews 8:1-2 ("Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary, and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.") this High Priest sits at the right hand of the throne of God. A minister in the tabernacle established by God. Combined with last week's knowledge gleaned from Hebrews, this is an awesome concept of a High Priest. He dwelt with us and remained pure, and now He sits at the right hand of God interceding for us daily.
The rest of the day was spent cleaning weapons, marking our Service "A" for Wednesday's inspection, and preparing for JOB at 1300 tomorrow.
On firewatch tonight another recruit questioned my 'manhood'. This is not the first time he has done it. The only reason that he does this is because of my history and what I believe. As far as I know I am one of a very few who are sexually pure, don't smoke, drink, or do illegal or stupid things to prove myself.
This got me thinking about what is the measure of a man. Here is my response:
THE MEASURE OF A MAN
Seth Howard, 980706
How is a man defined?
When does a boy become a man?
What is the transformation that occurs,
the change from boy to man?
What is the measure of a man?
Science says the change from boy to man
is the deepening voice and hair of the face.
Politics says the change is at 18 or 21;
18 to vote and smoke, and 21 to drink.
Are these the makings of a man?
Some say its the women you've had,
or the beer that you drink.
Others say its the reckless things you've done,
or the fights that you've fought.
These define the person; but do they make a man?
To some, to swear is to be a man,
or how much liquor you can hold.
To others it's tattoos and the scars that you sport,
or even the length of their criminal records.
Is this what makes a man, a man?
I say this is the measure of a man:
To treat a woman with respect and dignity,
and give of yourself so she is cared for.
The beliefs that you hold, and how they are applied.
The responsibility given, and the dependability you have.
The measure of a man is first inward, then outward.
It is the honor you have, loyalty and integrity.
It is the courage taken, to do what you believe to be in the right.
It is the commitment shown, to do the job and do it right.
Manhood is core values: honor, courage, and commitment.
Please feel free to me!
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