Wow, I can hardly believe that today marks two weeks! This will be a longer post I think, since I have not been able to write for several days
Thanks to you Sara for the letters and for encouraging us! You are telling us so many details of your days. The letter that came today was written 6 and 5 days ago... you fell asleep in the middle of writing. From what I can see, your 3:30am (or 0330) wake up calls are one of your favorite things and keep you energized throughout the day. (that's a joke) You asked for me to send you the training matrix so you can get an idea of what may be ahead. Good idea. Seven of my letters have been mailed, I don't know how many of Mom's and bigger little brother's, plus all the others who love you and care for you and are proud of you. Your last two letters suggested that you were missing us. Ditto! Sara, you are awesome!
Well, the computers all required significant care over the past three days. Mine had 44 files infected with a rogue antivirus malware, and other gooky evil stuff people must think up to sell cures. My antivirus software caught the arrival on mine and let me know, twice,... but could not stop the infections...! After several rounds with SpyBot and MalWareBytes all is clean and immunized so back to the blog.
Mom's computer ended up with the video card going out so there was no blogging from there...luckily I happened to have a spare in the garage so after troubleshooting, cleaning and installing, all is well on that front as of today... so all three bedrooms now have optimized, cleaned up computers... go figure! I should pay myself for doing the work! Nope... I couldn't afford me! :D
...........
And to think... Sara thought she was finished with school for awhile... She is now deep into Marine Corps History studying how since November 10, 1775, the United States Marine Corps
has served honorably and proudly. She is learning of the exceptional bravery and extraordinary sacrifices made by Marines around the world over the years at places like Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, and Khe Sanh, etc.
She is answering questions on the operations against the Barbary pirates along the "Shores of Tripoli", The war of 1812, The Mexican War (1846-1848) and the "Halls of Montezuma," Mexico City, Battles ashore and afloat in the Civil War (1861-1865), Numerous landings throughout the world, especially in the Orient and in the Caribbean.
Her Core Values Discussions go beyond Honor, Courage, and Commitment, to numerous other subjects that frame the values of the Marine Corps, i.e. leadership, Law of Land Warfare, the articles of the Code of Conduct, etc. So much to learn. So much to become. To say that these days are full is an understatement.
Being a Marine is obviously more than just proficiency in a MOS or with a rifle.
Sara's SDI (Senior Drill Instructor) gives regular "Foot Locker" discussions to reinforce each core value. To be a Marine is to do what is right, and it is during these discussions that Senior Drill Instructors start to evaluate each recruit, and to make a determination if they are taking a personal ownership of core values.
Of course, PT or Combat Conditioning, is the way of life every day.
Chow time is faster than a FedEx delivery (and I was pretty fast in my day). Sara has said, she can no longer taste the food she has to eat so fast. :(
Thanks to you Sara for the letters and for encouraging us! You are telling us so many details of your days. The letter that came today was written 6 and 5 days ago... you fell asleep in the middle of writing. From what I can see, your 3:30am (or 0330) wake up calls are one of your favorite things and keep you energized throughout the day. (that's a joke) You asked for me to send you the training matrix so you can get an idea of what may be ahead. Good idea. Seven of my letters have been mailed, I don't know how many of Mom's and bigger little brother's, plus all the others who love you and care for you and are proud of you. Your last two letters suggested that you were missing us. Ditto! Sara, you are awesome!
Well, the computers all required significant care over the past three days. Mine had 44 files infected with a rogue antivirus malware, and other gooky evil stuff people must think up to sell cures. My antivirus software caught the arrival on mine and let me know, twice,... but could not stop the infections...! After several rounds with SpyBot and MalWareBytes all is clean and immunized so back to the blog.Mom's computer ended up with the video card going out so there was no blogging from there...luckily I happened to have a spare in the garage so after troubleshooting, cleaning and installing, all is well on that front as of today... so all three bedrooms now have optimized, cleaned up computers... go figure! I should pay myself for doing the work! Nope... I couldn't afford me! :D
...........
And to think... Sara thought she was finished with school for awhile... She is now deep into Marine Corps History studying how since November 10, 1775, the United States Marine Corps
has served honorably and proudly. She is learning of the exceptional bravery and extraordinary sacrifices made by Marines around the world over the years at places like Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, and Khe Sanh, etc.She is answering questions on the operations against the Barbary pirates along the "Shores of Tripoli", The war of 1812, The Mexican War (1846-1848) and the "Halls of Montezuma," Mexico City, Battles ashore and afloat in the Civil War (1861-1865), Numerous landings throughout the world, especially in the Orient and in the Caribbean.
Her Core Values Discussions go beyond Honor, Courage, and Commitment, to numerous other subjects that frame the values of the Marine Corps, i.e. leadership, Law of Land Warfare, the articles of the Code of Conduct, etc. So much to learn. So much to become. To say that these days are full is an understatement.
Being a Marine is obviously more than just proficiency in a MOS or with a rifle.
Sara's SDI (Senior Drill Instructor) gives regular "Foot Locker" discussions to reinforce each core value. To be a Marine is to do what is right, and it is during these discussions that Senior Drill Instructors start to evaluate each recruit, and to make a determination if they are taking a personal ownership of core values.
Of course, PT or Combat Conditioning, is the way of life every day.
Chow time is faster than a FedEx delivery (and I was pretty fast in my day). Sara has said, she can no longer taste the food she has to eat so fast. :(
Parris Island Chapel
Yesterday, Sara worshipped with a Church of Christ ministry to recruits. A local minister and volunteers go on base each Sunday morning at 0800 to conduct a service for the recruits. Sara stated that that has been the highlight of her week. Maybe I will run over and volunteer one Sunday morning... what a surprise that would be! I don't know if I could handle it though! I would probably want to snatch her up and run off base for a Starbucks date.
According to the training matrix, an integral part of making, and being a Marine, is individual spiritual readiness. She is not only worshipping with others of like mind and focus, she is also learning about religious tolerance, ethical awareness, and how spiritual readiness is a part of her personal understanding and ownership of core Values.
Today was T6. More on that and her intro to Pugil Sticks today at next writing... As I wrap up this post it is 0332 for Sara and she is getting yelled out of her rack... I need to get in mine so I can function with some sense of normalcy in the morning.
Have an ... no... MAKE it an awesome day Sara!
Only one life 'Twill soon be past.
Only what's done for Christ will last.
.
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