Marines in Action

Marines in Action
Special forces unit from Indonesia Marine Corps in rapid response attack simulation. (Surabaya, 15 November 2006) Photograph by Mbahji (Deviant Art)

20101227

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