THE CRUCIBLE

At 2 a.m. this morning the young men of 1st Btn./Alpha Co. began their final test -- the Crucible.

The Crucible is the 54-hour culmination to the transformation of recruit training. It is a physically and mentally challenging event that involves food and sleep deprivation and the completion of various obstacles fort he potential Marine to negotiate.

Basic Facts:

• Recruits will travel 48 miles on foot during the event.
• There are 29 problem-solving exercises during the Crucible.
• It consists of 36 different stations.
• The recruits will have three meals, ready-to-eat (MREs) during the 54 hours.
• The recruits will be required to carry 45 pounds during the Crucible, in addition to 782 gear, uniform and M16 A2 service rifle weight.

After completion of this test, they will be issued their emblems (EGAs) in a private ceremony and be officially recognized as Marines for the first time.

Then, it is time for the warriors breakfast! Yummy bacon, eggs, sausage, ham, grits, oatmeal, pancakes, steak, french toast, hashbrowns, fruit, milk, juice and even SODA for the first time since they arrived on the island! MAY THEY ALL OVER-EAT!!!!!!

Good luck, men! You are in my prayers! Love you, bud! See you in 7 days!

17 Days to Graduation!

Well, we are in the final countdown....17 days until Graduation! Hard to believe I will FINALLY get to hug my young man in 16 days! He has passed every test with flying colors. We are anxiously awaiting a letter.....we know he passed the rifle range and only missed Sharp Shooter by six points. Last week was BWT Week and the scores made during firing exercises were compile with those earned on the rifle range, so we are anxious to hear what his final score was.

Last week was BWT week and I hear it can be the worst week of all! I did hear from another mother who got a letter yesterday and from what her son wrote, it sounds like it was an absolutely miserable week! Rain, mud, night maneuvers, sleeping on concrete, fire ants and sand fleas.

Next week is the Crucible. The Crucible consists of 54 hours of intense, physically demanding training, under conditions of sleep and food deprivation. There will be night forced marches, night infiltration movement, combat resupply event, casualty evacuation drill and combat field firing. You must complete the Crucible to earn the title Marine. It all culminates with the Emblem Ceremony ceremony in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial. Here, the dirty, tired Recruits are3 presented with the Corps' emblem, the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, by their drill instructors. They have now earned the title "Marine."

Let's keep these extraordinary young men in our thoughts and prayers as they complete the final two weeks of training! Love you, Tom!

QUAL DAY!

Just a quick note this morning. Tomorrow is Qual Day for 1st Battalion Alpha Company. This means they must pass the VERY VERY tough test on the rifle range. Please keep all the young men in your thoughts and prayers through this testing. This is make or break time. You MUST pass to earn the title Marine. The lowest for qualification as a Marine is the HIGHEST score in all other branches of the military. So, as you can see it's not an easy feat!

THIS IS MY RIFLE

The Creed of a US Marine

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I WILL...

My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. WE WILL HIT....

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready. We will become part of each other. WE WILL...

Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. WE ARE THE SAVIORS OF MY LIFE.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!

God Bless you, Tom and to all the young men of Alpha Co. "GOOD LUCK ON QUAL DAY!"

YES!!!

Got a three page letter from Tom today! It's amazing how two sentences made my week! "I miss you a lot, mom. I love you!" What more could I ask for!? Well, how about hearing that Tom as decided to take the Marine Security Guard position!? I'm just waiting now for confirmation that he actually gets it and didn't hesitate too long in making his decision.

He sounds so upbeat. Said things are getting easier every day. Has become fast friends with his rack mate. He said that the DIs don't scare them anymore. He scored 100% on his test earlier this week too.

I'm so proud of my boy. Love him and miss him so very much! But more proud than anything else! Love you, bud!

Phase II of Training Begins!

We got another letter yesterday. Tom sounds so excited and happy! He passed his swim test and his MCMAP test. He said he heard that Phase II goes by fast for the recruits. I sure hope it goes by fast for us too! They are having their photos taken this week and also get their inoculations. Oh boy, does that sound like fun, or what!? He said things are a little bit easier now and calmer. He did also mention to Brad that he will not be able to wrestle with him any more. . . .Marine Corps. regulations. Brad is a little disappointed, but he will survive! 50 days to Family Day! Love you, bud!

Woo Hoo! Another Letter!

So, we got another letter yesterday. Seems Tom's cold turned into pneumonia and he was on bed rest for a couple of days and light duty for another two. But, he is extremely upbeat and happy. He has been approached about being Marine Security Force for the President of the United States! Wow. I spoke with his recruiter and he told me it is a "good and a big thing" to do this. "Very prestigious." Tom said he's not sure he wants to do this, but did ask for our opinion. SO, I wrote him a very, very encouraging letter. This is a once in lifetime opportunity. I pray he takes it and runs with it. What an honor! I think my heart is going to burst with pride! Thomas, I love you, bud!

Missing Tom

Well, it's been about two weeks since we have gotten a letter as a family. Brad did get one last week that was dated July 4th. Tom said they didn't get to participate in any of the festivities on the island that day. :( He did also say he will be stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. He told Brad that he picked Pendleton because that way he will be close to LA when Brad hits the big time and will then be able to attend his red carpet premiers. I can see my two boys on the red carpet now! They are both destined for good things!

I've been kind of down for about a week now. Waiting to hear from Tom is hard! While I am glad that he is writing to his brother and friends, I do wish I would get a letter soon! Am I wrong and feeling somewhat miffed when I open Face Book to see shout outs to him daily along with "I got two letters from Tom today" and other various sappy statements? It's like rubbing salt into a wound. And then to hear shock in someone's tone when they ask, "You got a letter too?" or "I see he told you that too." I want to shout, "I'M HIS MOTHER. OF COURSE HE TOLD ME!" There I've said it. I'm not trying to be malicious or hurt anyone, but please c'mon, a little common sense here. He was mine for 18 years. My baby. My boy. Give me time to adjust to the fact that he is now his own man. I love my boy and he will always be my baby.

Just a letter. I just want a letter. Soon. Oh, and if you should get a letter from him, please feel free to share with me what he had to say. I will hang on every word; but, don't do it in a manner that is gloating or boasting because you got one and I didn't.

Tom, I pray for your safety and the safety of those in your platoon. Stay strong. I'm proud of you, bud! Love you!