TRAINING WEEK FIVE
980525; Monday; 2150; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - TW-4
Said it once, said it twice, let me say it again. Same old stuff. Will admit that it was busier today. Makes it nicer because time passes by quicker. Our feet are all constantly aching. 16 hours on our feet leaves little left of the nerves in our feet. As a platoon we are slipping into a groove. We are all eagerly waiting for Thursday and when we can go home.
One of my jobs in the morning is changing the menus. Is nice because I can get off my feet for a couple of hours. Ya know, kind of like Rolaids for feet.
This morning our guide was fired. A recruit named Cashiola, who was in the Navy, was made guide by our Senior. Cashiola, or better known around here as popeye or squid, is one of the weaker recruits and he probably won't be able to adjust. Especially in his drill.
We've been here for quite a while. I've seen many different lifestyles. It never ceases to amaze me that the lifestyle centered around the will of God is so much more peaceful and is more content than one that is free to do as he pleases. I thank God for this and the person that I pray to be.
Our first squad leader, Lane (who is also the mess guide), is cool. He is African-American, married, and has a daughter. He is our Protestant Lay Reader. I cannot tell how much he believes or what he believes, but through his personality, the way he carries himself, the way he talks, and in discussions I have had with him, I have noticed that God is involved in his life. He is a simple man, with a simple mission, who is full of trust, devotion, and love towards both God and his family.
980526; Tuesday; 2045; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - TW-5
Aside from the usual that happens every day consistently, there were a couple of irregulars today. For one it was much busier, which made it nice as time flew by faster. One of the two companies was out in the field all day so there were only 6 platoons to feed instead of 12. At lunch we used paper and had hamburgers, hot dogs, and potato chips. A nice change from turkey, ham and chicken cooked a different way each day of the week.
I had a lot of thinking time today amidst the busyness. I hummed and sometimes softly sang different praise choruses and hymns that I know. It made me realize just how much I miss singing. Two songs that I really enjoy are Open Our/My/Their Eyes and King of My Life (Lest I Forget Gethsemane). Both songs mean a lot to me in my commitment to My God. Especially now that I am out and about. I praise and thank God for all of you, my family and friends. I am what I am, who I am, and experience what I have, first of all, because of God; but also because of you. You all are a source of great encouragement and strength to me.
As you are precious in the sight of the Lord, so are you to me because of your selfless love and devotion.
980527; Wednesday; 2240; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - TW-6
One more day left. Overall this has been one of the most strenuous weeks. Working 16 hrs daily on 4 or 5 hours sleep is not easy. Afternoon chow in the E4 line (Marine section) was unbelievably busy today. We were knocked cold for a couple of hours just cleaning up all the dishes. The recruit section of the mess hall only served 1 company (6 platoons) today as Kilo was out in the field on Field Week.
One thing that I really did enjoy this week was the time I had to think. God is really showing me just what He blessed me with, as well as who He has blessed me with. It is unfortunate to say, but we do not realize just how we love and depend upon others until we are away from them.
Over the last couple of days I have been asked what I do for fun. The guys soon find out that I don't smoke, drink, do drugs, I'm not promiscuous, etc., and are surprised. They seem to assume that you have to be doing something along those lines to be having fun. When asked what do I do for fun, I simply replied, "Hang out with my brothers and sisters, go workout with my brother, and play baseball." Many would not find these thing to be fun. Yet these are precious memories to me, irreplaceable and worth much more than the pleasures, lusts, and bondage that worldly things provide.
I THANK GOD FOR YOU IN PRAYER AND SONG DAILY. I PRAY FULL OF THANKSGIVING AND SING THAT GOD WILL PROVIDE AND REVEAL HIMSELF TO YOU.
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. AMEN
980528; Thursday; (980529; 0330); MCRD, San Diego - TW-7
Our last day on mess and maintenance. It was a nice break, though a hard one, and I'm glad it is over. We received all our backed up mail after we got home. Thanks, Dad, for the letter. It was really nice to hear from you.
Today was pretty much the same as all week long. Afternoon chow was just as busy today as it was yesterday. The E-4 Deck area is the feeding line and beverage area for the Marines. I was put on that for afternoon chow because the other recruit had something wrong with his eye. Hard job keeping that area squared away. Just after Bravo Company finished eating evening chow we put them to work locking them on. They had 2 platoons there, double the men that we had. Yet, in spite of that, they were nasty. Around here 3rd Battalion is known as hard. Lima Company is top dog in 3rd Bn. We are the hardest Company. Bravo Company in 1st Bn, on the other hand, is lazy. They moved awful slow. We left Camp Pendleton as soon as possible. As soon as we got back home, we retrieved our weapons from 66's barracks, set up our racks, hygiened, emptied our sea bags, and got out our body bags (for our uniforms).
One thing that I learned this week is that hard, motivated, obedient work overcomes obstacles. One recruit in my squad has had problems with authority. Most of all he doesn't respect recruits who have authority over him. I was one of his despised. That first full day of Mess & Maintenance he was the stockroom honcho. They had a couple of semi's to unload. As we worked to put away all these things he was getting into bossing us around. Instead of complaining I was just doing what he said. I noticed that by the time we were done we were working together to get this done. Today I went out to help with another semi load. While we were getting things put away, he told me that he used to not like me, but because of my work ethics and my speed and intensity he really likes working with me. That made my day.
980529; Friday; (980530; 0435); MCRD, San Diego - T22
Well, we crossed step two of four today towards becoming United States Marines. The first step was the pike on our guidon. Today's step was the cammies that were issued last Tuesday (T-19) that we got back today. The cammie blouse has our name above the right breast pocket and "U. S. Marines" above the left breast pocket. Our name is also above the right rear pocket on the trousers.
The third step towards becoming a Marine comes in 2 wks. Going to Camp Pendleton. The fourth and final is the Crucible and Grim Reaper, ending when we are handed our Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.
Our big thing today was PT. We did grass drills and the circuit course. We were told later in the afternoon by our Series Chief Drill Instructor SSgt. Heather that today's PT was a highly motivated PT. We all gave our best.
We spent a lot of our afternoon cleaning our M16A2 Service Rifle. With Series Inspection tomorrow we also spent our evening squaring away our uniform. Tomorrow's inspection is in our service charlies uniform. The same one the Drill Instructors wear minus the campaign cover.
The new platoons that are in receiving have almost double the recruits that we have in our platoon now. When we were back in receiving we had just over 60 recruits. These platoons have 80 to 90 recruits. Usually 90 some. They will get even larger as the summer draws closer. Up past the 100 mark, possibly even as high as 110.
It is hard to believe, but we are becoming the Senior Company very fast. There are only a couple of Companies that are here at MCRD that are in front of us. Since coming back from Mess & Maintenance at Camp Pendleton we have been feeling a sense that we are it. We are getting to the top. All those platoons from receiving and those in their first couple of weeks give us respect while in the chow hall. Just as we did when we were in receiving. Not long now. We are getting ready to whoop on all this trash at Camp Pendleton. Only 2 weeks to go.
Praying for you often. Keep strong in the faith. Turn to God at all times. Practice now, you will need it when you leave. God is going to be your most reliable source. Don't neglect that.
980530; Saturday; (980531; 0155); MCRD, San Diego - T23
Our inspection this morning was a lot easier than the Senior Inspection. I did better, also. There were some though who were absolutely killed by the Series Chief Drill Instructor and Series Commander.
We did such a great job on the inspection that our Senior took the whole platoon out to the pit. That's only the third time that he has IT'd the whole platoon.
We spent a lot of time on drill today. First time we have done so since the Initial Drill Inspection. We went out on the Parade Deck and went through 2 drill cards.
Along with the platoon IT, I managed to get IT again later on the quarterdeck. Several of the other recruits were on the quarterdeck and I was standing on line. I looked over at the duty hut and Drill Instructor Sgt. Harrison thought that I was looking at the IT session. The first thing you learn is that you don't argue your case. Drill Instructors don't care. Just take it and get on with your training.
It seems that I have become the main prac recruit. Since I was made prac recruit, I have quickly become the main prac recruit. I am one of 3 tutors. I am responsible for Chain of Command, General Orders, and Navy and Marine rank structure. While on down time (time in between or while waiting) the prac recruit (me) will say, for example, "Series Chief Drill Instructor is," the platoon will repeat this. Then I will say, "Staff Sergeant Heather." That is how we will go through the Chain of Command all the way to President of the United States. The rank structure is similar. For instance, with Sergeant Major I would say, "Sergeant Major" (platoon repeats), "3 stripes" (platoon repeats), "4 rockers" (platoon repeats), "five point star in the middle" (platoon repeats).
Right now many in the platoon are struggling with the Navy rank structure. It is my responsibility to help them learn it.
I need prayer. In this atmosphere with all the swearing, I have been finding myself starting to pick up the swearing myself. This is something that I do not want to take out of boot camp. Please pray that I will turn to God in this situation and honor Him in it.
980531; Sunday; (980601; 0135); MCRD, San Diego - H4
Happy Birthday, Philip!!! If I am correct, number 11.
It was nice to have part of the morning off to work on some things. Went to both services today. First Steps In Christ, though being quite elementary, was interesting. Our teacher discussed and explained the structure of the Bible. He did it by dividing the Bible into two distinct sections each covering two distinct time periods. Old Testament and New Testament. BC and AD. He then broke each section down into past, present, and future. Each of those 3 categories were titled. Past was titled history; present, wisdom literature; and future was titled, prophecy. The difference between the OT and NT came when looking at each title and comparing them. For instance, history in the OT most commonly refers to Israelite history or pre-Israelite history. The NT is the life of Christ and the early church. With present, wisdom literature in the OT is: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. The NT, the letters and epistles to churches. Prophecy and the future in the OT is mainly directed to the coming of the Messiah. In the NT it is mainly the second coming and the events surrounding it.
Well, Fox Company from 2nd Battalion left for Camp Pendleton today. Lima Company is now the most senior and will be for the next two weeks. Kilo Company, who is in 3rd Battalion and is only a month ahead of us, goes to the Crucible this Thursday. The Sunday after they graduate is when we leave for Camp Pendleton and that next week Kilo Company picks up again at receiving. Kilo's Drill Instructors get a week off before picking up a whole new platoon.
We went out on the Parade Deck today and went over another drill card with Drill Instructor Sgt. White. We also worked on Oral Prac a lot, too. Before evening chow we cleaned our weapons. Some might think it's fun to have an M16, but to keep it in prime condition means doing a lot of work.
Just before sunset, the platoon went out to the base's main color (out in front of the Parade Deck). We helped to take down the Garrison Flag again. It's actually kind of fun. Wouldn't want to do it every day, though. For those of you who don't know what a Garrison Flag is, it's the American Flag that is 20 x 38 feet and is flown only on Sundays and holidays. The Post Flag is the everyday flag and its size is 10' x 19'. In inclement weather the Storm Flag is flown. The Storm flag is 5 x 9.5 feet.
Well, I'm not sure what my take on swim week should be, but I think I'm ready to take it on. Get it out of the way and then concentrate on prac, Final Drill Inspection, and final PFT. After which we go to Camp Pendleton.
Please feel free to me!
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