Sunday, September 9, 2012

Jacks last few months..look at the hours !!




Basic Training - Marine Corps


Marine boot camp is officially 12 weeks of training, plus 1 week of processing.

Without doubt, Marine boot camp is more challenging -- both physically and mentally -- than the basic training programs of any of the other military services. See below just what it takes to survive this grueling process called boot camp. Not only are the physical requirements much higher, but recruits are required to learn and memorize a startling amount of information. There are more than 70 "training days" in a period a little longer than 12 weeks.

Week 1 - Receiving
The first stop in week one is at Recruit Receiving, where new recruits spend the first few days of their recruit training experience. During this first week you will be up the entire first night, and all of the next day. During this day and a half, you will be:
Completing paperwork processing
Getting Pay set up
Haircut
Initial gear setup
Full medical and dental screenings
Initial Strength Test (IST)

The remaining hours of week 1 will be comprised of various academic classes.

Week 2 - In the Barracks
The 2nd week of boot camp is intended to bring discipline into the recruits' routine. Get the Recruits used to an intense schedule that they will be following everyday throughout bootcamp. Expect to learn and maintain the following in a matter of minutes:
Wake up call
Getting up
Getting dressed
Making your bed
Brushing your teeth
Getting shaved
Moving out

Week 3 - Combat
As you move away from the first two weeks, you'll continue learning the basics of close combat skills, including the infamous "pugil sticks." Many recruits are somewhat apprehensive about this phase of training, but then find out how much fun it really is. It's almost impossible to get hurt. The recruits are protected by a football helmet and mask, rubber neck roll and crotch cup, and only two kinds of blows are permitted: the slash and the horizontal butt stroke, both to the well-protected head and neck. A clean shot ends the bout. The secret is aggression -- this is not a defensive sport. In addition to more pugil sticks and close combat training, you will learn:
additional classes on first aid
Core values
3 mile march (with packs)
The Confidence Course

Week 4 - More Pugil Sticks
During the fourth week, there will be even more training with pugil sticks and additional training in close combat skills. In addition to the daily P.T., there will be further academic classes (including more core values training). The highlight of week 4 is the individual drill evaluation. Your platoon will be evaluated, graded, and compared to the other platoons.

The winning platoon, of course, receives a trophy for the trophy table. The losing platoons receive the wrath of their respective D.I.s.

Week 5 - Combat Water Survival
The biggest event of week 5 is Combat Water Survival. All Marines must pass basic water survival skills in order to graduate from boot camp (those who don't pass will receive extensive remedial training until they do). Training in Combat Water Survival develops a recruit's confidence in the water. All recruits must pass the minimum requirement level of Combat Water Survival-4, which requires recruits to perform a variety of water survival and swimming techniques. Recruits will also:
Trail a 5 mile hike
Test on Marine Customs and Courtesies
Train in first aid
Full blown inspection(uniforms, rifle, questions, etc)
More core value training

Week 6 -/Rappelling.
This week is dedicated to learning and overcoming the fear of heights by getting up and rappelling down "the wall". You will be taught the proper procedures and how to place your hands on the rope to successfully rappel down safely to ground.

Week 7 - Weapons Training
This week is dedicated to training that last two weeks. The first of which is called Snap-In Week. During this week, recruits are introduced to the four shooting positions (standing, kneeling, sitting and prone). During the second week of marksmanship training, recruits actually fire a known-distance course with ranges of 200, 300 and 500 yards. Recruits prepare for rifle qualification on Friday of that week. In addition to rifle training, you'll practice and master training on:
Grenades and other types of weapons.
Training on how to fire properly
Adjusting sight on weapons
Firing a known-distance course
Experience Field Firing Range (FFR)

Week 8 - Firing Week
Week 8 is strictly dedicated to firing your weapon and using the training you have been giving. Firing live rounds will show your sergeant how well you have listened. Concentration is key to the success of firing five well-aimed shots correctly.

Week 9 - Confidence Course
This week you will put your training on The Confidence Course to test. The Confidence Course consists of eleven obstacles, designed so that each obstacle is more physically challenging then the last. The obstacles are: (1) Dirty name (2) Run, Jump & Swing (3) The Inclining Wall (4) The Confidence Climb (5) Monkey Bridge (6) The Tough One (7) Reverse Climb (8) Slide for Life (9) the Hand Walk (10) The Arm Stretcher, and (11) The Sky Scraper. While these names sound daunting, the course is designed so the average platoon can run it in 45 minutes.

Week 10 - Field Training
During week 10, you'll start putting all of your training together during field training. "Field Training" is "practice war." You'll operate and live in a simulated combat environment, and learn the fundamentals of patrolling, firing, setting up camp, and more. Basic Warrior Training introduces recruits to field living conditions. The majority of a Marine's field training is conducted after recruit training at the School of Infantry.

During the 3-day Basic Warrior Training conducted during boot camp, recruits will learn basic field skills like setting up a tent, field sanitation and camouflage. It is also during this training that recruits go through the gas chamber.

Week 11
During week 11, you get a chance to put everything you've learned in boot camp to the test. The week starts with the biggest competition of all: The CRUCIBLE. Everything comes together , as a team, leadership, discipline and the skills you have obtained throughout the 10 weeks of training. You will pull together as a team to finish up strong.

Week 11 is also known as "Transformation Week." During this week the new Marines are given 1 hour extra free time each evening and wear the rank insignia of the grade to which they were either guaranteed upon enlistment, or earned during recruit training.

Week 12
YOU MADE IT! This week is the receiving of awards, graduation practice and then graduation! You have now earned the title "Marine".

The minimum (core) graduation requirements are:

(1) Pass the physical fitness test and be within prescribed weight standards

(2) Qualify for Combat Water Survival at level 4 or higher

(3) Qualify with the service rifle

(4) Pass the batallion commander's inspection

(5) Pass the written tests

(6) Complete the Crucible

If you fail in any of the above areas, you are subject to be "recycled" (sent backwards in time to another platoon), or may possibly be discharged. Here's how your 13 weeks breaks down in actual hours:

Instructional Time (The Crucible / Combat Water Survival / Weapons and Field Training): 279.5 hours
Core Values / Academics / Values Reinforcement: 41.5
Physical Fitness: 59
Close Order Drill: 54.5
Field Training: 31
Close Combat Training: 27
Conditioning Marches: 13
Administration: 60
Senior DI Time (nightly free time): 55.5
Movement Time: 60
Sleep: 479
Basic Daily Routine: 210
Chow: 179
Total: 1518 hours

Friday, September 7, 2012

All about the history of the Marine Corps uniform etc

http://marines.com/history-heritage/symbols?WT.mc_id=090612_SYMBOLS_FB

I found this interesting, and since jack is now only 5 days from completing his training..I thought these facts worth putting out there for those of you who do not know as much about the United  States Marine Corp

Thursday, September 6, 2012

A poem for my son as he heads for The Crucible

Did You Know

When you awoke this morning to begin the crucible

Did you know I walked every step with you that was possible?
When you humped all those miles over rough terrain,
Did you know I was by your side again?
When your rations were low and your belly was hungry,
Did you know that I wished it wasn't you but instead it was me?
When your feet ached and blistered from stress,
Did you know that I was carrying you deep in my chest?
When you were tired and sore and almost ready to fall,
Did you realize I would have carried it all?
When you had little sleep and your eyes were red,
Did you know I would have given you my bed?
When you had to push and pull for that extra mile,
Did you know that I was so proud and so tall, with such a big smile?

When you went to bootcamp, I went to one too,
It's the one where mom's worry over all you go through.
I couldn't eat dessert, knowing that you had no treats,
I felt quilty for wanting a pedicure, when you had tired feet.
I anguished over ever tough moment, I thought you had
I cried when I missed you, I cried when I was sad
I cried over your letters, that declared your love for "Mom"
I cried over thinking about the day you would come home.
I cringed if I thought someone was yelling at you
Even though I knew it's waht they had to do.
I lost sleep just wondering how you are
I prayed and thought and even wished upon a star.

Now your almost through and soon you will be
One of The Few The Proud, a New MARINE
I get an Honor too for going through the bootcamp for Mom's
I get to hug you and hold you in my arms
I get to see how handsome you really are
I get my bright shining star
No I don's get a medal or a pin to wear
I don't get to sport that awesome Marine Hair
My reward is one that can't be seen
It's called "Being the Mom of a U.S. Marine."

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The marine Corp Recruit Depot newspaper link

Believe it or not, the MCRD where jack is doing all his training has a weekly newspaper, and here is the link

http://www.mcrdsd.marines.mil/News/ChevronNewspaper.aspx

it is fun to see what is going on there and you get to see pictures of what the recruits are going through.

I thought this might be interesting for some of you.


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Sky Diving in Iowa July 3rd 2012

These are  ideas you have one day and action them the next..Stacy and I decided this was on our bucket list..so lets do it. Allan was not having anything to do with jumping out of serviceable aircraft but he did come up with me, I landed before him :-)

allan practicing~

A and b practicing

we are ready to fly

Stacy and our tandem parachuter

In the plane and all excited

Stacy and i practicing

make sure it is tight!!!

How worried do they look..they did run out and watch us take off and land..

I am coming into land

Oklahoma City final stop

We went to Jann and Max for a barbeque on July 4th, with other friends, they had invited another family I knew from Stampin'Up which was wonderful. We then went to the University and watched a spectacular fireworks show, while sitting in chairs and drinking bubbly..a lovely day all round.

I can no photo's of that day..hmmm

but had not shared these of the boys at the farm..in the corn trailer, on the combine harvester and the barn..so more photo's of my wonderful boys



smashing Geocashes stones

thee ntrance to Iowa state capitol in Des Moines

in the Combine harvester

Alex in the wheel

This is the barn we stayed in..lots of fun

Iowa and staying at English Valley B and B

My friends Stacy runs a B and B, it is mainly used by hunters, and is very charming, they have done up the barn, and the main room have a king size bed, and then two smaller rooms with two sets of bunk beds in each, so the room actually sleeps 10..the boys loved it..


Doug found a snake and Alex was intrigued enough to hold it and put it around his neck..not me!!

The gator with Doug driving my boys..not long until they were off on there own

Inside the Senate

we went all the way to the top..I decided that was part of my marathon training

Stacy with her son Shane in the dome of the capitol

outside the Capitol, A, B and Shane

we tried an Iowa brew pub for lunch after the capitol building tour

Ben went riding..Alex was not so sure

the boys new favourite thing..a Gator by John Deere..they drove Allan all over the place.

On to Iowa, with a stop in Nebraska

We left early on the Sunday morning and drove all through Nebraska on our way to Iowa. We stopped at Lincoln to see the capitol building..a long day in the car for the boys, about 14 hours but they were great.


A and B posing for you all


Alex and Lincoln

The Governors residence

Still the road trip




We crossed the continental divide to go between Susan's home and Lisa's. We had to stay on the main highways as the wild  fires were causing havoc in Colorado this summer. When we were at Lisa's home we ahd ash dropping down on us as we sat on the decking in the evenings...so sad. it is a small community as well, so the fires hit home and hard.

Lisa nd I had girl time and the boys all went off and explored the miners museum and other museums..unfortunately they could not go on to the Air Force academy, as it was evacuated by the fires..but Alex wants to go to a summer camp there next year..as he is thinking of going to college there..he ( at the moment) wants to be in the Air Force

Yoda was a German shepherd puppy who Ben adored..Ben and animals..I expect him to be a vet..

our road trip, 3000 miles and 8 States

We went to stay with friends, Bill and Susan in pagosa Springs, CO, Lisa and Rik in Colorado Springs CO , Stacy and Doug in Montezuma , IO and Jan and max in Oklahoma city, OK

Such a great time, we went toobing, hiking in the Rockies, sky diving, visited 3 State capitols, saw the Oklahoma memorial and enjoyed so many great family meals and conversations.







This was us hiking in the Rockies, we went up Fourmile trail, it follows Fourmile creek and ends at Fourmile waterfall..very spectacular. It starts at an altitude of 8000 feet and ends at 10000 feet. We were all having to stop to catch our breath. the trail is only 4.5 miles long but there and back took us 5 hours just because of the terrain and altitude..in some places it was crazy climbing, and on the Colorado trail description this was a medium..heaven help a difficult!!!