Phase I Questionnaire

just a female platoon, so you have an idea what its like for Erica

questionnaire that I mailed Erica, it was very funny she wrote all over the pages LOL,
I will put her comments and answers in RED, she said that she and another RCT had a blast reading and filling this out,
good thing I put it in a self addressed envelope, but I really think she has not read any of my letters, I ask so many questions yet none have been answered. Well, maybe at a later date she'll have a little more time.

Phase I Questionnaire
1. When you stepped off the bus at MCRD, and placed your feet on the yellow footprints, your first thought was:
A. I’ve changed my mind and I would like to go home now.
B. I want my mommy!
C. Bring it on – OOHRAH!
D. Other (please explain) ________________________________.

2. The first time you and your (S)DI stood toe to toe, nose to nose, you:
A. Fainted.
B. Threw up. MY SDI IS AWESOME
C. Wanted to throw up.
D. Cried.
E. Repeated silently to yourself …..….”Find a happy place, find a happy place”.

3. What time do you get up in the morning?
A. O’dark thirty.
B. 7:00AM
C. 9:00 AM
D. Whenever we feel like it.
E. Other _4ish (when ever the DI's say)_______.

4. What time do you go to bed?
A. 9:00 PM
B. Marine Recruits don’t need sleep OOH-RAH!
C. Other _when the DI's tell me.___________.

5. When you received your inoculations you:
A. Fainted.
B. Went to the end of the line so you could do it again.
C. Other (please explain)___________________________.

6. Which answer best describes the notorious Parris Island sand fleas?
A. What sand fleas?
B. Oh my God! They’re all over me!
C. Mildly annoying.
D. Extremely annoying.
It's not the sand fleas (yet)

It's the Fire Ants

7. How much time does it take you to get your hair in a bun?
A. 10 seconds.
B. One minute.
C. I had my head shaved.
D. Other _________________________________________________.

8. On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate the chow? ______8_______

9. What is the worst thing about boot camp so far?_The fact that I eat too fast__.

10. Article 86 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice prohibits:
A. Making fun of the SDI behind his/her back.
B. Absence without leave.
C. More than a five minute break, after 10 minutes of one-armed push-ups.

class class class 24/7

page two
11. During Upper Body Strike training you:
A. Came out all bruised and battered.
B. The other guy/girl came out all bruised and battered.
C. Other (please explain)__________________________________________.

12. On training day 9, Throws and Falls you:
A. Threw your SDI flat on his back.
B. Your SDI threw you flat on your back.
C. Other (please explain)____I did a obstacle _course_with ropes and all_______.


13. When the SDI is in your face screaming, you should:
A. Grin and bear it.
B. Not laugh as they would not be amused.
C. Look him/her right in the eye.
D. Other (Please explain)____Scream back "I ma'm"_______.

14. When the DI yells your name at the top of his/her lungs, you:
A. Hide
B. Pretend you have amnesia and don’t know who you are.
C. Ignore him/her and continue what you are doing.
D. Snap to attention.
E. Grovel in fear.
F. Other (please explain)___________________________________.

15. The moment a DI walks on deck, what does everyone say?
A. Howdy!
B. Run for your lives!
C. S’up dog?
D. Other (please explain)_"Freeze Drill Instructor SGT '___' on deck!"___.

16. During bayonet training you:
A. Pretended the dummy was your SDI.
B. Had way too much fun stabbing the dummy.
C. Both A and B.
I Like my SDI

note: SDI Senior Drill Instructor

(mother figure)

17. When you have Fire Watch, it means you get to:
A. Make sure no one plays with matches.
B. Be the one playing with matches.
C. Build a big bonfire and roast marshmallows.
D. Other (please explain)__we technically have rifle-watch______.

18. What color belt do you earn for the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program?
A. Purple
B. Tan
C. Pink (female recruits only)
D. Blue
Tan is the first one you earn,

and not till 2nd phase.

19. For Phase I, if you could pick one word to describe your boot camp experience so far, what would it be? _FUN, not. Yelling plus I'm right in front of the quarter-deck,

so I see everyone get IT (IT is usually punishment exercise)

PS. I have lost my voice 5 times so far

written and posted by:darlene r.

Here's how the 13 weeks breaks down in actual hours:

Instructional Time

(The Crucible / Combat Water Survival / Weapons and Field Training):279.5 hours

Core Values / Academics / Values Reinforcement:41.5

Physical Fitness:59

Close Order Drill:54.5 Field Training:31

Close Combat Training:27 Conditioning Marches: 13 Administration:60

Senior DI Time (nightly free time):55.5

Movement Time:60

Sleep: 479

Basic Daily Routine:210 Chow:179

Total: 1518 hours

posted by:darlene r.

photos of Parris Island facility

Click on the top right side of the page, on the photos flashing,

it will take you to the album.

There are photos of Parris Island and the places Miss Erica is training.

Thanks to a parent whos been there.

written by:darlene r.

training week three

gate to MCRD Parris Island SC

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

If one of the items is underlined, click on it for more details.

TD12 (Monday)
Lead Series
- PT - Obstacle Course

Follow Series
- PT - circuit course with some sprints
Then both series will have:
- MCMAP training (armed manipulations)
- ANOTHER First Aid and History class!!!
- drill practice for Initial Drill that is coming up!!!!!!


TD 13 Tuesday
They will have more MCMAP classes,

USMC Law of warfare and code of conduct class,

First Aid class, and a few Corps Values classes,

and I musn't forget, the second round of pugil sticks today!!

TD14 Wednesday
- PT - circuit course with some sprints and then a tug o war
Then they will be kept busy some MCMAP move perfections, drill practice for initial drill that is on TD25 and even another go round of First Aid practical Applicaton.

TD15 Thursday
Lead Series
The confidence course which I think of as a really big playground

Follow Series
Will get to do the MCMAP Endurance Course (a course designed to put all their MCMAP moves they have learned to the test)
Then of course they will all be busy the rest of the day
drill practice for INITIAL DRILL that is in 5 DAYS!!!

They will also have a few Corps Values classes.

*Those Tight, Awesome DI's will be there every step of the way during the Confidence course and MCMAP endurance course so don't worry about them negotiating those obstacles. It becomes such an ego booster when you are done and know you accomplished something that you weren't exactly sure if it was possible to do.

TD16 Friday
Lead Series
Will get to do the MCMAP Endurance Course (a course designed to put all their MCMAP moves they have learned to the test)
- ANOTHER haircut
- ANOTHER USMC history class
- a couple of Corps Values classes

Follow Series
- The confidence course which I think of as a really big playground
- USMC History class
- a couple of Corps Values classes

There are no short cuts to any place worth going." Beverly Sills

TD17
Today will begin with a short 5.0 mile hump aka hike
then it will be time for some more USMC history classes,
and also have the SDI inspection which will start getting them ready for that graduation requirement of the Battalion Commanders Inspection the week of graduation.

4th RTBN, where Erica is staying

written by: darlene r.

letter number three

May 24th 2009

"Hey, It's Sunday, yesterday was training day 5.

We got to use our M16's and placed the bayonet on the barrel

and go through MCMAP training (marine corps martial arts program)

it was actually really cool, I have already made many friends,

My rack mate is (Rct #1......) and I'm on the top bunk, we wake up

around four every morning, believe it or not we

actually get eight hours of sleep, but not when I have rifle-watch,

which is basically fire-watch for Parris Island. I miss you very much,

It's going to be two weeks this Tuesday.

Oh, and the recruits next to me is (Rct#2.........) and (Rct#3........).

Rct (#2.........) is from Nebraska and Rct(#3........) is from Brookland.

Rct (#1......) is from Utah.

Please tell everyone to write me.

Love your MISS AMERICA

:)

write you again on Sunday

P.S. Tomorrow is a Holiday"

(the reason I did not put the recruits name is because I was told sometimes the Drill Instructions search the internet, and I didn't want to put those girls names without there knowledge.)

written by:darlene r.

WEEK TWO OF TRAINING

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

Training Day 6 (Monday) MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program)

Classes on First Aid - pugil sticks training (to simulate hand to hand combat with rifles, except they use padded sticks and boxing head gear)

Classes on Problem Solving and Equal Opportunity

Late in the afternoon, they will split up:

Lead Series Direct Deposit Class

Follow Series: a Corps Values class

Training Day 7 (Tuesday)

Lead Series: PT - 1/4mi run and functional exercises, then repeated four more times

Follow Series: PT 2.0 mi individual run & circuit course MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) Drill practicing Late in the afternoon, they will split up:

Lead Series: Corps Values class

Follow Series: Direct Deposit Class

Training Day 8 (Wednesday) Classes on: Marine Corps History Marine Corps,

Terrorism Awareness, Leadership

Training Day 9 (Thursday)

PT is a flip flop of Tuesday

Lead Series: PT 2.0 mi individual run & circuit course

class on First Aid

MCMAP Corps Values Class Follow Series: PT - 1/4mi run and functional exercises, then repeated four more times

Classes on First Aid

drill practicing

Corps Values Classes

***Some recruits in both series will return to dental (cavities filled and cleanings most likely) Training Day 10 (Friday)

First Aid practical Application (they have to perform a practical application of the procedures they have learned in class)

Dental Recall for some recruits (cavities filled and cleanings most likely)

Haircuts visit to the recruit exchange to pick up anything they might need classes on Hazing and Fraternization

Training Day 11 (Saturday) Today will begin with a short 3.0 mile hump aka hike (packs on their backs, rifles on their shoulders, and helmets on their heads)

Lead Series will then: practice drill a while

Follow Series will then:

have a MCMAP class then they will all get to have a few more classes (First Aid and on the UCMJ)

UCMJ-Uniform Code of Military Justice

waiting for my next letter, keeping my fingers crossed

written by:darlene r.

ooh rah! Letter number 2

One of those days at work, you know headache and all. I got four envelopes in the mail this morning. But seeing the dates on Erica's envelopes it is taking three days to get here.

Got home from work and noticed the mail box ajar, so sure enough a letter from Miss Erica so I did my little happy dance on the way up the drive, my neighbors must think I'm nuts.

This is what she had to say: Monday May 18th, 2009

"Dear Mom,

I'm in sickcall for something stupid, when our Drill Instructors told us to scrub the deck,

we are suppose to run and get these gigantic fans and plug them in to dry them.

Well, when a recruit and myself placed one down, it snapped in place and sliced my finger,

so its nothing that important so they are just bandaging it up the correct way.

Parris Island weather is nothing like Lake Elsinore. It could be raining one second

clear two seconds later then not even ten minutes later it would be a thunder storm,

there is even air-raid sirens for thunder storms.

I have two Drill Instructors, a Senior Drill Instructor and a part time one.

(names here of instructors...lol)

My Senior DI is pretty cool, our Senior is suppose to be like our "mother-figure",

but like everyone she can get pissed off, we have 20 minutes each night for square away time and four hours on Sunday.

I went to church yesterday, it's nothing like Saint Martha's, but it was also interesting

because November Company as well as the guys sang a song worded to "he's got the whole world in His hand" to "he's got a scrub brush in his hand" It was a big pick me up.

There is a lot of things to remember, but I believe I can handle it.

(back side of paper) P.S. Phase 1 is 5 weeks

We have about five minutes to take a shower get on line in front of our footlockers and put

everything away locked away before hygiene inspection, all the while the DI's counting.

I've met a few people from other states, I've gotten close to one from Nebraska and another from New York.

Poor Anglebrant (a girl Erica met at MEP's who flew out with Erica) was put on light duty because of bronchitis, she just got off today.

Today is forming day two. (tells me her weight.. ;))

Tuesday morning will be the start of our 70 day training.

If I'm not mistaken training day 18 is the gas chamber and training day 19 is end of phase one.

One of our study guides is the book that grandpa Bill gave me.

I haven't broken yet and I don't plan to. I'm here to improve myself as a person.

I love you very much and please give everyone a hug.

There is only a few times in a week that a recruit is able to write letters and it's on Sunday

the Catholic Mass is at 10 so it's at the end of square away.

During church the second song that they sung was "on eagles wings"

and that was the first time I broke down (a song very important in our family.)

Anyways please give a hug to Scout and Hailey and of course Bryan.

Love your AmErica p.s. I probably will only write on Sundays,

I understand how Jacob had no time."

I was so thrilled for the long letter, she was able to write that while getting bandaged up,

there was even blood on the envelope ..lol The words in parenthesis are my words not hers.

59 girls in Erica's Platoon. Lot of girls to bond with.. yikes.

written by:darlene r.