The Crucible Journal - Thursday

Erica - 93 or 94 (age 3) peewee soccer before pre-school

THURSDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE:

Dear Journal, Up at 0200, staged and ready to roll at 0215.

After having to wait for a while,

we proceeded to the Parade Deck where we

broke up into our squads and humped 6 miles

out to Page Airfield (the Crucible site) for

our first set of obstacles. Our gear is heavy,

but we are in good spirits.

Each Platoon has different Drill Instructors for

Crucible Leaders.

Another Drill Instructor followed behind us in a

safety vehicle. We humped to the first Warrior Station

and waited until 0600.

Each obstacle is set up at a Warrior station.

On our first obstacle the scenario was that our HUMVEE

had run out of fuel while carrying supplies.

While we were 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

one platform to another.

The drums had 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!

It was hard because we were looking to the

Crucible Leader to tell us how to get across,

but he told us we had to figure it out ourselves.

It was just out of habit,

because for the last 11 weeks we hadn't made a move

without asking permission.

It made us feel proud when we made sound decisions

and executed a successful plan!

Another station was called the

Enhanced Obstacle Course,

where we had to maneuver though while carrying a

dummy (casualty) and heavy ammo cans.

We had to get the casualty and ammo cans

over each obstacle, as well! Then there was another

station in which we went from tire swing to tire swing

(6 swings total) and at each end was a platform.

Touch the deck instead of the platform and you're dead!

Another obstacle was a 12' pole and we had to get a tire

around it and lower it all the way to the deck.

We cheered when the first recruit finally hooked the pole

and the tire went down! We thought man,

this is going to be fun…like throwing rings over the

bottles at a fair!!

Then the Crucible Leader said

we had to take the tire back off too!!!

You can imagine the smiles fell right off our faces.

Afterwards, we were told we would be starting the

Team Shoot and Pugil Sticks shortly.

Each recruit had to compete in 3 consecutive matches.

Each round was quick and vicious.

We already had 3 matches in Phase II,

so we were all talking trash and comparing scores

and saying things like…

"Dude, I'm 3-0 for Crucible and 6-0 overall!"

After Pugil Sticks we humped back

out to where we started this morning.

We completed 4 more obstacles:

The "Stairway to Heaven" which is a ladder 50' high with

rungs 4-5 feet apart!

We had to lug 2 ammo cans over it.

The "Skyscraper" which is way bigger

than the one at Base.

The obstacle, there was a wounded Marine

at the top of a tower. We had to retrieve him as a team.

I guess it started to sink in that…

you know that could be me! Do I really want to do this?

But as I looked around and followed my team up that tower,

I thought, all these guys would do

this for me in a heartbeat. I

realized that there was probably NOTHING

I wouldn't do for them. It kind of energized me.

The "Weaver" was next.

This was kind of challenging.

We had to climb over logs with ammo and water cans.

I am so tired. I have no idea what time it is.

And finally we went to the Rope Bridge. Sounds easy…

maybe even fun huh?

Yea RIGHT! For each of these obstacles we were

required to also carry heavy objects…

through them, up them, under them or over them…

like ammo cans and water jugs all filled with

concrete to make them heavier!

Oh, I forgot to mention this important fact,

each obstacle station is named for a Marine Hero.

At each station, our Crucible Leader made a Recruit read

a brief explanation of how the Hero's actions

exemplify the Corps and its values.

It was my favorite part.

The DI's also choose a

different leader for each obstacle.

That way, we all got to understand

what it's like to be a leader,

and what your responsibilities

are as a follower.

I am getting very hungry now.

One of the Warrior Station obstacles

is built around an

enemy-mined rope bridge

called the "Two Line Bridge."

It is just two very long ropes,

basically,

that wobbles…

and impossible to cross

when two are on it.

So, as a team we determined it was

best to cross it one by one.

But we are timed…

so we had to move quickly.

We had to cross

with all our gear on,

carrying those heavy

ammunition boxes!

When we were finally

forging on and

were well on our way,

we lost one of the guys.

"If one fails …We all fail."

So, I was the last person

on the bridge

and I just couldn't leave him there.

He was either going to

have to start over from

the beginning of the rope,

or I could help him.

So, I let go of the rope with

one hand and

kept a good strong grip

with my other.

I extended my hand out towards

my fellow Recruit.

He grabbed my arm and I pulled with

all my might to get his hand

back up to the rope.

"Lord, I can't pull any harder. I

know I'm going to drop him.

Please give me strength."

And, just when I thought the

rest of the team

had moved on ahead of us….

through my clinched eyes

I heard rounds of "Come on Man!…

You've got him!…

Pull- Pull!… You're almost there!"

My team had come back to

encourage me!

And then…somehow…

he was safely holding on to the rope.

Everyone was shoulder

bumping me after.

It felt like this was real-life!

Like I really did save someone…Wait!

I really did!! My Crucible Leader said,

"You did, you saved a Recruit

from failing this. Well done!"

I tell you NOTHING feels like this.

No matter what you do to

make yourself happy,

new cars, watching a game,

hunting…

none of what you do for

yourself compares

to the feeling of helping

another human being!

NOTHING! Maybe,

I CAN do this after all!

I WANT to do this!! Man,

I know Mom and Dad would be

so proud of me!

I wonder what they are doing right now?

At another Station called Cpl.

Day's Defense,

we had to run into firing

positions and engage

pop-up targets in and

around a building with

10-rounds in two magazines.

We only had about a minute to fire.

That was cool! If I wasn't so tired,

I would have wanted

to stay there all day!

Afterwards, we humped back to the

huts and chilled until 2100.

At 2100 we stepped

out for a re-supply hump.

Each squad had to carry 2 large

ammo cans and 4 small ammo cans …

again filled with concrete for 2.5 miles!

I could not believe this!

After all we had done today they "told" us

that our huts had been stripped so we

had to re-supply.

That was the last obstacle for the day.

So we humped back to the supply station.

We are getting grouchy now and

short with each other. It was so dark

and we couldn't see 2 feet in front of us.

The DI's said the last 2 companies

did this run in 2.25 and 2.3 hours.

I don't know our time yet,

but I know we did it

in better than 2.0 hours!

I guess you are wondering how

I am doing with my 2.5 MRE's!

Well, we are responsible for

rationing them out ourselves.

So, 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.

The beverage powder is

like Power-Aide.

We just had to pour it in our

mouth and swish it around inside

our mouth with some water.

We couldn't put anything into

our canteens but water.

We also have 2 coffee packets…

same deal…pour in mouth…

swish with canteen water.

My plan was to eat as light as

possible today, saving the most

of the MRE's for tomorrow.

I just made sure I hydrated a lot.

When we got back,

we had to sit and wait

for 0000 (midnight) to come around…

before they would let us go to sleep!

I held my eyes open somehow,

but inside I was already sleeping.

More tomorrow…"

written by:

Peggy VPMFd Plt.1105

posted by:darlene r.

The Crucible Journal - wednesday

Dear Journal,

This morning we had a PT run. The morning run was fun.

The Drill Instructor would slow us down into a

"Marine Corps Shuffle" until we were a good

50 yards 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. Good times!

Then we were broken up into our Crucible squads

for some important information..

I can't believe, Final Inspection, Final PFT

and the Final Written Test are finally over!

We even got to go to the PX to buy our shooting badges

and any other items we needed.

After we got back we put them on our Alpha Blouse.

Those badges look "tight."

They were $10 bucks a piece, but worth it!

We had JOB prep this morning

(JOB is 'junk on a bunk'.)

It is inventory and gear serviceability.

We set up our field gear on our racks and

then cleaned the squadbay.

Each item had certain requirements

and had to be in a certain spot on the rack.

Some even had to have a piece of tape cut

to a certain length with our name on it.

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.

Our gear was checked for accountability

and serviceability while we were

at noon chow.

*We spent all afternoon at the Final Drill Competition!

Afterwards, I realized the Crucible is RIGHT THERE

waiting for us to fail!! 54 hours,

40 some miles, 2.5 MRE's,

and only 8 total hours of sleep

(at the absolute most),

ending with the

Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremony…

if we are worthy…

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 as

well.

When we leave tomorrow

after the 0200 wake-up call,

we won't come back to the squadbay until Saturday morning.

The rest of the time today we spent on Crucible

prep and house cleaning.

Crucible prep included field stripping our MRE's,

(meaning all condiment packets,

sides, certain sweets etc. are pulled out!)

and last detail packing,

LBV prep, etc.

We also ironed a decal on our

Drill Cammies

for when we get back on Saturday.

The decal is the

EGA ironed onto our left breast pocket!

Man, I can't believe I have to iron this on…what if I don't make it?

We then packed our seabags,

marked and lubed our weapons,

and hit the rack at 2000 knowing we would

be awakened at 0200 for the Crucible.

How am I going to sleep? I NEED to sleep.

Please God let me sleep. Mom, are you praying for me too?

I am almost there. Don't give up on me now.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I pray for the Lord's guidance through all this!

Gonna try to sleep now. More tomorrow.…"

written by:

Peggy

VPMFd
Plt.110

posted by: darlene r.

Good Luck to Third Battalion - Kilo Company & Fourth Battalion - Papa Company as they embark on the crucible.

2am thursday morning, keep them in your prayers

A Parent's Crucible Prayer

When you awake this morning to begin the crucible k

now I walk every step with you.

When you hump all those miles over rough terrain,

know I am by your side again?

When your rations are low and your belly is hungry,

know that I wish it wasn't you but instead me?

When your feet ache and are blistered from stress,

know that I am carrying you deep in my chest?

When you are tired and sore and almost ready to fall,

realize I would have carried it all?

When you have little sleep and your eyes are red,

know I would give you my bed?

When you push and pull for that extra mile,

know that I am so PROUD and standing tall,

with such a big smile?

When you left for boot camp, I went to one too.

It's the one where Mom's and Dad's

worry over all you are going through. I can't eat dessert,

without knowing that you have had no treats,

I feel guilty for resting, when you have had tired feet.

I anguish over every tough moment, I think you have had.

I cry when I miss you, I cry when I am sad,

I cry over your letters that declare your love for "Us".

I cry thinking about the day you will come home.

I cringe at the thought of someone yelling at you.

Even though I know it's what they have to do.

I lose sleep just wondering how you are,

I pray and think and even wish upon the stars.

Now you are almost through and soon

you will be One of The Few The Proud, a New MARINE.

I get an Honor too for going through

the Boot camp for Mom's and Dad's.

I get to hug you and hold you in my arms.

I get to see how beautiful you really are.

I get my bright shining star.

No I don't get a medal or a pin to wear

I don't get to sport that awesome Marine Hair.

My reward is one that can't be seen.

It's called "Being the Parent of a U.S. Marine."

posted by: darlene r.