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!
Marines in Action
Special forces unit from Indonesia Marine Corps in rapid response attack simulation. (Surabaya, 15 November 2006) Photograph by Mbahji (Deviant Art)
20101122
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!!
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!!
20101118
RSS Beaver PT Pictures
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.
20101116
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.
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!
20101112
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.
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.
20101110
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! “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 |
20101108
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.
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.
20101102
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.
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.
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