Brian Meyette's USMC Boot Camp Diary
To read the entire story in one file, go to main BOOT CAMP DIARY
PHASE I
WED 10/9
The DIs played a few little games last night and this morning. I got yelled at a couple times, but it was no big deal. My act is pretty much together. After breakfast, we did our initial inventory PFT, Physical Fitness Test. I did 5 pullups, 47 situps, and ran 1.5 mile in 10 minutes flat. I had several DIs come up to me and check on how I did, including the company Chief DI, GySgt McKenzie. Everyone's watching me and expecting me to perform. I’m much older than all the DIs, and nearly as old as most of the other recruits’ parents. It's no sweat.
We had a military customs class, then lunch, then UCMJ class, then dinner. After dinner, we put name stamps on more of our uniforms. We had a little free time, including shower and prep for the next day. Then it was time for hygiene inspection and lights out. As a squad leader, I've gotten yelled at a couple times for mis-hearing or not hearing a marching command. These DIs, Sgts DeMarco, Morris, and Groomes, aren't super loud calling cadence, and the noise level here is terrific. San Diego International Airport is about 100 yards away. The RUNWAY is that far away.
I think it must be rather tough for the DIs to have to gear up for their "act"; they're probably pretty decent guys. Sometimes (often), it's easy to see their human-ness. They're just here to teach and help us. The screaming act is just to help build discipline and to get things done quickly. As they tell us, every single thing they make us do or not do is for a specific purpose. I guess they've taken the scientific approach and weeded out all the stuff that was not found to have a specific purpose. Personally, I think the pendulum has swung the other way too far; they can't even swear or get down on anyone too much. I've even noticed them checking a watch when they're "bending" someone (making them do exercises for screwing up). I think they must have a time limit of how long they can bend someone. One big difference here, compared to Receiving Barracks, is the motivation, teamwork, and camaraderie, both in the platoon and with the more seasoned recruits. Tonight, the DIs kept threatening us and telling us tomorrow is PAY DAY for all of our screwups today. They both have funny speech idiosynchracies. We get lots of "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 - YOU ARE DONE!" Sgt DeMarco says everything twice to help sink it into some of the blockheads here. They never swear, though. Everything is our "little this" and "little that". Sgt Morris uses "dog-gone" and "I believe" a lot. I can't imagine how people find this unbearable. I can think of lots of worse things, including USMC boot camp in years past.
Most of the DIs here only have one or two ribbons. When I went through Air Force basic training during the Vietnam era, the DIs had lots of ribbons. Another difference between the Marine Corps and the Air Force, so far, is that they're not as concerned with precision in our gear as they are with moving fast. In Air Force Basic Training, all of our gear always had to be in a precise position. Here, when they scream that we've got 10 seconds to get our clothes off, fold them neatly as shown, and get on line (stand in front of the racks [(beds]), I've quickly learned to forget folding appearances and just throw the stuff down and get on line fast, because that's all they're really looking for, at least for now. I've had very little chance to write lately. I'm writing now after lights out from the light shining in the window. I'm getting a sore throat from so much screaming. They scream at us constantly and make us scream back.
THUR 10/10
We had a PT (Physical Training) class after breakfast, then PT stretching instruction. The guide wasn't moving fast enough, so Sgt DeMarco put me in as guide. It was very difficult. I couldn't hear the DI at all while marching, because of the noise level and because when I'm in front of the front row, I'm just that much further from the DI. The DI marches along about 3/4 of the way back in the platoon formation. I had a hard time of it. I didn't get chewed out, though. After PT, we went back to the barracks. Sgt Morris questioned me about why I was guide. He seems to very actively not want me in a leadership role. I don't know if he's afraid I'll be too hard to control, or what. Later on, Sgt DeMarco said he was giving the original guide another chance, so I was out. I think Sgt Morris put a bug in his ear. Sgt Morris is on me the most. He doesn't seem to be very bright. He said he used to be in the Army.
We had a rather successful morning cleanup. We did some drill, then we went to a flag etiquette class. A lot of these morons pronounce the "p" and "s" in "Corps" when they're reading out loud in class. Then we got haircuts for $1.65. We were ordered to borrow a chit if necessary. After lunch, we had a USMC history class, then we got our rifles and had a rifle class. A new DI joined us. I like the way he marches us. We had drill practice and learned some new moves. Then we went back to the barracks. Tomorrow's PT will be the obstacle course and a 1.5 mile run. No big deal. Today's PT was just stretching exercises.
FRI 10/11
We had our first day of real PT right after breakfast. We did our stretching exercises, then ran the obstacle course. I was first through the course, and did miserably on the climb over the bars, the wall, and climbing the rope. The company Chief DI was right there beside me all the way through, keeping a close eye on me. My performance wasn't very impressive. Then we did a 1.5 mile run, which was very easy. After the run, Sgt Groomes fired me as 1st squad leader for not keeping the guide in line as we marched. He also yelled at me for looking to the left. The DI marching us said we'd go to quick time, and we didn't, so I was confused, and I looked over at him to see what was going on. We went back to our gear, and I got back in line where my gear was (at the head of 1st squad). I asked Sgt Groomes if the private (I) was to remain in position with my gear, or return to the rear. He screamed at me to shut up, so I took that as meaning to stay up front. Earlier, I was in the rear of the formation getting people straightened out after the obstacle course. Sgt Morris screamed at me to get up front. Then Sgt Groomes came by and screamed at me for being up front and not following orders by supervising the squad. I told him I was following Sgt Morris' order to get up front. He screamed at me to shut up and threatened me and my job again. As I went back to the rear, I saw Sgt Morris shaking his head and telling Sgt Groomes to leave me alone, as I wasn't out of line.
When we got back to the barracks, we had 5 minutes to shower and change. I was first, as usual, and yelling for everyone else to hurry up. I don't know if Sgt Groomes noticed. Then we had a class on Interior Guard put on by Sgt Morris. I thought it was a very poor, confused, disjointed presentation. It was the worst class I’ve seen here. I suspect this is his first platoon as a Drill Instructor, and he’s definitely not the brightest candle on the cake. At lunch, Sgt Groomes was hassling the guy in front of me doing turns and pivots in the chow hall, sneering at him. Then I did mine and he watched me like a hawk, trying to find something to get on my case about, but he couldn't find anything. Sgt Morris watches me all the time, too. He rarely finds anything legitimate to bitch about. We had lunch, then I got bent awhile by Sgt Morris. I got bent awhile before lunch, too. No real reason, other than failing to get over the wall during the obstacle course. The second bending session was easier, but Sgt Morris was screaming like a maniac. Then Sgt Groomes came in and freaked out over it, like I'd just been convicted of killing his mother or something. He started screaming and throwing foot lockers around, and almost broke my glasses laying on the floor. Our new DI is Sgt Orlovsky. He seems like a real nice guy. Sgt Morris acts like we're his first platoon. I think he must be very insecure about me, which is why he’s so against me being in a leadership billet (job). I know this is Sgt Groomes' first platoon as a Senior DI. Sgt DeMarco went to Platoon 1110 for some reason.
I got bent again after dinner just for GP, along with the guide and the other squad leaders. Sgt Morris claimed we let people talk. I requested that he specify when we let them talk, and he screamed at me to shut up. We had drill after dinner, then one hour of "free time", consisting of a frantic shave, shower, and squaring away our gear.
SAT 10/12
We had rifle disassembly class right after breakfast. Some of these recruits are incredibly stupid and ill-disciplined. Then we had a PT session. It was longer than yesterday's. We did stretching exercises, then we went through the circuit course, which consisted of low duration, high intensity exercises. Then we had a 1.5 mile run, then a couple sprints. Then we went to lunch.
Sgt Groomes fired me at lunch. He said I wasn't monitoring the squad's pivots and I was looking ahead. How strange for the position of attention! The last time I was fired, it was for NOT looking ahead. He sent me to the back of the squad, and put someone else up front. Oh well; at least I won't have to do the "squad leader bend" tonight.
We had another rifle class, this one on cleaning, after lunch. That was followed by a class on the operation of the rifle. Most of the time (99%), I just don't even have the chance to think about anything but what I'm doing right here, with a DI right on my ass screaming that I've got 5 more seconds to get something done.
My shoulders and upper body are sore from this morning's PT. I always do quite well on the runs. I don't even breathe hard. Toward the end of them, I'm acclimated enough so that I'm breathing through my nose. I did well on the sprints, too. There were only a couple people ahead of me at the end. I passed a lot of people, including most of the DIs and the Assistant Commander, who said "good going, Meyette!" as I blew by him.
I'm very visible and well known here. The only time I can write in my diary is pauses in classes. The rest of the time, we're humping to get somewhere or to do something. There's zero free time other than the shower period. Even that is timed, rushed, and no talking. Tomorrow is Sunday. Hopefully, maybe we'll get a little free time. I think we get to clean our clothes. I hope so. There's no time or place to do anything with dirty underwear, socks, and towels, so they just get stuffed damp and funky into the footlocker every day. Each day (the night before) I pick out what stinks the least. The rifle class instructor has a nice interesting delivery technique, relating all the parts of the rifle to sexual organs. Then we had some more drill, then chow.
As usual, we got lots of camaraderie and encouragement at chow from guys pulling KP. As it turned out, the DIs didn't make any squad leader bend last night; only the screwups. The reason was because Sgt Orlovsky was on duty tonight. He's tough, but fair. He only yells or makes people bend if they screw up, not as a matter of course. Sgt Groomes acts more like a DI than a Senior DI. Supposedly, the Seniors are more calm, controlled, and "fatherly", and let the Juniors do the heavy screaming. Sgt Groomes is always pissed off and always screaming.
SUN 10/13
We got up at 0600 and did morning cleanup. We worked on our laundry after breakfast. Everything is done primitive style. All laundry is done by hand. We don't have any brooms or mops to clean the floors. We use towels called deck towels. One private lays on the floor, rigid, and another private pulls him around by his ankles. For our stamp pads, we drip ink onto a Q- tip, then rub the Q-tip onto the stamp (while being screamed at to hurry up). I bought a real stamp pad when we made our PX call, though. It is much nicer. I've lent it out to a few people. I guess part of the reason for the primitiveness and driving us is to better prepare us for combat conditions, where they don't have washing machines and pay phones.
I wrote a couple letters to my sister, Brenda and my wife, Chris. Then we went to lunch and had drill practice. A couple squad leaders, the guide, and a few others got bent a long time. We had inter-platoon PT contests. I did sprints. We came in second. Sgt Morris tried not to let on, but I could see he was pleased.
Then we did drill and had a class on spit polishing boots. I made a big boo boo. I used the proper introductory wording to the DI, Sgt Morris, asking permission for “the recruit” to speak and all that, but then I said my boots "look like shit" after working on them awhile. All the other recruits looked shocked. Sgt Morris came unglued, and bent me a long, long time. When he was done, I said "no disrespect intended, sir", and he got even madder and bent me again. Then he had me bring my boots up to the front of the class, and he said some mumbo jumbo about "not the polish". I asked him if he meant I was using insufficient polish, and he got mad all over again at me for using big words on him. Then later in formation, he screamed at me for making a move wrong when I had made it right. I tried to say I did it right, but he just screamed at me to shut up, so I said "yes sir". We had more boot polishing after dinner, followed by cleanup and square-away time.
MON 10/14
We had a long squad leader bending session last night and again this morning. Sgt Morris bent a bunch of people this morning for not doing stuff right. The new 4th squad leader is a total dipshit. He can't march, has no bearing, and is always the last one to arrive at cleanup. Then he just stands around saying nothing. I'll talk to Sgt Groomes later today when he comes in, and tell him I want my job back. Both that squad leader and the guide have "the Marine Corps poster" look that apparently turns Sgt Groomes on. After breakfast, we had a long free time period. It is a beautiful day. Except for a couple rainy days about a week ago, every day here has been good weather.
TUE 10/15
I had a dental appointment after breakfast and morning cleanup. Things kind of suck and I miss Chris, but I usually just don't think about it, and keep doing my daily routines. Yesterday, some privates were talking about all the drugs they had done. One said he denied everything and the others admitted to breaking down at the "moment of truth". They also told me about a phone in the building I didn't know about. I wish I still didn't know about it. It's really tempting to think of calling Chris some night, but I'd be dead meat if I got caught. Plus it just wouldn't be right to go against our orders.
One guy, MacDonald, is a real screw-off. He's been trying to get out since he got here. In receiving barracks, he was talking about flunking something (I forget what). He's been telling the DIs he has double vision. I think he's getting out. Good riddance! I wish they'd let anyone leave who wants to. That would get rid of the deadbeats. I would NEVER quit, no matter what. I'm just PRAYING for Recon. There, it will be just top of the line, highly motivated, serious people, not these incompetent bozos I’m stuck with here.
After lunch, we had a History of the USMC class, then PT. It was very hot today, with Santa Ana winds. Because of the Santa Ana winds, the planes at the airport were taking off and landing from west to east. Just as PT was starting, I got a message to go to the Personnel Office. When I got there, I had to sign some papers for married BAQ and an allotment for Chris. I ran about a mile to and from the Personnel Office, and did pullups and situps on my own back at the squadbay.
Sgt Groomes came in, but then left again before I could talk to him about a leadership position. So I told Sgt Morris. As I could have anticipated, he just screamed at me to shut up and said I'd have to earn it first. Then he started giving me a hard time about not making it over the wall back when we did the Obstacle Course. He also called me a run drop. I started to protest that I LEAD the runs, and I'm certainly not a run drop, but he screamed at me to shut up. I heard that the guide was a run drop yesterday. He looks pretty fit, but he can't run well. There are lots of people being bent all day, but not me. I'm always the first one done with things. Sgt Morris couldn't help but notice it yesterday. These guys just don't hustle. That's one of the main things, along with discipline, that the DIs are constantly trying to pound into everyone. We had drill before and after dinner.
WED 10/16
I hear there's no PT today. Also, we're supposed to get killer shots in the ass today. I got a couple nice letters from Chris last night. We did drill again last night after supper, then rifle drill in the squad bay after that. Waking up this morning was hard. It took me a few seconds to get my bearings. We all got up at 0330 to fold sheets in preparation for this morning's linen exchange. Then we went back to bed. It seems to me it would have made a lot more sense to have just done it before we went to bed. Sgt Orlovsky said he wanted it done by reveille. Oh well. I knew better than to try to suggest it.
I heard that Lindbergh Field, the San Diego Airport, has 9000 takeoffs and landings each month. I've listened to them ALL! We had first aid class after breakfast. Today is overcast and not hot. Then we had Marine Corps history classes.
I had a couple broken fillings fixed yesterday at dental. The dentist asked if I wanted Novocaine. I said "of course" and thought to myself “These Marines really are hard core if they do dental work without Novocaine!”. He did one side without it. I really didn't need it after all. It was pretty minor work.
We had four classes all morning, then a great lunch. It was ham steak, pineapple sauce, yams, and blueberry pie. There was a hot sun out after lunch, but it was accompanied by a cool breeze. Too bad it was such a great lunch, because I ate all I could. Then I found out PT would be right afterward. We went back to the barracks to change into PT gear. Everyone's PT gear is getting VERY raunchy and dirty. We keep it on separate hangers out in the hall so they don’t stink up the barracks, but the shirts in particular are very dirty and smelly. We had a practical first aid class, then PT. Sgt Groomes was there, pissed off and screaming at everyone as usual. At the run, Sgt Orlovsky got angry right away because people weren't sounding off enough, so we ran in silence, except for he and Sgt Groomes telling us how much we suck. I twisted my ankle rather badly right at the start, but I was loathe to be a run drop, so I kept going. The pain subsided some after awhile. The run was a real easy 2.5 miles. There were several run drops, including the usual losers like Castro. That guy is such a zero! I wish they'd drop him. I guess they don't like to, except as a last resort. I'd sure hate to have my life depend on someone like him.
When we got back to the barracks, we had 2 minutes to change and shower. As usual, I was one of the first ones in and out, but many others didn't make it. We were treated to a big bending session for all the screwups and run drops. Then Sgt Orlovsky got even more angry, and made everyone pull their mattress off their rack, run them to the back of the squadbay, and stack them there. The he got even more livid and made us dump our footlockers out onto the deck. The he got EVEN MORE pissed off, and told everyone to get into the showers. We were all mostly dressed from PT by then. I was fully dressed. We all figured he'd turn the showers on us, but must have cooled down, so he just told us to smarten up and get motivated and clean the place up. He sure got everyone's attention, though! So we cleaned the mess up very quickly and quietly, and went to chow.
After chow, we had drill, then a practice session on our practical knowledge, called "prac". Our prac test is next week! Hell, the end of First Phase is already in sight! My ankle was hurting and swelling more and more all day. I really hate to succumb to it, but if I continue to pretend it isn't injured, it'll only injure it more until I have a really serious injury. So I guess I'll go to sickbay tomorrow morning. I had firewatch from 0030 to 0130, which is about the worst time to have it, as I'm just falling asleep when I have to get back up. My ankle was hurting a lot when I got up for the firewatch.
I wrote letters to Mom & Dad and Chris while I was up. I got a letter from Mom & Dad tonight. Lots of people are saying how much they regret being here and that they want to go home. I wouldn't even consider quitting for a second, even if I could. One thing the firewatch is supposed to do is make sure no one goes to the windows (portholes) or the head and kills themselves. I can't imagine people finding this all that hard to take. I sure can think of lots worse situations, especially POW camp, or even old style boot camp. I still haven't talked to Sgt Groomes about a leadership billet, especially the guide. I can easily picture his reaction, but I have to do it anyway. It's hard to find the right time, and he's always so pissed off and rude. If I try to approach him about it at any time other than our free time, he just screams at me to shut up and get away from him. Sgt Morris led a prac practice session. He was in a good mood and it went well, except for a few undisciplined jokers who laughed too much at little jokes, etc. I don't think he's very bright, but he does an OK job.
THUR 10/17
Uh oh; lots of people are going to sickbay after breakfast. My ankle was very stiff and sore last night and this morning. Sgt Orlovsky was quite angry about so many recruits going to sickbay. He called us all wimps and goldbricks. Both Sgt Groomes and Sgt Morris were screaming at all of us going to sickbay, and calling us wimps and crybabies. Screw them; my ankle is all swollen up and I don't want to injure it further. I probably didn't do it any wonders by finishing the run on it. It was a comfortable overcast day. The doctor put a small cast on my ankle. He said if I'd continued to walk on it, it would have gotten worse, and I wouldn't have made it through 3rd Phase. That's exactly what I figured, and what I wanted to avoid. I told the doctor I wanted him to write up the light duty slip so I could still participate in non-running PT.
Some rebellion has been going on here lately. Yesterday at PT, Jefferson told Sgt Groomes to go to hell. Last night, Kim was told to bend, and he refused. The platoon was being bent in the pit, and Velasquez refused to join in. Then he started bending and refused to quit until Sgt Orlovsky pulled him to his feet by his shirt. Then he almost got into a fistfight with Sgt Orlovsky over it. So today, Kim, Jefferson, and Velasquez had to go see the CO about it.
I didn't get out of sickbay until lunch. Then we had our weekly haircut. They buzz the sides and back, and leave the top alone. So we can recognize the more experienced recruits by their slightly longer hair on top. Mine is starting to get soft on top now, instead of bristly. Then we went to sickbay and had killer shots in the ass. It didn't hurt too much at first, but they kept pumping in more and more stuff and it really hurt a lot. Everyone came out staggering. I got mine in the right side, the same side as my ankle injury. I figured I might as well concentrate my disabilities on one side. I really thought I was going to puke or pass out from the shot for about 15 minutes. Hours later, my whole ass aches. They say that tomorrow, it'll be even worse.
Then we had a first aid class, followed by a class on the organization of the Marine Corps, then supper. I hobble along at the end of the platoon. After supper, Sgt Groomes led us in COD, Close Order Drill, with rifles, which went fairly well. He seemed to be in a pretty decent mood. There was no mail for me at mail call. Some of these recruits get several and up to about 10 letters a day.
Sgt Groomes told us our next week's schedule. Tuesday is Phase 1 PFT, Physical Fitness Test. On Wednesday we have the Phase 1 written and practical application tests. Thursday is the initial drill review for Phase 1. On Friday, we go to Camp Pendleton for at least 3 weeks. First Phase is nearly over already!!
Sommers, the guide, has been rather rude lately; a couple times to me tonight. I want very much to ace him out of the guide's job. Maybe I can do it at Camp Pendleton. We'll see how he does in next week's testing. Sgt Morris gave me a hard time tonight about my ankle, claiming I've been on light duty since I got here. Apparently his technique is to make outrageous accusations, then scream at me to shut up when I protest, which is exactly what he did when I tried to protest. Sgt Orlovsky had a bunch of sarcastic remarks, too. Too bad I had to go to sickbay! The dipshit, stand-around, do-nothing 4th squad leader went to sickbay, too, so someone else got his job. As long as I'm on this goddamn light duty, I can't even consider being the guide or a squad leader.
FRI 10/18 T-10
My ass hurts so much I can barely move! I tried to go to PT, but Sgt Groomes wouldn't let me, so I was sent back to the house (barracks) to be a gear guard. I'm watching another platoon's graduation ceremony preparations out on the parade deck now.
All the toilets here are just open stalls, so it took me awhile to get used to taking care of "business" in public. but you just do what you have to do. It's either that, or fill up until you explode!
Kim, Jefferson, and Velasquez had to go to RAMPS, or something like that. Apparently it's a counseling and motivation session as a slap on the wrist for their insubordination. After the platoon returned from PT, they had Jefferson and MacDonald lay out all their stuff in the classroom. MacDonald's medical discharge came through. Apparently Jefferson is being discharged, too. He's the one who has a dick about a foot long and used to walk around receiving barracks swinging it around in a circle like a rope! They sent him to the mental clinic this morning for counseling.
Then we cleaned our rifles. Those returning from rifle PT must have had lots of sand in theirs. It must have been a real tough PT session with the sore asses from the killer shots. The aching in my ass now overshadows the aching in my ankle.
We had a Code of Conduct class, then lunch. After lunch we had more rifle COD. The light duty privates weren't allowed to participate, so we stood on the side and practiced the Manual of Arms. GySgt McKenzie, the company Chief DI, came by and gave us pointers and told us of the problems incurred, especially with PT, when we're on light duty. I told him I tried to go to PT this morning, but Sgt Groomes wouldn't let me. I think he was at least somewhat impressed.
Then we went to USMC history class, followed by more drill. The crips couldn't participate, so we did more Manual of Arms practice on the side. Then it was back to the classroom for a class on Office Hours (Article 15 punishment) and Court Martials. It is a nice warm day.
We went to supper. Around suppertime, I started feeling more and more feverish, with aches and chills. That's just great! No way will I go to sickbay over it, though! There are a lot of colds and coughing being passed around and around throughout the platoon. After dinner, it was back to the parade deck for more rifle COD. The crips and I stood on the side and practiced more Manual of Arms. I've sure got that stuff down pat! The platoon did well marching, apparently. The recruits were saying afterward that Sgt Orlovsky and Sgt Morris were in good moods.
There was no mail for me at mail call. 20% of the recruits get 80% of the mail. I didn't feel too bad in the evening, although I'm still extremely stiff and sore.
SAT 10/19 T-11
I was going to write some after taps, but I was exhausted and fell asleep immediately. At PT I was "gear guard", responsible for making sure no one stole anyone's dirty clothes, and for ensuring the gear was in nice straight lines. Big deal! I'm anxious to get back to PT.
The PT field is directly beside the airport runway. The noise really sucks all over MCRD, but especially on the PT field. I'm concerned about more hearing loss. I had a lot of hearing loss when I was tested at MEPS. When my hearing was tested at MCRD during processing, they didn't say how much of a loss I had, but they questioned me extensively about it, so I assume the loss was unusually high for the 18 year-olds they usually get here. So now I'm standing here watching everyone go through the circuit course. It's surprising how many privates slough off through the course and don’t give it all they can, especially the 3rd Phase privates.
After PT, we had a class on Federal Benefits. Then it was more COD for most of the afternoon. I caught some flack for carrying extra rifles and trying to do as much as possible with the platoon. All three DIs, especially Sgt Groomes and Sgt Orlovsky, were treating me like I was sub-human.
After COD, they took the platoon to the pit to thrash for not falling in fast enough. I fell in with the platoon, but they made me get out. I was pissed off and fed up with being excluded, so I started bending with the platoon, off to the side. The DIs all freaked out and started screaming at me to stop. I kept doing it, and they screamed more, so eventually I quit. Then, instead of me hearing their harassment about being a wimp and a fake, they started giving me a hard time about making my injury worse.
I've been working out on the weight machine in the barracks when the platoon has been going out to PT. That way I at least get some workout. Today they made me tag along with them to PT and COD, so I couldn't work out any. After that, we came back to the house and set up practice prac stations in the freeways (aisles between the racks) and worked on our prac.
Then I made a head call and Weary asked me in the head (toilets) why I bent with the platoon. I told him I didn’t want to be excluded and I didn’t want my ankle problem to be kicking my ass. Then we turned and saw Sgt Morris standing behind us. He started screaming and told Weary to get out. He asked me what we were talking about and I told him. He was totally freaking out, accusing me of “corrupting the minds of the other recruits with my bullshit”. This guy is PARANOID! He told me I was a zero and I probably wouldn't make it through boot camp. I just said "yes sir!" Then he called Weary into the office and closed the door. After awhile they came out, and he started bending Weary and made me watch. I started bending with Weary, and Sgt Morris started screaming for me to stop. I ignored him and continued until he had said it a few times, then I got back up off the deck. Later, Weary told me Sgt Morris had asked him what we were talking about, and Weary told him the same thing I had. If Sgt Morris is that paranoid about being able to control me, that must be why he is so adamantly opposed to me getting a leadership billet here. Then the incident was forgotten.
Several officers were in and out of the barracks, with everyone concerned about the Phase I testing next week. If we don't do well, it makes them look bad. Chief DI GySgt McKenzie came up to me and asked me if I thought I'd be able to cut it physically. I said "yes sir!", and he said "Don't let me down, Meyette". I said "No sir!", and he left. He had spoken to me a couple times on the parade deck while I was watching the platoon drill. He's always quite nice to me. I think he understands that I really want to be with the platoon in PT.
After dinner, we had another prac quiz. I know my prac pretty well; my goal is to ace it. Some of these recruits are really dumb; having questions repeated about 4 times. Velasquez and Castro are always screwing up. I wish the Corps would get rid of both of them. I remember Velasquez from the first evening here. While everyone else was at attention on the painted footprints and looking straight ahead, he was flopping his head around, flipping his hair back (it was before haircuts), and spitting on the deck. He literally acts rather retarded. He's always picking his nose.
I didn't get any mail at mail call. That sucks!
SUN 10/20 T-12
After breakfast, Sgt Morris insisted everyone must go to church. He said "everyone WILL go to church, right?", and I yelled back "No sir" while everyone else yelled "Yes sir". I yell pretty loud, so he asked who said no. I said I did. He asked if I went last week, and I said "No sir". He asked if I was an atheist, and I said "Yes sir". I knew better than to try to explain to him the difference between an atheist and an agnostic. So he said I'd be a gear guard while everyone else went to church. That was fine with me. They can't make everyone go to church, but they try to create the impression they can. I didn't want to set a bad example in front of the platoon, but I was forced to publicly declare my position. Fortunately, it didn't start a trend or set a bad example, though.
I wrote a couple letters, did my laundry, and shined my boots. Privates who are on light duty wear running shoes with their uniform to signify their light duty status. I'm quite anxious to get off light duty, so I took my ace bandage off and tried easing my boots on over the gel cast. My ankle was rather stiff and sore, but it felt close enough to normal that I thought I could carry on like that. I marched to and from lunch with the platoon with my boots on. It was a little painful, but not too bad.
After lunch, we got our rifles and fell out for COD. Then the DIs called me out of the formation and ordered me to stand gear guard in the barracks while the platoon went out to the parade deck and drilled. They have a couple recruits out there now, wearing running shoes, making nice neat rows of the canteens and knowledge books. I wanted to suggest that one of those recruits be the gear guard, so I can get some badly needed practice, but I don't like getting into arguments with the DIs. Right or wrong, they always win.
Uh oh! The platoon must not have been motivated enough during drill. They just came back with the DIs screaming at them, then they were hustled out back to "the pit" for some bending in the dirt. After the pit, they all came in here in a huge panic. They had 2 minutes to make a head call and change into PT shirts for fun and games on Sunday afternoon. Many of them were in such a tear that they didn't properly secure their weapons. So Sgt Orlovsky had me write down the names of everyone with unsecured weapons. They told me I had to stay in the house and be a gear guard for that, too. That sucked, but, again, I’ve learned it just doesn’t pay to try to disagree, argue, or reason with the DIs.
When the platoon returned from sports, they sounded like a different platoon, thunderously yelling "Yes sir" outside. Then they came in with a roar. Apparently they beat the other platoons at the games. All of them, even Sgt Groomes, were in high spirits. Then they showered and got ready for more drill.
I went up to Sgt Groomes and told him I wanted to go to drill with the rest of the platoon. He asked if my ankle was OK, and I said "Yes sir", so he just said OK - no yelling or screaming. I was surprised.
The drill went rather well, then we went back to the house to practice prac stations. I ran a station for assembly and disassembly of the M-16 rifle. I used Dill's rifle to do it. I noticed that it was kind of banged up on both ends. I asked Dill about it. He said that at one of the drill sessions I missed (lucky me!), Sgt Orlovsky had gotten so mad he had actually thrown his rifle across the deck! I was amazed. These rifles are all brand-new, unfired weapons. I also heard he kicked the rifle out of another Private's hand. Supposedly the Senior DI saw it all, too. I think if an officer had seen it, Sgt Orlovsky might have gotten in trouble for it. Maybe not. I certainly would never rat one of the DIs out for anything, no matter what, but I'm equally certain there are other crybabies here who would.
After dinner, we had a pep talk from Sgt Groomes on the upcoming Phase I test next week. He encouraged people to use the weight machine on their free time to get extra physical conditioning. I've already been doing that all along, so after his talk, during free time, there were so many people clustering around the machine I couldn't even get on it. Usually, it's just been me and a couple other recruits using it. Lytle was demonstrating the pullup kip to use momentum to make doing pullups easier. I tried it and I could only do about 3 or 4. I felt like a total wimp. I did 5 pullups in the Inventory PFT. I was worried about being able to do 60 situps, so I've been practicing them. I thought the pullups weren't going to be a problem. I really feel bad about it. If the DIs had let me do non-running PT with the platoon, my upper body would be in better shape. I've really got to start doing more extra work on it. At this rate, Recon is just a pipe dream.
In the middle of the night, we had to get up and fold up our sheets for linen exchange in the morning. I did mine before going to sleep, though. The firewatch wouldn't let us get out of the rack before 2230, so Jackson held one end in his rack and I took the other end, and we folded them vertically.
MON 10/21 T-13
I went to sickbay after breakfast. Lots of others from 1109 went also. There were many recruits in line at Podiatry. There's a "technician" here named Mr. Drew. The guy is UNREAL! He looks, acts, walks, and talks just like Quasimodo. His face looks like it was on fire and someone put the fire out with an icepick. He can barely talk at all, but he lumbers around bitching at the dumb privates for talking or not having their shoes and socks off. I'm anxious to get in and out quickly, and catch back up with the platoon in the classroom.
Last night after dinner, when I was marching back to the barracks with the platoon, everyone was doing quite well marching and we were feeling motivated. Sgt Groomes stopped calling cadence, and we practiced marching with no cadence or sounding off other than the pounding of our boots. We did quite well at it. Sgt Groomes was pleased. Still, I noticed lots of relatively minor screwups. Boots' distance was often way off. Christiansen marched swinging his arms the opposite way. That must take a lot of numb-nuts concentration. He's a classic case of extreme performance anxiety causing poor performance. Lytle impresses me; he seems like a very motivated and serious Marine.
Oh great! Just what I need - more light duty! I just found out I have to stay on light duty. When the corpsmen saw me, I asked several times to be returned to full duty. Apparently, they thought my injury was more severe than the person who saw me before did. They put me on 4 more days of light duty, with even more restrictions on what activities I am allowed to do. They also gave me some medication to help the swelling go down. I don't have a gel cast this time, but they gave me another ace bandage. They said I should have had crutches the first time, too. I wondered about it at the time, but I figured they knew what they were doing. I thought it was a doctor who saw me the first time, but apparently he is only a medical student. This sucks! It means my chances of ever being guide are now a lot less. It's lunchtime now.
After lunch, the rest of the platoon went to a class, then PT. I had to stay in the barracks as a gear guard. That's 3 classes I've missed just today alone! After PT, they all went out to do COD. I got stuck inside again doing guard duty. It really sucks missing out on everything like this. After the platoon returned from COD, we marched (I had to slime along at the back of the platoon) to dinner. It was a very good meal. We had strawberry shortcake for desert. The first meal or two I had here weren't very good, but most of them since have been quite good. Breakfast is usually the worst meal here. Now, about all I bother with for breakfast is chocolate milk, fruit, and oatmeal.
I had firewatch from 0230 to 0330. While on firewatch, I wrote letters to Aunt Bobbie, Uncle John and Aunt Becky, and Jeff Lynn. I didn't get any mail at mail call again.
TUE 10/22 T-14
When the lights came on, we had 60 seconds to be fully dressed and ready to go. I was about the only one ready when the DI said we were DONE and to GET OUT. I was the first one on the road. A few others fell in behind me, and he said "Forward, March!", and we were off with everyone else running to catch up.
After breakfast, the platoon got changed for PT. I got a bunch of flack from Sgt Orlovsky and Sgt Groomes because of my light duty waiver. Sgt Morris didn't say much about it. He just asked if I was going to be doing PT with the platoon, and I said "No sir!". I have now named the group of cripples I am with "The Slime Squad". We are the light duty privates who have to follow the platoon around several paces behind it. The DIs treat us all like slime. Sgt Groomes made all the other light duty privates but me change into PT gear and do situps and pullups. I had to be the gear guard for PT and the classes to follow PT. That sucked! I guess they figure, rightfully so, that the other privates need the classroom exposure a lot more than I do. But I hate to miss any of the classes. Being an esteemed member of the Slime Squad really sucks! I at least try to maintain perfect bearing at all times.
After PT, we had a VD class. One of the classes I missed yesterday was one about yearbooks and how to order them. I'll have to talk to Sgt Groomes about it to see what specifics I missed. We spent all afternoon doing practice prac stations. I think I'll ace both written and oral tests. Captain Kelly came through the barracks as I was practicing the fireman's carry with Strom. I did it well, and he pointed out to the others a few important points of what I had done.
Sgt Morris just bent Herman for some reason. Good! Herman's always the first to raise his hand when we are asked who doesn't know his prac very well. He and Anderson bullshit together constantly. I spoke to them a while ago, and told them to quit talking and start studying. I got a bunch of smart mouth and lame excuses in return. Later, Herman was bumbling and fumbling his way through the M16A2 function check. He said he just couldn't get it. I told him to take over the station and run it. That would help him understand it as he guided other privates through it. The next thing I knew, he was up in the classroom bending again for some reason. He got bent awhile, but not long enough. In my opinion, the DIs here don't bend anyone long enough or often enough. If I was guide, there'd be a lot more bending going on. Earlier, I was tempted to go tell Sgt Morris or Sgt Orlovsky about Herman and Anderson. Now I look at them, and they're back together again, flapping their little lips. No discipline at all!
The PFT run went pretty well. Even Castro finished in under 28 minutes. Jackson ran a 21 something, which amazed me. He's pretty chunky. He said his speed is in his blood. He's half Sioux and half some other Arizona tribe I never heard of. We've talked some. He's a pretty good recruit. He doesn't know his prac very well, but he's serious about it, and puts out an effort. He isn't one of the screwups. He was worried about getting sent to PCP (Physical Conditioning Platoon) because he only did 4 pullups. Castro only did one. What a loser he is!
Sgt Orlovsky is in a particularly savage mood this afternoon. He's bending and biting the head off anyone who speaks to him. He's probably tired of all the quitters, whiners, and screw-offs. I know I am. I keep roving around to the prac stations and telling everyone to stop talking and keep studying.
Then they stopped the prac practice and had everyone go out for COD. Sgt Orlovsky called the light duty privates (the Slime Squad) a bunch of pussies. I was upstairs being gear guard at the time, but I heard about it. I'm quite anxious to get back on full duty and get into shape. This light duty crap is really hurting my chances of getting into better shape and of getting a leadership billet. On the way to dinner, the Slime Squad got a hard time from some passing DI. He kept saying we must be the platoon's most outstanding members because we were marching separate from them. I just kept yelling back "Sir, yes sir!", saying it like it's one word.
After dinner we had yet another prac quiz. I was the only one in the whole platoon to get 100%. There was lots of stupid chattering during the test and grading. When Sgt Morris asked me how I could get 100%, even though I missed most of the classes, I said rather pointedly that it was because I studied hard and seriously at every opportunity, instead of always running my mouth and goofing off. I really wanted to get up and give a speech about how this is all serious important stuff, and it's not a game, but I knew Sgt Morris would start screaming at me to shut up. I think the DIs should put more emphasis on stressing to the recruits that this is serious business - life or death. A lot of these clowns have no idea how to do basic operational checks or disassembly/reassembly of the rifle.
Then we had mail call. No mail again!
There's lots of concern by the DIs about getting everyone through prac. If these recruits would get serious about it, they could all do it with no problem.
In hygiene inspection, the LT asked me about my ankle. He made some comment about "my warranty running out", in reference to my deteriorating condition as an "old man". I just said "Sprained ankle, sir!" and he moved on.
Later, Sgt Morris called me over, and in his "fake gruff" manner, asked me what I did when I was in the Air Force. A lot of people who hear that I was in the Air Force think I came here directly from the Air Force, until I tell them about all the stuff I've done since getting out of the Air Force 11 years ago. Then they're REALLY amazed! Anyway, Sgt Morris said what I did in the Air Force meant nothing here, and that I was just starting over. I just said "Sir, yes sir!". The more hard times I get, serious or not, the more gung-ho I get, and the more I try as hard as I possibly can to do everything as perfectly as possible. They can't help but notice my motivated sounding off and disciplined bearing.
Personally, my feeling on the prac is that anyone dumb or unmotivated enough to fail it SHOULD be set back to start the Phase over. I suppose part of the DIs job is to pump some serious motivation into the lesser ones. But I'd sure hate to have my life depend on some of these idiots' knowledge of their weapon, or of first aid to the wounded, for example.
WED 10/23 T-15
We were blasted out of the racks with notice of 60 seconds to get on the road (get dressed and form up the platoon outside the barracks). Actually, I think Sgt Morris gave us more than 60 seconds. I had plenty of time, and I was working on getting my rack made when he yelled that time was up and to get outside.
After breakfast, we went over to one of the classrooms and had the written Phase I prac test. 90% of it was VERY easy. The method used to give it made it a little harder. The question was put up on an overhead projector and then read aloud. Everyone had to mark the answer sheet at once. I thought that was a rather intimidating method. I missed one, which really ticked me off. A lot of the questions, including the one I got wrong, were from the classes I missed. The question I missed was the one about the 5 Ss regarding POW handling. Two answers were identical, except 2 words switched in the order they were listed. I marked the right one first, then switched it because I decided we should silence them before segregating them. As it turns out, we segregate them first, so I missed that one. I really wanted very much to ace the test.
Then, instead of going into the oral test, we went back to the house. There, Sgt Groomes said he'd gotten some inside info on which prac stations would be used for the test, so he told us and we practiced those specific twelve stations. I was quite tempted to stand up and ask him if finding out what the prac stations were and practicing them wasn't cheating, but I restrained myself. One of the big things they've drilled into us here is that Marines have INTEGRITY. Cheating on the prac didn't seem to me to be a good example of integrity; but I knew what the results would be if I tried to bring it up.
The DIs are under SO much pressure to get results from the platoon. It seems to me to be a very tough, demanding, and high pressure job. The DIs are under constant microscopic scrutiny and must adhere to a minute-by minute schedule, even more than the recruits. They have to stay up an hour after we go to bed, and get up an hour before we do. Their uniforms always have to be absolutely immaculate.
After we practiced the stations awhile, we went to lunch. After lunch, we marched over to the classroom where the Phase I oral prac stations were set up, and we lined up outside to go through them singly. It’s interesting how contagious fear is. All the other recruits were terrified. Waiting in line to go in, my heart was pounding like crazy from the anticipation; and I know this stuff cold. I was thinking what it must be like for someone who didn't know it well. Polk was in line next to me, and he was shaking all over like a leaf and panting through his teeth. I reached over and grabbed his shoulder and shook it and grinned at him to reassure him and let him know it would be OK. He looked a little calmer after that. All the recruits looked pretty scared. Their fear and apprehension is infectious, even though I know all this material very well.
After I went in and did the first couple stations, I felt calmer. I dropped zero points. Velasquez missed 5 entire stations out of 12! Sgt Groomes was really pissed off about that. I say “good riddance” to anyone that dumb or unmotivated! All the DIs and officers were standing around, as anxious as we were to find out the results.
We were herded into the grandstands as we finished to wait for the rest to finish it. There was some agitation going on there after awhile; some tough talk between a couple sets of recruits, generally about talking while they were not supposed to be (which is essentially always). Squad Leader Johnson, AB ran his mouth constantly after he came out, so several other recruits were bitching and arguing with him about his talking.
Cook just came out. I think he failed it, too. He's the stupid bastard who used to screw up all our formations in Receiving Barracks, the first part of boot camp, because he was supposed to be the first man in first squad, with all the rest of the platoon forming up around him. Well, he'd usually be off wandering around lost in the back of the platoon somewhere. At the time, I had to tell him to smarten up. I had told his squad leader he was screwing up the rest of the squad and the platoon, so he needed to be watched. Eventually, I think he figured it out. He's been kind of a lost, numb-nuts type since, but I didn't realize just how dumb he really is.
The DIs had Velasquez retake the oral test, and I guess he managed to pass it this time. Apparently, the Marine Corps policy is to let them take the test over and over until the idiots can manage to pass it. They seem to really hate to have anyone fail a test. So what's the point of the test? Castro just came out and he failed 5 stations, too. What a loser! He's the one who bombed the PFT, too. I guess Herman managed to pass it. He isn't dumb; he just doesn't try. I hate to think of my life depending on some of these bozos in combat. What have I gotten myself into?
Herman is a Reserve recruit. So is Castro. Generally speaking, the Reserve recruits are a lot of the "less desirables". We're all sitting in the bleachers after the oral test, still waiting for the others to finish.
Donscheski just "gleeped", or whatever he calls his incredibly gross habit of letting go a small stream of spit from between his teeth. He also has another gross trick where he makes a little spit bubble on the tip of his tongue, then blows it away, just like blowing soap bubbles. Anyway, I saw him "gleep", and I saw a couple privates lower in the bleachers look around, wondering what was the wet drop they had just felt on their neck or cheek. I really freaked out! I stood up in the middle of the platoon and started screaming at him. I told him that if I EVER saw him do that little trick ANYWHERE, I would personally start punching his head in, then go to Sgt Groomes about it. I made him tell me explicitly that he understood exactly what I was talking about. I was really sounding off loud! When I sound off, you can really hear me. My vocal chords have gotten a lot stronger here from all the yelling and sounding off. I never said what I was referring to, so the rest of the platoon was all wide-eyed, wondering what the hell was going on. I didn't embarrass him further by stating what I was freaking out about, but he knew and I knew. The privates he had "gleeped" on probably would have beat the hell out of him for it. Maybe I should have let them, but he's an overweight, sort of friendly and harmless kind of guy.
I can hardly wait to get back on full duty. I'll push as hard as I possibly can to be the guide. Then I'll start cracking down on some the poor discipline around here. The current leaders do a lot of yelling, but that's all they know how to do. They exhibit no leadership and they set no example. In fact, the only example they set is a negative one, as they primarily use their billet solely as a perk. Then Sgt Groomes marched us back to the house. He stopped us outside, and we all went into the pit for some bending because of the oral prac failures. It turns out that Cook was actually a DOUBLE failure. He failed it, got coached on the stations he failed, then retook the same stations again, and still failed them. What a total loser!
So far, everyone is still here with the platoon, but I think they may drop some of the zeros, based on the testing, before we proceed to Phase II. I sure hope so! They certainly don't deserve to continue with the rest of us.
After having fun in the pit awhile, we went out to the parade deck for some COD. Then back to the house, where a SSgt and a GySgt came in and called off several names, including mine. They told us to get in the classroom, which is the front part of our squadbay. Then they brought in small groups from each of the other platoons in our series. We were all wondering why we were there. I suspected it may have had something to do with intelligence, as the group seemed to be mostly recruits I perceived as being brighter than the others. They began asking questions like who had "oddball" or specific MOS contracts, or who wasn't a US citizen, or who had non-US citizen relatives. All those were told they could leave. Eventually, they told us what it was about. We were the top scorers on the ASVAB, so we were selected for further screening for top secret clearances for some special jobs. The first was Presidential Support, as a guard at Camp David. The SSgt described the position. It sounded rather interesting. The other jobs were Signal Intelligence/Electronic Warfare (crypto) and Intelligence. After the descriptions and more questions, about half the remaining recruits were sent away. The rest of us filled out some paperwork; sort of a basic check to see if we might qualify for a Top Secret clearance. I don't know if my job/police record would disqualify me or not. There's nothing major on it, but it's not pure white, either. I remember that Intelligence was one of the fields I was considering cross-training into when I was in the Air Force. Of course, I'm still mainly interested in Recon, but it can't hurt to at least keep my options open about these special jobs, too. I need to dig up more details from my record so I can give it to them for their questionnaire. They also mentioned that they only take people into these jobs directly from boot camp. The Camp David job sounds the best. We'll see.
After supper, which had a great strawberry shortcake for desert, the platoon had COD practice for awhile, then we worked on squaring away our washed belt, pressed cammies, spit-shined boots, polished brass, etc for tomorrow's final Phase I COD test. I hope we do better than the other platoons. We got 3rd in the series on the PFT and 4th (out of 4) on the prac. There's a great deal of competition between the platoons to see which has the better overall scores on tests and the fewest failures. We gain or lose considerable "face" depending on how we do.
Sgt Orlovsky is on duty tonight. He doesn't seem to be in too bad a mood, but not too great, either. I got a nice card from Chris at mail call. That's great! Mail call really sucks when they never call out my name. It's a major disappointment. The card had love and kisses on the outside of the envelope, so I was lucky I didn't get bent for that. If Sgt Orlovsky hadn't been in such a tear, he'd have noticed it and bent me (if I wasn't on Slime Squad). They can't bend Slime Squad. Slime Squad has been getting even slimier. A couple master goldbricks, Means and Walker, are on it now. They talk all the time, and act very relaxed and casual, just having a good time, while I go to extremes to always be totally locked and cocked; not looking at all like I'm relaxing or enjoying it.
I hadn't mentioned my injury to Mom and Dad. I didn't want them to worry about it. I wrote to Chris and told her not to think about being lonely and she wouldn't be; just stay busy and think about the things she's doing, and this won't last forever. She was concerned about the DIs being "mean" to me. I wrote her not to worry about it. This place is definitely easier than I expected. As they've told us a hundred times since we got here (other than a few "attention-getting" sessions), all you have to do here is do what you're told and do it quickly. Take control of your "skuzzy little body" and keep your "lips shut". It's mainly true motivation and determination.
When we were waiting in the bleachers after the prac tests, I was watching the 3rd Phase recruits using the rappelling tower. It sure looked like fun!
THUR 10/23 T-16
This is the BIG DRILL DAY! The Slime Squad isn't allowed to participate. Slime Squad now also consists of such highly desirables as Cook, Castro, and Velasquez. Holy shit; I've got to get OFF this thing and away from these dirtbag losers!
We dressed quickly, made our racks, and cleaned up. Means and I were assigned as late chow privates, which meant we stayed in the barracks as gear guards while the platoon went to chow, then we were relieved by the "early chow privates". After chow, everyone was busy getting ready for drill. We'll be leaving for Camp Pendleton as soon as we get final Phase I drill out of the way, and we won't be coming back to these barracks.
Sgt Groomes told the Slime Squad he wanted them to take the deck towels over to headquarters for washing. Then Sgt Groomes said he wanted me to take care of it, and to pick 3 others to help "because otherwise it would be guaranteed to be screwed up". So I led Castro, Cook, and Velasquez over there. Castro and Velasquez couldn't stay in step more than 50 feet. Castro was whining because his arms were tired from carrying the towels. Velasquez and I nearly got into a fight because he decided when we came within sight of the headquarters building that he didn't feel like marching any more, and he took off on his own. I had to yell at him several times and threaten to take him into the First Sergeant's office before he got back in line.
Naturally, about half the washers and dryers there had various malfunctions, so we had to screw around finding ones that worked. We had many loads to run through the machines. Cook picked up my diary while I was busy and started reading it. I had to yell at him about 4 times to put it down before he did.
What a bunch of losers! Velasquez got the highest score in the platoon on the PFT, though. He got a 295 out of 300 possible points, which is outstanding. Kim got a 288. Kim isn't real bright, either, though. Some people, like Regalado and Kraling, got 100 on the prac and very high PFT scores, too. We finally got all the towels cleaned, and we stored them in a quonset hut.
Upon our return to the barracks, we found out that the platoon didn't do well on the drill test. Everyone was very busy packing their seabags for our trip to Camp Pendleton tomorrow. I went to sickbay to see about getting off light duty earlier than my chit says I'm supposed to.
Sgt Orlovsky has threatened us with much more thrashing at Camp Pendleton. At sickbay, a couple 3rd phase recruits were talking about big time thrashings at Camp Pendleton. According to them, other than snapping in, there isn't much else to do there, so the DIs bend recruits for anything and everything and nothing. They told me about them being made to dump all the platoon's footlockers into a big pile in the barracks, then being given 5 minutes to get it all squared away again. They recommended bagging everything in the footlocker or tying bundles together to prevent things from getting lost in the shuffle. So, that’s a good tip I’ll follow up on. They said we'll come back from Camp Pendleton a lot tighter, though. Good - a lot of these recruits really need it. I don't mind the thrashing, even though I usually don't deserve it, because I need the exercise.
I saw the doctor, and he said I could return to full duty. He said that part of my ankle would NEVER be as strong as it was. Oh, just great! I was surprised to hear that. I’ll have to be extra careful with it in the future. I hurried back to the barracks, changed into PT gear, and ran over to the confidence course area to catch up with the platoon. I looked all around and couldn't find the platoon. I knew if they returned to the barracks early and I wasn't there, there'd be an uproar, so I went back to the barracks.
Later on, recruits started trickling back in, all of them soaked from falling into one of the water traps on the course. One recruit said he didn't fall, but just for fun a DI made him go to attention while on a rope.
A minor fight broke out between Cyzinski and Lagreco. It was quickly broken up. I have no idea what it was about. I went to them with a couple other recruits and told them if they hit anyone, they'd be out of the Corps, or at least get an Article 15 on their records. Afterward, Lagreco was talking to Cyzinski, so I presume they got it straightened out.
Ooghe had to go see the CO because his piss test came back positive. He told me he had told the Corps about doing drugs before coming in, and he’d gotten a waiver, but the CO had told him he'd be on an informal probation here for about a month. Kraling got called into Sgt Groomes' office this morning. He just came back not looking too good and saying something about going home. I went over just as he was telling someone else he didn't want to talk about it, so I walked on by. I guess he's definitely out. He's holding what looks like a sickbay chit and somebody said something about his back, but I don't know now. He looks heartbroken. He's the one who aced the prac, plus got the third highest PFT score in the platoon. The reason I didn't even know who he was is because he's never been called out, yelled at, or bent. What a shame! It might be drugs, too. I suppose the story will come out in a day or so. A clean acting, high scoring recruit like that gets the boot, and total zeros like Cook, Castro, and Velasquez get to stay!
When the rest of the platoon came back, they were all smiles. What a shame I couldn't find them! I really wanted to do the course. I hear they had a great time. As they came in, Flores and Regalado were looking they were about to break out into a fight. I guess Cyzinski must have told Sgt Morris that Lagreco hit him, because they're both getting screamed at and bent right now. Sgt Morris is yelling that he's going to write both of them up for it.
Oh shit; now Sgt Morris has got half a dozen recruits up there bending. I'll just keep my head down. A sure way to get called up to join a bending session is to get caught watching one. Of course, I'll probably get bent for having my head down! Well, as Ooghe said, "The Reign of Terror has begun!". There was more and more bending, and the mood was getting more terroristic, so I went down the ladderwell (stairs) to the washrack to start washing deck towels. While there, I could hear nothing but bending and thrashing and screaming upstairs. Eventually, I ran out of things to do there. I didn’t want to be seen standing around, so I went back up into the barracks, and went around working on recruits' racks, getting them as tight as possible, trying to look busy. Then they got me one of the times everyone had to sound off when I forgot to come to attention first, so several other recruits and I got bent a long time for that. FINALLY, all that fun ended when we had to form up to go to chow.
After dinner, we had a rifle cleaning session, then mail call. I didn't get any mail from Chris, but I got a letter from Mom and Dad. We got a long lecture from Sgt Groomes about getting our act together. A couple squad leaders also got up and spoke about discipline and motivation. I wanted to add a speech, but Sgt Groomes had asked if any "squad leaders had anything to add", so I knew I'd get screamed at or bent if I said I wanted to say something. We finished jamming everything into our seabags for the trip to Camp Pendleton tomorrow, then hit the rack.
GO TO Edson Range
USMC DIARY TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. INTRODUCTION
2. PROCESSING
3. PHASE I
4. RANGE
5. RFTD
6. PHASE III
7. EPILOGUE
BACK TO MY RV BUILDER'S HOME
BACK TO BRIAN'S HOME