School - Finally!

Chris finally "classed up" after about a month of shinin' trash cans. He is doing well in his computer classes and said most of it is review from what he learned in his Cisco networking classes in high school.

He is getting over a bout of pneumonia but should be feeling better soon if he takes all his meds. He hates taking meds!

Hoping he will make a trip home soon. We need to take advantage of the short distance while we can. No telling where they will send him after he graduates school in October.

Happy Independence Day

Happy 4th of July to all, especially to those who are serving our Country! As they bravely watch over us, may God watch over them.

To Twenty-Nine Palms for School

Chris made it through Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendelton and graduated on May 26th. The last week of this training consisted of a Crucible-type exercise where the guys lived out in the field for several days and had to sleep in a "fighting hole" that they dug themselves. They were paired up and the hole had to be deep enough for the tallest of the two to stand up in up to his armpits. That's pretty deep considering some of these guys are 6 feet +. We were able to visit him the weekend before grad and had lots of fun. We stayed with Uncle John, met his Battle Buddy (he's from Scottsdale), went to the beach at Ocenside, watched surfers at San Onofre Beach and saw the worst movie ever - Drag Me To Hell!

Chris is now living at Twenty-Nine Palms with four room mates. Between them, they have all the electonic comforts of home - three X-Boxes, cable TV, wireless network, and a laptop. And he can use his cell phone when he's on liberty (libo) each night. It seems there will be a wait before his school starts and he may be able to come home for Recruiter Assistance duty. He will be able to live at home and work at the Recruiter's office during the day for about two weeks. Would sure be a nice change from all the training he's been through.

On to MCT

After a 10 day leave, Chris left today for Camp Pendelton for 29 days of MCT - Marine Combat Training. It was hard to say goodbye to him but I know that he was anxious to start the next phase of his training. He wore his uniform for travel and he got a "Semper Fi" and a "Good Luck" from total strangers. An older lady let us ahead of her in the Security line. When he said "Thank you", she said, "No, Thank YOU!" I will never get tired of people reacting to him like that. Makes a momma proud.

This quote sums it up.....

"18 years, like a blink of an eye
13 weeks, like an Eternity
10 days, not nearly long enough" - from Lazyk - Moderator on MarineParents.com

Introducing...

Introducing Private First Class Chris Brillhart!

First, a few corrections: In the last post, I said graduation was on the 27th but it was on the 24th! I can't believe I made that mistake as I was counting down the days for three months! Also, I misunderstood about the Swim Levels. Chris passed the First Level and we are very proud of him.

Our trip to San Diego was wonderful! Family Day was so much fun. Seeing where Chris spent the last three months and meeting some of his new friends (and Drill Instructors!) was great. The graduation ceremony was one of the most special experiences of our lives. It was amazing to see Chris achieve this goal.

Chris is home on his 10 day leave and goes back on Tuesday morning. It went by very fast. He was able to spend lots of time with his friends, saw a couple of concerts and attend a Scout meeting and participated in an Eagle Court of Honor.

I hope he realizes how really special he is to all of us!

Semper Fidelis, Chris!

He Did It!

Well, it's official. Chris became a United States Marine at approximately 9:00 a.m. yesterday morning. That is when his Drill Instructor presented him with his Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem and congratulated him. Then he and his new "brothers" got to eat the biggest -and probably best - meal of their lives. Brad and I are brimming with pride. The next step is Graduation Day on the 27th.

OOOHRAHH!

Week 12

Happy Easter to all. Well - two more weeks to go! Today, the Company is traveling back up to Camp Pendelton to complete the Crucible - the last test before the recruits become Marines. Tomorrow, Chris will face the Confidence (Gas) Chamber. The guys have to go into a brick room with gas masks and then the gas is released. They then must "sweep" their masks several times (they are well trained on how to do this by now) and then they have to take them off and remain in the room for a short while. I'm sure it feels like an eternity to them. They they are allowed to leave the chamber and go into the fresh air. It basically empties their whole head of any sinus stuff. One Marine who had a bad cold was quoted as saying "I wish I could go into the Confidence Chamber right now. That would clear me right up!"

The Crucible begins on Tuesday, at about 3:00 a.m. The Crucible is a 54 hour test of everything they have learned up to this point. They must work as a team to overcome obstacles and situations that they may one day face in real life as a Marine. They hike approx. 40 miles, only eat 2.5 MREs (Meals Ready to Eat or backpacking food) during this entire time and only get 8 hours of sleep. It is a true test of their stamina, courage and leadership skills. Upon completion, about 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning, they experience the Eagle, Globe and Anchor ceremony where they will receive their Marine emblem from their Drill Instructors. This is the moment they become Marines! After the ceremony, they are treated to the biggest all-you-can-eat meal since they got to Boot Camp called the Warrior Breakfast. Ooorahhh!

The picture above is from the platoon video shot on April 10, 2009. The first glimpse of my baby in three months! It's not very clear because it was shot with my cell phone camera from my laptop screen. You can get a better glimpse of it at www.recruitparents.com - click on Photos/Videos (on left), Golf Company, and then 2155. He's on the top row, 5th face you see.

Next week, they get sqared away with their uniforms, paperwork and final medical exams. Thursday, the 23rd, we get to go spend the day on the base with him and then Friday, he graduates! So cool!