T-5 (July 18)

T-5 (July 18)

Saturday, July 18th, the recruits were scheduled for a 2 mile ability run/bases according to the Matrix. Of course, we have to still get more detailed information from other sources.  According to other sources, they start early in the morning for the ability run. Since running is a way of life for Marines, I bet Jeremiah doesn't ever tell me again "I'm not a runner" like he did about a year or two ago.

It looks like the recruits have book learning to do as well as the physical training they go through each day. Those are called CVGD (Core Values Guided Discussion) session. T-5 has Ethical Decision Making and UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) paired with NJP (Non-Judicial Punishment).

Much of the information I am getting regarding Jeremiah's Journey has been posted on Facebook by people that have Marines for children or are Marines themselves. They may be volunteers to help support the families of the recruits so give information as to what is going on with their sons or daughters. Since Jeremiah is at MCRD San Diego, all the recruits are men that live west of the Mississippi.

One such person (Lisa Tingle, whose posts I shared earlier in this blog) talks about the recruits starting to doubt their decision at this point and hitting "THE WALL." She talks about sending encouraging letters, and a bunch were sent today for Jeremiah. I'd been going to bundle them all into one larger envelope, but parents have been cautioned against doing anything to bring unwanted attention to their recruit...including sending anything other than a #10 white envelope...and don't you dare decorate it. So, we're crossing our fingers that Jeremiah's Drill Instructors (DIs) don't make a big deal about the fact that his little sister, Hope, who is five-years-old, painted him a picture using pink puff paint. Pink's her favorite color, so obviously Jeremiah must love pink too. ;-)

Jeremiah's letters were mailed on July 17th, so it will be interesting to see how long they take to get to him. However, we received two on July 18th that were postmarked July 15th, so the lag seems to be 3-4 days. Weekends will likely be longer.  He wrote one the second day of training to let me know that he accidentally called HIS cell phone rather than mine when he got to San Diego. So, we all got to listen to the voicemail that he'd left. He was speaking loudly (practically shouting into the phone) and his voice sounded like his throat was sore from shouting. The other letter wasn't dated but said he was "having it kind of hard." He said he could receive protein bars (a couple at a time) and he asked for addresses for the family and his priest quorum.  It was so good to see an actual letter! Joe went right out and bought a box of six protein bars.  I'm going to send all of them, so hopefully it isn't too many at once...

I found something online that gives information about one of Jeremiah's DIs. Gotta love the internet and the information it can provide. :-)

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego with Jose Romero and 2 others

July 18, 2015 at 8:21am · 

DI SPOTLIGHT

Approximately 550 Marines have the massive responsibility to shape more than 16,000 recruits who come to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego annually into basically trained United States Marines. Drill instructors are entrusted with sustaining a more than 239-year legacy of transforming recruits into the next generation of Marines. Get to know one of the Corps finest.

Name: Sgt. Wyland I. Leopold
Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion
Joined the Marine Corps in January 2006
Became a DI in September 2014
Military Occupational Specialty: mortarman
Hometown: Wahiawa, Hawaii

"I joined the Marine Corps to travel, see the world and serve my country,” said Leopold. “I became a drill instructor because I love the Marine Corps and wanted to see the legacy carried on.”