Letters from Boot Camp - Episode 2

Here is the latest installment of excerpts from David's letters - just received yesterday, but written March 13.

This week has been pretty crazy! Yesterday we were at the pool half of the day doing our swim qualifications. I passed everything, no problem. I actually had fun in the pool, it was a good change of pace from our normal activities. So swimming is done for me, but some of our guys failed and have two more days to qualify or else they get dropped back to Echo Company. Today was pretty nuts. We did all of the high obstacles. Two of the harder ones we did were The Slide for Life and the Stairway to Heaven. You should look them up on YouTube. Mom, I'm sure you would love to do these obstacles, LOL! (Note: I'm terrified of heights. Here is a YouTube link to Recruit Training - Week 4.) 

We had initial drill on Sunday, which is a really big deal. We got 4th place but our Senior Drill Instructor thought we did really well and thought we should have gotten 1st or 2nd place. The Day before that, to motivate us for initial drill, they had the Commandants Own Drum and Bugel Corps along with the Silent Drill Platoon put on a show for us on the Parade Deck. It was awesome!

Being here is still kind of sureal for me, but it is starting to kick in that I am going to become a United States Marine, and it's a great feeling. Sometimes at night I have dreams that I am back at home hanging out with all of my friends and then I wake up in my rack and it takes me a few minutes to realize where I am. The first time it happened I was soooo confused for like 5 minutes until I realized it was all a dream and then I got pissed for a few minutes, LOL! But I'm all good - you don't need to worry about me :)

By the time you get this letter I will most likely be up at Camp Pendleton. We leave on Saturday (March 17). Now that we are officially Phase 2 recruits we get to unbutton our top button and blouse our boots. One step closer to the final product! It is crazy to think that in less than two weeks we will be half way done!

I've decided that the first meal I am going to have [when I am on leave] is HyVee Chinese, and the second meal is going to be El Rodeo.

So here are some things you guys can pray about for me:

1. The last prayer leader meeting we had on Tuesday night the chaplain encouraged us to start sharing the Gospel in our platoon. I have just been praying every night that God would give me that opportunity.
2. I have been sick for the last two weeks and it hasn't been too bad, but the last two days it has gotten significantly worse. I don't want to go to medical because then I will miss at least one training day.
3. Please pray for my Drill Instructors - they need it the most!

I have about a million more things I want to tell you, but it is time for me to wrap this up. Keep updating my Facebook please.

Love,

David

Company B recruits learn bayonet techniques

Some news about Bravo Company at MCRD San Diego. There are photos and they quote a recruit from Platoon 1029 - David's platoon!

Company B recruits learn bayonet techniques

Letters from Boot Camp

We have received two letters from David. In his last letter, he asked me to "keep blowing up my Facebook with updates." So here are some excerpts....

"I went to church on Sunday and it was awesome! The chaplain is a great preacher. I was chosen as a prayer leader for my platoon, which means every night we are given 5 minutes of evening devotion and I lead it. Also, every Tuesday all of the Christian prayer leaders get together for an hour and have a meeting with the chaplain. During that time we pray and read bible verses and talk about how God is working in our lives here at boot camp..."

"There are a lot of things that suck...The DIs (drill instructors) yell and spit all over your face and your tray. Every single thing that you do every single day is counted down by a DI. For example, we get 300 seconds to shower and shave, 60 seconds to go to the bathroom, 30 seconds to change our clothes, 100 seconds to make our racks. If you don't get it done on time you go to the quarterdeck at the front of the squadbay and get IT'd where you do jumping jacks and push ups for at least 5 minutes straight."

"Physical training isn't so bad. I actually enjoy doing the daily workouts. I also don't mind drill - I actually kind of like it."

"Did I mention I was given 7 shots in one day? That was by far the worst night."

"The two things I look forward to every day are chow and bed time. The chow is not all that great, but I'm always so hungry that I eat  my entire tray."

"I'm not homesick, but I do really miss junk food, my bed, girls:), and HyVee Chinese!"

"I could really use a news update - It's as if we are completely cut off from the outside world."

"Don't worry about me - things aren't so bad here. I'm actually starting to get used to it."

"Let everyone know that I would really appreciate letters from them. They have no idea how much a simple letter can lift my spirits. Also, please be praying for me and my platoon and my Drill Instructors."

 - Love, David

Note: The Marines ask us not to post the recruits addresses on Facebook or other public websites, but I am glad to email David's address to anyone who would like to send him a letter.