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!