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

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....

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...

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?

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...

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...

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!!!

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.