TRAINING WEEK ELEVEN
& THE CRUCIBLE
980706; Monday; 2140; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T54
We had JOB prep this morning (in case you have forgotten, JOB is 'junk on a bunk'. It is inventory and gear serviceability.). We set up our field gear on our racks and cleaned house. Each item had certain requirements and had to be in a certain spot on the rack. Some even had to be taped with our name to a certain length. For example, the shelter half and poncho both had to be folded 12" X 12". Our wet weather tops and bottoms as well as our woolly "P" bag had to be rolled up 6" wide.
This is what we did in the morning. Our gear was checked for accountability and serviceability while we were at noon chow. We spent all afternoon, from about 1130 to 1630, on weapons maintenance.
After evening chow we started to set up our packs for the Crucible. The scribes and whiskey locker are supposed to start packing their gear. When we leave on Wednesday we won't come back to the house until Saturday morning. On Sunday we will be staging our gear. So Saturday will be the only day that we can pack and field day.
We also finished marking our Service "A" for Wednesday's inspection. At 1800 we stepped out to the PX to buy our shooting badges and any other items we would need. After we got back we put them on our Alpha Blouse. The expert badge looks dandy. The badges are 4 bucks a piece, but the expert is worth it.
One of the recruits in this platoon 'unked' twice and on his third and final try at qualifying on the range shot a 237, but because he 'unked' he can't qualify as more than a marksman. The platoon high is 232, shot by Rec. (PFC.) Smith, the new 4th squad leader.
980707; Tuesday; 2100; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T55
This morning we had a PT run. We were all broken up into our Crucible squads. Drill Instructor Sgt. White is my Crucible leader, but Drill Instructor Sgt. Harrison led my squad in the run because Drill Instructor Sgt. White was driving the safety vehicle. Today's run was fun. Drill Instructor Sgt. Harrison would slow us down into a "Marine Corps Shuffle" until we were a good 50 yds behind the squad in front. Then we would start speeding up until we were sprinting. When we started to speed up we would be whispering "sneak attack, sneak attack" over and over. As we got closer we would get louder until we were 10 yards back and sounding off. Then we would go into the shuffle again.
After PT we studied in squads for tomorrow's inspection. They gave us a cheat sheet of knowledge most likely to be asked us by the Battalion Commander and his detail inspectors.
After noon chow we spent most of the afternoon outside cleaning our weapons. In the evening we swabbed down our weapons with rubbing alcohol (cleans the CLP - cleaning, lubricating, protectant - off) as the Battalion Commander likes to keep his hands clean. We also finalized our uniforms and checked them for completion.
We lost another recruit today. On Thursday of last week Rec. Southern was taken to sick bay and it turned out to be Hepatitis. We found out today that he won't be returning to this platoon. In fact, he will be discharged because he also has other health problems. It sobered us all as he had to leave only one week short of becoming a Marine. Our grand total is now 44 United States Marine Corps Recruits.
In the afternoon we had a class by Lieutenant Alicia, Navy Chaplain, on Marriage and the First Term Marine. Some of the things he talked about are serious matters and kind of interesting. After the class he talked about the Crucible. We have another class tomorrow on Core Values.
After the inspection tomorrow the Crucible awaits. 54 hours, 40 some miles, 2.5 meals, and 8 hours of sleep (at the absolute most), culminating at the end with the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremony and the Warrior's Breakfast; both on Saturday morning.
980708; Wednesday; 2110; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T56
First order of the day - Battalion Commander's Inspection. Scheduled for 0700-1200. After morning chow we hygiened quickly and put on our service Alphas (with the shooting badge). Lead series went out first at 0700. Trail series went out after they did, sometime between 0800 and 0900. When we got out to the Parade Deck here at Edson Range, the detail inspectors started on each platoon while Lieutenant Commander Ferguson, 3rd Battalion Commanding Officer, started on '69. The detail inspectors were Senior Drill Instructors and Series Officers from other 3rd Battalion Companies.
This was the easiest of all the inspections. Yes, the Drill Instructors did drum it up a little to plant fear in us. Their way of playing. The inspection was over by 0945.
The rest of the morning was spent in Crucible prep and house cleaning. Crucible prep included field stripping our MRE's, last detail packing, LBV prep, etc. We also ironed on a decal to our drill cammies for when we get back on Saturday. The decal is the EGA ironed onto our left breast pocket.
At 1300 we had a class on Moral Courage with Navy Chaplain Lieutenant Alicia, after which we packed our seabags, marked and lubed our weapons, and, of course, cleaned house. We hit the rack at 2000 and got up to start the Crucible at 0200.
Almost there. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, amazingly. Praise God, He's bringing me through.
980709; Thursday; 1130; Range 501, Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T57
CRUCIBLE UPDATE: Up at 0200, staged and ready to roll at 0215. We went up as a company to Range 501 to set up our bivouac. Did that, then the usual hurry up and wait. After waiting for a while we proceeded to the Parade Deck where we broke up into our squads and humped out to our first obstacles.
We arrived at out first obstacle and waited until 0600. On our first obstacle the scenario was that our HUMVEE had run out of fuel while carrying supplies. While headed back to Motor-T to get fuel, we came across a bridge that had been partially destroyed by the enemy. Our obstacle was to carry 3-55 gal. drums across a cable from 1 platform to another. The drums have to remain upright and there are 3 red stripes on the cables 3' long. If you or your equipment (drums) touch the stripes you are dead and your equipment is lost.
Some of the other obstacles are the oak course while carrying a dummy (casualty) and ammo cans. The casualty and ammo cans must go over each obstacle, also.
There was another obstacle in which you went from tire swing to tire swing (6 swings total) and at each end was a platform. Touch the deck and you're dead.
Another was a 12' pole and you have to put a tire over it, lower it all the way to the deck and then take it off.
I will be starting the team shoot and Pugil Sticks shortly. Will update you later.
980709; Thursday; 1520; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton
CRUCIBLE UPDATE (Still Thursday): Let's see. I left off with Pugil Sticks. Each recruit had 3 consecutive matches. I went 3-0 to finish 6-0 for boot camp. Each round was quick and vicious. After Pugil Sticks we humped back out to where we started this morning. We completed the 4 other obstacles at that site. 'Stairway to Heaven' (a ladder 50' high with rungs 4-5 feet apart), 'Skyscraper' (same as MCRD, just bigger), 'Weaver' (same as MCRD, just bigger), and rope bridge. Each of these obstacles require you to carry objects like ammo cans and water jugs full of dirt through, up, or over them.
980709; Thursday; 2330; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton
CRUCIBLE UPDATE (Still Thursday): After doing those obstacles we humped back to Range 501 and chilled until 2100. At 2100 trail series stepped out for a resupply hump. Each squad had to carry 2 large ammo cans and 4 small ammo cans filled with dirt for 2.5 miles. We then humped back to Range 501. We left the cans out beyond Range 503 (Infiltration Course). The last 2 companies did this run in 2.25 and 2.3 hours. We did it in 1.5 hours. Then we had to sit around and wait for 0000 (midnight) to come around before we could go to sleep.
You are probably wondering how I am doing with my 2.5 MRE's. Well, today I ate 2 of my 3 cracker packages with peanut butter and grape jelly. I also ate my peanuts, pound cake, and beverage powder. I tried to eat as light as possible today. Just hydrate a lot.
980710; Friday; (980712; 0900); Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T58
Got up at 0400 and stepped out for our first obstacle of the day. Our first obstacle was a good 3 mile hump from Range 501. It was a tire suspended 4' with the side facing you painted red. All members of the squad must go through the tire without touching the red. After finishing there, we moved over to the Bayonet Assault Course. This course was the same as the one at MCRD. Lots of hooking and jabbing. From there we went to Range 503 and the Day Infiltration Course. We had 25 minutes to go through the whole course dragging with us a team member (casualty), 2 large ammo cans, 2 small ammo cans, and 2 water jugs; all filled with dirt. We almost made it. Another couple of minutes and we would've done it.
Now, all filthy and covered in dirt, we humped over to the Day Movement Course. This course had booby traps and when tripped the team member or members become casualties. The more traps that are tripped, the more difficult it became.
We had another 10 or so obstacles that we did throughout the afternoon. At about 1800 we arrived back at Range 503 for the Night Infiltration Course. The last obstacle of the day and exactly the same as the Day Infiltration Course. This time, however, there was no time limit and everyone had to complete it even if it took all night. One of the Crucible Instructors told us that Fox Company was out here until after midnight. Lead Series did it in 51 minutes the night before. I don't know how long it took us, but we flew through it like Lead did yesterday. Most of us didn't want to do this again, because of all the dirt you got all over yourself. Instead though, we found it to be very motivating. Now as I look back, I enjoyed doing that course.
After the Series finished there, we humped back to Range 501. At 501 we hygiened, prepped our packs for the Reaper, and ate the last of our chow (if there was any left).
This morning I ate my M&M's and crackers with cheese spread. Late morning I ate the Mexican Rice.
Just before we started the Night Infiltration Course I ate Tuna and Noodles and applesauce. When we got back to 501 I finished off my MRE's with Pork & Rice in BBQ Sauce and a mixed fruit.
We hit the rack again at 0000 with a lot on our minds.
980711; Saturday; (980712; 2005); MCRD, San Diego - T59
0400. Before we stepped out to conquer the Reaper, the First Sergeant went over the ceremony with the Company. At 0530 we stepped out to challenge the last obstacle as United States Marine Corps Recruits. The hump to the Reaper was a good 4 miles alone and was not that easy. California hills are not conducive to humping. We stopped at the base of the Reaper for a foot check and to honor the Company Honorman. Guide Cook from 3071 is the Company Honorman and Guide Luna, 3067 (He came from Seattle MEPS and left on Monday, the day I was supposed to leave.) is the Series Honorman. The Company Honorman carried the American Flag up the Reaper to be unfurled up there (simulating Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima); and the Series Honorman carried the Marine Colors.
Up the Reaper we started. Steep, steep, and even steeper. The closer and higher that we got the more motivated we got. We stopped just below the last hill to regroup and look good.
All the way to the Reaper and up the Reaper I kept thinking, "Have I really earned this Eagle, Globe and Anchor? Have I worked hard enough to deserve this?" These doubts were all around. "Am I ready and do I deserve to be a United States MARINE?"
We started up the last hill. Upon reaching the top we started going down the other side. The road was lined by flags. State flags and historical flags of importance in American History. As I passed the flag of the State of Washington I realized just how proud I am of that flag and my loyalty to the people under it.
We proceeded down past the flags and staged our gear on the right of the road before starting out again in Company formation to the ceremony site.
The Company First Sergeant called the Company to attention, then the Chaplain led in prayer. After that we were brought to Present Arms (salute) and the National Anthem was played. After the National Anthem, the First Sergeant turned us over to our Senior Drill Instructor to carry out the plan of the day.
With tears of pride and joy streaming down each recruit's face and the sound of these words being played over the loudspeaker - "I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. So I'll proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 'cause there ain't no doubt I love this land. God bless the USA." - we received our Eagle, Globe and Anchor from our Drill Instructors.
I will never forget being handed my Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Drill Instructor Sgt. White stepped in front of me, congratulated me, handed me my emblem, and shook my hand. Most of all he patted me on the shoulder and said, "MARINE."
For the first time I understood what the price of this emblem was. All those hours drilling up and down, back and forth; the sweat poured out in PT; the pain felt during IT; the DI games that so made you mad; the stupidity and complete ignorance and disregard by recruits; all the hours of firewatch; the yelling and swearing; all these and more to build discipline, loyalty, confidence, pride, and responsibility. These things I had endured for 3 months. I know then that this was the price of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. This is what it takes to be a Marine.
After the Senior shook hands with all of his Marines the Company proceeded down the Reaper. The way back to Range 501 is shorter than to the Reaper. When we arrived at 501 Lead Series went straight to the Warrior's Breakfast while Trail Series dismantled the bivouacs. When we went down to the breakfast, it was a steak and eggs all you can eat. The first time through, I got steak, eggs w/ham & cheese, hash, creamed beef, biscuit, wheat bread, waffle, an orange juice and milk, cold cereal, a banana, and a cinnamon roll. After eating all that, I went back through and got more eggs, French Toast, a bagel, another biscuit and another banana. We ate so much that our stomach's hurt.
We stepped out for our barracks at 1000. We spent the rest of the day inventorying our gear, cleaning our weapons, packing our seabags, and cleaning the house. We didn't eat noon chow today. Evening chow was fabulous. Get to strut our stuff around some. We also now call the Drill Instructors 'Sergeant' instead of 'Sir'.
980712; Sunday; (980714; 1640); MCRD, San Diego - H10
Got up and staged our gear before going to morning chow. We spent the morning sitting on our gear before we loaded up and left for MCRD. Upon arriving there, we quickly went to noon chow, then started setting up the house.
In the afternoon we went out on the Parade Deck so that the Drill Master could mark the deck with chalk for the graduation ceremony.
We spent most of the day setting up the house and cleaning our weapons. We will turn them in on Tuesday.
Since we are now Marines, the Drill Instructors treat us as if we were in FMF (Fleet Marine Force). The expect us to act responsibly and they expect us to act like Marines (in accordance to all the things they taught us).
This week ahead of us is a processing and transformation week. All in preparation for Friday's graduation.
Now that we are back down South, the anticipation of seeing our families grows daily. As I look back, I wonder, "How could it have gone so fast?" Yet before, it seemed as if this day would never arrive. I PRAISE GOD FOR HIS BRINGING ME THROUGH, AND I PRAY THAT HE WOULD BRING ME TO THE END ON FRIDAY SAFELY.
Please feel free to me!
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