Phase II - Questionnaire received 7/30/09

Ericas answers are in red

Phase II Questionnaire
1. During swim qualification you had to:
A. Properly execute a belly flop.
B. Demonstrate proficiency at synchronized swimming while keeping your rifle above water at all times.
C. Train in full combat gear, which includes a rifle, helmet, flak jacket and pack.
D. Engage in a game of Marco Polo.
E. Other (please explain)_____________________________________________.
2. During Pugil Stick exercises you:
A. Successfully kicked your opponents butt.
B. Your opponent successfully kicked your butt.
C. Your instructor kicked all of your butts.
D. Other (please explain)______________________________________________.
3. Recruits must qualify shooting in varied positions. Circle the correct positions.
A. Sitting
B. Kneeling
C. Armchair
D. Prone
E. Standing
4. Zeroing-In is:
A. The ability to hit the target dead center at 500 yards without using the scope.
B. The ability to group all shots within a 9 minute angle.
C. A board game.
5. Your rifle is your:
A. Weapon
B. Friend
C. One more thing I have to lug with me while marching, eating, marching, sleeping, marching, drilling, marching……….
6. At the end of Firing Week, awards are given for:
A. The most creative designs shot on the target.
B. Hitting the target.
C. Not hitting the SDI.
7. For the endurance course you had to:
A. Prepare by getting 12 hours of sleep the night before.
B. Stare nose to nose with your SDI for 5 minutes without blinking AND breaking a sweat.
C. Suck it up and push through it ….. OOHRAH!
D. Other (please explain)___________________________________________
8. After taking apart your M-16A2 rifle, how much time do you have to put it back together?
A. There is no time limit.
B. 30 seconds.
C. One minute.
D. Other (please explain)_"whatever the DI's say,from 70 secs to 5 with 2 secs."
9. What is the purpose of a conditioning march?
A. To increase the recruits stamina and confidence.
B. To determine what kind of condition the recruit is in.
C. It has absolutely no purpose what-so-ever other than another excuse for the DI’s to torture us.

so a LS won electrocute the platoon -

- Lightening storm so bad we are not allowed outside
10. Drill is mainly used to:
A. Give the DI’s more excuses to yell at us when we screw up!
B. Instill discipline, team pride and unit cohesion.
C. Both A and B.

11. The Drill Instructor’s Highway is:
A. A song.
B. The aisle down the middle of the squad bay between the rows of bunk beds.
C. The name of a road at MCRD.

12. What are the “daily sevens”?
A. Seven more ways the DI’s find to make our lives miserable on a daily basis.
B. Times a day we get to break for lattes.
C. Sets of exercises.

13. What is the “daily 16”?
A. Conditioning exercises.
B. 16 more hours of the day the DI’s have to torture us.
C. The minimum number of times we can be quarter-decked each day.
D. A 16 minute power nap we take at 1PM each afternoon.
E. 16 minutes of one-on-one bonding time with the SDI.

14. Your SDI’s favorite term of endearment for you is _____________.

15. How many times now have you been quarter-decked?
A. ZERO – phew!
B. I’ve lost count.
C. I volunteer to be quarter-decked on a regular basis, so probably about a hundred by now.
D. Other ___quaterdecked 10 times pitted :3 _____.

16. Which of the following is part of a General Order?
A. To walk my post in a military manner.
B. To enforce all violations.
C. To quit my post when I am good and ready.
D. To engage in chit-chat with anyone walking by.

17. Describe the Sand Pit.
A. A lovely beach area where we can sunbath, build sand castles and enjoy little umbrella drinks.
B. Another word for HELL.
C. Other (explain please)___ sand cookies ________________.

18. Now that you are at the end of Phase II, if you could pick one word to describe your boot camp experience so far, what would it be? _ surprisingly short.. can't believe its already the end O.o;;____

check it off 7/16/09 received 7/30/09

Blue is what Erica filled in ... and a recruit filled it in too LOL

Red is what recruit R****ll filled in :)

Date:__7-16-09____________ Training day 51!

Dear: ____MOM_________________________

I am: __X___ Great __X__OK ____Not So Good ____Lonely ____Sick ____AWOL

The weather is: X__X__Hot _X___Cold _X_X__Humid __X___Rainy X__X__Sunny _X__X_Sucks

AKA: bI-POLAR

The food: _X___Great _X___OK ____Edible ____Garbage

Parris Island is: _X___Great ____Like Home ____Never Again __X__Hell -BOOT CAMP

(IT'S PRETTY BUT STILL)

My new Friends are: __X__Nice _X___Weird ____Scary _X___Psychotic

I have: ____Gained Weight _X__X_Lost Weight ____Turned inside out

I sleep: __X__8 hrs ____6 hrs ____4 hrs ____2 hrs __X__What's sleep?

ALL BECAUSE THEY FORCE YOU TO
CAMMIES
Our (Uniforms) are: ____Cool __X__Loose ____Tight ____Burlap Sacks UNIFORMS= COOL
(AT TIMES)
My fellow recruits are: ____Cute __X__Nice ____Friendly ____Scarce ____Bow-wow x MOODY
(AT TIMES)
PT is: __X__Fun _X___Exhilarating __X__Tough __X__Easy ____Send Oxygen

Marching is: __X__Fun ____The pits __X__My life ____Ruining my shoes

I LOVE MARCHING MANUAL, ITS WEIRD AND AWESOME.

Class work is: _X__X_Easy ____Not so Easy ____Hard ____I need a tutor 4 HOURS AT @ TIME

My haircut is: ____Great ____Too Short ____Funny ____Buy me a wig - HAVEN'T HAD ONE

I miss: __X__McDonalds ____Burger King _X_:)__In~N~Out_ X_X___My Family

I need: _X_X__More stamps _X___Ticket Home

I did: _X_X__A good thing ____A bad thing ____Not sure yet

The Showers are: _X_X__Hot _X_X__Cold _X_X__Crowded ____I haven't taken one

JUST SAY WE ARE SOCIALLY SC***** 0:ii

My Locker is ____Perfect ____Near Perfect __X_X_Needs work ____Outside

My DI is: ____My best friend _X_X__Just like family ____Tell you later X ODD
(AT TIMES)
My SDI is:__X__Just as sweet as Mom __X_X__has adopted me _____Tell you later ---

---THE SH*T LOL .. WE GOT IN TROUBLE FOR SAYING SHE WAS THE SH*T

I Can't Wait to: _X_X__Come Home _X_X__Eat Real Food ____Do this again X THE CRUCIBLE

I miss you: __X___A lot! _____A little ____Not at all ____Who are you?

Yours Truly,
DRILL!
__ERICA ANN_________________ DRILL!

DRILL! :)

SENIOR DRILL INSTRUCTOR SSGT J= "MOM"

The Crucible mini schedule

THE CRUCIBLE "The " A Rite of Passage for all Marines The Crucible is the 54-hour culmination to the

transformation of recruit training.

It is a physically and mentally challenging event that

involves food and sleep deprivation and the completion

of various obstacles for the potential Marine to negotiate. Basic Facts Recruits will travel 42 miles on foot during the event.

There are 29 problem-solving exercises during

the Crucible. It consists of 36 different stations.

The recruits will have three meals, ready-to-eat

(MREs) during the 54 hours.

The recruits will be required to carry ammunition

cans up to 50 pounds and dummies up to

100 pounds during the Crucible, in addition to 782 gear,

uniform and M16 A2 service rifle weight. Day One Thursday Reveille (0200) Night movement (0300)-Recruits

conduct a 6-mile hike to the Crucible site. Events 1-3 (0600-1800) Event 1 - Day Movement re-

supply course- A one-hour event in which the teams

re-supply water, ammunition and MREs through a course

which consists of trenches, wire fences and walls. After the resupply course, teams negotiate the

warrior stations below: (a)Pfc Jenkins Pinnacle-

Teams cross two horizontal cable-supported logs. (b)Pfc Garcia's Engagement-

Individuals demonstrate their knowledge of hand-to-hand

combat skills, and then participate in a

warrior case study of Pfc. Garcia. (c)Sgt. Basilone's Challenge-

Teams of two climb over an eight-foot high horizontal log.

Event 2 - Leadership Reaction Course-

A three-hour event in which the teams perform six

reaction course problems which test their ability to

work as a team to solve problems.

Some of the problems include: (a)Using three wooden boards to cross a number of

stumps without touching the ground.

(b)Negotiating a water hole using the same wooden

board concept to get from point A to point B. (c)Transporting a large container over a wall using the

limited resources available. Once completing the events, the teams of two face off

in a pugil stick bout.

Event 3 - Core Event and Warrior Stations- A one-hour

event which can hold a maximum of

six teams working concurrently. (a)Noonan's Casualty Evacuation-

The team will recover a downed pilot and another recruit

"shot" by a sniper and transport them over

a mile of wooded terrain. (b)Enhanced Obstacle Course- the recruits carry a

dummy casualty on a stretcher and ammunition cans

from one end of a standard Marine Corps obstacle

course to the other, going over all obstacles. (c)NBC Trail- The recruits move along a 500-meter

trail increasing from MOPP 0 to MOPP 4. (d)MCMAP Strikes Station-

Recruits are required to demonstrate and conduct

five-minute MCMAP strikes. (e)Core Values Station-

Recruits sit inside a hut and receive information on a

particular core value from their drill instructor.

Night Event(1800-2200)

- land navigation course with added obstacle of darkness. Sleep (0000-0400) Day Two Friday Reveille (0400) Events 4-6 (0600-1800) Event 4 - Combat Assault Resupply-

A one-hour event in which teams resupply water,

ammunition and MREs through the

Combat Assault Course. Following the completion of the Combat Assault Resupply,

recruits negotiate a bayonet assault course

and the warrior stations below: (a)Sgt. Gonzalez's Crossing-

Teams cross a "contaminated area" by swinging on ropes

from "safe spot" to "safe spot." (b)Pvt. Cecula's Wall- Teams climb a 10-foot wall and

climb down the opposite side by a knotted rope. (c)Land Navigation Station- Basic map reading and

grid coordinate plotting will be reviewed and evaluated. (d)Core Values Station- Recruits sit inside a hut and

receive information on a particular core value

from their drill instructor.

Event 5 - Enhanced Confidence Course-

Teams have two hours to complete five events of a

modified Confidence Course. (a)The Sky Scraper- The team retrieves a "wounded"

dummy from the top of an 18-foot tower. (b)Stairway to Heaven- Team members move two

ammunition cans over the top of a 36-foot ladder obstacle. (c) Two-Line Bridge- Team members cross two 52-foot

long ropes with their hands and feet suspended two feet

and 10 feet off the ground as they carry ammunition cans

and water resupply cans. (d)The Weaver- Team members climb over

and under 24 logs, 42 feet in length ascending to 14 feet

as they carry ammunition and water resupply cans. In addition to the Enhanced Confidence Course,

teams go through a Combat Endurance Course. Combat Endurance Course- Teams conduct a

simulated patrol, negotiate the obstacles and report

the number and types of obstacles to intelligence sources.

Event 6 - Cpl. Day's Defense (Unknown Distance Firing)-

Teams of four fire two magazines of five rounds each from

simulated building structures at unknown distance targets

in a time limit of 70 seconds. The number of targets hit

and number of unused ammunition is then recorded. Following Day's Defense, team members participate in a

250-meter casualty evacuation where members remove

simulated casualties from a simulated danger area

consisting of artillery simulators. Night Event (1900-0000) - Night Infiltration Course-

Teams resupply water, ammunition and MREs at night in

a simulated combat environment. The teams take their

ammunition cans, water cans and simulated MREs through

the Combat Assault Course with the

added obstacle of darkness. Sleep (2300-0300)

Day Three Saturday Reveille (0300) Nine-mile hike (0400-0745) - Recruits conduct

a nine-mile hike from the Crucible site back to the

Marine Corps Memorial 1/2 size replica to receive their

coveted emblem (the eagle, globe, and anchor) from

their Drill Instructors and be called

Marines for the first time.

Warrior's Breakfast - The recruits are treated to a

breakfast fit for only true warriors. It consists of

all-you-can-eat steak, eggs and potatoes. Each of the Events who are named after someone are

named after Medal of Honor winners.

The recruits are read the Medal of Honor citation and

given time to reflect on the circumstances of which the

Medal of Honor was given before attacking the

obstacle before them.

THE Crucible Journal - FRIDAY

Dear Journal,

FRIDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE:

Got up at 0400. Each platoon's daily schedule is different.

1104 and 1105 may be scheduled for an obstacle that

1106 and 1108 completed yesterday, and 1109 and 1110

may be on their way from re-supply to take

the same challenge. With 500 guys out here,

there is no way for us to do obstacles at the same time.

So last night after Prayer and the Marine Hymn,

we talked to each other quietly about the

other obstacles we saw. I should have slept more.

We stepped out for our first challenge of the day.

The first Station was a good 3-mile hump from our huts.

The obstacle was a tire suspended 4'

with the side painted red. All members of our squad had

to go through the tire without touching the red.

We did all make it, but it was hard.

The tire was swinging and spinning…

guess that was the challenge.

After we finished up there,

we moved over to the Bayonet Assault Course.

This course is exactly the same as the one at the Base.

Lots of hooking and jabbing here! Kind of fun actually.

But we are all run down.

From there we went to the Day Infiltration Course.

We had 25 minutes to go through the

whole course dragging with us

a real team member (casualty), 2 large ammo cans,

2 small ammo cans, and 2 water jugs… filled with concrete!!

God, I wanted to be the one being dragged!

But, another Recruit had pulled a muscle,

so we took turns pulling him.

We are all filthy and covered in dirt now.

We stopped for a sock change and foot check.

My blisters are filling with fluid now.

I put a double layer of moleskin on but it comes right off

when my socks get wet.

Then we humped over to the Day Movement Course.

And believe me, they don't call it "Movement" for nothing!

This course had booby traps all over!

And if we tripped them,

that team member became a casualty.

The more traps we tripped during the course,

the more difficult it became because we had to pull

the casualties along with all our gear. We are so tired

and hungry and sore and aggravated.

We are over halfway through.

In case you've been wondering,

there are portable toilets set up for us to use around

the Crucible site. Earlier, we tied the door shut

when one of the guys went in! Funny stuff!

For another guy, who was in there WAY TOO LONG

(we think he was sleeping), we started beating

on the thing and rocking the thing back and

forth and front to back to scare him and

make him fall off the seat!

He flung the door open and with the

biggest eyes I've ever seen he goes,

"Wha…wha…what happened?" We were all rolling!

The DI's just laughed at us. That was so fun.

And it was good to share a laugh with those guys

after all they've put us through.

To pass the time, we try to guess who has honor platoon.

Before we left, they told us the top scoring platoon

for Final Drill, but nothing else. So we have all been

speculating on who is second, third and so on.

But, we know it is our total scores for everything

that counts in figuring honor platoon…including crucible.

Four other guys and I have a little side bet

going on who wins.

The bet is one cracker package each. Winner takes all!

We had another 10 or so obstacles that

we had to get through by the afternoon!

The first one was called Jenkins Pinnacle.

We had to break up in 8 teams and

cross over these suspended logs tied with cable…

with all our gear…carrying additional supplies…

and we were timed!

The next obstacle was Basilone's Challenge where we had

to climb two-by-two over an 8 foot log.

We also finished up the last stations of the Leader Course.

In teams of six we strapped 2 long wooden boards

to our feet and had to walk together over a "mine field."

The walking part was easy, it was getting all

six of us strapped in those things

that took up the most time.

It's funny how the foot pain comes and goes.

Believe me every part of my body hurts,

but when I am focused on a task the pain seems

to go to the back of my mind.

Maybe we don't feel it anymore because we are

losing our minds with no food and little sleep!

We had another foot check before the next hump

to the next station. Just as I thought my blisters are worse.

I know they are going to pop any second.

I heard one guy scream last night when

the medic poured peroxide on his popped blisters.

While I was sitting there, I took off my boonie cover

(hat) for just a second for some comfort.

It is what kept me going each day through boot camp,

and this is the first time I had to do it on crucible.

It is not the physical comfort of

removing the cover from my head,

but what I have tucked inside.

See, I have a picture of my family

back home pressed inside, and they are

counting on me to get through this.

Even the dog is in this one!

At about 1800 we arrived back at our huts for the

Night Infiltration Course. I can't even think of how

to explain this, so to quote my Mom, all I can say is…

"Oh…My…GOD!" This was the hardest thing

I've ever done in my life! It is the last obstacle of the day

and is a 5-mile night hump! The DI's said it was 5 miles

but I know it was way more.

There was no time limit and everyone had to complete

it even if it took all night! One of the Crucible Instructors

told us that Lima Company was out here until after midnight.

Anyway, I bandaged my feet as best I could.

I kept thinking that last night's hump was only 2.5 miles,

and since this one is twice as long…I have to make it work.

I am NOT going back now.

With only my thoughts to motivate me,

I put on my boots and was ready for the course.

I wanted the leads to slow down the pace.

My feet are now shot! All the care I took,

the moleskins, the tinactin, thorlo socks…I still got blisters!

A few have popped and are sore.

No scabs yet because my feet stay wet.

How I had the strength for this hump is beyond me?

Lord, someone must be praying for me back home,

because I don't even remember

the prayer we said last night.

I did dream I think, but I can't remember what it was.

And just so you know,

this wasn't even close to last night's hump!

We were under siege!!

There were rounds being fired at us,

bombs going off around us, (simulated of course)

but the sounds and all the smoke shocked

us never the less.

At boot camp I got used to going to bed at 1900 hours.

So, here it was after 1800 and

we are just into a 5 mile hump!

About half-way through it got to a point where

I didn't feel the pain.

I was running on pure determination.

We are all very sore and close to starving now.

The sleep deprivation is really getting to us.

I don't know how long the hump took us,

but we flew through it 'cause most of us

didn't want miss any of our 4 hours of sleep!

When we got back to the huts after the

Night Infiltration Course, we hygiened,

prepped our packs for the next day,

and ate the last of our MRE's (if there was any left!)

During the day this is what I ate:

Late morning I had my Mexican Rice.

Then, just before we started the Night Infiltration Course

I ate my Tuna with Noodles and my applesauce pak.

When we got back to the huts,

I finished off the last of my MRE's with the

BBQ Pork & Rice and my mixed fruit pouch.

Tonight we hit the rack earlier because

we wake up an hour earlier.

Oh, I remember the dream now…

I was lost and walking around in

the dark with my cammies on,

carrying all my gear.

I kept asking people where my street was.

Finally someone showed me. And all I remember is that

when I walked up to my house it was completely

dark except for one light in my bedroom window.

Tomorrow is the real test.

We hit the rack at 2300 with a lot on our minds… "

written by:

Peggy

VPMFd Plt.1105

posted by: darlene r.