Hey Everyone,
Time is flying by now for us as well as Trent! He is nearing the end of this tumultuous journey at last! On the letter front there isn't a lot to report. Mainly because he was up at Camp Pendleton and they were limited on how much they could write. Since my last post, I've received only one more letter.
He is actively preparing for the Crucible next week. This 54 hour requirement is the culmination of all the work, skill and knowledge the recruits have acquired over the last 11 weeks. It is their final test as recruits and when they finish at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2016 they will be awarded with their title as Marine. More on that in the next post.
Okay, so I started this post on Tuesday, June 21 and it is now Sunday June 26. Since that time, I have not received any additional letters but I did get a brief phone call on the evening of June 21!
The last letter I received was date 06/05/16 or has he writes it, 20160605. He writes, another Sunday at Camp Pendleton but on this day they are leaving as Phase three recruits. He expressed frustration is still prevalent with the platoon. He said Field Week was pretty fun, stressful and tough but still fun. He mentioned again about the "kids" that just don't care and constantly make mistakes. He noted they've been called the Booger Platoon and/or Garbage Platoon for over a month. He expressed his frustration with this because it's mainly a maturity issue.
He went on to say he can't believe how close the Crucible is and how close it is until graduation. Sounds like he is excited about getting fitted for his uniforms and finalizing travel arrangements. He also said he will find out more about his MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and if his will get changed when they get back. Then he just talked about details when he gets home, etc. Ended with "Gotta Go and Love you!"
I can't believe it just over a week we will be in San Diego and I will be able to hug him and see his face once again! I'm beaming with pride and cannot believe I am soon to the Mom of a Marine (MoM)!!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Day 41 - 61 (May 20 - June 9)
Helloooooo Friends and Family!!!!!
I know, it's been a while, a very long while. As you likely know, David and I just returned from a trip to Italy and Greece. Needless to say, I was a bit busy prior to leaving preparing for the trip. My work-life exploded into a volcano with resemblance of Hell. And of course during the trip posting took the backseat to the winding streets of Venice, wine tasting in Tuscany, seaside village explorations in Cinque Terra and basking in the beauty of Mykonos, Greece.
Let me begin by saying, Trent is taking boot camp by the horns and not letting go!!! We are all beyond proud of his accomplishments to date and I'm happy to report the end is finally in sight!
My next letter from Trent was written on May 22, 2016 and arrived the day we left for Italy. I was so thankful to receive it prior to leaving, I just wanted either Jeff or I to hear something from him before we left for the our trip.
He apologized for not writing in a while and said they cranked up the pressure since arriving at Camp Pendleton. I suspected he was a bit busy! He mentioned they have been working on shooting positions and took two hikes. One was 5 miles with 80 lbs. of gear up and down "hills". I love how he put that in parentheses. That tells me they were small mountains, especially in the San Diego area. He said it wasn't too bad and is relieved because the longest hike coming up is 15 miles. He knows everything he's been doing and what is yet to come has really started to sink in and soon he'll be a marine. He went on to say, then he'll become an infantry marine and will likely be going to war. He underlined "I do not regret my decision to be a frontline warfighter, I'm jus working on accepting it fully". He went on to say, "I'm sure once I get to my unit and bond with the guys it'll be a lot better. I know deep in my heart this is what I was born to do. " I must say, reading that as a Mom, those were hard words to read. He mentioned how he sees that everything they do is geared towards combat and training them to defeat the enemy. He now understands why Marines have the reputation they do, the training is literally insane.
He changed the subject and started telling my about his rack mate who is also from Michigan and how they have become great friends. He is referred to as Grandpa Dave by his buddy and the other guys because he's so old. I'm not exactly sure where the Dave part comes in but I'm certain we will hear about it after boot camp! At this point is was still not happy about his new platoon but is confident in time everything will be fine. He ended with counting down the weeks left - 6 weeks!
While we were gone, another letter arrived dated May29, 2016. This one had a different tone by starting off with wishing me a happy belated birthday. Again apologizing for not writing often but he is super busy. He is still at Camp Pendleton at this point and says it's another Sunday and another new week. He said they completed an 8 mile hike which was brutal also referred to as the "mini reaper". This one was 70 lbs. of gear going up a 60 - 70 degree incline hill. He said the "Reaper" is the final "hill" during the Crucible. Once they finish the Crucible in week 11, they have earned the title of Marine.
The next part was difficult for me because he mentions about signing the Infantry contract and is beginning to regret this choice. Time will tell how that all plays out in the end. The best news in this letter is that he said "firing week was pretty darn fun and I shot expert too"! That is a huge accomplishment and one that he is and should be proud of!
I was reminded AGAIN that he does not want me to make shirts for all of to wear at graduation. I think I have message loud and clear! He also wanted to make sure not parties are planned because this is boot camp, he's not coming home from war. I love that he said, "I'm not doing any of this for the recognition, I'm doing it because I love my Family, my friends and I love this country. He feels that he has changed since being at boot camp and it a change for the better. His focus has shifted from himself to the platoon. He likes helping the other recruits, most of which are much younger. He says he feels a sense of responsibility for all of them. He mentioned the drill instructors recognize his efforts. He signed off with Keep the mail coming!
Trent wrote at the bottom of his letter to read Psalm 91, I have included it below.
I know, it's been a while, a very long while. As you likely know, David and I just returned from a trip to Italy and Greece. Needless to say, I was a bit busy prior to leaving preparing for the trip. My work-life exploded into a volcano with resemblance of Hell. And of course during the trip posting took the backseat to the winding streets of Venice, wine tasting in Tuscany, seaside village explorations in Cinque Terra and basking in the beauty of Mykonos, Greece.
Let me begin by saying, Trent is taking boot camp by the horns and not letting go!!! We are all beyond proud of his accomplishments to date and I'm happy to report the end is finally in sight!
My next letter from Trent was written on May 22, 2016 and arrived the day we left for Italy. I was so thankful to receive it prior to leaving, I just wanted either Jeff or I to hear something from him before we left for the our trip.
He apologized for not writing in a while and said they cranked up the pressure since arriving at Camp Pendleton. I suspected he was a bit busy! He mentioned they have been working on shooting positions and took two hikes. One was 5 miles with 80 lbs. of gear up and down "hills". I love how he put that in parentheses. That tells me they were small mountains, especially in the San Diego area. He said it wasn't too bad and is relieved because the longest hike coming up is 15 miles. He knows everything he's been doing and what is yet to come has really started to sink in and soon he'll be a marine. He went on to say, then he'll become an infantry marine and will likely be going to war. He underlined "I do not regret my decision to be a frontline warfighter, I'm jus working on accepting it fully". He went on to say, "I'm sure once I get to my unit and bond with the guys it'll be a lot better. I know deep in my heart this is what I was born to do. " I must say, reading that as a Mom, those were hard words to read. He mentioned how he sees that everything they do is geared towards combat and training them to defeat the enemy. He now understands why Marines have the reputation they do, the training is literally insane.
He changed the subject and started telling my about his rack mate who is also from Michigan and how they have become great friends. He is referred to as Grandpa Dave by his buddy and the other guys because he's so old. I'm not exactly sure where the Dave part comes in but I'm certain we will hear about it after boot camp! At this point is was still not happy about his new platoon but is confident in time everything will be fine. He ended with counting down the weeks left - 6 weeks!
While we were gone, another letter arrived dated May29, 2016. This one had a different tone by starting off with wishing me a happy belated birthday. Again apologizing for not writing often but he is super busy. He is still at Camp Pendleton at this point and says it's another Sunday and another new week. He said they completed an 8 mile hike which was brutal also referred to as the "mini reaper". This one was 70 lbs. of gear going up a 60 - 70 degree incline hill. He said the "Reaper" is the final "hill" during the Crucible. Once they finish the Crucible in week 11, they have earned the title of Marine.
The next part was difficult for me because he mentions about signing the Infantry contract and is beginning to regret this choice. Time will tell how that all plays out in the end. The best news in this letter is that he said "firing week was pretty darn fun and I shot expert too"! That is a huge accomplishment and one that he is and should be proud of!
I was reminded AGAIN that he does not want me to make shirts for all of to wear at graduation. I think I have message loud and clear! He also wanted to make sure not parties are planned because this is boot camp, he's not coming home from war. I love that he said, "I'm not doing any of this for the recognition, I'm doing it because I love my Family, my friends and I love this country. He feels that he has changed since being at boot camp and it a change for the better. His focus has shifted from himself to the platoon. He likes helping the other recruits, most of which are much younger. He says he feels a sense of responsibility for all of them. He mentioned the drill instructors recognize his efforts. He signed off with Keep the mail coming!
Trent wrote at the bottom of his letter to read Psalm 91, I have included it below.
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
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