Re:Boot Camp

970701 - Yesterday was hot. We had PT of a 2.5-mil run and I again ran with the fast group. Again, it was hard but I made it. We then had drill and the SDI decided we weren't working hard enough so he put us in the pit. (That makes 4 pit calls for me). After that we had chow, reviewed some knowledge and went to Pugel sticks II. I got creamed but at this point I was so unmotivated that I couldn't have cared less. Then we had chow and reviewed knowledge. We then had about 10 minutes to shower and make our racks. This morning we had PT of the circuit course twice, + max pull-ups (5) + max sit-ups (74!). Then we had some drill, chow, field day. After the field day we shifted the racks back and the entire company came for some knowledge review. Then chow, etc. I'm doing pretty good. I got a letter from Brian so my spirits are high. Also, 1 full month is now over. 59 days left. The first time we had pugil sticks, we fought one-on-one, and then two-on-two. Both of those matches ...

970629 - Friday was 100 degrees. That's all that happened Fri. Sat we lost initial drill. Our DIs have been extra cruel lately for it. I had to empty my foot locker into B_______'s (my new bunkmate). As did everyone else. Now there's one foot locker per bunk. I was on the quarterdeck last night and again this morning. I'm feeling discouraged and extremely lonely. Even Chapel didn't lift my spirits much because I knew I had to come back here. I'm looking forward to when the DIs will let up a little (if that ever happens). 61 days left. Yesterday, I told you about how we had to wrap our platoon guidon in boot bands. Well, it didn't take too long for that to be put to an end. Apparently, the next day some officer saw us marching with our guidon completely wrapped in boot bands and demanded that the Senior Drill Instructor remove them. And that's where the genius of the SDI really became apparent. Once the bands were removed, the guidon was free to blow in...

970629 - Friday was 100 degrees. That's all that happened Fri. Sat we lost initial drill. Our DIs have been extra cruel lately for it. I had to empty my foot locker into B_______'s (my new bunkmate). As did everyone else. Now there's one foot locker per bunk. I was on the quartereck last night and again this morning. I'm feeling discouraged and extremely lonely. Even Chapel didn't lift my spirits much because I know I had to come back here. I'm looking forward to when the DIs will let up a little (if that ever happens). 61 days left. Close Order Drill (or just "Drill" as I refer to it in my journal) is the practice of marching in formation, performing various commands (turns, stops, marches in place) given by a commanding officer. If memory serves, Close Order Drill has three main functions: 1: to facilitate quick, orderly troop movement; 2: to build a sense of unity within the unit; and 3: to bolster the commanding officer's sense of command ove...

970629 - Friday was 100 degrees.  That's all that happened Fri.  (Note: I have left out the next two days' summaries because tomorrow's is kind of a big one and I didn't want to give too much away. Tune in tomorrow!) Because I'm sick of talking about the weather, and because I don't remember what else might have happened June 27, 1997, I thought I would instead write about how I'm pretty sure the Drill Instructors knew about, and probably read, my journal. Throughout boot camp, nearly all of our belongings were issued to us. We had government-issued uniforms, of course, but so much more was issued to us than just uniforms. We had government-issued glasses, which you may recall were named "portholes." We also called them BC glasses. "Oh, as in 'boot camp.' I get it." No, not as in boot camp, as in "birth control" because they were the ugliest frames you've ever seen and were certain to keep the ladies well away. W...

970626 - Today was a great day. We had a 3-mile hike. It was pretty easy. Then we had a pugil stick competition. First, we fought 1 on 1. I won. That one was for the series guidon. We won! Then, we fought 2 on 2. Once again, victory. This fight was just for fun, though. After that we came back and practiced drill. After noon chow we had Line II Part II. Then we ate chow and did the usual evening activities. While we were "pugiling," the Asst. Commandant of the Marine Corps came and observed us with his entourage of followers. I feel slightly sore but I'll make it. The platoon is coming along in drill (finally). 64 days left. (I've been here almost 1 month.) Throughout boot camp, there were many, many assessments and evaluations. Some of them, like swim qualification and the many inspections we had, were purely individual evaluations. Some of them, though, in addition to being an evaluation of the individual recruits, were also competitions between the platoons in th...

970625 - Today we had PT. It consisted of a 2-mile ability group run. Normally, I run with the medium group, but today I decided to run with the fastest group and, amazingly enough, I made it fine!!!!! The rest of the day was pretty normal, with another History class. Feel great. Not sore at all. It's already been almost 1 month! After next week, we start Phase II. 65 more days (9 more Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays; 10 more Thursdays and Fridays). This morning, when the series (my platoon plus two others on the same training schedule) was gathered for PT, we were told to break up into ability groups. The first time they told us to do this, they just broke us up based on our run-time for the 1.5-mile-run during our Initial Strength Test.  Based on that, I was grouped in the middle group. On this particular morning, we broke up into the same groups as usual, with the majority of our platoon going to the middle group again. The SDI was not happy when he saw o...

970624 - Last night I had firewatch in RAD 1. It's the place people who are going home go before going home. It was easy. This morning we had PT. It was 2 laps of the circuit course and then a 2 mile run. Hard, but once I was done, I felt great. After that we learned about another Medal of Honor winner and took a practice  [for a]  test we have on training day 20. Then we ate chow. I think that before chow we did some drill. After chow, we had a class on First Aid IV and History V. Then chow. After chow we were in a parade for the new regimental commander. Then we came back home, showered, ironed our inspection cammies and went to bed. I'm tired but not real sore. I'm doing fine. 66 days left. No matter how difficult boot camp got for me, I never wanted to quit. There were times that I hated being there. There were times that I hated my Drill Instructors. There were times that, as they got in my face and screamed at me, I had a constant loop of the chorus from Korn's ...

970623 - Ate chow. After chow we came back and cleaned the squad bay some and reviewed knowledge. We then practiced for a parade. We then ate chow. After chow we went to 602 for First Aid IV. We then came back to the squad bay for classes on Fraternization, Equal Opportunities in the Corps, and Sexual Harassment. Those were all taught by the series commander, Capt. R______ (a nice guy). Then more review, chow, drill, showers, and free time. B____ is on duty so we're pretty laid back. Feeling good. 67 days left. Like most of the days leading up to this one, there was a lot of time spent in classes. That's because we were fast approaching our first academic exam of boot camp. Because of that, I thought I would upload a few pictures of the "knowledge" binder that all recruits were to carry. Any time we were in class, this was our textbook. Any time we were waiting for something (waiting to get in to the mess hall for chow, waiting for a class to start, etc.), we were t...

970622 - Sunday. Went to Chapel and Religious Ed. They were both Great ! Tonight we're probably going to have to do drill (fun, fun, fun). Yesterday, SSgt. B____ said that after this coming week, it's all downhill. I really hope he's right because this week was a real struggle for me. I'm looking forward to the week we have mess duty because it seems like it will be sort of a vacation. The weather has gotten very hot and several afternoons have been black flagged. I've sweat more in these 3 weeks than I did in all my 18 years combined. I don't have anything else to say other than 9 weeks and 4 days from now it will be all over. 68 days left. On all Marine bases (and maybe other bases as well), you will see small flags. Typically, the flags are flying near the administration buildings (presumably because Admin Marines don't have much else to do but check the weather and change flags). The flags are meant to signify the current weather. To my knowledge, the...

970621 - Today was sort of an easy day. We woke at 0500 and had chow. We then went to a class on History IV (Korean War; I slept through the whole thing). Then we had 1.5 hours of drill. We were supposed to have had 2 but the SDI decided to put the entire platoon in the pit. That makes 2 pit calls and 1 quarterdeck for me so far. After that we had Line II part I. Then Chow. After chow we spent the rest of the day in the squad bay where we had classes on core values, the Medal of Honor, and how to spit-shine boots and iron cammies. Then chow and the typical evening activities. I'm very glad it's Sat 'cuz that means I get 9 hours of sleep tonight and have chapel and several hours of free-time tomorrow. I'm tired and a little sore but not nearly as much as last night. The spirits of the platoon are pretty high. 69 days left. Some of you might think you are or were good at sleeping in class. Let me tell you, until you manage to sleep through classes in Marine Corps Boot C...

970620 - Today wasn't a very good day. We had PT which consisted of a 1.5 mile individual ability run (10:46), rifle PT (exercises w/ the rifle...easy),and max sit-ups (49), max pull-ups (7), and a rope climb (I was about a foot shy of the top and started slipping). By this time I was very sore. We then went to a History III class about WWII. Pretty interesting. When we came out, the black flag was up so we just walked to chow. After chow we spent about 2 hours in the sweltering heat on the parade deck rehearsing for something or other. Then we had a class on core values and drill. Then chow and the usual activities. M______ is on duty tonight, but, amazingly enough, he's been OK. Gotta go. Sore  + tired . 70 days. As anyone who has ever seen a commercial or billboard for the Marines can tell you, the Marines hold themselves to a high standard. This indoctrination into "The Few, The Proud," begins in boot camp. We had regular classes in which we went over the "...

970619 - Woke up. Had chow. Had 2 hours of drill. Went to History II + Mission classes. Had chow. Found out I don't graduate early. Boy was I disappointed. But, finding that out actually motivated me more because now I really care about my platoon. Went to a core values class. Got hair cuts. Had chow. Did typical evening activities. Dull, quick day. I'm a little less sore, but not much. Still very tired And I have firewatch from 0300-0400...the worst time possible! 71 days left. There's not a whole lot to add to what I wrote here.  After a few weeks of uncertainty regarding my actual graduation date, I finally got a definite answer: I would stay with this platoon and would graduate on the day I had originally thought, and not two weeks early. As I said above, I was disappointed, but the knowledge helped me to embrace my place in this platoon. Also, after so much uncertainty, I was just glad for an answer, one way or the other.

970618 - Another difficult day. Had PT which consisted of a 1-mile run + running the obstacle course. The run was easy but I didn't make it through the obstacle course. Mostly because I couldn't get the technique down. After that we had drill. The weather was not too hot and pretty breezy. After drill we had a class on stealing taught by Sgt. M______. What do you know...he is  human! We then had chow. After that we went to bldg 602 for First Aid II & III. When we got outside it was pouring  outside. We then had a class on personal problems taught by Sgt. V__________. Then chow and the typical evening activities. H__ was on duty tonight so it was for the most part relaxed. I'm very sore and very  tired. I just tonight realized the enormity of boot camp and what it meant. 58 days left (or 72...) In boot camp, I was introduced to many new things. Most of them, I hated initially. Some of them, I grew to like or at least tolerate. One of these was the obstacle cours...

970617 - Today was for certain the hardest day yet. After morning chow we marched to Leatherneck square. There we did line, but before that we had to do an insane amount of exercises to show that we could do line while still being exhausted. After that we went over and had Pugel Sticks I. It was pretty fun but tiring. After that we marched back. Every time we march to or from L-Neck Sq. we pass a convenience store. The store has a sign on it that has the time and temp. on it. At 11:00 AM, it was 93 degrees.  Once inside the squad bay we were tortured by having to hold our guns at certain positions for a long period of time. Then we ate chow. After chow we went to building 602 for First Aid II. We then had a class on foot maintenance. Then we ate. We cleaned our guns etc. While I was shining my belt buckle, a recruit slipped and cut himself bad  coming out of the shower. I've been praying for him ever since. I got no mail but my early chow buddy got 2 letters and I was praying...

970616 - This morning we did PT. It was a 2 mile fartlek run which basically means you run 2 miles stopping 12 times in the run to do other exercises. It was pretty easy. After that we had a class on the origin of ethics in America. We then did drill for about 2-2.5 hours. It was very hot and very  boring. During that time I had to go to the pit for not shaving. It was hard but not real  hard. I did OK. We then had chow after which we went to a class on First Aid I. It was OK. We then went to chow and came back to the squad bay. We then did more drill, and all the other evening activities. M______ was on duty + to make matters worse, there are 2 DIs visiting from San Diego so M______ felt he had to be extra cruel tonight to show off. I got a letter from J______ today so I'm in a pretty good mood. I'm tired but not discouraged. 60 days left. There were some recruits in boot camp who were so hairy that they had to shave twice daily.  Thankfully, I was not one of thos...

970615 - Today we went to Chapel again. I enjoyed it very much. The sermon was about appreciating and being a father. I then went to the optional religious ed. It was great. After that I came back to the squad bay and wrote to the fam. Then we had chow and cleaned the squad bay. We had a short class on First Aid. We then did drill for about 2 hours. It was extremely  boring. After that we had chow, cleaned our guns, got showers and had free time. It was a good day of rest. 61 days left. Since not much happened on this particular day, I thought I would spend some time filling you in on "knowledge." Over the course of boot camp, there are two academic tests. These tests evaluate the recruits' mastery of the concepts delivered in the various classes throughout boot camp (particularly those from the first several weeks of boot camp). The main two subjects for these tests were Marine Corps History and First Aid, but there were also questions related to the Uniform Code of Mi...

970614 - Don't have much time because I want to get my full 9 hrs. of Sat/Sun sleep. Today was a milestone! The entire platoon finally became motivated for drill and everything else for that matter. I don't know how but we just "clicked" and now boot camp is great. DI Sgt. H__ is cracking jokes, DI Sgt. V__________ is much more bearable, and even DI Sgt. M______ has gotten better. We're doing so much better than we were yesterday that it's like a whole new platoon. I have to go now but I'm much more encouraged than I've been yet! 62 days (I think). This was a pretty standard day. In reading the journal entry, you may think it was actually an incredible and unique day, but the reality is that there were great days like this one every week or so. I guess I shouldn't downplay that entirely; after all, without a few encouraging days, I'm not sure we'd have survived. But nothing truly noteworthy happened. Since nothing really happened, I tho...

970613 - Just noticed it's Friday the 13th. A note about last night. 30 seconds after I finished writing in here, Sgt. M______ made us empty our footlockers back into our seabags. This morning we did bayonet skills I, Line I Parts II + III; all at Leatherneck Square. They were OK. We then had chow and came back to the squad bay. We learned some more about the Core of Values from SSgt. B____ and then went and got haircuts. We then went to classroom 6005 (where all of our other classes have been so far) and learned about the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). It was interesting. We then had evening chow and came back to the squad bay. We cleaned the outside of our rifles and then showered. We were then allowed to empty our seabags back into our footlockers...until about 10 min. later when, for following an order Sgt. M______ gave not to announce a Drill Instructor on deck during square away time, we were told to switch them back. We then had about 7 min. until we had to go to ...

  970612 - Before I forget to write this down: Senior Drill Instructor SSgt. B____; DIs Sgt. H__, Sgt. M______, Sgt. V__________. Platoon 1068, Company C, Battalion 1. Now, today we did PT. It consisted of a 1.5-mile run, a circuit course run + pull-ups (3) + sit-ups (40). The circuit course consists of 12 different exercises: 1, dips; 2, leg lifts; 3, inverted crunches; 4 + 5, 2 different types of push-up; 6, pull-ups; 7, twists; 8, military press; 9, stepping; 10, back extensions; 11, curls; 12, something else... This afternoon we did drill and went to a class on History I and Interior Guard II. I'll now write what I think of the DIs and SDI. The SDI SSgt. B____ is a very nice guy; if you're disciplined. He seems to really care about his recruits. DI Sgt. H__ is also nice. He was on the silent drill team so, naturally, he instructs everyone on drill. He only gets angry when people don't try on drill. DI Sgt. V__________ is nice as well. He sometimes gives instruct...

970611 - Wednesday. Monday we got our debit cards, did some drill, etc. I also found out on Monday that I graduate on August 15th instead of the 29th. Great! Tuesday was our 1st training day. We did PT (Table, 1.5 mile run, pull-ups (5), + sit-ups (29)). Then we went to a class on Interior Guard. It wasn't too bad. I was assigned to be a laundry recruit so on Tuesday night we got all the dirty laundry + bagged them + shipped them. Tuesday afternoon we went to Leatherneck square where we learned some basic punch combos. This morning (training day 2) we learned some flips + holds (very cool!) and dis- + re-assembled our rifles. We also began to talk about the Marine Corps Core of Values. Also, Tuesday night/Wed morn. I was on firewatch from 0100-0200 so I only got about 6.5 hrs of sleep. The platoon is gradually getting closer and more motivated. I'm really enjoying myself. There are certain challenges but it's still a lot of fun. I'm thankful to God that I was a...

970611 - Wednesday. Monday we got our debit cards, did some drill, etc. I also found out on Monday that I graduate on August 15th instead of the 29th. Great! Tuesday was our 1st training day. We did PT (Table, 1.5 mile run, pull-ups (5), + sit-ups (29)). Then we went to a class on Interior Guard. It wasn't too bad. I was assigned to be a laundry recruit so on Tuesday night we got all the dirty laundry + bagged them + shipped them. Tuesday afternoon we went to Leatherneck square where we learned some basic punch combos. This morning (training day 2) we learned some flips + holds (very cool!) and dis- + re-assembled our rifles. We also began to talk about the Marine Corps Core of Values. Also, Tuesday night/Wed morn. I was on firewatch from 0100-0200 so I only got about 6.5 hrs of sleep. The platoon is gradually getting closer and more motivated. I'm really enjoying myself. There are certain challenges but it's still a lot of fun. I'm thankful to God that I was a...