T-6 (July 20)

T-6 (July 20)

It's the start of the second week of training for Jeremiah. He gets to set up a bank account this week, so he'll finally realize that he's getting paid to do this.  They didn't pay him as a Poolee to get ready for boot camp. I bet he's glad that he put the time in, though.

According to a couple different sources, this week they will be introduced to Bayonet Assault Course and "Pugil Sticks." The Pugil Sticks simulate a rifle and bayonet in close-quarters combat techniques.  I don't imagine they are very soft after seeing some videos about this course.  I kind of hope that some of this will remind Jeremiah of doing stuff with his brothers and fellow boy scouts.  Maybe this will be more fun for him than running and running and sprinting and marching...

Today the Matrix has "sprints" down for an activity, so he will still have to run. Another source says that today specifically has things like Battlefield First Aid and Customs and Courtesies of the Marine Corps (basically practice saluting with and without a rifle) as well as interior guard instruction.  I had no idea what an "interior guard" does, so I looked it up.  According to a student handout that I found online there are different types of guards. Their types and duties are as follows:

Types/Purpose of Guard Types of Guard Depending on their mission, guard forces are organized into many different forms. In the Marine Corps, the three main types of guards are: • Exterior guard: Established in combat or other hostile zones. • Ship’s detachment: Maintained for three primary purposes • Guarding nuclear weapons. • To provide security vessels from internal and external threats. • Ceremonial duties. • Interior guard: A commander details this guard to preserve order, protect property, and enforce regulations within the jurisdiction of the command. Purpose of Interior Guard The establishment of an interior guard is a command decision authorized to the commanding officer of a ship, regiment/group or higher, and separate/detached units. All other commanders may establish special guards when necessary. Three primary purposes for an interior guard are to: • Preserve order. • Protect property. • Enforce regulations.

In some posts by parents, recruits are starting to have their wisdom teeth extracted. Jeremiah went into boot camp with all four, so he will likely have them out soon if they haven't been removed already.  After the extraction, I believe he gets bed rest for the rest of the day, possibly even 48 hours, then light duty for another day before returning to a full day's training.  I guess we'll find out soon what happened.

I've been warned that I could get a letter saying he's ill this week. I haven't received such a letter, but since they get a bunch of vaccinations and recruits are coming from all over, it wouldn't surprise me.  Posts have been made on Facebook about a recruit being diagnosed with cellulitis the first week, so his graduation has already been postponed.  Another mother posted that her son had been on bed rest for a swollen ankle, and a girlfriend posted that her recruit is ill but doesn't want to go to the medical building.  All these young men just want to graduate and become Marines.  I just hope that the bronchitis he had in May doesn't come back.  He'd hate to have his graduation delayed.

73 days to graduation!