T-8 (July 22)

T-8 (July 22)

Although some parents have posted that their recruit has already had their wisdom teeth extracted, one source says that actual dental work usually takes place during training weeks 5-8. It will be interesting to find out when Jeremiah's wisdom teeth are extracted.

Today Bayonet Techniques/Pugil Sticks I is on the Matrix. Classroom sessions will cover Marine Corps history between 1898 and 1940 (Spanish-American War to WWII). According to Lisa Tingle, who is the Charlie Company Leader on the Facebook Group - Charlie Co MCRD San Diego (Official MarineParents.com Group), "This is particularly interesting as it includes the Battle at Belleau Wood. This battlefield lies between Paris and Reims and is where the term "Devil Dog" was coined. As the American overall commander, U.S. Army General “Black Jack” Pershing, put it "The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle!" To learn more about the Battle of Belleau Wood:
http://www.marines.com/history-heritage/timeline"

She also says they will be learning the Code of Conduct, the Marine mission and organization, honor and leadership. 

It sounds like each day there is a mixture of physical and classroom activity.  It gives me peace of mind to know the DIs are taking care of the recruits.  In another Facebook group, parents are posting bits and pieces of letters from their recruits.  I've heard the recruits get up at 4:00 am and are done with training by 5:00 pm, in bed by 8:00 pm.  For my night owl, that's a definite change of pace!  Some of the recruits are loving boot camp, but most seem to find it hard. Others say life sucks.  I'm sure they'll all feel the rewards of their efforts by the time they are done.  

On the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Facebook page, I found something interesting today. It happened two days after Jeremiah arrived. He didn't write about it, so he probably didn't even know this happened. Here's the post from the site:

Lester Tenney Visit - 

Bataan Death March Survivor

Lester Tenney, World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, was invited to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to tour the installation and see how today's Marines are made, July 8. Tenney served with the National Guard in the Philippines during World War II and was captured at Bataan by the Japanese. He is one of the last remaining survivors of the Bataan Death March, where 60,000 to 80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war marched over 60 miles to a prison camp. The arduous journey was made with little to no food or water, extremely hot weather and the constant threat of death if one stopped moving. Roughly 5,000 to 10,000 died while trying to make the trip. Over the years, thousands more of the death march survivors died at the prison camp due to starvation or disease.

Lester Tenney, World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, inspects the armory of the Command Museum at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 8.

Lester Tenney, World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, examines the ribbon and medal displays in the Command Museum at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 8.

Lester Tenney, World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, looks at the World War II Prisoner of War display in the Command Museum at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 8. 

Lester Tenney, World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, examines the Marine Corps’ historical service weapons at the Command Museum at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 8. 

Lester Tenney (right), World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, explains the intolerable conditions of his treatment as a Japanese prisoner of war to Mike Lee, executive director, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Museum Foundation, at the Command Museum at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 8.

Lester Tenney, World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, watches recruits march at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 8. 

Lester Tenney, World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, is brought to the infamous yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 8. 

Lester Tenney, World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, inspects the drill instructor monument at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 8.

Marines of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego have lunch with Lester Tenney (left), World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 8.

Lester Tenney (left), World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, and his wife Betty Tenney (right) talk to Marines of Marines Corps Recruit Depot San Diego during a lunch session at the depot, July 8. The Marines had the opportunity to hear Tenney’s story and ask his questions about his experience as a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II. 

arines and Museum Foundation members of the depot take a group shot with Lester Tenney (center right), World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, and his wife Betty Tenney (center left) at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 8.