phone call from Erica

erica's recent pic.
erica and her buddies senior year
miss erica and shyan at their birthday party 2001
Tried to call her a few times on her birthday and she finally called back.

She's really busy and had not even had time to pick up her mail.... luckily her birthday package was not sent us postal. She was celebrating with friends having a small barbecue.

Ask her for a pic..... asked a few times in letters of course if she didnt pick them up... how would she know LOL... kids... any way heres her pic and few from days past

Happy 19th Birthday Miss Erica

History
of the
Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School

1932 -- We begin our existence as the "Pigeon and Flag Handler Platoon"

1942 -- 5 October; Activated as the Signal School, Signal Battalion at Quantico, VA

1943 -- Move to Camp Lejeune, NC remaining there throughout the Second World War

• Eventually offering 15 courses in the communications field

1946 -- August; post-war relocation to Camp Del Mar in Camp Pendleton, CA

• Continue to train communications personnel, but in vastly reduced numbers

1949 -- December; redesignated as the Signal and Tracked Vehicle School Battalion

1950 -- The Battalion moves to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA

• Outbreak of Korean hostilities precipitated expansion to meet the urgent need for trained combat-ready communication personnel
• September; another name change; now known as the Signal School Battalion
• Added technician & repairmen training

1953 -- Redesignated as the Communication-Electronics School Battalion

1967 -- Began the move to Marine Corps Base, 29 Palms, CA

• First, with Company C and Company E

1971 -- February; redesignated to our present unit title of

MARINE CORPS COMMUNICATION-ELECTRONICS SCHOOL

• Company A and Company D following to 29 Palms

... During the Vietnam era, further expansion occurred

• Trained over 5,000 Marines annually
• Established a formal school designed to train officers in Air Support/Defense skills

1975 -- Company B moved from San Diego to 29 Palms which completes the entire unit move, and establishes MCCES as the largest formal school in the Marine Corps

2000 – October, MCCES realigned from CG MAGTF Training Command to CG Training Command

2003 -- Company D merged with Company B then Company D dissolved.

2005 -- The on board average student population was 1,240. The School conducts 44 separate courses producing 37 MOS's. 303 classes are scheduled annually varying from 2 to 54 weeks in duration. This represents upwards of 25,000 academic days. MCCES graduates nearly 6,500 service personnel annually.

C&E (our local/colloquial term) has played a vital role in the Corps' combat-readiness; recognized as such in the form of unit awards to include:

• American Campaign Streamer
• World War II Victory Streamer
• National Defense Service Streamer w/3 Bronze Star
• Meritorious Unit Commendation w/3 Bronze Stars
• Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer

Carrying out its primary mission to train personnel in the fields of operational communications, communication-electronics maintenance, and air control/anti-air warfare operations ... MCCES currently consist of a headquarters company and 3 training companies/schools which are:

Company A / CEMS - Communication-Electronics Maintenance School

Company B / TCTS – Tactical Communications Training School

Company C / AIRS - Air School

2006 -- The on board average student population was 1,042. The School conducts 56 separate courses producing 35 MOS's. 51 of these courses are conducted at the Formal Learning Center and 5 are Mobile Training Teams. 397 classes are scheduled annually varying from 17 to 168 training days in duration. Also during FY 2006, MCCES partnered with the Army to start a distributed learning environment known as MCCES e-University. This site currently has over 80 Army courses and is being constantly populated with both locally and professionally developed Marine courses available to a Marine anytime/anyplace a computer is available. MCCES graduates nearly 6,000 service personnel annually.

C&E (our local/colloquial term) has played a vital role in the Corps' combat-readiness; recognized as such in the form of unit awards to include:

• American Campaign Streamer
• World War II Victory Streamer
• National Defense Service Streamer w/3 Bronze Star
• Meritorious Unit Commendation w/3 Bronze Stars
• Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer

Carrying out its primary mission to train personnel in the fields of operational communications, communication-electronics maintenance, and air control/anti-air warfare operations ... MCCES currently consist of a headquarters company and 3 training companies/schools which are:

Company A / CEMS - Communication-Electronics Maintenance School

Company B / TCTS – Tactical Communications Training School

Company C / AIRS - Air School

C&E constantly strives to train/graduate operators, repairmen and technicians who are highly skilled in the communications & electronics fields -- and proud, dedicated, professional and highly-motivated Marines!

From our humblest of beginnings as pigeon/flag handlers through numerous years of service, MCCES has evolved to train Marines in the most modern and sophisticated communications and electronics equipment in existence today. We have been a leader among service schools in the development and application of new and innovative instructional theory and techniques.

posted by: darlene r

from Erica's company commander - Bravo Co.

Welcome to Company B

Welcome to the Tactical Communication Training School, Bravo Company, MCCES. Our primary mission continues to be entry-level training as well as the continued technical training of career Marines. As we pursue these goals, we continue to refine the courseware and methodology of our training. Our intent is to ensure that the graduating Marines have the skills they need to succeed in the Operating Forces. In order to accomplish this we are constantly reviewing the needs of the Operating Forces and balancing them against the requirements of the Individual Training Standards. This is a constant battle and input from the Operating Forces is an essential part of our success.

I hope that you find this web page of assistance. We have included details on the many changes we have made as well as our plans for future improvements. You will also find details on our current curriculum for all of our courses as well as class schedules. Please understand that the schedules do change, so please call to verify reporting dates for attendance. If you require more information or have specific questions, please use the link below to request the information. We will respond as quickly as possible.

We remain committed to providing the best quality education to the Marines in order to meet your needs. Your input and suggestions are essential to that process. We look forward to hearing from you.

Commanding Officer

Bravo Company

Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School

posted by: darlene r

finally I posted ;) - MCT grad

I would of posted sooner but not much that I know ... then a wonderful mom wrote me and ask if this was my daughter .. woohoo .. only one real good picture but I was so excited.. Thanks Debra

This mom went the MCT graduation at Camp Geiger in North Carolina... and it turns out her daughter was in the same company and platoon as Erica so she sent me pictures :)

thats Debra's daughter looking back at Erica

heading to the busses after graduation to their MOS schools

thanks again Debra your awesome!! Erica seams well at her mos in 29 Palms...I sent her, her camera.. told her I want lots of pics.. so hoping soon??!!?? told her she could mail me the camera chip and I would send a new one... until at least she could come home on RA ..think she's hoping for Christmas time ... that would be awesome.

written & posted by: darlene r

woo hoo got to talk for a minute

Erica and her friend Jacob on Camp Pendleton before she went into the Marines

Erica finally called with her address..

29 Palms USA :P

She said its pretty good there, if it wasn't for PT (exercise) daily it would be like collage,

in a dorm and schooling. She said her room is okay there are four of them to a room.

It even has a small frig so she can have food in her room, so they go down to the PX

and pick up snacks.

She said she's not even close to the main side of the base and is not sure how far the bus ride was LOL. Talk about being tired when they got there huh!

Still not sure when she'll be picked up for her start of schooling,

she is guessing October or even November, but like I said she is guessing.

This week is sort of like receiving week, paperwork some classes and odd jobs to do.

Today she had to ketch up on her laundry as when they were at MCT they only got to do a set once, so as she said everything stunk so bad she want to through it all away, but she would try washing them first. Cammies are 80 bucks a pop!

She told me a mini story as some girls wanted smores (what are we on a camping trip?)

So the girls bought all the necessities for their smores at the PX, Erica said the girls melted it in the microwave in the chow hall (I'm guessing) and

well miss Erica wanted the real thing.. so she borrowed one of the girls lighters stuck her marshmellow on a hanger and toasted it with the lighter! LOL

She said it came out perfect!!

Another mini story guess the girls were heading their barracks and one of the girls screamed,

and Erica looked and said what? It's only a Tarantula...and the girls said you've seen one before .. and Erica said "oh ya...we get them in our house all the time!" The girls were ... no way ..

so Miss Erica got a cup scooped up Mr. Tarantula and took him outside, bet those girls will never want to visit our house LOL

Oh one more Miss Erica's barracks are on the 3rd floor and her Friend Jacob is on the second floor, who would of ever guessed, they'd be in the same barracks let alone the same base.

Erica and Jacob met before he went into the Marines. He has already been in almost a year, and miss Erica has already been in ..... get this... 4 and 1/2 months crazy how time flies!

I even asked Jacob's mom did you ever think those two would even be at the same base?

Let me just reiterate they are just friends.. but friends can drive and push each other to farther than we thought possible.

As I get more info, as I know it won't be much.. but I will do what I can.

the picture of my son Bryan with Mr Tarantula that visited our house which was actually a smaller one.. Bryan had to walk outside slowly as he actually had climbed all the way up Bryan's leg.

written and posted by: darlene r.

no real news

at LAX night before last, the girls had never had IN~N~Out before .. they loved it!

Erica did finally call today, said she only had two hours sleep and no time.

She said they had no liberty and no visitors for them.

She thought she was starting her class but there was a delay so they wont start

for a month or so, no real information. She did say she is in classes now but

they are not for her job, she didn't really explain.

Same old story have to go.. no time :( but at least I heard her voice.

She saw her friend Jacob, he is also there and his classes are also delayed,

he has a different job. Today was Jacob's Birthday.. Happy Birthday Jacob!

Erica did say her barracks are on the 3rd floor and Jacob is on the 2nd floor.

She was very short and sounded tired. Poor thing hopefully she'll find out

about class soon. Thats I'll I know for now...

Thanks for your prayers *hugs to you all

written by: darlene r.

Change is good..ya right

The Marines
Well you know the military Hurry up and wait , well its also change....

My best friend says don't think its in stone unless its in writing

and even then it could change...

anyway they changed Erica back to her second MOS.. its in communications..

she was bummed, I'll tell you but what can you do....

so last second she tells me I'm coming to 29 Palms.

She called me after her MCT graduation..

they had a three hour bus ride to

Raleigh NC,

then she called from Detroit

where they changed planes ..

she is becoming and old pro

at this flying thing LOL

I asked her do you get to come home at all??

Nope its late flight and a bus straight to 29 Palms. :(

I told Kim I want to go

even if I only get to

see her for a second..

when she called from detroit she

asked if I would bring In~N~Out :)

so we got off of work and

drove to LAX..

almost 10 pm we were pooped...

the USO has people there that gets carts

for them for free and

helps them get there stuff together

then takes them to the USO for

sandwiches, water,snacks and such..

they have showers and irons

so they can get back in uniform.

We (Kim and I) got some hugs and miss yous,

but I didn't have my camera,

but I did get some pics with my cell..

so not so great

but they are something.

Then we headed home...

Erica said their bus finally left

at 1am for 29 Palms.

She said she would try

and call today

but so far no such luck.

She told me don't expect much

being in the middle of no where

and more training and schooling.

I remember Bryce being there,

cells didn't work and he was so busy

he didn't call or write much.

Once I get a phone call

I'll get you up to speed I hope..

this is where it will start to

become vegg on her doings.

written by:darlene r.

woohoo my last phone call before graduation

Yep she called, it was already 7pm our time so it was 2200 hrs (10pm) her time.

She sounded really good, in high spirits. Although a little bad news, she sprained her ankle the first day of devil dog week, they were out of ace bandages so they only gave her Motrin and told her to ice it.. ya right with them going in the field for combat.

She said it poured their first day so their ditches or holes were almost full of water, at first they were prone to their hole (laying down) then someone got them in trouble and they had to get in their holes up to their hips in muddy water for hours, 10pm to 3am she said.

She said it wasn't so bad.

She said she passed all her written tests.

And their Brass (I called them that not her) were real proud of her platoon as they ended with the same number of Marines that they started with. :)

They had a few injuries but nothing to serious.

They did street to street and house to house like you see them do on TV like in Iraq.

She named all the weapons she fired and yes she did fire that tank rocket.

She doesn't know any particulars yet as they don't find out until the receive their orders on graduation day.. she'll call me when she can.

Its just so good to hear her voice and now she is happy at what she's doing.

Funny thing she didn't blame the Marines for her injury she blamed the Navy Medical for not being able to take care of it correctly. LOL

She stays very positive, it is so nice .. to hear her with fellow Marines and how many friends she has, life time friends :) Its so awesome

written by:darlene r.

MCT - military combat training -graduation requirements

BSRE FIGHTING POSITION

•Common Skills

–3 Phase exams

–Land navigation

–Weapons handling

–Fire and movement

–20k hike

–Hand grenade

–IED awareness

HOTEL COMPANY IS WORKING ON THIS TODAY

was posted on twitter from the MCT's post.

BATTLE SKILLS

REINFORCEMENT EXERCISE

•Military Operations on Urban Terrain

•Individual actions while mounted in a tactical vehicle

•Rules of Engagement

/Law of Armed Conflict

•Patrolling

•Defense

•IED Awareness

•Continuing actions

GRADUATION IS ONLY A WEEK AWAY 9/15/09

posted by: darlene r.

still waiting for my call :(

The day before Erica was to leave for boot camp, the first time we thought she was leaving,

we had a breast cancer walk. We were on team Weight Watchers. I myself walked five miles, I had to go to work. My mom even walk I think 15 miles with having both knees replaced :)

But Miss Erica ran 25 miles a full marathon, she told Kim don't tell my mom. She was supposed to leave for boot camp the next morning.. and as you all know we found out she was on stand by and didn't go till the following week. See everything happens for a reason!

The photo is from the walk ... just love it

add on... just a quick note what looks like a string down the front of Erica is actually pony beads of how many laps she made at the cancer walk... cool huh

written by: darlene r.

Miss Ericas week home

the statue is of Molly Marine


I was thinking about all of you who did not get to see miss Erica in person. You would be amazed at the change in her. So sorry she couldn't meet up with you all.. it was such a busy and tight schedule.

Lets see she graduated on Friday 8/7

we drove to florida and flew home with the flight from he** on Saturday 8/8

early Sunday 8/9 went to church in dress blues, many "congratulations and be safe Marine"

were said to her, went to breakfast with the family,

that was the first time she got to see her brother and her great grandpa since boot camp.

Monday 8/10 was gym and a day with Bryan they went and saw Harry Potter.

Tuesday 8/11 was gym and day with friends.

Wednesday 8/12 was gym and Erica cleaned out her closet, we went and saw GI Joe.

Thursday 8/13 was Gym then Disneyland with her best friend.

Friday 8/14 was MCRD San Diego to finish our shopping

that really a little was done each day,

but today we had to get stuff from the base that she needed.

Saturday 8/15 was lunch at Rain Forest Cafe with family.

Sunday 8/16 was church and family, and pack.

Monday 8/17 was off to LAX and fly to North Carolina.

Tuesday 8/18 was check in at base and start MCT.

crazy week .... not nearly enough time.

But here we are only 10 days from MCT graduation.

I wish I could go, but alas I have not won the Lotto yet. LOL

Hoping for a phone call tomorrow.

I also wanted to tell you all, it has really helped me to write her blog...

its a great way to keep you all up to date and relax myself,

but the format will be a little different from now on.

As her job has top secret clearance and all,

she wont be able to give some info and I wont be posting all I know.

Mainly it will be generic stuff like type of job, round about location etc.

Her personal thoughts maybe just for laughs.

But I will still try to do what I can.

For example we all know Bryce is in Afghanistan, you know in some smoldering hot location that remains un-named LOL! we write, we send goodies, Kim and Val get calls rarely.

So soon enough that will be the boat Erica is in,

it also depends on her command what is allowed to be posted.

I have been watching another female Marine's blog, she is in a high clearance situation,

and can only say she is over seas.. and photos never show her face.

Just her working or her back LOL

But she has interesting insight. So if it calls for it I might have to change her blog to friends only.

But we will cross that bridge when and if we come to it.

I hope you all are having a lovely Labor Day weekend!

and keep your fingers crossed for a phone call tomorrow and maybe some more info :)

*hugs to you all ~Darlene

my girl

can you believe this is the same girl ...

what a year 2008 HS grad to Marine 2009

posted by: darlene r.