woohoo my last phone call before graduation

Yep she called, it was already 7pm our time so it was 2200 hrs (10pm) her time.

She sounded really good, in high spirits. Although a little bad news, she sprained her ankle the first day of devil dog week, they were out of ace bandages so they only gave her Motrin and told her to ice it.. ya right with them going in the field for combat.

She said it poured their first day so their ditches or holes were almost full of water, at first they were prone to their hole (laying down) then someone got them in trouble and they had to get in their holes up to their hips in muddy water for hours, 10pm to 3am she said.

She said it wasn't so bad.

She said she passed all her written tests.

And their Brass (I called them that not her) were real proud of her platoon as they ended with the same number of Marines that they started with. :)

They had a few injuries but nothing to serious.

They did street to street and house to house like you see them do on TV like in Iraq.

She named all the weapons she fired and yes she did fire that tank rocket.

She doesn't know any particulars yet as they don't find out until the receive their orders on graduation day.. she'll call me when she can.

Its just so good to hear her voice and now she is happy at what she's doing.

Funny thing she didn't blame the Marines for her injury she blamed the Navy Medical for not being able to take care of it correctly. LOL

She stays very positive, it is so nice .. to hear her with fellow Marines and how many friends she has, life time friends :) Its so awesome

written by:darlene r.

MCT - military combat training -graduation requirements

BSRE FIGHTING POSITION

•Common Skills

–3 Phase exams

–Land navigation

–Weapons handling

–Fire and movement

–20k hike

–Hand grenade

–IED awareness

HOTEL COMPANY IS WORKING ON THIS TODAY

was posted on twitter from the MCT's post.

BATTLE SKILLS

REINFORCEMENT EXERCISE

•Military Operations on Urban Terrain

•Individual actions while mounted in a tactical vehicle

•Rules of Engagement

/Law of Armed Conflict

•Patrolling

•Defense

•IED Awareness

•Continuing actions

GRADUATION IS ONLY A WEEK AWAY 9/15/09

posted by: darlene r.

still waiting for my call :(

The day before Erica was to leave for boot camp, the first time we thought she was leaving,

we had a breast cancer walk. We were on team Weight Watchers. I myself walked five miles, I had to go to work. My mom even walk I think 15 miles with having both knees replaced :)

But Miss Erica ran 25 miles a full marathon, she told Kim don't tell my mom. She was supposed to leave for boot camp the next morning.. and as you all know we found out she was on stand by and didn't go till the following week. See everything happens for a reason!

The photo is from the walk ... just love it

add on... just a quick note what looks like a string down the front of Erica is actually pony beads of how many laps she made at the cancer walk... cool huh

written by: darlene r.

Miss Ericas week home

the statue is of Molly Marine


I was thinking about all of you who did not get to see miss Erica in person. You would be amazed at the change in her. So sorry she couldn't meet up with you all.. it was such a busy and tight schedule.

Lets see she graduated on Friday 8/7

we drove to florida and flew home with the flight from he** on Saturday 8/8

early Sunday 8/9 went to church in dress blues, many "congratulations and be safe Marine"

were said to her, went to breakfast with the family,

that was the first time she got to see her brother and her great grandpa since boot camp.

Monday 8/10 was gym and a day with Bryan they went and saw Harry Potter.

Tuesday 8/11 was gym and day with friends.

Wednesday 8/12 was gym and Erica cleaned out her closet, we went and saw GI Joe.

Thursday 8/13 was Gym then Disneyland with her best friend.

Friday 8/14 was MCRD San Diego to finish our shopping

that really a little was done each day,

but today we had to get stuff from the base that she needed.

Saturday 8/15 was lunch at Rain Forest Cafe with family.

Sunday 8/16 was church and family, and pack.

Monday 8/17 was off to LAX and fly to North Carolina.

Tuesday 8/18 was check in at base and start MCT.

crazy week .... not nearly enough time.

But here we are only 10 days from MCT graduation.

I wish I could go, but alas I have not won the Lotto yet. LOL

Hoping for a phone call tomorrow.

I also wanted to tell you all, it has really helped me to write her blog...

its a great way to keep you all up to date and relax myself,

but the format will be a little different from now on.

As her job has top secret clearance and all,

she wont be able to give some info and I wont be posting all I know.

Mainly it will be generic stuff like type of job, round about location etc.

Her personal thoughts maybe just for laughs.

But I will still try to do what I can.

For example we all know Bryce is in Afghanistan, you know in some smoldering hot location that remains un-named LOL! we write, we send goodies, Kim and Val get calls rarely.

So soon enough that will be the boat Erica is in,

it also depends on her command what is allowed to be posted.

I have been watching another female Marine's blog, she is in a high clearance situation,

and can only say she is over seas.. and photos never show her face.

Just her working or her back LOL

But she has interesting insight. So if it calls for it I might have to change her blog to friends only.

But we will cross that bridge when and if we come to it.

I hope you all are having a lovely Labor Day weekend!

and keep your fingers crossed for a phone call tomorrow and maybe some more info :)

*hugs to you all ~Darlene

my girl

can you believe this is the same girl ...

what a year 2008 HS grad to Marine 2009

posted by: darlene r.

woohoo a phone call.. though it was very short

Miss Erica did call today... though it was very short.

She said it s****s there.. long days no showers, I told her I was gonna send some

baby wipes, two girls in the back ground cheered, then Erica said yeah!

It was so funny! Never heard anyone get so excited over wet wipes LOL

They are staying at the range now, she said they are all in an old airplane hanger,

called a hooch. They have been practicing a lot! They were there for test firing

on AT4's (tank missiles). They were taught how to use grenade launchers,

which she thought was so cool.

Then they had to throw grenades, though she said that was a little scary.

I talked with a guy from work today who is a retired Marine.

He said back in the day, they did not train everyone all the combat,

because they were non-infantry,

but now a days they want every one trained in case

they are in a situation and they would be able to handle it.

Erica said she would try to call again next sunday. :)

writen & posted by: darlene r.

keeping my finders crossed

for a phone call :)

Hotel Co. 3rd Platoon commanders/trainers

Erica's company

posted by: darlene r.