Archive
Previous Weeks at Boot Camp
Week four begins with Quin and his brothers undergoing their initial drill. This is an evaluation to test each platoon on their ability to listen to orders and work together as a team. In order for them to be successful, they’ll need to demonstrate discipline and “espirit de corps.”
Next, Quin will undergo swim week, they say this is one of the most difficult parts of training - I know Quin to be an amazing swimmer both in a pool and the ocean, so I believe it's not going to be too difficult for him.
To learn how to survive in water, they’ll have to leap into deep water, tread in it, use issued equipment to stay afloat, and figure out how to shed heavy gear that could cause them to be pulled under water.
Week 3 - (Nov 23-Nov 29) at Boot Camp on Parris Island-THANKSGIVING
Week three is considered a breakthrough week for Quin because this is when he really begins to adjust more to the environment, stress and expectations required from boot camp.
To start week three, Quin will go through the the gas chamber, but don’t be alarmed! The gas chamber is part of a controlled training environment. This exercise teaches the recruits how to properly and confidently use their gear – in this case, a gas mask – so that if they are ever in a situation when they needed to use it, they could do so successfully and properly.
Next, to keep them physically fit, all recruits will go down the rappel tower, keep battling with pugil sticks, and will go on an 8K hike with their complete pack so that they can get used to carrying their gear for long distances and times.
Week 2 - (Nov 8-Nov 15th) at Boot Camp on Parris Island
During week 2, Quin will start learning about the fundamentals of Close Order Drill (COD), the purpose of which is to instill discipline, confidence, and “espirit de corps,” or a sense of pride for the group working together as a platoon.
Quin will also start academic classes to learn about the customs and courtesies of the Marine Corps. This includes the official motto of the Corps, “Semper Fidelis,” which means always faithful in Latin, and learning about the significance of the Marine Corps emblem, which includes an eagle, globe and anchor.
Both in and out of the classroom, Quin will continue to spend time getting to know his fellow recruits, with whom they will work closely as a team over the course of the next several months of training.
Quin continues from Week 1, the training in the MCMAP (which stands for the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, in case you’ve forgotten). The philosophy of this program is “one mind any weapon,” which means that Marines are armed with a combat mindset, and the ability to assess and act.
He’s going to have his first pugil stick battle, too, in which they spar with other recruits using padded sticks that look like giant Q-tips. These battles prepare the recruits for hand-to-hand combat, and helps build confidence when they confront challenges.
To finish the week, Quin will take part in his first big hike - there'll be plenty more of those in the coming weeks, I’m told.
Please keep writing and sending him notes, letters! Even if it’s just a sentence – It ALL matters – funny stories, describe your day, words of encouragement or phrases or motivational thoughts.
It all Makes a Difference and MATTERS - THANK YOU
Week 1 - (Nov 2-Nov 8th) at Boot Camp on Parris Island
Quin arrived on base at Parris Island late on Monday and immediately stepped into a high-pressure and stressful situation.
He was ordered to step off of the bus and onto the infamous yellow footprints, and was told,
"You are now aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island South Carolina, and you have just taken the first step toward becoming a member of the world's finest fighting force, the United States Marine Corps"
This is exactly what was said to every other recruit who landed at Parris Island for the first time.
Quin then walked through two silver doors, called hatches, which mark the symbolic threshold between Parris Island the outside world. I’m told, Quin will never walk through these doors again, as they symbolize the end of one chapter, and the beginning of the next one.
After crossing through the hatches, he went through in -processing, which consists of getting his first military haircut, uniform, and gear issue.
Quin also met a team of three or four Drill Instructors (DI), who will be with him for the duration of his time at boot camp.
These DIs will quickly become Quin’s best worst enemies, (if they aren’t already. )
Quin also receive his M-16 service rifle that he will have for the remainder of training. This is a major responsibility, and one that I hop he will take very seriously.
Week one of boot camp training, also introduced Quin to something he knows well – Martial Arts – but this is Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, also referred to as MCMAP;
(There are lots of acronyms to learn over the course of the next three months)
Lastly Quin was introduced to the Marine Corps values:
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honor
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courage
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commitment
These values are the foundation of the Corps, and define how every Marine thinks, acts and fights. They mentioned that Quin will be required to demonstrate these values throughout his boot camp.
Fun Fact: November 10, 1775 –
(actually founded before the United States declared its independence),
The Marines were established.
That was the day when the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines with the following decree:
"That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, two majors and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of privates as with other battalions, that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve for and during the present war with Great Britain and the Colonies; unless dismissed by Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalions of Marines."