so sorry its been so long

Erica's Unit
I have been so busy and then a few times I tried to get on, it kept saying wrong password then a few other times just an error page came up... then for some reason it worked today.

Miss Erica is busy busy!! PT, Chow then school all day and basketball practice at night.

Yep she's on the 29 Palms Women's basketball team. She is also in the progress of getting (or got) her grey belt I think she said ??

She still does not know where she'll be sent to next, her friend Jacob who is from Washington is being sent to Cherry Point North Carolina. But he is a different MOS even though he is communications.

Erica has many new friends there, but you would be surprised how boisterous she is and forward. She seams to not take any crud from no one. She has changed a lot. I am proud of her but I do remind her that we are not use to her being that way. What can you do, she is her own person. I did what I could under the circumstances.

She called yesterday telling me her class wants shirts and they need prices. There is 39 of them, only 5 girls. (thats the only time I get a call is when she wants something.. told her it would be nice to get a hello how you doing phone call) But I understand she has full busy days, and this whole last week she was sick on top of it all.

Her brother and I are busy ourselves working, taking care of a house, well trying

and my truck died so trying take care of all that as well.

It is all too much for one person. My kids are awesome... not perfect but awesome.

I can't complain thats for sure my daughter in the Marines and my son a Cook and loves his work. Guess I am saying this cause a boy up the street only 17 was found murdered in the desert, drug deal they think. I didn't really know the boy although I'd seen him around and he had gone to school with Erica. Very sad and I feel for his mom.

Okay enough sadness, they say Bryce should be home mid December from Afghanistan if all goes as planned. Kim is so happy about that. My parents are in their new home and trying to decorate and arrange, it is coming along nicely, although Bryan is there a lot when he can, helping move things and yard stuff. A lot of work but worth it having a nice home. :)

I put a picture of the shirt Erica's unit is having made. Everyone take care..

Darlene

Erica's Marine Corp Year Book is here :)

the cover
far right side third from the top
second one in
in the back
forth one back
in the very back
back page
Pretty Nice

posted by darlene r

finally heard from Erica

Finally was able to talk to Erica for a minute. Poor thing is board out of he mind .. well to a degree. Still waiting for her schooling to start.

Everyday they are on a work party.. it depends, some work at the post office, some are in the kitchen.

So far Erica has has to lug rocks, pull weeds and guard duty.

She seams to be keeping her head about herself

although I think she was forgetting who she was talking to

and I had to remind her, I'm your mom.

She told me about some of the things others have been doing and I rather not post in case...

but its just any mom would ring their necks ..... need I say more.

I told her just always be with a buddy and be safe.

She was finally able to get to her mail... long walk and someone had to give her the code.

Anyway she was really please she had gotten a few birthday cards and a nice birthday box of niceties from Grandma Bev and Grandpa Hans.

Well she still doesn't know any dates or locations as of yet, everything is rumors, so I guess we'll wait and see. Nothing unusual there.

Just wanted to give some sort of update even though I wish it were more.

Have a nice week all :)

Darlene

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