TRAINING WEEK FOUR
980518; Monday; 2145; MCRD, San Diego - T18
The start of another week. This week is going to be a lot more interesting as well as eventful. Today we had bayonet training, Pugil Sticks I, and a harder PT session.
First off, after morning chow, was an intense PT session. We went through the circuit course twice. There are several stations on the circuit course. The first was tricep dips, then monkey bars, crunches, jump rope, elevated push-ups, bicep curls, upright rows, pull-ups, shoulder press, and finally, the steps.
In the afternoon was bayonet training. We learned 4 blocking moves and 5 killing moves. The blocking moves are: left parry, right parry, hi block, low block. The five killing moves are: diagonal slash, vertical buttstroke, horizontal buttstroke, frontal thrust, frontal buttstroke.
The diagonal slash is a slash starting at the opponent's right ear and extending down to his left foot. Vertical buttstroke, kind of like an uppercut to the jaw with a rifle. Horizontal buttstroke, a roundhouse with a rifle. Frontal thrust is a jab in the face with the bayonet. And lastly, the frontal buttstroke is a slam directly square in the face with the butt of the weapon. With a little thought you can see how the blocks work and on what moves.
Right after bayonet intro was Pugil Sticks I. This is practical bayonet training. We started off with one person being the attacker and the other being the defender. The roles were then switched (Payback - the official term). After that was a freeswinger. To win, one had to viciously use and hit their opponent with one of the five killing movements.
The gear we have to wear is an external jock, flak jacket, neck collar, football helmet, mouth guard, and of course, the pugil stick.
When I came out, I started out as the attacker (this was for practice). The key is to come out hard using mainly the diagonal slash and horizontal buttstroke to hit you opponent around really good. I came out and knocked him around pretty good for 15 seconds. When the roles were reversed, I got knocked around. To be in a purely defensive role is hopeless. (When pairing up opponents, they did it based upon weight. Squads 3 & 4 fought two squads from 3069.) My opponent and I were well matched. We came out on the freeswinger hitting hard and fast with no clear shots. We ended up momentarily tangling up; but after separating, somehow he got turned to my right where he could not protect or parry anything I came with. I just smacked him in the back of the head. Match over. That was probably the only way that either of us would've won. One of us would make a mistake and leave ourselves open. He just did it before I did.
The rest of the day was relatively uneventful. Just practicals and a short mini-grinder after evening chow to work on stack arms (for Final Drill Inspection). We also received a book that we are required to read, Rifleman Dodd the Commandant's Choice.
Well, tomorrow we have our first uniform fitting at 0600. Thursday is initial PFT and also the beginning of Mess & Maintenance at Camp Pendleton.
I received a quick letter from SSgt. Graf today. I'll have to remember to write him back.
I was thinking about the song Open Our Eyes, Lord. That song has always been an inspiration to me and it is even now. There are two different ways to sing it, singular and plural. For instance, 'Open my eyes, Lord' and 'Open our eyes, Lord.' Tonight I thought of another way to sing it. This one applies to my family as well as the other believers who have been an encouragement to me. It is, 'Open their eyes, Lord'(third person). You are in my prayers.
Open their eyes, Lord
They want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch Him
And say that they love Him
Open their ears, Lord
And help them to listen
Open their eyes, Lord
They want to see Jesus
This is my song and prayer for you.
980519; Tuesday; 2145; MCRD, San Diego - T19
If you remember, last week Trail Series went through the Confidence Course, in PT, for the first time; but I missed it because I was a gear guard. Well, we did it again this afternoon; but more on that later.
First of all, this morning at 0630 we reported to be issued our service and dress uniforms as well as the rest of our uniform items. We were issued dress shoes, 2 pairs of green service trousers, 3 khaki long sleeve shirts, 3 khaki short sleeve shirts, Alpha Blouse (Service A "coat") (the Service alpha uniform is the Marine Corps Business suit. It has a blouse (coat) that's a cross between a suit jacket and dress trench-type coat.), all-weather coat (trench coat), service sweater, dress blue trousers, 2 pairs of cammy trousers and blouses, insulated black leather gloves, service cover (hat), and garrison cover. All three pairs of trousers were marked and turned in for tailoring. The 2 pairs of cammies (as well as a third pair, our drill cammies) were turned in to have our name tags put on them. The next step to seniority at MCRD.
The first step up the chain of recruit respect and seniority is the pike which is placed on the top of the guidon. It somewhat resembles a speartip. It is usually allowed on the guidon after the Initial Drill Inspection. Our Senior allowed ours but took it back later that night when an officer walked on deck and no one called attention. He gave it back to us this evening after chow, but took it back yet again.
The Confidence Course that we did this afternoon was a lot more fun than the Oak Course. A lot more challenging, too. One of the obstacles is the skyscraper. It is a three storied platform with the bottom deck being about four feet off the ground. The second deck is about five feet above that, and the third is about six feet above that. Each deck is stacked directly above each other. To climb it you have to grab the deck above (the flooring is like that of a deck or patio, only wider, where you can use the flooring as handholds), pull with your hands, climbing with your feet up the poles supporting the platform. The last deck is really the most challenging.
The biggest obstacle, though, was the rope crawl. You climb a platform a good thirty feet to where three cables are suspended that extend to the ground. Underneath the first half to two-thirds is a safety net and underneath the whole area is a pool four feet deep. You start out by lying down on the cable, hook your right foot over the cable and pull yourself down (with your stomach to the deck). After going down a third, they tell you to stop. There you roll to the right and on to your back hooking your left foot over the right. Continue to pull yourself down. Just after you get a safe distance past the safety net, they stop you again, tell you to reverse your grip (all this time you have been going down head first) drop own to a dead hang, do a half pull-up, and swing your legs back up and regrasp the cable. What this does is reverse your position. Now you are going down feet first. A lot of recruits failed this and got a bath. Approximately a third of the series got wet. The key to doing this (staying dry) is to go down as quickly as possible (without losing your balance). Also, the faster you go down the more balance you have.
Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.
Proverbs 17:6
I read this verse today. I thank God that my father is a person that I can look to, go to, learn from, talk with, respect, love, admire, and include in my personal decisions.
980520; Wednesday; 2145; MCRD, San Diego - T20
The big thing of the day was our museum tour. After morning chow we went to the museum for most of the morning. One of our two guides for the tour was Father Vic Krulak. When he retired from the Navy as Chaplain he had obtained the rank of Commander, which is high for a Chaplain. He is the brother of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Charles Krulak. Their father, Victor Krulak I, was a Lieutenant General in the Marine Corps and at one time was considered for Commandant. Cool, huh? The museum is one of the places that we can go during graduation liberty. The museum has a lot of history in it on the Marine Corps and the weapons, uniforms, relics of that era, etc. There is even a room for paintings done by a Retired Marine Major (I think) who's hobby is painting for the Marine Corps.
After noon chow we started squaring away some of our uniform items for our service alpha. After we return from Mess & Maintenance at Camp Pendleton we will have, I believe, our Company Inspection.
We also made another PX call and had our hair cut as well. I found it interesting that during our Corps Values class (today's was a scenario on suicide) the subject of "medical suicide" or euthanasia - doctor-assisted suicide - came up. The same issues, beliefs, reasonings, justifications, disregards, etc. as in English class back at Olympic College.
Earlier this evening we packed our seabags and started preparing to go up north. We will leave sometime early afternoon. The big thing tomorrow is initial PFT. Might have some fail that. Don't know how much smaller a platoon can get. We are at 44 now (had close to 60 back in receiving) and at least 1 is on trial training (like probation) and several others are on the verge of reaching the end of 3070's rope. I am looking forward to the PFT. The only thing about it is pull-ups. Since doing 12 on the IST I haven't been able to do more than 10. Usually around 8. We'll see.
Got letters from Mom, Jeremy, Caleb, and Abbie this evening. Mom you asked me how I am doing (mentally and spiritually). It varies. Say for instance, when we were on the Confidence Course yesterday. Low stress, challenging, fun, in my environment. Or, keeping the noise down or trying to get the platoon to listen can be very challenging and stressful. We are still known in Lima Co. as the most undisciplined. I enjoy being a squad leader. The one thing I don't like about it is that the Drill Instructors require the guide and squad leaders to delegate work and to supervise. That isn't the kind of leader that I am. I more want to lead through example and experience. What makes it even harder is that the platoon doesn't listen to us squad leaders and guide. I am beginning to feel that they resent us for not "getting our hands dirty." Every time we do that the Drill Instructors climb up our backs and give us a quick, yet harsh, rundown on our responsibilities, DELEGATING.
Spiritually, certain times of the day I set aside to think about, pray, and read from God's Word. At other times the Drill Instructors keep us relatively busy. I try and remember to pray before each meal. There is evening devotions, and after taps but before the Duty DI goes into his hut for the night. During that last time period I find is the best time to go over, remember, and sing hymns and praises to God. At all these times and more you are constantly on my mind, in my thoughts, and mentioned in my prayers.
980521; Thursday; 2135; Edson Range, Camp Pendleton - T21
Big thing today was initial PFT. We did that right after morning chow. Pull-ups first, then crunches, and lastly the 3 mile run. I did 12 pull-ups equaling my IST. 82 crunches, 18 more than on the IST. I ran the 3 mile run in 20 min. and 30 sec. That is by far my fastest time. As best as I can figure my total PFT score was in-between 220 and 225. Just short of being in first class. Gives me something to shoot for on the final PFT.
After the PFT we had a class on Substance Abuse. My policy remains the same. Don't do it and abuse isn't going to be a problem. We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon packing and cleaning the squad bay. We left for Camp Pendleton mid-afternoon. We left all the visitors and new Marines and the homesickness that they brought on and came here where this morning at 0200 six platoons began the Crucible. Somehow they have managed to hit you at both ends.
We arrived in time to make our racks before going to evening chow. The facilities here are nicer than at MCRD. That's because the recruits here know how to conduct themselves. Immediately after chow we were introduced to our new jobs for the next week. Platoon 3066, which was here the previous week, showed us what needs to be done. The job I was assigned to is the scullery for the Marines. It isn't bad. A lot better than the scullery for the recruits. All I do is run the dishwasher.
We will be doing 16 hr. days, getting up at 0300 and hitting the rack at 2100. We work in the mess from 0330 to 1900.
Received a letter from home today. Love hearing from you. Sorry I don't write letters that often. Writing this journal takes a good 30-45 minutes after taps. Freetime is often filled with things like ironing, hygiene, spit shining boots & brass, etc. This is my daily letter to you, read weekly. Love you all.
980522; Friday; 2030; Edson Range, Camp Pendleton - TW-1
We were aroused out of our sleep at 0230. Reported at the mess hall at 0300 and from there proceeded to work until 1945. Breakfast started somewhere around 0430 so we spent time getting used to our jobs. I work in scullery I where the Marines eat. I and another recruit are responsible for the scullery and its cleanliness. The two deck recruits for the Marine chow line also help us when they can. It isn't that bad working there (a lot better than other posts). Other posts include: line recruits (who stand at Parade Rest a lot), Scullery 2 (recruit scullery - a lot harder than scullery I), deck recruits (restock: milk, juice, condiments, etc. Also sweep, scrub and swab), pot shack (pots and pans - the ultimate in pits), and maintenance.
As soon as one meal is done the cleaning process starts. Breaking down the dishmachine; sweeping, scrubbing, and swabbing the deck; cleaning counters and sinks, windexing. By the time cleaning is done it is time to set up for the next meal. Constant standing. The whole platoon has sore feet or even numb.
After evening chow a Lance Corporal saw me leaning against a stainless steel sink. BIG NO-NO IN MARINE CORPS BASIC TRAINING!
<<<INITIATIVE TRAINING>>>
<<<QUARTERDECK>>>
This was only my second time on the quarterdeck. It certainly makes for excellent pain training. You learn fast or spend lots of time on your hands and knees or, in most cases, on your chest from exhaustion.
As we came up to Camp Pendleton yesterday I realized what was wrong with California. It is entirely too dry. Now that I am here I know how much I really liked the moist Northwest weather and climate.
The chow here is a little better than at MCRD. Got a little more of it, too. YEAH! Had a great Turkey Pot Pie for dinner. Scoop some of that onto a slice of buttered bread and eat it like a taco. We do that a lot ith our food.
I read some verses today that mean so much now because of the training that I have received.
Proverbs 21:2 - Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.
Proverbs 21:3 - To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:15 - Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
Proverbs 23:12 - Apply your heart to discipline, and your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:13-14 - Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you beat him with the rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from Sheol.
Proverbs 23:22 - Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 23:25-26 - Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you. Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes delight in my ways.
Proverbs 23:30-35 - Those who linger long over wine, those who go to taste mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will utter perverse things. And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, or like one who lies down on the top of a mast. "They struck me, but I did not become ill; they beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink."
This last passage reminds me so clearly of the deception, trap, and bondage of alcoholism, illegal drug use, etc. How much clearer must it be. I thank God for these words of wisdom, guidance, thankfulness. These are passages which provoke people to reflect upon them and know that their parents applied those principles and verses to the best of their God-given ability that their children might be trained and will not depart.
980523; Saturday; 2325; Edson Range, Camp Pendleton - TW-2
Today was essentially the same as yesterday. Only major difference was that 25 of the recruits went to the Crucible breakfast to serve there. Left us slightly short-handed. But caused few problems because weekends are slow. So tired, can't wait until this week is over and back on normal schedule.
Have two recruits in with our platoon. Last night they were brought in. Apparently they were part of a platoon on the Crucible. The two of them stole an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat - small packages of food eaten by soldiers in the field). Instead of graduating this next week, they will be pushed back two weeks. That is by and far the scariest part of basic training.
A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, and will share an inheritance among the brothers.
Proverbs 17:2 I thought that this verse was interesting as well as thought-provoking when I first read it several days ago.
Who then shall be this wise servant? A wise son or daughter.
980524; Sunday; 2035; Edson Range, Camp Pendleton - TW-3
Same-o, same-o and there is nothing new to report at this time, Sir.
Well, not exactly. Today was very slow. Being Sunday and Memorial weekend didn't help. The slowness left a lot of time for thought. Most of that dealing with the middle of July. As a platoon, and especially myself, we look forward to that Saturday morning on top of the 'Grim Reaper,' our Eagle, Globe and Anchor in our hands. And then after that July 15, 16 and 17.
A Lieutenant Chaplain came in the mess hall and we had a 15 minute church service between morning and noon chow.
The platoon seems to be developing its teamwork muscle. It's getting more familiar and there is more and more help available.
Not much else to say. Same schedule, same chow, same job, SAME-O. Ta Ta see ya for now.
Please feel free to me!
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