T-17 (August 1)

T-17 (August 1)

Initial Drill was today.  The recruits have been working up to this since they started boot camp!

According to the Recruit Parents website, this is what it means to have initial drill.

USMC Photo

All Marines practice drill during recruit
training, but the Marine Corps Silent Drill
Platoon is a national symbol and the epitome
of close order drill. The Silent Drill Platoon
represents the Marine Corps performing
precise rifle drill for audiences across
America. The handpicked Marines of the
Silent Drill Platoon exemplify Marine Corps
discipline and skill.

Initial Drill Evaluation

The Initial Drill Evaluation tests each platoon’s ability to listen to the orders of its Drill Instructor at this point in training, and is a demonstration of the unit’s degree of discipline and esprit de corps. Drill is used as one of the first methods of transforming these recruits from civilians into Marines, and plays a large part on their development of teamwork and unit cohesion.

The object of close order drill is to teach Marines, through exercise, to obey orders immediately and in the correct manner. Close order drill is one foundation of discipline and esprit de corps. Additionally, it has long been, and remains, one of the finest methods for developing confidence and troop-leadership abilities in lower-ranking Marines.

Above information found on the Parris Island web site, September, 2009.

Jeremiah was looking forward to this and desperately wants his platoon to win so he can have a five-minute phone call home.  The thing is, every platoon wants to win.  That said, I hope Platoon 1054 wins because I would like to talk to him.  It's been nearly a month since he left.  Snail mail just isn't effective in some aspects.  Although, I must say, I like checking the mail on Thursdays more now.

When the recruits aren't drilling today, I'm sure they'll be in the classroom.  Looks like they'll be studying Marine Corps history in the post-Korea and Vietnam periods, 1954-1975.  They'll learn about technology starting to play a bigger role in how warfare would be conducted.

Corps Values will also be studied.  Core Values Group Discussion (CVGD) talks about hazing and suicide prevention.  They will learn about positive ways to support each other and that hazing does NOT fit in with the Marine's Core Values.  Since Jeremiah has endured bullies in the past, I'm sure he will be glad that hazing is not part of the Marine Corps and likely already has positive ways to support his platoon.  I do know he prays for them, which is the best way to start.