Baby Bro meets the Marine Corps... #2: Training Begins

[Preface: if you guys have any questions about the "why's" the "how's" and the terminology, just lemme know]

Dear Jer,
Boot camp started off hard, no sleep for 24 plus hours, even waiting at the airport and MEPS to get to CA was a while. I left to go to MEPS at 4:30am, got to the airport at 1pm, got on the plane at 6pm and got picked up by the bus to go to MCRD some time around 8pm. After that everything went so slow. we got 6 hours of sleep max that first week, it was receiving week, eh, it was horrible medical and dental boringness for hours. it's not so bad now i'm giving 100% effort, but about 10% of recruits are not so the whole platoon gets yelled at for that [sigh]: less free time, more games, the IT (insensitive training) isn't that bad, we aren't doing hygene by the numbers anymore though i just hope it gets better and the days go by faster. hope you're doing good with your training.
love Davin


Dear Jer
tell mom and dad thanks for the letter, it's nice to get mail. I'm going to need to know the new address ASAP; I ordered some yearbook stuff and grad stuff, i mean i WILL be ordering them week 10. so i graduate on a wednesday. family day will be tuesday. i think time's starting to fly by. i'm used to everything now. i know usually what orders and what we are doing each day. a couple people have already broke down. they pulled all six platoons of A co outside the other day to watch a recruit get arrested. from what the chief ID said, the Rec gave up and refused to train. brig and a discharge for him.

a lot of people came in here and didn't expect this. i got chewed out bad twice: first time i was kind of shaky, cuz i didn't know how to deal with it; second time i kept my cool and he hasn't bothered me too much since. the food's not that bad. i miss my mom's cooking. when i get back i will pretty much eat anything. a lot of the food here looks and tastes synthetic. this week is drill week, well finishing up drill, and next week is swim week, then i go up north, field week, rifle week, team week, [gra]ss week. mail will go slow; same address, they just forward it up there. after it is the reaper and finals week, a bunch of testing. then crucible and graduation.

all i really think about is food now. the girls have got it so easy. i'm doing laundry tonight, haven't done any since i've been here. church helps, relieves stress here and gives me something to do. say hi to everyone for me. [sigh] another two months of this. how is the moving going? is everyone getting settled in? how is the girls' school going? i'm trying my best to get through this as fast as i can. i miss you and my sisters, and mom and dad. gotta go, house cleaning time
love Davin


Dear Jer,
Thanks for giving mom and dad my address. did they move yet? and yeah, my hand writing's horrible right now, got my fingers bruised and swollen from pugal sticks and marshal arts training, an dnice try with the candy. It was my SDI who did the mail handout today, he's the only DI who cares about us. my other 2 DI's which are here to train me would have IT'd me for getting candy. they do IT when you do something wrong or when they feel like playing games.

my SDI is the most intense DI on this base, he's got a rep for it too. he's usually chill to us, but when we mess up he turns into a crazy recruit-killing SDI. he has IT'd the whole platoon maybe 4 or 5 times so far, 78 recruits total. the training is still tough, and i'm trying my best still. oh, i get double rations so chow isn't that bad at the moment. we got an hour of free time because we have been doing good lately. unfortunately we can't eat dessert at chow. DI said he will IT us if we touch it. so every other platoon can touch it but us :(

you or dad should send me some power bars: that's one of the only things we are actually allowed to receive. i'm doing great in the classroom, we look awesome drilling, still got a long way to go. i miss home right now. i really don't have much freedom here. say hello to everyone. i can't believe i'm already almost on my second week of training. Nov 4th here i come :) i still remember eating at olive garden the day before i left. i miss good food. that's the first thing i'm getting when i get back.
love Davin

Baby Bro meets the Marine Corps... #1: Required "I'm alive and well" letter

I have arrived safely at MCRD San Diego, CA and have been assigned to PLT 1015/A Co/1st Recruit Training Battalion. We have four Drill Instructors (DI) and one senior Drill Instructor (SDI) for our platoon (PLT) that will be with us every day, everywhere we go.

Accountable mail (UPS/FedEX) is difficult to receive so PLEASE do not send it. While here at recruit training, I am not allowed to receive certain items such as medication, alcohol, gambling devices, tobacco products, and combustibles. If I am in need of medication, I will be provided the opportunity to see a medical officer and receive medication if prescribed. It is not necessary for you to send any money; I will earn enough to cover the expenses during boot camp. Everything that I will need to complete training will be issued to me in the future...


From the SDI:
My name is Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Taylor, and I am the SDI for PLT 1015. I have been assigned to care for and train your young man for the next three months. I am responsible for leading and guiding this future Marine through the many challenging and demanding stages of his training. My DI's and I will ensure that he puts forth his maximum effort. Through concerned and positive leadership we will help him develop a strong sense of pride, self-respect, confidence and a greater level of physical and mental endurance.

He is about to undergo a rigorous training cycle, which will test him both physically and mentally. The first phase of training takes place at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, CA. Training consists of physical training, close order drill, water qualification and an introduction to military life. Extensive classes on Marine Corps history, first aid, military customs and courtesies and military law will be taught.

The second phase of training takes place at Camp Pendleton, CA and consists of rifle marksmanship and field skills training. Upon returning to MCRD the last four weeks will consist of final tests, administrative procedures and preparation for duty in the Fleet Marine Force.

Your young man will be facing many obstacles and may experience periods of frustration, especially during first phase. Positive and encouraging letters as well as prayer from relatives and friends will greatly contribute to his morale and attitude. High morale and a positive outlook are assets for a solid foundation and attribute to successful training. Your role in maintaining his high morale and motivation, which can benefit his positive development, is vital and encouraged. Our graduation date is scheduled for November 4, 2009.

Again, I assure you that your young man is in good hands. My team of DI's and I will always use positive and concerned leadership in the course of training and development of your future Marine. If any problems or questions you think best answered through me should arise, feel free to contact me. Your role in helping to encourage and motivate him through letters is greatly appreciated.


In his own words:
Dear Jer,
so after i got off the plane, i got to talk to some of the marines shipping out to their job. i learned some stuff from them like you can get away with eating chow at night if it's not loud food. the first hour at the MCRD which is where i stay for my first phase (3 weeks), it could only be described as crazy and insane. at about 12 when we were at our barracks i thought we would go to sleep for a few hours but we ended up staying up til 8 the next night, now i realize why you doze off after 5 minutes or so... i was about to get a shot when i almost fell asleep. a lot of the recruits are "stupid" as my processing DI says, who is a hilarious bad-ass. not only do they ask stupid questions, they cannot get it through their head to say "this recruit" or "that recruit" instead of I, me, we.

Sadly enough at lease a quarter (10/78) of the recruits are like that; as my DI says, that 10% cannot even lace their boots right or fill in a box on an inventory sheet of what size your gear is. I have not gotten to boot camp yet. My company is still being processed, which is just medical shit over and over. today is thursday, i run the IST tomorrow, i'm going to pass it. i also learned from a couple marines and from experience so far, to keep a low profile and blend in and not do stupid shit. i've got to write two more letters and i got fire watch tonight, so i will talk to you later. hopefully i will have time to mail another letter sometime this week
bye
love,
Davin