Location : Cleveland, OH
For our Marine, it was 10 days of boot leave followed by seven days of Recruiting Assistant leave, which meant that he was home those last seven days, but reported to the local Marine Recruiting Office to assist them in their duties. It was basically a "normal" job, in that he reported at 0900, and was home around 1700. Left the house every morning in his dress blue pants, khaki shirt, and his white hat.
He looked great. :-)
On Monday, I took him to the airport so that he could report to School of Infantry (SOI), Infantry Training Battalion, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He'll be at the school for about 9 weeks.
The training matrix for SOI can be found here.
Once he completes SOI, he will head off to more training to prepare him for Embassy duty.
SOI is a little more relaxed in that he was able to take his mobile phone and his iPod. Today, he texted me that he is settled in, has been issued his M16A4, and provided me with his new mailing address. In just a short message, you can tell that he is happy to back with the Corps.
A few thoughts/observations:
He looked great. :-)
On Monday, I took him to the airport so that he could report to School of Infantry (SOI), Infantry Training Battalion, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He'll be at the school for about 9 weeks.
The training matrix for SOI can be found here.
Once he completes SOI, he will head off to more training to prepare him for Embassy duty.
SOI is a little more relaxed in that he was able to take his mobile phone and his iPod. Today, he texted me that he is settled in, has been issued his M16A4, and provided me with his new mailing address. In just a short message, you can tell that he is happy to back with the Corps.
A few thoughts/observations:
- Seventeen days went by way too fast. Many of our evenings were spent visiting friends and family. I discovered that having a Marine is fascinating to a lot of people. It's one thing to be at university, something totally different be in the service. Many questions, many stories. Number One Son never tired of the visiting or talking.
- He left for boot camp with nothing and returned with a whole lot of "stuff." When he unpacked, such as it was, his room was full of gear. Quite a sight.
- While we lean, he stands at "parade rest."
- He lost four pounds while in boot camp and put it all back on by the time he left on Monday. No more, no less.
- When travelling by air, he is restricted to three checked bags and one carry on. There are no weight restrictions on the checked bags. His bags are locked and no one asks him to remove the locks.
- Parents, friends, and family are permitted to be with him at the gate. I was given a special "boarding pass" to accompany him to his gate. It was great to be able to spend a little more time with him before he left.
- The Marines on his flight did not travel in their service uniforms. Other than their camouflage carry on bags and their "high and tight" haircuts, if you glanced at them, you would have thought they were students.
- He is concerned with his appearance. Every evening, he went over his uniform, looking for stray threads, ironing his pants, shirt, and hat cover, polishing his shoes, belt, and buttons. It bothered him that he only had one haircut in the time he was home.
- Non-union barbers, at least in our area, do not extend a discount to servicemen. The next time he is home, we will be using a union barber shop.
- Having a happy child is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of parenting. I discovered this as I watched him, listened to him, and spent time with him. He is extremely happy with his decision and the Marine Corps.
- Twelve weeks of boot camp and Number One Son is different. He carries himself differently, is extremely respectful and polite, and has a different attitude. He seems much more confident.
Comment posted by Curt Carlson03/25/2010 08:19:32 AM
You should be very proud. Not every young person has the strength of character to become United States marine. Please thank him for his service to our country.
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