Yellow Footprint Journey

Busy busy

2009-12-27T13:55:00.000-08:00

Well it's been quite awhile since the last post, 2 months or so. In that time I've started my follow on training at School of Infantry located at Camp Pendleton, California.
So here follows a brief story, during boot camp I denied 1 week of recruiter's assistance, and went straight to SOI.
When I got there I found out that the only Company picking up was for non-Infantry Marines known as MCT (Marine Combat Training) where they learn basic combat skills before going to their job school.
ITB (Infantry Traing Battalion) it turns out only picks up every other week and I fell in between weeks.
So I got put in SAC (Student Administration Company) which is for Marines who are missing things like medical/dental records, military glasses, military I.D. and any other random things, it's also for Marines who have completed MCT and are waiting for an opening in their job school, or goofballs like me and some recon Parris Islanders (from the east coast boot camp) who get there at the wrong time.
While you're there all you have to do is either get into trouble or go on working partys all day, I spent 3 weeks there before getting picked up with Bravo Company where I'm at currently.
We spent the first 5 weeks learning basic infantry skills (much like MCT) which is everything from combat marksmanship with the M16A4, Hand Grenades, the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon), M240B (Medium Machine Gun), AT4 (Rocket Launcher) M203 (Grenade Launcher), and about a million classes on everything from Offensive Fundamentals, to Vehicle Operations and Radio Fundamentals.
And that is a very brief overview of most of the last 2 months, hopefully more to follow later?!?!?

Family Day...

2009-10-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

The Moto Run:
I've put an arrow above him so you can locate him faster. ;-)

Pics during Family Day liberty...

Graduation is TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!

the end is in sight....

2009-09-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

9-24
Doing well. Pneumonia came back; but, oh well.
We had Final Drill and Final PFT this week. Took 6th in drill (not totally our fault) and 1st or 2nd in Final PFT (currently being argued over!). So, we still have a good chance to take honor platoon. Oh yeah, I forgot about Prac (practical knowledge tests). Took 6th.
Anyways, while you all are down here:
For the BBQ, burgers most definitely!!
Then for places to eat: In and Out, Cheesecake Factory, Dominoes, Crispy Creme's, Claim Jumpers, and some place called BJ's. Those are requests, not needs. Of course, I'll want some of my favorite BBQ chips!
When I'm home, at least a full day of doing whatever the boys want to do (within reason).
9-25
I forgot to put down what I got on the PFT. 18 pull-ups, 104 crunches, 18:51 on the 3-mile run.
Hard to believe only 2 weeks left!!! And only 6 days 'til I get that Eagle, Globe and Anchor! Seems like only yesterday it was 30 or so days.
Probably won't have time to write any letters 'til Marine Week and by then it would almost be pointless, but we'll see.
Well, don't have much more to say besides, see you all soon and thank you for all the prayers.

Platoon Video.....

2009-09-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

We got our first 'GLIMPSE' of Caleb today!

I don't know which day they actually do this video during training, but it's usually posted the Friday of the 10th week (2wks before graduation), so today was the day it got posted!

Caleb is the 2nd row from the top and the 5th in from the left!
Click here for the page to the Platoon Videos for India Co, for a larger video. (Caleb is in platoon 3210.)
If they've already updated the page with the new platoon videos you might be able to use this direct link to the video.

We were able to get the following pictures off the video!
ENJOY!

in the home stretch...

2009-09-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

9-20
Time has been flying by. Seems like a few days ago it was 090909! and now it's all of 2 1/2 weeks till graduation!!
Finally got to do pugil sticks!!!
Of course I won "butt stroke, slash"!
Inventory PFT
I got 17 pull-ups again, 116 crunches and an 18:03 3 mile run But it's still one of the fastest times in the company.
Also ran the CFT.
Got 2:34 in the 880yd run. 106 Ammo Can Lifts and 2:14 on the Maneuver Under Fire portion (missed the grenade toss).
Well, I think that's all the stuff I have done.
Coming up tomorrow is Final Drill and Tuesday is the Knowledge tests. Also, Final PFT is coming up. Other than that (and The Crucible), we are pretty much done!
So now, I'd like to make a request. Goodies for Family Day!! Homemade goodies!! For me and a few buddies!!!
Well, got to go. Thanks for the prayers.
P.S. Health-wise, I'm doing much better!! Just the occasional cough.
Can't wait to see you all soon!!

food... mail... food... health report... food... see a pattern?...

2009-09-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

9-12
Howdy all!!
The story on the music cards, is no story on the music cards.* Other than Drill Instructor SSgt Zamora doesn't like musical cards (he'll just listen to them and give them back) and all the stickers haven't done anything either. But I'm not saying to send anything crazy.
On another note, I've "rediscovered" the PB and J!! and I've started eating the oatmeal, grits and Cream of Wheat in the mornings (with peanut butter of course). Other than that, standard fare is eggs, sausage, hash-browns and either waffles, pancakes or french toast and half a PBJ with chocolate milk and mixed fruit for breakfast. Lunch is generally spaghetti, chicken fried steak, fish patties, or some kind of bean dish with rice or mashed potatoes. Sometimes french fries and onion rings, with an apple. Also veggies or something similar (carrots, peas, corn, corn and butter beans or some nasty kind of bean, green beans - disgusting. Also eaten cabbage or some nasty thing like that) and for "dessert" a whole PB and J!! And to drink, red Powerade and orange juice mix or apple juice, and dinner is very similar to lunch. So I've been eating well. Still weigh 160lbs
Well, time to get on line. Love you all. Thanks for the prayers.

P.S. My pneumonia is purty much gone, but Drill Instructor SSgt Boswell gave me the nickname of "Pinky" 'cause I've got Pink Eye in one eye. But that's going away, so health-wise, I'm doing really well right now!!!
Love you all

* Every envelope from our house is decorated with plenty of stickers and we've sent quite a few musical cards!!

part of a letter to his best friend and former CO in NJROTC.....

2009-09-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

9-9
...Things are going well here. Time is flying by. Can't believe only 4 1/2 weeks left!!! Working on our drill for Final Drill, which is next Monday, and if we can tighten it all up, we are almost guaranteed to win! Biggest difference between "our" drill and drill here is the 4th squad thing, not to mention each squad is 18 or so long!!! There is a little "extra" trash thrown in, but mostly all the same as it was at home.
While on that subject, how are you liking being away from home? I'm liking it, except for all them Drill Instructors running around But when I get into the fleet, that problem will be solved
Anyways, doing lots of fun stuff, i.e. rifle range, assault courses, "hiking" , drill, but the best things would have to be food and sleep!!!
But I've got to go ... Out.

Howard, Caleb O
Executive Officer
Shelton High School NJROTC (fired)
aka Soon to be PFC Howard USMC

diggin' all that cool OohRah stuff...

2009-09-06T19:56:00.000-07:00

9-6
Well howdy all and everybody and you, too ha ha ha and ho
Finally, 3rd Phase!!! Only 33 days left. Hard to believe that graduation is so close at hand, while at the same time, it's so far away?? But, oh well. One week at a time!!!
Anyways, since I last wrote, I've done Field Week, which included Table 2 of Rifle Range.
First we took off into the hills with our packs, had some classes on individual movements and hand signals and some fire team formations and a class on IEDs. Then we went and practiced those things. We also did land navigation, day and night, a couple assault courses, again day and night. Then we left from there early in the morning and went straight to the range for some classes on combat shooting for Table 2, which is just making quick shots at 25m, shooting at different parts of a full sized human torso. That was definitely one of the highlights of boot camp so far. I got 93 out of 100, which puts my total range score at 328 out of 350, which probably puts me in the top 5 of the company or so?
Health-wise, still doing okay. Still have slight pneumonia I think? But still going strong!
Looking forward to uniform issue this week!!!
Other than that not much going on, so, thanks for all the prayers.

a rare diversion and some chit-chat...

2009-08-30T21:11:00.000-07:00

8-30
Things are still going pretty well here. I'm still sick, but not too awfully bad.
Yesterday evening all of India Company was taken to a little concert at the chapel here. There was also a couple speakers. The whole thing lasted about an hour and a half. It was put on by a ministry called The Armor of Light, which is part of one of the Calvary Chapels down this way. The band they had was called The Kry. They were purdy darned awesome. Apparently they have 10 albums out and the songs I heard were cool. They also played a slightly different version of Imagine, which sounded almost better than the original version!!
I keep forgetting to tell you all, but my contract PFC stuck!!! *
Apparently it's been really hot down here, but I haven't noticed it being all that hot out.
Currently our platoon is unbloused and buttoned up and to top that off, our guidon is rolled up* because we are too slow, too quiet, and too loud at the same time but that's what you get with a bunch of "young men".
Well, I think I just ran out of things to scribble down, so I'm just gonna say love you all and thanks for all the prayers.

* Caleb found out the day he left for boot camp that he might not get to keep his promotion because he did not have a high school diploma. The Marine Liaison Officer at the Seattle processing center let him keep it, but told him they might take it away during boot.

* These are all incorrect ways to wear their uniforms and their guidon is supposed to be unfurled. Some of the tools the Drill Instructors use to teach and motivate.

rifle qualifications, pneumonia, and food...

2009-08-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

8-28
Well range is over no more "crazy" shooting but, oh well, still have Table 2*
Shot a 235*!! 2nd highest in the platoon, highest being 237. Got my Expert Badge on the spot by the PMI*!! and I was the 3rd highest Expert my coach had ever had!
Other than that my cold, or whatever I've got, is getting a little worse and I think my pneumonia is acting up a little; but I'm doing well.
Have an 8 mile hike tomorrow! That I've looking forward to and I'm definitely looking forward to field week!!
Food is still good, just wish they had better veggies Looking forward to eating more MREs!! hehe
Well, I think that's about all I've got for now. Thanks for all the prayers.

PS - I'm gonna have a "big" list of food for Family Day!!

* The "field fire" portion of rifle qualifications
* 250 is the maximum score for this portion of rifle qualifications
* PMI - Primary Marksmanship Instructor

no brag, just fact...... =)

2009-08-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

8-23
Just got a class from SDI GySgt Booker on shaving!! All the weird things we do
But anyways, got back from church about an hour ago and I was working on my range book, but there was a song at church I really liked, so I'll pass it on. I hope its title and artist are correct? It's Joel Houston, "Inside Out" or something like that.
Our PMI* is really cool. He's not strict and "demanding" like a Drill Instructor, but he knows his stuff and teaches well. He's been doing this for 6 years. We had a little grouping exercise on Wednesday to get our BZOs*. I was one of about 15 or so in the platoon to make a "3 grouper", which is shooting 15 rounds at 3 targets, 36 meters away, with the targets scaled down to simulate 300 yards. A "group" for this is 3" apart for each group. Then we took a test Friday morning and those who passed (all but 10-12) got to go shoot at the ISMIT (a computer simulation with full scale rifles shooting lasers). In this case, we were shooting 10 rounds from the sitting position in 60 seconds or less at a simulated range of 200 meters. I had the best group of the platoon. It would have fallen in a vertical rectangle about 1 foot high and 5 inches wide. SO, I'm looking forward to range this week!!!
Thursday afternoon we ran the PFT*. I got 106 crunches, 17 pull-ups and a 3 mile run time of 17:38, that being the best time in the company (which has 550 some recruits). So all I need is 3 more pull-ups and I get a perfect PFT!!!
Well, I think the only thing I haven't told you all about is the platoon itself. We started out with 88, dropped to 86 because of asthma and lost another because he broke his ankle. Then before we left for Camp Pendleton, we dropped 9 due to failed PFTs and "sick calls", which I was close to being one of those. Then they dropped my rackmate for supposed "mental issues", which was stupid; but I guess that's the way things work. Then that day (the day before we left for Pendleton), we picked up 3 recruits, one of whom is now my new rackmate and he's pretty cool. He's about 6" shorter than me, but built like a small tank. He's got a good attitude and he's a Christian, which is sweet. He's good to go!! Other than him, I've got several other friends around the platoon. But we still have those ZooHeads who mess things up and, of course, you get those everywhere you go, so I just "roll with the punches".
Tell everyone I love them and thanks for the prayers.

(editor's note: lyrics to song he mentioned)
From The Inside Out
Joel Houston

A thousand times I've failed still your mercy remains
Should I stumble again still I'm caught in Your grace
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

Your will above all else my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing You praise
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

In my heart and my soul I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, Lord my soul cries out “Lord”

* PMI - Primary Marksmanship Instructor
* BZO - Battle Sight Zero - sighting in their rifle
* PFT - Physical Fitness Test -- The test includes a timed three-mile run, pull-ups, and crunches timed for 2 minutes. 100 points max for each event totals to a perfect PFT of 300. To reach that goal, they need to have a run time of 18 minutes or less, 100 or more crunches within 2 minutes, and 20 or more pull-ups.

part of a letter to a friend...

2009-08-23T05:35:00.000-07:00

8-23
Chow is good!! Of course I'm eating my veggies!
Our Drill Instructors are cool. There are times when they are mean and nasty like they are supposed to be, then there are times when they are the coolest people in the world just talking and answering questions.
Weather is nice and warm... my new rackmate is really cool. He got dropped from his original company 3 weeks to our company, cause of pneumonia, but he's sensible (meaning he's not stupid ) and he's a Christian!!
Well, so far PT hasn't been too bad, haven't been IT'd too much. I have the best run time in the company and the best shot groups in the platoon. So I'm doing well, looking forward to rifle range and definitely looking forward to graduation!!!

P.S. I highly recommend brownies/chocolate cake with peanut butter on top :) yum yum!!

and the verdict from medical is....

2009-08-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

8-14
Hello Everyone!!!
I'm kinda in a hurry now, but I thought I'd write.
I went to medical and got bed rest (with bronchitis, so they said) and a follow-up the next day, which started getting me worried because if you are light-duty or bed rest you can't go up north*. After the follow-up I was put on light-duty and was feeling much better. Headache was gone, sore throat was much better, cough was better!! So, I went to medical today praying that I wouldn't stay on light-duty

cont. on 8-15
and wouldn't you know it, I got full duty!! Big answer to prayer there! I was also diagnosed with early stages of pneumonia; but even with that, here I am at Edson Range writing this letter.
It's fun to see some of the things I've seen here before, like the main gate I've driven through many times or the main part of Pendleton; but the best part is all the helicopters!!!*
One kinda odd thing about this place is between the sand, trees, and all the little scrub brushes, it's all very beautiful. At least to my eyes.
Here there is only one hatch to the chow hall, as opposed to four at MCRD. There is slightly less chow, but the lines move faster and the food is still good and they have apple-raspberry juice!! (That stuff is yummy)
Other than that, ain't much new here, so love you all and thanks for all the prayers.

* Training weeks 5, 6, and 7 they travel up north to Camp Pendleton for rifle/shooting training/qualifications and field maneuver training
* One of the Marine Corps' helicopter air stations is on Camp Pendlton. On any given day you can see AH-1W Super Cobras, UH-1N Hueys, CH-46E Sea Knights, and/or CH-53 Sea Stallions flying overhead.

not feeling so great, but still having a blast...

2009-08-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

8-11
Well, we won Initial Drill!!! But it seems like almost everyday we make Senior mad in some way or another.
Went on the Slide for Life* today!! That was fun!!
I'm still sick with a cough, headache, stuffy nose, sore throat and I think I might be having chills(?). I certainly don't want all that trash up at Pendleton, so I'm going to medical tomorrow. Praying that I won't get bedrest or light duty.
Well, this being swim week, I'm sure you all want to know how I'm doing. I qualified CWS-3* so far. Am hoping I can get back into the pool tomorrow. I mean Thursday but we'll see.

* Requires recruits to climb a 30-foot diving tower and then, on their belly, crawl/slide head first down a 45-foot cable stretched across the length of a swimming pool. Half way down, a Drill Instructor orders him to hang by his hands and face the end of the pool. From there, the recruit kicks his legs up to catch the cable, and works his way feet first to the end. Many recruits lose their grip and fall into the pool.
* CWS - Combat Water Survival -- There are four level of Combat Water Survival. CWS-4, is the most basic. Very few pass CWS-1 during boot camp.

this is too much fun....

2009-08-06T22:17:00.000-07:00

8-6
Been busy with preparations for Initial Drill, so I haven't been writing much obviously.
Got IT'd* for no particular reason as far as I can tell. We were in a school circle listening to SSgt Zamora make a few changes to rifle drill manual and I'm standing at the POA* on the outside of the circle and SSgt Boswell stops behind me and quietly whispers "eyeballs". Not sure if he is talking to me or not, I don't move. He repeats himself two more times, so I turn my head and say "click". He says "go get some IT you", so I respond "aye, aye sir" and take off. Now as far as I know, there was no reason for it; but, oh well, it was still fun!!
9 weeks left!!! Can't wait!
I'm thinking that 2nd phase will be fun 'cause it will mostly be grunt stuff.
Looking forward to swim week and most definitely 3rd phase and Marine Week!!
I think whatever sickness I've got is starting to go away because I'm coughing less and breathing better.
Chow is still good. Drill is fun when we do it right and other than the SDI* inspection tomorrow and Initial Drill, there ain't too much to worry about.
Our drill seems to be better than it was, we just need to get rid of the id 10 t's*.
Got my military ID yesterday, not that I'll get to use it for a while.
Flat Bob*, so far, has gone everywhere except the shower. It even went on a PT* session in my shoe and it even escaped SSgt SanSoucies "pat down" for an IT session!!! So, I think I can get away with taking him almost everywhere!! So, thanks Joshie!! and mommy
PS - I never thought 75 degrees could feel cold

* IT - Incentive Training - physical exercise used as a punishment to instill motivation
* position of attention
* SDI - Senior Drill Instructor
* id 10 t - idiot
* Flat Bob - A 4" camo guy drawn by Joshua and laminated, sent to accompany Caleb in his adventures as a Marine
* PT - Physical Training

looking ahead...

2009-08-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

8-1
We got our guidon unfurled again But no doubt that will change.
As I'm sure you know, Initial Drill* is coming up. Well, today we had an evaluation by the Series Chief Drill Instructor and subsequently got kicked off of the parade deck before we got finished with the stationary movements (it's the marching/moving that we are better at) and surprisingly the SDI didn't seem too upset and we didn't get ITed. Which was very surprising!!!
Swim Week is next week, I think? So that will be fun and we also get to do the Confidence Course!!! By the way, the Obstacle Course was lots of fun!!!
In the 10th week of training, they will post pictures online at devildogs.info. On that Friday at 1700 of the 10th week.

* the first drill competition between all 7 platoons

coming together?

2009-07-31T22:10:00.000-07:00

7-31
I'm sure you all are doing fine!!! You all may have the heat, but we have the humidity But it's all good!!
We went and got our guidon rolled up due to lacks in discipline, volume, lousy drill, and a slight lack of respect. But it seems that today, maybe, something in our platoon clicked!!! This afternoon our drill improved vastly and our volume increased!!! We'll see if that lasts?
Two days from now, training that is stopped because of the "green flag"* will no longer affect our outdoor activities, which is a good and a bad thing.
I got my first IT this morning for being one of the last ones out of the head. It wasn't too bad and I felt purty good afterward.
My cold, or whatever it is, seems to be getting better!!!
Just had mail call and lucky for us, it cools down pretty well in the evenings!!

* heavy physical outdoor activities are stopped until the recruits adjust to the climate

new Drill Instructor...

2009-07-28T21:52:00.000-07:00

7-28
Am still doing well
Forgot to tell you I had to go to the dentist and, actually, it was a lot better than I thought it would be!! It was almost as nice as my old dentist!
Yesterday we got our 4th DI. SSgt SanSoucie. He's good for the platoon. Very active, running back and forth while we are marching correcting people, and ITing people who need it!! HA HA LOL But it's all good (just as long as it's not me)
We get to start MCMAP* and pugil sticks this week!!! And swim week is coming!! Yay

* Marine Corps Martial Arts Program

my Drill Instructors are...

2009-07-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

7-26
Well, our first training week is over. So far our drill is supposedly really good, at least that's what the Drill Instructors say. Our lack of ability to stand at the POA* and shut-up is very pronounced though. The funny thing is, we have hardly been ITed*; but I'm sure that will change. The worst we've had is running around the squadbay throwing stuff in piles and a platoon ITing. Other than that, only a few people have been "smoked".
Our SDI is awesome!! Although I think just a little too nice. But he was on the Silent Drill Platoon, then infantry and lat-moved to artillery. SSgt Zamora, the next down, so far talks big about ITing us all, but so far hasn't made us do anything. Our JDI* is SSgt Boswell. He's purty darn funny and is taller than me. Zamora is really short and looks fat, but somehow I doubt it's fat and he's the strict one! Booker (the SDI) is a little shorter than me and has a good sense of humor!!
Well we are getting ready for Initial Drill with every intention of winning!!
PS - about 10-15 people coughing. I, so far, just have a sore throat. But am still doing well!!

* position of attention
* IT - Incentive Training - physical exercise used as a punishment to instill motivation
* JDI - Junior Drill Instructor

a REAL letter... and it's 3 pages long!!!

2009-07-15T18:42:00.000-07:00

7-15
Well! What a three days it has been.
First off there was a whole lot less yelling than I thought. But we are in for that on Friday (which should be last week to you) when we get picked up by our training platoon, 'cause our receiving platoon seems to be the shabbiest out of all of them.
We have just under 130 recruits in our platoon. About 40 of which will be chopped to another platoon. Our receiving DI* is SSgt Hlodan. He's pretty good to go, just likes his dirty language. I actually got all my utes* in small long!! But my PT* shorts are large, but luckily they still fit.
First day was partial uniform issue. Second day, which kinda blended in to the first day, was more paperwork, rest of uniform issue, visited medical for eyes and blood. I and a few others got ears the next day, hit the dentist for x-rays, third day has been medical again for shots, which weren't too bad and got our running shoes !!!! Yay!!! Turned in our civilian gear.
Worst thing so far has been all the standing then sitting for long periods.
Tuesday night right after lights out, somebody fell out of their rack and hit headfirst. They took him to medical. I can only assume he will get dropped, but I'm quite sure he's gonna to be fine!
Meals are fast! It's just shovel as fast as possible!! Otherwise, it's all been pretty fun.

* utility uniform - their digital camouflage uniform
* DI - Drill Instructor
* PT - Physical Training

7-22
OK... now that I have a slight clue what the heck we are doing!!! the chow is purty darn good!! and now we have time to eat!
Our platoon has 88 recruits. SDI* is GySgt Booker, DIs are SSgts Zamora and Boswell. More about them later.
Drill is coming along semi-well! We have our rifles!!
Well, lots to memorize
Almost time for bed.
PS - I like the church. It's very Christ centered surprisingly!!!

* SDI - Senior Drill Instructor

7-23
Church is kinda short-ish. Just a couple songs in the beginning, a 20 min sermon or so, then a last song. But then we go to a different building and do something else for 30-40 min.
Drill is coming along well. I'm very glad I did drill team now!! Biggest changes are the knees come up higher when marching and I have to get used to the new rifle.
Haven't personally, by myself, gotten a thorough screaming at!! But time will tell.
I built a calendar in the back of my knowledge and have a countdown and everything!!! I wouldn't mind if you sent/smuggled me a syllabus. Shhh...
See you all in less than 3 months.

First word!!

2009-07-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

At the bottom of the "I have arrived..." form letter:

Am doing well, having fun and keeping my head down =)
See you all in three months!!!!! =)

... and he's off!

2009-07-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

Last morning home...

2009-07-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

Send off Dinner

2009-07-10T19:23:00.000-07:00