checking the weather

I know today was a hot one here.

I have my weather bug set to Erica's address at Parris Island SC,

It was 100 degrees at 9 pm(2100 hours) last night there... now thats HOT

Poor things I do know with the humidity if its over 90 degrees they move training in doors

or on to some other training they can do.

Read that on the Parris Island site, I do hope it is true.

posted by:darlene r.

Training Week 7 **Firing Week**

This schedule is of course subject to change due to weather, holidays and the needs of the company. TD36 Monday Well unfortunately this week may be kind of monotonous Now for the Daily Schedule: This morning, they will learn how to operate the pits (where the targets are behind the berm). They all have to take turns in running the targets up and down. No, they are not in the 21st century yet, it is all manual labor.... Then they will finally get to start firing. They will run the entire course of fire (called the Known Distance course or the KD course for short). KD course: 200 yd line 20 mins for 5 rounds in sitting, 5 rounds in kneeling, & 5 rounds in standing 1 min for 10 rounds (5 in each magazine) sitting 300 yd line 5 min for 5 rounds in sitting 1 min for 10 rounds (5 in each magazine) in prone (on belly) 500 yd line 10 min for 10 rounds in prone Don't get me wrong it can take a lot longer than the 37 min above.... the Platoons are divided into relays probably 6 (three relays shoot the entire KD range and the other three relays are in the pits running the targets....then they switch). Plus you have to figure in the walking time between the yd lines.... The rifle range is not a quick process. Later in the afternoon, of course some snap in time or drill practice time. TD37 Tuesday Today the recruits will be doing more of the same... shooting that rifle!!! I outlined the course of fire in the TD36 post so check it out for a refresher course!! After firing they will have a little PT: running a 1/4 mi sprint and also do those combat conditioning exercises in a circuit six times. TD38 Wednesday Today is Hump Day!!!! YIPPEE!!! Today the recruits will be doing more of the same...shooting that rifle!!!-- In the afternoon they get to do the obstacle course and a 3 mile run and and of course they will practice snap in and studying in the evening with their PMIs and DIs. TD39 Thursday I am sure you don't need me to remind you that there are only 5 weeks until family day!!!!! wow This is pre-quall day. Today is solely concentrated on practice for the big day tomorrow. Complete with practice scoring.. that can be dangerous though, because the good shooters sometimes get cocky and the not so good shooters get discouraged. I have never been so crazy about letting my shooters know what they shot on pre-quall. I hope you guys have been sending lots of encouragement – it means a great deal to them. Study some for that big final test that they have coming up as a graduation requirement. TD40 Friday Today is the infamous Rifle Qualification Day. Of Course! After time spent on the range yesterday they spent time with the PMI's to ensure that they are ready for today -- which of course we all KNOW they are! Today is a big day because they are on their own on the firing line with just the range officials, the DIs, PMIs and coaches must remain about 20 yards behind them at the benches. TD41 Saturday Well, now with the rifle range under their belt, it is all downhill from here. Yippeee!! Well they are back in their regular squadbays at their Battalions now after the range yesterday so they are "home." They will start off the day with a short 1.5mi run then do some of those combat conditioning exercises they have come to know so well and then another short 1.5mi run to work on their endurance. Then in the afternoon they will have some classes on leadership and then they all will also get to go the museum! Speaking of which I highly recommend visiting it while you at Parris Island. It lays out the history of the Marine Corps approximately decade by decade since 1775. It has some awesome artifacts as well as video footage. The gift shop there is very good as well and has items you can't find anywhere else (including online or elsewhere on base even!) and the DI from 1970s Rose Garden USMC recruiting poster works there and will autograph a poster for you if you like!!! Which is awesome! The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his rifle! - General Pershing, U.S.Army "Freedom has a special meaning for those of us who have fought for it, that the protected shall never know" - unknown posted by:darlene r.

ooh-rah! LETTER dated June 21st, 2009

Hey MOM,

Today is Sunday, Just yesterday we did a 9 mile hike to the Rifle Range, it wasn't that bad, but sadly we had a few people fell out, I actually had a girl hold onto my LV pack and another holding onto my arm so that they wouldn't fall out. We are going to be here at the range for two weeks, so we're in s semi-portal home squad bay. My Rake mate is *****, ****** and she is from North Carolina.

(she now writes a complete list of names ages and where they are from)

Arizona-1
Arkansas-1
California-14 includes Erica and a girl from Temecula!
Chicago-4
Colorado-2
Delaware-1
Florida-1
Hawaii-1
Iowa-1
Louisiana-1
Minnesota-2 Nebraska 1
Nevada-1
New Jersey-1
New York-5
North Carolina-1
Oregon- 1
Tennessee-2
Texas-1
Vermont-1
Virginia-1
Washington-5

? 2

Poland-1

Guam-1

We've already had ** people drop and * people added. So far Boot Camp isn't as bad as I thought. Since we are at the Rifle Range we are eating at 1st Battalion's place and at the male chow hall which means, we are forced to look at brownies, cinnamon rolls and so much more that we stare at while we get our food, like things I wouldn't eat anyway now, but it is still torture.

Yesterday I broke down because Senior Drill Instructor was listening to music and out of everything that she was listening to the song "eyes open" by Snow Patrol. Which made me miss home even more. I'm also a cooler recruit, while the platoon marches I'm one of four that carries the cooler in case of heat cases and things like that. I am also one of four Artist recruits that are drawing the Range Flag. We found out yesterday that our DI is one of our marksman instructors. ****Anyways free time is almost over, so I'll write you later,

Love you always Erica Ann =P love ya much

posted by:darlene r.

Initial Drill

Just a mini update ... no word from Erica about the drill. But I have heard from other parents that Erica's Platoon won their drill and did receive a trophy.

One parent said "Platoon 4023 wins Initial Drill! Lisa said in her letter today Platoon **** and Platoon 4023 competed last Tuesday. You will laugh . . . she said "It was so amazing because our platoon has sucked all these 5 1/2 weeks and the more hard work & sweat we put into it, just wasn't enough to feel like we were improving. We were always getting yelled at by our SDI and our series Gunnery Sergeant. So when we got on the parade deck this morning, we brought everything we had. It paid off. Our Series Gunnery Sergeant was like "Holy **%$ 4023 - where the hell have you been?".

Thought you would enjoy hearing it put that way! Can we consider that recognition??? Ha!"

Amazing huh! Although miss Erica has not mention it or the gas chamber as of yet, she hasn't really talked about herself. I guess it is hard to do just like I write her everyday and some days I'm like what else do I say, it is so much easier to write about others. Anyway thought you'd all like to know... I was like "AWESOME!"

written and posted by:darlene r.

* TRAINING WEEK 6 *

This schedule is of course subject to change due to weather, holidays and the needs of the company.

TD30 Monday

Today is the beginning of Grass Week. It is called Grass Week because the recruits literally spend a lot of time down on the grass learning how to position themselves and their rifles for best firing results. This week is spent learning the intricacies of their rifles and the factors that go into accurate firing of these weapons. You may have heard that "Every Marine is a Rifleman." Not only is that so but every Marine is a pretty darned good shot, too-- they will fire next week from 200, 300 and 500 yards in order to qualify on the range. Pretty impressive.

To get them ready for this the recruits will receive extensive instruction from Parris Island's PMIs (Primary Marksmanship Instructors) beginning today. These guys REALLY know their stuff and they'll be working with the recruits to get them prepared. They will have the entire week this week to practice positions and learn from the PMI. When the time comes for actual firing there will also be many range coaches out there to advise the recruits and help them make adjustments, etc. So while this process is challenging to say the least, the recruits will have a wealth of information and reliable guidance at their disposal to help them be successful.
(By the way, in addition to the PMIs and coaches their DIs will be there and they are no slouches themselves! ).

Of course this is all after they go on a little run this morning....
TD31 Tuesday
Grass Week continues today.
More classes on firing and the rifle range itself this includes the stances that they must use next week (sitting cross legged, kneeling, standing, and prone - on their belly). There are specific ways that they must hold the weapon so this can become a challenge to any recruits who went to boot camp thinking they could shoot because they have been hunting before. It all works out in the end though. If they already know how to shoot it can be a better more accurate way to shoot and if they have never even held a gun before boot camp (like me) then they get the basics too.

Prone

Sitting

Kneeling

Standing

Today they will also get to spend some time in the ISMT (indoor simulated Marksmanship Trainer) and see how they shoot using a computerized program. They use a rifle that is about the same weight attached to a cable that is connected to the computer and they fire at electronic targets and can get an instant feedback on their shots. It can even show them how much they were moving before the shot... They will also be learning how to make adjustments on their rifle for them since each weapon and shooter are different, they have to adjust it to how they shoot. Then they will also get to fire their rifle finally in a grouping exercise to make sure that their weapon is adjusted just for them. Overall, they will spend all this week in many agonizing hours perfecting these positions aiming at that silly barrel and images of targets painted on the squadbay walls so that next week they will not be as sore in these new positions and they will also have the proper position that the USMC is a stickler about when firing for qualification.
TD32 Wednesday
Grass Week will continue today for the recruits.
They will be having more classes on the positions and have plenty of "snap-in" time to make sure those positions are up to snuff. They will be learning more about the course of fire that they will shoot and how to prepare for the rapid fire, to include some drills while snapping in. I know they absolutely loved the ISMT yesterday and the competition between the platoons is already getting fierce for who will take that rifle range trophy home next Friday!!! Last but not least they will squeeze in a haircut in there somewhere too!
TD33 Thursday
Grass Week Continues today....

The Company will get to do the MCMAP Endurance Course. This is basically just what it sounds like: a course that the recruits run through that has various stations where they stop and do different types of martial arts. Basically it is remediation of the MCMAP moves that they already know, and it is also a change of pace for PT other than running. Then they will Data Book class (a 5x7 spiral book that they write down all of their shots and wind adjustments in) they learn how to use it to their advantage. They will have more snapin time and the PMI will help them with their positions.
TD34 Friday
Grass Week continues today with more instruction on the rifles and how to do the positions correctly. Are you getting tired of the same thing yet? They will also get some more time in the ISMT (indoor simulated marksmanship trainer) today especially the ones that had some trouble the first day.

They will continue working hard as they head into Firing Week.

Everyone has been great in their support and I don't want you to get discouraged if you don't get many letters this week or next they are pretty busy with classes and practicing all the time when not in classes. This is most recruits favorite point in training and they want to get those crossed rifles (Expert). Continue to send those letters to them though and make sure you tell them that you think they are the bestest in the world.
TD35 Saturday
If you all haven't noticed... today is the midway point of training!!!!
First off they will start off with their Initial PFT.

Then they will spend the afternoon with some classes and practice drill some and of course the DIs will help them with their positions and snap in some more to make sure they are prepared for Monday

posted by : darlene r.

Another Letter dated June 14th 2009

Hey Mom, June 14th 2009

It's Sunday and Tuesday we have Initial Drill.

It's going to be awesome, after that it's 2nd Phase.

I can't believe that tomorrow (last monday) is the Gas Chamber.

Parris Island is different we go to the Gas Chamber and the Rappel tower.

Anyways, I wanted to check in, This week has been crazy, I can't believe

I've already been here a month. Next week is Grass Week which means RIFLES!

Anyways, its Chow and getting ready to leave. So I'll write you later.

I miss you!

Love ERICA ANN

aka Your Miss AmErica

post by: darlene

'On My Watch Tonight' Video by Mike Corrado

On My Watch Tonight Video by Mike Corrado - MySpace Video

click on the title to see my space video .. awesome

Shared via AddThis

I come from an Island

In the Carolina sand

Where I was broke down,

Built up and reborn a fighting man

My blood runs red,

white and blue

I’ll brave the cold,

the rain, the pain

and the bullets

so you don’t have to

Don’t worry about me;

I’ll be all right

Just care for your children and sleep tight

I’ll keep you safe

on my watch tonight

It’s a long, long way from that island

And a long way from home

With the thought of you standing behind me

I could never be alone

There’s a promise

I need you to make

While I’m gone you take care of the love

And I’ll deal with the hate

Don’t worry about me;

I’ll be all right

Just care for your children and sleep tight

I’ll keep you safe

on my watch tonight

Don’t worry about me;

I’ll be all right

Just care for your children and sleep tight

I’ll keep you safe

on my watch tonight

written by Major Mike Corrado 

posted by: darlene r.

Letter from miss Erica getting down to business

miss erica's saint

"Dear Mom,

Sorry I have not written you in a while, I've been really busy. This week was swim week. Monday I qualified and passed. Initial Drill is on Tuesday. This is really important! We've been poppin sticks everyday, with inspection arms and port arms.

The weather here is freaky, it ranges from 115 degrees to thunder storms that shut down Parris Island. They have this air raid siren that goes off telling everyone to take cover. It rains practically every other day.

As for chow, I've been eating hard boiled eggs, yogurt, cereal, honeydew,cantaloupe and thats for breakfast. For lunch, it changes a lot, but I always have my apple raspberry juice, it's actually sugarfree. Oh with every meal there is a banana, which is awesome. Parris Island JUST got back peanut butter as they had that scare a few months back.

Anyways, once again I'm sorry I didn't write you sooner, it's just that you have no time. First Phase will be over on Tuesday, right after initial drill, then from there we start blousing our boots. We have already sent our woodland cammies to get our names stitched.

Our platoon has already dropped 6 people, that was with-in the first two weeks.

4 claimed to be suicidal, sadly my one of my bunkmates and my rack mate. My SDI had the whole platoon move bunks so that the empty bunks would be in the back of the squad bay. We started with 60 recruits on forming day and now it is TD 22 and we are at 56, we just got a new one today who is from FRP, FRP is recruits that had gotten dropped because they got hurt or sick.

Just found out we have gas chamber on Monday (today) the day before the bid drill off. Our sister platoon is 4022. I've gotten close to a few over there. My new bunk mate is (.........), she is from New York City, I believe Queens. The bunk beside me is (.....) is from Washington. and (S.......) from Brookland, New York(this recruit was a bunk mate that has been with erica from the beginning) Then there is (.....) who is from Arizona.

Iv'e been pitted three times and IT'd 'quarterdecked' 4 times. (IT is being punished with exercises) It's not like some people. Our Phase 1 test is training day 25, so it right around the corner. (Tomorrow - Tuesday) I haven't been writing because for square away time we have an hour and we have our hair perfect!

I'll write more in my next letter.

I love you & miss you Love Erica Ann"

posted by: darlene r.

FLAG DAY today

PARRIS ISLANDS FLAG
USA and Marine Corp flags

posted by: darlene r.

Training Week 5 **Initial Testing & Initial Drill**

[-]

This schedule is of course subject to change based on weather, holidays and the needs of the company. TrainingDay24 Monday We are at the beginning of Week 5 -- and you thought they wouldn't even make it this far.... Today is a big day!!! They will start off the day with Initial Testing -- a multiple choice test on all the classes they have had so far in training. The recruits will also get to test out the rappel tower Then it is on to the gas chamber!! They will get a class on the gas chamber and the gas mask and how to properly use it. Then they all line up outside the gas chamber with their masks properly strapped to their waist in the pouch. Just before entering the gas chamber they will put it on and make sure they have a good seal around their face. They will file in to the gas chamber and watch as the NBC tech breaks open some tablets of CS gas (tear gas) on the little burner. Once the fizzling has stopped then they all have to take a deep breath and hold it and close their eyes and lift their masks up to their foreheads so that all the DIs and Series Commanders can see everyone’s eyes (closed still) sometimes this can take a little bit if one of the recruits has a problem. Once they see everyone’s eyes they allow them to "Don and Clear their masks" (put them back on and clear the gas out by making a good seal again). They then turn and grasp the shoulder of the person in front of them, play follow the leader to the outside of the chamber. Once outside they can take off their masks and air out a little. But meanwhile the CS has really opened their sinuses and they definitely are not a pretty sight as they come out of the chamber with tears and runny noses that are involuntary. Of course they will all try to squeeze in some practice drill some more for TOMORROW!!!! Follow Series TD25 Tuesday ****START OF PHASE II**** TODAY IS INITIAL DRILL!!!!!!!!! Lead Series will have their weapons triple checked for any possible problems before they go to the range next week. Then both series will have a class on their travel arrangements (so they can start thinking about it ahead of time) and a class on grooming standards in the Marine Corps. TD26 Wednesday Lead Series will have a 3 mile run and then get to take a trip to the exchange to pick up anything they might need while at the rifle range. And of course they will be taking pictures...however, they don't get to show off those pearly whites, but it will still be an awesome picture that you won't trade in for the world. They don't get to smile because ... "Marines are not supposed to smile they are supposed to be serious." Follow Series They will be getting their second clothing fitting - - the khaki /green service uniforms that Marines wear TD27 Thursday Today is essentially a flip flop of yesterday..... Follow Series will get to do that 3.0 mile run and get to visit the recruit exchange and taking pictures...you know, that awesome picture that you won't trade in for the world. Lead Series will be getting their second clothing fitting--(the khaki/green service uniforms that Marines wear.) TD28 ONLY 7 MORE FRIDAYS UNTIL GRADUATION!! Shots again! Then they will have a class on Thrift Savings Plan (the USMC 401k) and how the MOS structure works, Follow Series will have their weapons triple checked for any possible problems before they go to the range next week. TD29 Saturday Today the recruits will be having a nice little walk for about 6.0 miles calling cadence and carrying packs on their backs...At the end of their little hike they will be at their new homes at the rifle range for the next couple of weeks. yes, they will still be getting their mail on regular mail days. After, they get to the range, they will get a few classes on their weapons and then practice that AWESOME drill. *see the Parris Island photos by clicking on the upper right - it will take you to my album of Parris Island ....thanks tammy for all the info written and posted by: darlene r.