boot camp 2

Training Day 5-20101225
Today is training day 5 , and also Christmas We are having extra free time today for church, and our Senior Drill Instructor also wants to do something for us later on. She said we will make Christmas cards and possibly get a phone call home* I am crossing my fingers* The thing I want most to do right now is talk to my family and eat a tub of vanilla Ice cream.
Our Senior Drill instructor is very cool , She comes out and saves us when the green belts are being hard on us sometimes. I am in Oscar Company, Which is supposed to be the hardest, So I am so thankful we have the Drill Instructor we do.
When receiving phase was still going on , I was squad leader, Then when we moved on to forming, My fellow recruits nominated me as series guide. When training day one came I was selected by our Senior Drill Instructor to fire our guide and take her place, which was pretty cool. Hopefully I will keep the guide position through graduation.
After the first training day things got easier. I have completely adjusted to the new lifestyle now. I miss the things I used to do and the freedoms I had before, But there are definitely thing I have learned just from being here two weeks. Team work and motivation are essential. If you show you care and prove you want to be here , Boot camp will be so much easier! Always give your all and the Drill Instructors will notice the initiative.
We started MCMAP on training day one. It is probably one of my favorite classes, Its exhausting but fun. We will start sparring with each other before to long. I can't wait to take everything out on another recruit and relieve some of the stress that comes from homesickness, exhaustion, and the constant annoyance of repetitive moving and screaming.
We have been drilling everyday with our canteens instead of our rifles. They don't trust us with our weapons yet. Drill is fun, but our platoon has had a hard time keeping in step so we are slower to move on to learn new moves.
Lately we have been sitting through a lot of classes, which can get boring, but for the most part are motivating and beneficial. The one instructor is constantly keeping us alert. He makes sure there is recruit interaction by doing demonstrations.
The age difference in recruits in my platoon is 18(the youngest) to 25. they are girls from all over the country with all different backgrounds. We have already become close with each other. It really is like a second family and I know we will stay in touch. We are all going through the same thing and help pull and push each other to keep going.
By the time graduation gets here everyone will be more than excited to see family and go home, but we will also be reluctant to leave our new friends.
Even the Drill Instructors will be appreciated by the end even though most everyone hates them now.
11 more weeks and I will be heading home. And I will be lance Corporal . That is my goal. That keeps driving me, to graduate the best, not just a marine but a better marine.
An update will come in a few days , or weeks.
I can't wait to see everyone!
Recruit Edmiston

Boot update 1

I arrived here at Parris Island 20101213 at 0200. As we pulled up to the gates the bus driver made us put our head between our knees so we couldn't see anything.
We could all feel the bus come to a halt as the tension grew in the air. Out of nowhere the drill Instructors boarded the bus and began screaming at us.
When I  got to MEPS my nerves all disappeared and I thought they would come back when I got to the Island,
But once I was actually there and being yelled at I was fine.
After we all stood out in the cold for twenty minutes trying to adjust they filed us through the doors and we knew we were stuck. There was no turning back now.
The receiving phase was nothing but tiresome and boring, We spent the 1st three days sitting at desks , standing in line, getting issued uniforms and hygiene kits, the worst part about receiving was trying to stay awake.
All we ate the first week was boxed chow, the same thing for lunch, dinner, and breakfast ( a sub that had only one piece of lunch meat ) a hard boiled egg, and apple/orange, two granola bars, and a box of raisins) It was actually really good.
Friday came  and we had our IST. It was quite relieving to be able to do something besides sit. My IST was fairly good. I got a 69 sec hang, 100 push ups, and 13:04 on my run.
Then the fun part came Saturday when we met our Drill Instructors. Its defiantly a change of lifestyle. No more sleeping in, no more junk food, no down time really at all, but by the end of the day you feel more accomplished then the day before.
Yes It is stressful getting constantly yelled at and always having to scream. But its not as bad as I thought it was going to be.
They make us do everything ten times over or more. Its never loud enough, Its never quick enough, we just aren't good enough for them. But we know we will never be, and that's all part of the game. They want us to keep pushing ourselves, Once you realize they are on a strict schedule you get over the annoyance at them because you know the activity will be changing shortly.
Instead of living Sunday to Sunday , Live chow to chow, You can start to guess about what times you will be changing activities and it makes it easier on yourself.
We are now on training day one. We have started sitting through classes which help to break the day up and ease some stress. Its going to be a long 12 more weeks, But It gets better and easier everyday, you just have to accept the choice you made and whats coming next.
I have no voice from all the screaming, but once my body adjust to the change I know I will be stronger and louder. Drill is fun, but most recruits are far from capable of keeping in step so we are always stopping and screaming answers back to the drill Instructors until the diddies get stuck in your head.
Training day  two comes tomorrow along with our 1st actual PT. I will let you all know how it is.



i

3 Days to Go

It feels like yesterday when i first walked into the recruiter's office.  I am extremely excited to be shipping out in three days, but, im am sure like every other poolee, i am feeling a little reluctant.  I have become close friends with a lot of the other poolees and the recruiters feel like family after spending every other day at the office training.  I know most poolees will be around when i graduate, but i will still miss everyone.


What is coming next is going to be so much bigger than just making friends and pt-ing, and that keeps me going.  I can't wait until i can call myself a Marine!  Mostly, I can't wait to make my parents more proud of me by becoming one of America's best.


I wish everyone luck in their journey!  Stay Motivated!! I will make sure to update everyone with my letters.  I can't say how often the will be, but they will certainly be here!!

Encouragement From a Fellow Recruit

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1


Lets' not jump the gun now... i still have two weeks left as a normal civilian!  Exactly two Sundays from now i will be making my trip to the hotel (hoping no obstacles get in the way), so i can be processed through MEPS one more time and shipped out!


Who knows how i will feel when it actually comes time to leave, but right now my worries are all gone... either because i have allowed myself to realize this is what i was made for... or that i am too mentally drained to have time to worry right now.


I haven't pt'd for a couple days now due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.  I desperately need to get back in the rhythm of pt everyday and mainly running.  Although on the other hand, in lieu of pt, i have been studying my rank structure, general orders, some marine corps history, and other things that i think might be helpful to be aware of before i get to basic.


I have been following Recruit Garner (http://www.blogger.com/profile/15929718924880087832) as she makes her way through basic.  She is having her blog, Future of the Corps (http://futureofthecorps.blogspot.com/), updated with letters she sends home.  It is very encouraging to read her posts.  She lays out the phases she is going through, from getting off the bus to the time she starts Forming and Training.  She lays out what a normal day is going to look like... and it doesn't sound too bad.


As my ship date draws closer the more my excitement builds up.  It's almost time!! and i can't wait!

Counting down the days!

It's finally sinking in that i am really doing this... Its exciting, but nerve racking too.  So many things are going through my mind right now.....


Am I ready? Physically? Mentally?
What if i fail? If i don't get guide?
What am i going to miss while i'm gone?
What if something happens at home?
Can i actually handle whats coming my way?


I need to just take a deep breath and relax, and have confidence in myself.  As long as i give 110% there is not much more I can do.  It will be hard, but i know i will survive, and i will come out as one of the best; One of the Few and One of the Proud!  That's motivation enough.


PT has been helping... I keep improving with everything.  As long as i don't quit i am good to go.  So far, I have acheived a 12:37 run, 100 sit-ups in 2 mins, and a 70sec FAH.  Before I ship out i would still like to get a faster run and more sit-ups, but as long as i don't get worse i will be happy.


I am counting down the days (20!!) until i take my step into this "new world."  Life is going to be so different.. but so worth it!!

RSS Beaver PT Pictures

Here are some pictures from our PT session yesterday.  Keep it up everyone!!  Practice makes perfect... we will get there!!

There is also a very very very short video at the end.

A few of the pictures did not upload to the computer for me, but they will be added later once i am able to get them up.

 

RSS Beaver ~VS~ RSS Butler

Way to go RSS Beaver ~ Game well played RSS Butler!!

Over the weekend on Saturday, 20101113, RSS Butler and RSS Beaver rallied at North Boundary Park in Cranberry Twp, PA.  The two sub stations went head-to-head in a friendly competition of football. 

Considering the turn out was so high (bearing in mind it was a mandatory function,) we separated each sub station in half and played games on two make-shift fields.  Still, instead of playing everyone at once, there were some poolees that participated in pt as the games were progressing, and substituted in sporadically.

In the end, RSS Beaver reigned superior over RSS Butler.  Congratulations RSS Beaver!!

RSS Butler put up a good fight; our victory was not easily claimed.  Good Job Everyone!

Once we had our winning sub station, our sore muscles, and some additional Marine Corps knowledge, we were ready to celebrate!

Everyone made their way up the hill to the Penn Power Shelter where we were greeted with refreshments and snacks.  In recognition of the Marine Corps Birthday, just a few days earlier, we held an improvised cake cutting ceremony and a comparative birthday party.

Thank you to all involved!!  The day was well worth the challenge and I enjoyed meeting everyone.  Good Luck to all future Marines!

Female Poolee Function

First and Foremost!!!-  I would like to thank Future JarHeads for linking my blog to their page (which can be found here ->> http://futurejarheads.webs.com/goodbaduglyblogs.htm) and also be sure to check out the rest of their website.  They have a lot of interesting information that is helpful and inspiring!!


Secondly, I want to update everyone on whats current with me. 


Yes! I only have 30 days left until my ship date is here and i leave for the island.  I am starting to get a little nervous, but its more excitement than anything.  I know it going to be extremely challenging and i just hope i can push my self to be the best.  Watch out fellow recruits, i am going to give it all i got and i am going to be guide (hopefully - if not that will be ok because i will know i gave 110% the whole time anyway).


Before I ship out i have been trying to get to know the other poolees a little better.  I think it is important to be friends with the people i am going to be serving with.  We are all going through the same situation and i know everyone needs a little emotional support, thats what i am here for!


In between working out and making ice cream cake for everyone (haha) i try to get small groups of poolees together on the side to just hangout.  Tonight i am having a female poolee slumber party of sorts.  It will be a good chance for all of us to let some tension out and try to help motivate each other.  Also, just to have some girl talk... gossiping and such haha.  (We are also coming us with strategies to take down RSS Bulter in the RSS BEAVER VS RSS BULTER function tomorrow)


I hope our "get togethers" like this will help build everyones confidence knowing there is someone else sharing their same feelings; excitement, hesitation, fears, etc.

HAPPY 235th USMC

Happy Birthday USMC!! In celebration of the United States Marine Corps Birthday (17751110) I am making ice cream cake for those who attend pt today!!!! (can't guarantee it taste good though haha)  Yes, you get a piece of cake if, and only if, you partake in the pt.  You can’t just show up and expect a free piece of cake… you must work for it and earn it! The Second Continental Congress decreed: “That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, two majors and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of privates as with other battalions, that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve for and during the present war with Great Britain and the Colonies; unless dismissed by Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalions of Marines.” The birth place of the Marine Corps is Tun Tavern, Philadelphia.  This was where the first Marines enlisted under Commandant Samuel Nicholas.  The Continental Marines was disestablished when the Revolutionary War ended in 1783.  However, President John Adams signed the "act for establishing and organizing a Marine Corps" on 17980711, re-establishing the Marines. The Marine Corps “re-creation” used to be celebrated on July 11.  However, on 19211021, Major Edwin McClellan (in charge the Corps' only historical section) sent a memorandum to Commandant John A. Lejeune.  The memorandum suggested the Marines’ original birthday of November 10 be declared a Marine Corps holiday to be celebrated throughout the Corps.  This led to Commandant Lejeune ordering Marine Corps Order 47, establishing the official birthday of the Marine Corps. Works Cited Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps_birthday_ball

PT All The Way

Are you physically ready to take on the challenges of becoming a Marine?  If so, Congratulations!! If not, well, i advise you to start attending the physical training sessions held by your local recruiters or take some time to work out on your own. 


Before I started going to pt, i was fairly active compared to a lot of people i know.  But fairly active just won't cut it in the Marine Corps.  You need to be overly active!  So, i started going to the office every other day to work out and help get myself in the shape i need to be for boot camp.


Yes, it can be an inconvenience having to drive out of your way or just setting aside a few hours when you could be out doing other things, but its really beneficial in the end.  I drive 45 minutes just about every day to get to pt, not because i have to, but because i want to; i know it is going to help prepare me for basic training. 


The males have to crank out a max set of pull-ups and the females have to do a max flexed arm hang(FAH) before we even report in.  Pull-ups and flexed arm hangs are a huge part of fitness.  Along with pull-ups/FAH, crunches and running is extremely important.  During pt we might focus on one main muscle group per day, but we do work a little bit of everything. Also, don't just run and assume that is enough.  Doing lunges down the hall, bear crawls, and mountain climbers all help build leg strength and will help to improve your running.


If you want to help build a stronger core, don't stop at doing just crunches.  Mix it up with a variety of ab workouts; regular crunches, bicycle crunches, six inches, flutter kicks, and planks are also really good at strengthening core muscles.


I started out running a normal IST, trying to get my run time under 14:30, crunches above 50 and flexed arm hang of 70 seconds.  I realized that doing other workouts in between was helping me improve in every area.  SSgt Verduce and Sgt Hall have me doing assisted pull-ups to help with my flexed arm hang now.  I have noticed a major difference in my performance in the past few weeks.  My run time is improving, i have increased my hang time, and added about 20 crunches since i started.


I am still not where i want to be, but i will get there.  If i didn't attend pt every day i know that i wouldn't be anywhere near prepared when my ship date comes around.  I would advise making it easier on yourself and start working out now.  It will help physically and mentally.

Prospective Marines

It’s not a matter of whether you are smart enough or strong enough to be a marine; it’s a matter of having the drive to push yourself to be what it takes, to give your all, and to earn the title of being the best.  Your determination; or lack thereof, is your primary obstacle.


Ask yourself, “How bad do I want to be a Marine?” before you discourage yourself with “I won’t be able to pass the ASVAB,” or “I can’t do one chin-up let alone 20!”  If you are determined to be the best, you will be.  All you have to do is keep your head in the game.  Study! Work out! Mainly, don’t quit and don’t let others dissuade you.  The decision is ultimately yours.


Are you ready to take a stand? To serve your country? To acquire a sense of belonging?  Are you looking for adventure and travel? To be someone others look to in times of need? Or do you just want to be the best?  Life is about taking chances and challenging your self to be better.  Challenge yourself to overcome the fear of enlisting.  Recruiters are there to help you make a decision, not pressure you into joining.  Speak with one to find out what your options are before you deny yourself the great opportunity of being a marine.  You may find that many of the circulating stereotypes are nothing more than rumors. 


It took a lot of courage for me to walk into my first interview.  I was being overwhelmed by the negativity coming from family and friends about the Marine Corps.  Everyone kept saying “The Marines? Why the Marines? You don’t want to do that… it will be too hard.”  So I asked myself, “Do I really want it to be easy?”  I would have no sense of accomplishment if it was just handed to me. 


Aside from the challenges I would be faced with, everyone kept stressing that “everyone who comes out of the Marine Corps is crazy, or has issues” and “Marines are the first to fight, so that means they are the first to die.”  Everyone was trying to scare me out of choosing the Marines.  They wanted me to choose a branch that would be safe.


But what is more safe than being surrounded by other marines, who you have learned to call brothers and sisters, who are the most effective, feared, and respected group of men and women, and who would risk their own life to try and save yours?  You want me to be safe, where I will have people I can depend on.  Then there is only one branch to choose, the United States Marine Corps.

Entering the DEP - Keeping Motivated

Before i enlisted in the Marines i thought that i was fairly active and in good shape.  When i ran that first IST though, i realized i would never make it through basic training as i was... i definitely needed to step it up, especially with running.  Even though it isn't mandatory for me, i go to the office every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for PT and still feel like i need to be doing more.  My biggest worry right now isn't the DI, isn't being away from home, but getting to boot camp and failing.


I look forward to PT everyday.  Sgt Hall, along with all the other recruiters in the office, is really good about keeping me motivated and making me push myself.  The work outs are challenging, but i know they will benefit me in the end.  Every day we do something different, working a different muscle group.  It is never easy, and for the first few weeks i would go home with every muscle in my body hurting.


My biggest piece of advice to everyone is DO NOT GIVE UP.  I know i felt like i wouldn't be able to finish a work out, or i would tell myself i made the wrong decision by enlisting.  But i also know that sticking it out and earning that title, Marine, it will be a great feeling, and it will make up for every second of pain and exhaustion.  I look forward to that sense of accomplishment that will come with graduating basic training, and that's what keeps me going and keeps me pushing myself to be better.  So far, its paid off.  I have gotten my run time down under 14 mins, my crunches up to 60+, and my arm hang is 50+ seconds.


It is hard to keep myself motivated, but i don't give up, and don't beat myself up because i know i should be doing better.  Keep a positive attitude towards everything and set yourself goals, even if they are small.  Aim for getting one more pull up this time, or even just 5 seconds faster on the run.  If you tell yourself you can do it, you will.

The First Step - MEPS

20100902 – My phone vibrated with an unrecognized number highlighted on the screen. Today was the first day I actually sat down with Sgt Hall and discussed my options and possible opportunities that awaited me in the Marine Corps.

20100914 – I have been speaking with SSgt Verduce and Sgt Hall for a week and a half.  I have been going back and forth between wondering if this is what I really wanted to do or whether I need more time to decide.  Knowing that I have been delaying far too long, I call up Sgt Hall and tell him, “I want to be a Marine”. 

20100915 – Getting up at 0400 isn’t what I had in mind, but it was no surprise.  To make it even better, the food on the breakfast buffet was cold.  The day just kept getting worse.  Between the physical exams and sitting around all day, I couldn’t decide what was worse; the embarrassment of having to try and balance while doing the duck walk, or the bore of sitting around waiting for everyone else all day.  Then the ceremony came… and it made up for everything else.

“I, Jessica Adele Edmiston, do solemnly swear
that I will support and defend the Constitution
of the United States,against all enemies, foreign
and domestic, that I will bear true faith, and
allegiance to the same, and that I will obey the

orders, of the President of the United States and
the orders of the officers appointed over me,
according to regulations and the Uniform Code of
Military Justice so help me God.”

Now I am high on life! I just got sworn in and now I am ready to go… boot camp here I come!  Well, not quite yet.  There are a few things I still need to take care of before I will be ready.  I want to be as prepared as possible, physically and mentally.  Its time to start going to pt and deciding what I want my career to be. There is so much work to be done before shipping out to the island.

Making My Decision

It only took one time hanging from that chin up bar for me to know I was ready to change my life.  It was something I never considered before, but once I said those words “I want to be a Marine”... I knew right then, it was the best decision I ever made….

I had always wanted to join the Air Force, mainly because I wanted to be a jet pilot (height and speed.. my two favorite things.)  But then again, I was always going to be an astronaut, veterinarian, and actress too.  Being a US Marine was never part of the game plan. 

I met SSgt. Verduce at the Hookstown Fair, where him and a few other marines where scouting out possible recruits.  At first I was hesitant to even walk up to the tent, knowing how all recruiters act like vultures.  I didn’t plan on joining the Marines, or any other branch for that matter.  I just wanted to see how long I could hang from that chin up bar, I wanted that 70 seconds, I wanted that shirt!  I was going to pass it up though, so I didn’t have to give the recruiters my information. I didn’t want them to contact me.  But that bar kept calling to me.

I wasn’t able to hold the flexed arm hang for the full 70 seconds, but I wasn’t going to give up that easily either.  So I came back the next day and tried again.  Still, no 70 seconds hang.  That feeling I got, however, from just getting back up on that bar… it was a feeling I knew from somewhere… and it was a good feeling, and it sparked something inside. 

I decided to give SSgt my phone number so we could set something up where I could get information.  At first I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do… I just wanted options.  I was surprised at how quickly SSgt called me.  I got a message during my lunch break, so I called and scheduled to go to the office right after work that day.  SSgt Verduce set me up with one of his recruiters, Sgt Hall.  Even though Sgt Hall made the Corps sound like the place to be, I was still hesitant.  There are so many negative feeling towards the Marines from people I have known my whole life, I was skeptical. I didn’t want to disappoint my parents, and I didn’t want to come out “changed”.

However, within just one week of meeting with Sgt Hall, I knew what my decision was.  Seeing how passionate he and SSgt Verduce are about the Marine Corps, was evidence enough for me. I was going to be one of the few and one of the proud.  The words felt perfect as I said them, and they are the most meaningful 8 words that I have said in my 20 years, “SGT HALL, I WANT TO BE A MARINE”