Training Week 8 ~TEAM WEEK~

This schedule is of course subject to change due to weather, holidays and the needs of the company. TD42 Monday **Start of Team Week** Team week is a time for the recruits to get caught up on any testing they need (swim quall, upgrade if required by their MOS or qualify on the range so they don't get dropped in training). But since not everyone needs to do that, the rest of them work around base in small groups doing odd jobs. Cleaning up the classrooms, working at the visitor center making things spic and span, working at the base laundry (where their cammies are washed) It is a nice break in their routine of hustle and bustle everywhere! The small unit field training will occur at MCT or SOI. Today they are supposed to have: ~Rifle re-qualification for those that need it ~Upgrades in swim qualifications for those that need it for their MOS ~Work around the base in teams of about 5-10 recruits doing odd jobs for different offices, laundry and even the pool ~Some will also have to go to dental if they are on the "hit list" for teeth pulling or fillings or cleanings. ~yikes~ This week is a nice break from the go, go, go, of the daily routine. TD43 Tuesday Today is a day of working parties (groups of recruits due maintenance around the base) or rifle re-qualification if necessary or swim qualification upgrade if required by MOS. At least it is a break from the normal routine.... Lead Series will also get to do the obstacle course and run some sprints to work on their speed. TD44 Wednesday Today is a day of working parties (groups of recruits due maintenance around the base) or rifle re-qualification if necessary or swim qualification upgrade if required by MOS. At least it is a break from the normal routine.. Tomorrow will be better. However, Follow Series will get to do that PT that Lead Series got to do yesterday: the obstacle course and sprints! TD45 Thursday Ok I promised a better post today.... Lead Series Final Travel a visit to the exchange a haircut rifle quall if needed still Follow Series Working parties still swim quall upgrade if needed still rifle quall if needed still TD46 Friday Graduation is only 4 weeks away!!! Today's agenda is essentially a flip-flop of yesterday... Lead Series Working parties again swim quall upgrade if needed rifle quall if still needed. Follow Series Final Travel a visit to the exchange a haircut rifle quall if needed still TD47 Saturday Today is a 7.5mi hike to help prepared them for the crucible; an academic study session for the big test, and last but not least the Company Commanders Inspection! So wishing the girls luck in their inspection.... posted by: darlene r.

Thanks Twila

Just wanted to put a special thanks out to Twila from Washington (and Danielle) for sending me the Marine recruit signs for my yard that was so sweet!

from: darlene r.

Letter dated : June 27th

Dear MOM,

I have a little time to write you, so here it goes. Today is Sunday (last week)

my Platoon just finished up its grass week, and that was exactly that,

we sat in the grass for hours on end learning about the positions and here and there,

we would go back to the sheds, which is a room with two walls and benches and

talk about DATA book and things of that nature. Tomorrow is the start of Rifle week

(which actually ended today) and then I'll be able to fire my M16 for the second time.

It barely has a kick, it's a 22 on steroids.

Oh, the gas chamber wasn't as bad as I thought, it stung a little on my neck then we

had to do jumping jacks in the room. I found out that I don't care for jumping off

a 70 foot tower ( as she tells bryan: "I don't care for running backwards at full speed,

speeding towards the ground")

We are working practically every day for Drill.

Yesterday we had PFT (physical fitness test) I could of done better with the hang time.

Run time 24:33 (3 miles)

Hang time 56 seconds

crunches 100 (in 2 minutes)

:) Love Erica

(Erica tells bryan that boot camp is sooo "cool", It's been hard,

but believe it or not its ALL mental, I can take the physical, in fact PT here is nothing compared to PT at the recruit station ---'I (mom) used to think is he trying to kill her? Thought she'd quit for sure!, I knew my little girl was tough, but I had no idea how tough!')

Hoping for another letter soon that gives us the update on her rifle week.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Happy Birthday America! Be Safe everyone!

posted by:darlene r.

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.