Perfect Timing, Lucky Dog

Finally, after incorrect paperwork, unsigned documents, chasing down a speeding ticket from 2004 and a few last minute meetings, my package has been approved and I'm scheduled to swear in on the 3rd of May, just fourteen days from today.

My recruiter assured me I was rather lucky as the cut-off to enlist is May 10th. Not understanding what he meant by this he said that the Marine Corps is no longer taking enlistments after the 10th of May for this year.

I thought that surely he was joking.

Then, upon surfing the internet, I came across a question by a girl who said that her recruiter had told her she was no longer eligible to enlist as she had missed the cut off for this year and would have to wait until the next fiscal year to enlist.

Suddenly the words of my recruiter did not sound so much like jest.

Still later I heard reports that the Navy is no longer granting any kind of weight waivers, the Air Force is closing recruiting stations all over the US and the Army is also starting to deny even the most basic of waivers.

Despite ridiculously low ASVAB score standards in the 30s and 40s for all branches of service have stopped processing potential recruits who score lower than 50 on the practice ASVAB test.

Gone are the days of, "Well, you can always join the military."

All branches, being flooded by desperate peoples looking for security and a pay check and hand-tied by budget cuts and a bad economy have started turning people down and away.

And here I am, an underweight, financially secure, mother and wife, just slipping beneath the red tape for no better reason than to fulfill a girl-hood dream.

I'm beginning to feel very grateful and lucky. I could have easily missed the deadline if only delayed for seven more days. I could have easily been denied my weight waiver or not found the payment info for the 2004 speeding ticket.

So many things could have delayed me just a few more days and almost assuredly destroyed my chances of enlisting at all.

My timing couldn't have been more perfect nor my luck better.

PT, PT, PT

You go to any Marine Corps forum or website and there are loads and loads of poolees and wannabes who ask the same question in a million different forms: "What do I need to do to get fit for Boot Camp?"

I've never had to ask that question because the physicality of Boot Camp does not frighten or intimidate me.

I'm a tough broad.

I have a high pain tolerance, an unwillingness to quit (no matter what) and a gift for ignoring pain (sometimes to a harming extent). It takes more work for me to listen to my body and to slow down and do things carefully than it does for me to just plow ahead at full speed and not care about the lasting damage I am doing to my body. In the past I have pushed through incredible pain only to have it slow me down and frustrate me in the long run.

Thankfully, I am older and wiser now. With the guidance of my chiropractor and other structured programs I am working, daily, at getting myself physically ready for the day I set out to Boot Camp.

While I was in High School I was very physically fit. I was an endurance runner and could beat any boy in school in push ups. In college I could out endure anyone in a pool or even the ocean fighting waves and tides.

Getting married and having a kid and being lazy reduced me to not being able to do much without feeling winded and tired but I have always known I have what it takes to get back to the standard of physical fitness I once had. And so I have begun.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I go to a class that was once called Boot Camp. The administration thought that the title was a bit too intimidating so they renamed it "Total Body Fitness." The change of name should not indicate a change in program, however. It is a grueling exercise program packed full of lungs, pushups, crunches, running, weight lifting, stair-running, and so much more, all set at a break-neck speed and injected with heavy cardio exercises. At the end of one hour I'm usually soaking in sweat from head to toe, panting like a dog and sucking down half gallons of water.

After outlining just one hour of class to my husband he assured me that if I keep this class up I will find Boot Camp to be physically easy.

But I don't stop there. I am, afterall, part fish. This trait was passed on to me by my lifeguard of a mother who shooed us kids to the pool as often as she could. I also took swimming in college and find the water to be as comfortable as a home as land.

After my fitness class I go for a swim and no matter how tired and sore my muscles I somehow find the endurance to do a few laps in a variety of different strokes.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are my down days filled with Yoga and a steam room. Yoga stretches and tones my often throbbing muscles and working on balance and breathing helps keep me calm, relaxed and focused. Yoga, though still an exercise, makes me feel like I've gotten a full-body massage. Of course the balance work also works the small muscles of my ankles, knees, hands, elbows and arms as well for healthy joints which helps for the next day when they all take a pounding.

Of course, spending a half hour in a steam room is just my excuse to indulge.

I like working out. I like challenging myself and finding myself do new things I couldn't do just a few classes ago. I greatly enjoy discovering my new physical strengths and testing them.

No, the physical aspect of the military does not scare or intimidate me. It will challenge me. It will push me. It will tire me. But it's nothing I haven't felt before. I look forward to it.

More Confidence

The other day, while my son was napping, I took the opportunity to go through a good number of my old Facebook status updates. Some of them were funny, some were interesting and some were thought provoking.

There was a status update from way back in the late summer of last year that read, "If I could do it all again I'd do it all the same but with more confidence."

What I was trying to portray was that despite everything I have gone through in my life it all turned out all right and I didn't have to worry so much about how it all would turn out in the end. Everything, good or bad, got me to a place where I am strong, secure, happy and blessed. I wouldn't change a thing in my past except for all of the worry that it would all turn out okay.

It ended up being a pretty large slap in the face because here I am worrying about the future again. The bottom line is that I know I have what it takes to have a successful life. I have faith, determination, strength, wisdom, knowledge, support. There's no reason I should fear my future.

So I made a decision. I'm going to go forward with more confidence in my decision, in myself and in my future.

Marine Corps History

I was cruising around on a Marine Corps forum and a poolee was looking for a quiz to help with studying Marine Corps history. Realizing that the "Green Monster" my husband received when he was in Recruit Training back in 1997 had just such a list via the Enabling Learning Objectives (ELO) I spent a very good portion of my day picking the book apart and typing up the ELOs and their answers.

I figured I might as well post them here as well should some other poolee or potential recruit wander on my page and need some help with their Marine Corps history.

I will, however, share the same disclaimers I shared on the other site.

Disclaimer:
The version of the book I have gleaned these questions from is from 1997. Newer history sections may have been added since that time. This should also not be a substitute for paying strict attention to and studying the details provided to you in your own Recruit Handbook.

While these answers are directly quoted or paraphrased from the Marine Corps Recruit Handbook of 1997 they do not contain the full text word for word. It is up to you to research and study the details of Marine Corps history to be sure you can answer related questions completely and accurately.

Marine Corps History I

• 1. In what year was the Marine Corps established?
• 2. What is the birthdate of the Marine Corps?
• 3. What is the birthplace of the Marine Corps?
• 4. Who was the first Commandant of the Marine Corps
• 5. What was the first amphibious landing of the Marine Corps?
• 6. What was the quatrefoil used for?
• 7. What is the origin of the term “Leatherneck?”
• 8. When was the rank of SgtMaj adopted?
• 9. Who was the first SgtMaj in the Marine Corps?
• 10. What was the reason for the Barbary Pirates War?
• 11. What is the significant of the officer sword?
• 12. What occurred at the Battle of Bladensburg?
• 13. Who is the “Grand Old Man” of the Marine Corps?
• 14. What is the origin of the scarlet (blood) stripe?
• 15. Who was the first Marine to be awarded the Metal of Honor?
• 16. What is the significance of the NCO sword?
• 17. When was the Marine Corps emblem adopted?
• 18. What are the three elements of the Marine Corps emblem?
• 19. In what year was the Marine Corps emblem modified?
• 20. What is the meaning of the Marine Corps motto?

Marine Corps History I: Answers

• 1. 1775
• 2. November 10, 1775
• 3. Tun Tavern in Philadelphia
• 4. Samuel Nicholas
• 5. The attack on New Providence in the Bahamas
• 6. To enable sharpshooting Marines in the riggings to distinguish between friend and foe, boarding parties attached a cross made of rope to the top of their covers. From this evolved the Quatrefoil.
• 7. The nickname “Leatherneck” goes back to the leather collar, or neckpiece, which was worn from 1775 to 1875 and was intended to ensure Marines kept their heads erect.
• 8. 1798
• 9. Sergeant Major Archibald Sommers
• 10. In 1801, the rulers of Tripoli declared war on the US because of our refusal to pay tribute money for the protection of the US shipping in the Mediterranean Sea. This resulted in the Barbary Pirates War from 1801 to 1815.
• 11. As a token of gratitude for the victory at Derna, Tripoli Prince Hamet presented his Mameluke sword to Lieutenant O’Bannon. A replica of that sword was adopted for use and carried by all Marine Officers. The Mameluke Sword is the oldest weapon still in use today by any of the US Armed Forces.
• 12. Near the town of Bladensburg, just 13 miles from our nation’s capital, 114 Marines and sailors completely halted the advance of 3,000 British troops. This American force repelled the British attack three times. Eventually the British overran the Marines and sailors. The British Commanding Officer reported, “They have given us our only real fight.”
• 13. The fifth Commandant of the Marine Corps was Archibald Henderson. He served as Commandant for 38 years, the longest period of time in our history, earning him the title, “The Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps.”
• 14. The scarlet tripe, or “blood stripe,” is worn today on the dress blue trousers by all officers and noncommissioned officers to commemorate the casualties at the battle of Chapultepec, Mexico.
• 15. On 15 May, 1862, Corporal John F. Mackie, aboard the USS Galena, exposed himself repeatedly on the ship’s deck to rally his Marines and keep the ship firing. His valor that morning earned him the Medal of Honor—the first ever awarded to a Marine.
• 16. In 1875, Marine NCOs were authorized to carry the 1850 version of the Army Infantry Officers sword used by officers during the Civil War. The sword is known today as the NCO sword. This marked the first issue of the Marine NCO Sword and Marine NCOs are the only NCOs in any branch of the US Armed Forces authorized to carry a sword today.
• 17. 1868
• 18. The Marine Corps emblem consisted of an eagle with spread wings sitting on top of a globe of the Western Hemisphere, with an anchor in the background. The eagle is the symbol of the nation. The globe stands for worldwide service and the anchor stands for sea or Naval traditions.
• 19. The Marine Corps emblem was modified in 1950 with the anchor being fouled (the addition of the rope).
• 20. In 1883, Colonel Charles G. McCawley, officially adopted the Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis,” which is a Latin term meaning “Always Faithful.”

Marine Corps History II:

• 1. What is the significance of the Spanish American War?
• 2. Who are the two Marines to be awarded two Medals of Honor?
• 3. In what year did Marine Aviation begin?
• 4. Who was the first Marine Aviator?
• 5. Where did the term, “First to Fight” originate?
• 6. What is the significance of the Battle of Belleau Woods?
• 7. Where did the term “Devil Dogs” originate?
• 8. Where did the term “Shock Troops” originate?
• 9. Who was the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps?
• 10. What are the accomplishments of the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps?
• 11. Who was the first female to enlist in the Marine Corps?
• 12. What was the date the first female enlisted in the Marine Corps?

Marine Corps History II: Answers

• 1. In 1898 relations with Spain deteriorated over the poor treatment of Cubans by their Spanish Governor. On 15 February, 1898, the battleship MAINE was anchored in Havana Harbor when an explosion below the decks sent her to the bottom. A call to arms came: “Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!” Admiral Dewey prepared a surprise for the Spanish Fleet in Manila Harbor. Taking the Spanish Fleet by surprise, Dewey completely destroyed it and landed the Marines to capture Fort Cavite in the Philippines. By taking the fort and routing our the Spanish defenders, the marines established a secure base of operations for Dewey’s Pacific Fleet.
• 2. Smedley Butler and Dan Daly
• 3. Marine Aviation began in 1912 when Second Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham was the first Marine to earn naval aviation wings.
• 4. Second Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham was the first Marine to earn naval aviation wings.
• 5. The Marine slogan, “First to Fight” made it’s first appearance on Marine recruiting posters at the beginning of World War I. The slogan points out the fact that Marines have traditionally been in the forefront of every American war since the founding of the Corps.
• 6. At Belleau Woods, the Fourth Marine Brigade suffered enormous casualties while saving Paris from the German armies.
• 7. German soldiers during World War I came to fear the Marines calling them fierce “Teufel Hunden” or “Devil Dogs,” a name which stick to Marines to this day.
• 8. The German high command classified the Marines as “Shock Troops,” a classification reserved only for the finest military organizations.
• 9. John A. Lejeune
• 10. Major General John A. Lejeune, as the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, guided the Corps toward the amphibious assault role, established the Marine Corps Institute, enhanced the officer corps through the Company Officer’s School and the Field Grade Officer’s School, and he organized Headquarters Marine Corps. Major General Lejeune was developing the Corps into a valid, professional armed force that could withstand the test of time.
• 11. The first woman to be officially sworn into the Marine Corps was Pvt Opha Johnson.
• 12. Pvt Opha Johnson was officially sworn into the Marine Corps on August 13, 1918.

Marine Corps History III

• 1. On what date did the Marine Corps become involved in World War II?
• 2. On what date and where did the first American outpost fall in World War II?
• 3. What Marine was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Battle of Midway?
• 4. On what date and where did the Marine Corps make it’s first amphibious landing on World War II?
• 5. What were the events of the Battle of Guadalcanal?
• 6. On what date did the Marine Corps attack Tarawa in World War II?
• 7. What is the significance of the phrase, “Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue?”
• 8. On what date did the Marine Corps land on Iwo Jima?
• 9. What were the events of the battle on Iwo Jima?
• 10. On what date and where did the Marine Corps make its last amphibious landing of World War II?
• 11. What were the events of the Battle of Okinawa?
• 12. On what date did World War II end?

Marine Corps History III: Answers

• 1. The United States was blasted into World War II by the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on 7 December, 1941. The next day, 8 December, 1941, the United States of America declared war upon the Empire of Japan.
• 2. On 10 December, 1941, Guam would become the first American outpost to fall.
• 3. Marine Captain Richard E. Fleming was awarded the Medal of Honor after he dove his flaming bomber into the Japanese cruiser Mikuma.
• 4. On 7 August, 1942, the First Marine Division made the first amphibious landing of World War II at Guadalcanal.
• 5. The airfield at Guadalcanal was captured and named Henderson Field after a Marine pilot killed during the battle of Midway. From Henderson Field, units of the First Marine Aircraft Wing, known as the “Cactus Air Force,” could now operate in direct support of the First Marine Division. By February of 1943, the Marines had full control of Guadalcanal and could now concentrate on the offensive in the Pacific.
• 6. On 20 November, 1943, the 2nd Marine Division attacked Tarawa.
• 7. On 19 February, 1945, the men of the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions landed on Iwo Jima with the 3rd Marine Division held in reserve. In a struggle that lasted almost twenty-six days the Marines finally secured Iwo Jima and completely annihilated the enemy. This battle was described by Navy Admiral Chester A. Nimitz who said, “Among the Americans who fought and died at Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” It was during this battle that the Marines raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi.
• 8. 19 February, 1945.
• 9. On 19 February, 1945, the men of the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions landed on Iwo Jima with the 3rd Marine Division held in reserve. The barren, rugged terrain was defended by 21,000 Japanese. There were some 1,500 caves and pillboxes. In a struggle that lasted almost twenty-six days the Marines finally secured Iwo Jima and completely annihilated the enemy. This battle was described by Navy Admiral Chester A. Nimitz who said, “Among the Americans who fought and died at Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” It was during this battle that the Marines raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi.
• 10. On 1 April, 1945, the final land offensive of the Pacific area was the invasion of Okinawa by the combined forces of the Marine Corps and three Army Divisions which made up the 10th Army.
• 11. On 1 April, 1945, as the invasion was launched, Kamikaze planes were sent against out fleet. Thirty-six American ships were sent to the bottom and an additional 368 more were damaged as a result of these attacks.
• 12. At 0615 on August 15, 1945, Fleet Admiral C.A. Nimitz ordered all offensive operations against Japan stopped at once. The war was over.

Marine Corps History IV

• 1. Who was the only Marine awarded five Navy Crosses?
• 2. On what date did the Marine Corps become involved in the Korean War?
• 3. What were the events of the amphibious landing at Inchon, Korea?
• 4. What were the events at the Changjin Reservoir?

Marine Corps History IV

• 1. Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller
• 2. 2 August, 1950
• 3. The city of Inchon was surrounded by mud flats with a tide difference of 33 feet. On September 15, 1950, using the morning tide the Marines would take the island of Wolmi-do. Then on the evening tide the main assault on the city would be made. As the bombardment of the city lifted the assault began. Using ladders and nets to scale the 8 foot wall, the Marines carried the day. The 5th Marines took the city while the 1st Marines swung south of the city to cut off the route to Seoul. After two days the Marines had captured Inchon and were ready for the push on Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
• 4. On the night of 2 November, just south of the Changjin Reservoir, the 7th Marine Regiment was attacked by the 12th Chinese Communist Division. On 27 November, eight Chinese Divisions flanked the Marines. After having been briefed on the situation Colonel Puller stated, “So they’ve got us surrounded, good, the bastards won’t get away this time.” After realizing the only option was fighting their way back down the supply lines to the sea, General Smith was quoted as saying, “We are not retreating, we are just attacking in a different direction.” The 1st Marine Division began their controlled withdrawal from the Changjin Reservoir and used a mobile 360 degree defense with Marine Air overhead. Colonel “Chesty” Puller was overheard to say, “Those poor bastards. You’ve got us right were we want them. We can shoot in every direction now.”

Marine Corps History V

• 1. On what date did the Marine Corps become involved in the Vietnam War?
• 2. What was the significance of Operation Starlite?
• 3. What were the events of the Battle of Hue City?
• 4. What was the significance of Operation Dewey Canyon?

Marine Corps History V

• 1. On March 8, 1965, the Ninth Marine Expeditionary Brigade landed, thus beginning our involvement in the Vietnam Conflict.
• 2. The significance of Operation Starlite was that the Marines dealt the Viet Cong their first major defeat of the war and denied the Viet Cong their sanctuaries along the coast.
• 3. Because of the presence of the large civilian population and because Hue City was the ancient imperial capital and cultural seat of Vietnam, there were no saturation bombings before the Marines moved in. The Marines attacked and fought house-to-house to retake the city. It was the first time since Seoul, Korea that the Marines had fought in this manner. After twenty-four days of fighting, the NVA were defeated and the city secured.
• 4. Operation Dewey Canyon was conducted from 22 January until 18 March 1969. This was a multi-battalion operation involving the 9th Marines and 2 battalions of the Vietnamese 1st Army Division.

Marine Corps History VI

• 1. On what date did the Marine Corps land in Beirut, Lebanon to help evacuate the P.L.O.?
• 2. On what date did the Marine Corps land in Beirut, Lebanon to become part of a multi-national peace keeping force?
• 3. On what date was the Marine barracks at Beirut International Airport bombed?
• 4. On what date did the Marines become part of Operation Urgent Fury?
• 5. On what date did Marines begin protection of shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf?
• 6. On what date did the Marines become involved in Operation Just Cause?
• 7. What were the events of Operation Urgent Fury?
• 8. What were the events of Operation Just Cause?
• 9. What were the events of Operation Desert Shield?
• 10. What were the events of Operation Desert Storm?

Marine Corps History VI: Answers

• 1. On 25 August, 1982, the 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) landed in Beirut, Lebanon to help evacuate the Palestine Liberation Organization (P.L.O.).
• 2. On the 29th of September the 32nd MAU returned to Lebanon. Marines were to become part of a multi-national peacekeeping force in Lebanon in order to establish a presence which would allow the Lebanese Armed Forces (L.A.F.) to restore order and control over west Beirut.
• 3. At 0622 on Sunday, 23 October 1983, at Beirut Airport, a suicide terrorist drove a five ton truck laden with explosives into the lobby of the four story building being used as the BLT command post/operation center.
• 4. At 0500 on 25 October, 400 Marines from the 24th MAU, off the USS Guam, conducted a helicopter assault on Pearls Airport. This operation was called “Operation Urgent Fury.”
• 5. The 24th Marine Amphibious Unit’s Detachment 2 was deployed aboard the USS Guadalcanal to aid in the protection of shipping lanes in the international waters of the Persian Gulf on 5 October, 1987.
• 6. On 20 December, 1989 US forces were ordered to invade Panama to oust Noriega who was wanted in the United States on drug charges and also suspected of falsifying elections in his own country. This operation was dubbed “Operation Just Cause.”
• 7. At 0500 on 25 October, 400 Marines from the 24th MAU, off the USS Guam, conducted a helicopter assault on Pearls Airport. Within two hours the Marines had secured the airfield and the adjacent objectives. By 0712 the next morning the Marine force had secured the governor’s residence. Army Ranger elements arrived at Grand Ause where a number of Americans were attending medical school and in a joint effort the area was secure. The medical students were evacuated by six Marine helicopters. This operation was called “Operation Urgent Fury.”
• 8. At 0100 on 20 December, 1989 US forces were ordered to invade Panama to oust Noriega who was wanted in the United States on drug charges and also suspected of falsifying elections in his own country. This operation was dubbed “Operation Just Cause.” The Marines were to form task force “Semper Fidelis” and take up positions around Howard AFB and protect the Panama Canal Zone. The mission had several objectives: install the rightfully elected officials in the Panamanian government, bring Noriega to justice in the U.S., and restore peace to the Panamanian people. Noriega sought refuge in the Vatican embassy which was then surrounded by U.S. forces. After 12 days Noriega surrendered to American forces.
• 9. On 2 August, 1990, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein ordered his armed forces to invade its southern neighbor Kuwait. Kuwait, not having a large military force of its own succumbed to the Iraqi onslaught in less than a day. Immediately, President Bush ordered a military buildup in the region in concert with the government of Saudi Arabia to halt further aggression by Hussein. This was to become known as operation “Desert Shield.”
• 10. U.N. forces, headed by the U.S. armed forces took up positions in the Persian Gulf and surrounding countries. This was to become the largest mobilization of the U.S. forces since the Vietnam War. Reserve and national Guard units were activated and sent to the Gulf region where over 400,000 U.S. troops were to build up against Hussein. The U.N. issued an ultimatum that Hussein must effect a complete and total withdrawal from Kuwait or it would endorse military action. The U.N. deadline was set for January 15th, 1991. That use of force was to be known as Desert Storm. On January 16, 1991, the war began with the largest air campaign in history. The war would be quick and powerful. It would last only 43 days. On March 3, 1991, a cease fire agreement was reached.

Marine Corps History VII

• 1. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Provide Comfort?
• 2. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Guantanamo?
• 3. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Garden Plot?
• 4. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Water Pitcher?
• 5. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Provide Promise?
• 6. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Provide Relief?
• 7. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Hurricane Andrew?
• 8. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Typhoon Omar?
• 9. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Hurricane Iniki?
• 10. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Restore Hope/Continue Hope?
• 11. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Rwanda?
• 12. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Provide Promise/Sharp Guard/Deny Flight?

Marine Corps History VII: Answers

• 1. In the Spring of 1991 Iraq began a campaign to suppress dissident factions in the areas of northern Iraq. This campaign resulted in human rights abuses against the civilian population. The 24th MEU (SOC), while conducting a six month deployment, was called upon to assist U.S. relief efforts to refugees in Turkey.
• 2. As a result of a political upheaval in Haiti, thousands of Haitians fled Haiti by boat for the U.S. On 22 November the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued an executive order for Operation Safe Harbor, later to be changed to Operation Guantanamo. This operation would provide temporary emergency humanitarian assistance and increased security in support of the Haitian boat people at Naval Base Guantanamo.
• 3. In May 1992, civil law and order seriously deteriorated in Los Angeles, California, following the Rodney King trial verdict. On 1 May, elements of I MEF (SPMAGTF Los Angles (LA)) began deploying as part of Joint Task Force (LA), to assist in reestablishing law and order to Los Angles.
• 4. In May 1992, Chuuk Island inhabitants found themselves facing severe drought conditions. III MEF deployed 72 Marines and with the aid of a Maritime Prepositioning Ship (MV Lopez), provided much needed water to the island.
• 5. In early July 1991, the U.S. began the transportation of relief supplies from Germany to the city of Sarajevo in what is now Bosnia/Herzegovina.
• 6. As part of a global effort to ease mass starvation in Kenya and Somalia, the U.S. commenced Operation Provide Relief in August 1992.
• 7. On 26 August 1992, Hurricane Andrew hit the east coast of Florida. The marine mission was to construct and maintain two 2,500 man tent compounds, establish a self-supporting twenty bed clinical facility for triage and immediate medical care, and to provide security and protect government property.
• 8. Two days after Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, Typhoon Omar passed over the north end of the Island of Guam. Initial relief efforts to Guam concentrated on the restoration of power and water services. In addition, Navy and Marine engineers constructed a tent city, repaired schools and aided in general clean-up of the island.
• 9. On 12 September 1992 Hurricane Iniki struck the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. The USS Belleau Wood (LHA) transported Marine and Army heavy equipment from Oahu to Kauai, provided command and control capability and medical augmentation to the relief effort.
• 10. On 9 December 1992, I Marine Expeditionary Force began Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, a humanitarian relief effort. The mission was to provide security for the delivery of relief supplies.
• 11. In April 1994 a Marine task force evacuated 142 U.S. citizens from Rwanda in response to civil unrest in that country.
• 12. In Provide Promise, the Sarajevo airlift and Eastern Bosnia airdrops continue. In Sharp Guard, ships from various nations including the U.S., enforce the U.N. embargo against the former Yugoslavia. In Deny Flight, land and carrier-based Marine Corps fighter-attack squadrons and electronic warfare aircraft supported the operation in the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Motivation

The word I have a serious love-hate relationship with: motivation.

In and around the Marine Corps this word is spoken like the word "stroke" would be used in a swimming class or the word "prescription" in the medical field. The Marine Corps has even shorted it to fit amongst the millions of other words known as slang or Marine Jargon. This word is Moto. One is Moto if they seem extra motivated or motivating.

To be Moto is to be respected. When I finished reading My Men Are My Heros--the Brad Kasal story--to my husband over the course of several weeks his final words on the subject were, "That is moto." Amongst the comments on the Marine Corps' Birthday video were several references to the video as being "moto as hell" or simply, "MOTO!"

Moto can be a person, an act, a video, a message, a word, anything that serves as a boost in morale, feelings of pride in being a Marine, or serves to motivate Marines to get the job done. One of the greatest compliments I had ever received is when I was called a moto wife.

I was reading a blog today written by a young man who is currently in Boot Camp. He writes letters to his father and his father types them out and uploads them onto the blog. It's the closest thing any recruit will come to blogging in Recruit Training. He's about half way through and I'm impressed with how motivated he has remained. Sure there are whole weeks of time where there is on update as I am sure he's not able to get out a letter or even have time to sit and write but every letter talks about wanting to get back to his platoon if he's sick or wanting to try again if he failed. He wants to be a leader. He wants to be first. Though I am not yet a Marine and cannot comment as to his moto-ness, as a civilian I can certainly say that he is motivated.

Which made me self examine.

When the time comes for me to get on the bus and stand on the yellow footprints, what will be my motivation? Will it be achieving a dream? Will that be enough? Will it be the title, Marine? Will that be enough? Will it be fear of failure that pushes me on? What is my motivation?

When I talk to those who have been there and done that I often here a variation of the same thing, "Stay motivated and you'll be fine," or "Don't loose your motivation," "Be motivated."

What is my motivation?

Every morning I get up and I think about going to Boot Camp. Every time I look at my son I think about going to Boot Camp. Every time I eat I think about Boot Camp. Almost every moment of every day I am thinking about the Marine Corps, going to Boot Camp and, most often, I think about how much I'm going to miss back home.

If I'm going to get through this I need to find my motivation. I need to stop obsessing about what I'm leaving behind and start thinking about what I'm moving toward. If I keep looking back my time in Boot Camp is going to be miserable.

The situation is not dissimilar to while I was giving birth. I was in so much pain and worried and tired. I'd been pushing for an hour and felt like I was getting no where. I had resulting to screaming, "I can't do this!"

The nurse, a sweet Marine wife, said, "Tough, 'cause your doing it." Those five little words proved to be my motivation.

It was then I had the epiphany that it did no good for me to sit there screaming about something I could do nothing about. There was no going back. There was no alternative. There was no point in wishing it could be over. The only option was to get it over with myself.

I shifted my thinking and in another grueling and painful hour he was born.

In a way, I'm looking for that epiphany. That mental shift in my head that sets me firm and tells me to stop looking back and wondering if I've done, am doing or will be doing the right thing, to accept what decisions I've made and march ahead proudly and confidently, no matter how much it may hurt or how long the process may be, until I'm holding my reward on the other side.

What is my motivation? What will I find moto?

Perhaps I'll have to carry those five little words with me and when I'm standing, shaken and doubting at the precipice of uncertainty I can hear her stern but assured affirmation of, "Tough, 'cause you're doing it."

No point in worrying. No point in wondering. No point in doubting.

"I can't do this," a part of me says.

Tough! 'Cause I'm doing it.

News Spreads

Saturday I called my sister to talk about down comforters and her washing routine.

In the course of the conversation she said, "Umm, do you have something you want to tell me?"

"About what?"

"Oh, about something you are planning on doing in the future."

"Mom told you, huh?"

"Ahh, yeah... So?"

I have two sisters and one brother. My brother in a career Sailor currently serving in Iraq so it's not a huge surprise to me or anyone else that he is supportive of my decision to join the Marines. The closest my sisters have ever gotten to anything military is hugging our brother. They are both so detached from all things military that when I put a "SEMPER FI" bumper sticker in my car one of my sisters asked me if it was a sorority that I had joined in college. I am/was not expecting either of them to understand or encourage me. Actually, I was expecting to get quite the lashing.

"Well," I began, "I'm joining the Marine Corps."

Bless her, my sister was trying to be gentle when she started saying, "Well, what exactly is the... ah. How did you... What am I trying to say?"

"What am I thinking?" I asked.

She laughed, "Well, yeah. What are you thinking?"

I pretty much laid it all down for her. My wish to serve my country. My drive to do something more. My revulsion at the thought of my glory days being high school and my goals to develop myself professionally and personally.

I expected her to lay into me about my responsibilities of home and how she thought I was crazy and she couldn't believe I was doing this and I was an idiot.

Instead, she amazed me by saying, "I understand. You want something that's yours. I told Mom that I could see that restlessness in you how you kept talking about wanting something more and school and wanting a challenge. I didn't know exactly what you were going to do and this is a huge shock but, at the same time, it really doesn't surprise me."

She went on to tell me she thought I would do a great job and be a great Marine. She was happy that I was doing something I've always wanted to do and wished me luck and success.

I was so blown away and so grateful and happy. If there's anything I've craved since the beginning of this process it's the support of those I love the most, my family. I have the greatest and most wonderful family a person could ask for and whereas I originally thought this may put them off I have been pleasantly surprised to find my family rallying around me and cheering me on.

It makes me feel so blessed to know I have such a support behind me. Not everyone can say that and I truly am grateful.

ASVAB, MEPS, Duck Walk

When I took the practice ASVAB at my recruiter's office back in October or 2009 I got a score of 67. I was told that was still above average and good but I was not happy with it. The area of most issue was the Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) which both surprised and frustrated me. I'm very good at math and have always loved it, but, for one, I haven't taken any sort of algebra since high school (MANY years ago) and I am so precise in my calculations and processes that it takes me way too long to do a simple problem which means I didn't complete all of the AR questions in the alloted time frame.

I went out and got the McGraw Hill ASVAB study guide and a book called Painless Word Problems.

I worked through the entire Word Problems book and also worked through the McGraw Hill study guide.

However, whenever I took the practice tests in the back of the ASVAB study book I still couldn't go fast enough to complete all of the AR portion which severely hurt my final scores.

So it's not really a huge surprise that when the test day rolled around I was very nervous and anxious. I also had way too much coffee and was hit very strongly with the realization that this was really and truly happening. My leaving for MEPS meant that it wasn't just talk any more and there was no backing out (at least not in my mind). It was also the first time since my son was born that I would be away from him for the night and when you heaped all of those things together I was more jittery than a bunny rabbit on caffeine.

I had no appetite and could barely finish a few chicken sticks for lunch.

When we arrived at the recruiter's office I felt ill. Looking at my son smile up at me and giggle was almost too much to bear and I was so close to saying, "I can't do this." I know myself well enough to know that once he was out of my sight I would be able to recover so my husband lingering around with him and chatting with the recruiter was agony. As much as I didn't want them to go I was silently thinking, "I have to get out of here NOW or I won't be able to do this."

I was very relieved when my recruiter ushered my husband and son out of the front door and said we'd take the back. My husband threw my bag at me and said, "You carry your own gear." I would have laughed more heartily were it not for the fact I was feeling dizzy so I kissed him and my son quickly and turned my back to go before I either threw up or fainted.

As I had predicted, as soon as they were out of sight I started to feel better and by the time we were in the car and heading to MEPS I was almost back to normal with only a few small twists in my gut.

DAY ONE: THE ASVAB

We arrived at the MEPS and my recruiter chatted it up with a few other recruiters while I checked in with my Driver's License and Social Security card. There was also a form I had to sign. They had me read a small booklet with the rules and emergency plan and then took fingerprints of my right and left index fingers and a photo of me. Next I was told to proceed to the testing area where a Sailor would get me started.

The testing room was just a room with a desk, a lot of computers and a hushed, library-like atmosphere with a number of people taking the test.

The Sailor verified my information, sat me down at a computer and said, "Good luck."

I started the ASVAB.

Before I knew it I was done with General Science (GS) and on to Arithmetic Reasoning (AR). I have always been the kind of person who is nervous until I'm actually doing whatever it is that I'm nervous about. Once I'm actually doing the act I see no point in being nervous and I muscle forward in confidence, sure that I will do my best. I didn't even hesitate to start the AR section and before I knew it I was done. I had finished all of the questions with time to spare which made relief sweep over me and the rest of the test was a breeze.

I flew through the Word Knowledge (WK) and Paragraph Comprehension (PC) and even found the Mathematics Knowledge (MK) to be easy. The Electronics Information (EL) part was fun and only the Auto & Shop Information (AS) section was a little out of my range of knowledge. I made some educated guesses and moved on to Mechanical Comprehension (MC) which I had no problem with. Assembling Objects (AO) was the last section which was rather fun; kind of like doing a puzzle but without being able to move the pieces.

It was all over so quickly and the Sailor was back to verify my information again and tell me to go out to reception and wait for my recruiter.

He arrived and off we went to the office to check my score and fill out more paperwork.

When we got to the office, he queued up his computer and said, "Well, you got an 86."

I said, "WHAT!"

He said, "Yeah, look," while turning the screen to where I could see my score.

Sure enough, there it was. My AFQT was 86 with a GT of 118 and an EL of 120+ and the rest just kind of floated away. I was very, very happy.

Then I sat there signing my name again and again and again until my hand hurt. I signed statements of understanding that I had not taken drugs, had no tattoos, was not involved in any gang or discriminatory group, was not a Consciencious objector. Then I had to sign paperwork stating I was not sexually harassed and understood the Marine Corps policy on sexual harassment, drugs, tattoos and discriminatory groups. Finally I signed paperwork regarding my time in service and job though it is subject to change in the next few weeks. I also signed my background check forms stating that I had not lied and was agreeing to let the FBI pick apart my past.

After all of that was done my recruiter put all of that paperwork into a sealed envelop with mine, my husband's and son's birth certificates, Social Security cards and marriage licenses and told me to give it all to my liaison the next day at the MEPS.

Off we went to the hotel where I was briefed on the rules of no drugs, no alcohol, stay on your floor, dinner goes till 10:00, you must be in your room at 10:00, this is when you'll get your wake-up call, breakfast is served here, bus leaves at 5:20, stuff.

I went back to my room, called my husband and was happy to hear that my son had taken my absence much better than I had taken his. He ate dinner well and was currently getting sleepy and my husband was just about to put him to sleep. When I got off the phone with him I called my parents and gave them the update then grabbed my meal voucher for a much needed dinner. I was starved.

Just about the time I was leaving my room I remembered that there was a mandatory meeting for the MEPS applicants and I hurried to the room, glad that I was on time. There I met the only other female who would be my room mate.

After the meeting I went to dinner and had a large and tasty cheeseburger. My room mate came in shortly after I ordered and we ate together and talked about our chosen branches of service, why we wanted to serve and the like.

By the time I got back to my room it was about 9:00 and I was quick to call my husband to tell him goodnight and ask about his plans to come and pick me up at the MEPS the next day. I brushed my teeth, washed my face and slipped into bed where I lay wide awake for the next four hours. Even when I did manage to find I had fallen asleep, something as small as the heater kicking on would send my eyes shooting open where I would remain awake for another ungodly amount of time.

DAY TWO: MEPS

Four in the morning comes all too quickly when you can't sleep and before you know it the phone was ringing.

I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth and the phone rang to tell us that there had been flooding in some of the streets and we needed to hurry because the bus was leaving earlier than usual to take another route to the MEPS.

My room mate and I rushed down stairs where we stuffed ourselves with eggs, bacon and orange juice while the bus driver stood watch at the door and then we were on the bus and heading to MEPS.

The term "Hurry Up and Wait" is EXACTLY what MEPS is all about. We hurried into a line in front of the building only to wait for our turn to pass our bags through the screener and walk through a metal detector. We hurried into formation only to wait through a long and boring briefing about darned-near every room in the building and the rules such as no cell phones, no gum, no hands in pockets, no lying, go here, then there, then back here again, address everyone appropriately, don't be cute, have a nice day.

We hurried through role call and to our selected service liaison's office where the five of us who were joining the Marines were told the exact same things as in our original briefing only this time with many more expletives provided by our liaison, an ornery Staff Sergeant with the shortest strawberry blond hair you can imagine and sharp blue eyes that he was deliberate about boring into each and every one of us.

Then we hurried over to medical where we waited our turn to have our eyesight, ears, blood, urine and bodies checked from head to stinky toe.

I'm happy to report that I am not color blind, have better than average near sightedness in my right eye and perfect hearing.

I'm also not pregnant.

It was completely useless to be first in line because you still had to wait for everyone else to complete the process before you could move on anyway. Wether you were first, middle or last made no difference, you hurried and waited just as long as everyone else.

Finally it was time for me and the other gal to do our physical portion which was hilarious and kind of fun. We got stuck in a room by ourselves and told to strip down to our underwear. First they took our height and weight and I was irritated to find I am still four pounds underweight though my recruiter tells me he is sure to get me a waiver.

After that we had to wait for the doctor to come in and while we waited we read the motions off the board and were attempting to do them on our own. When the doctor and the nurse arrived we were both laughing and having a good time. We did all the funky movements and, yes, the duck walk does kind of stick with you.

Next we had to go individually into an exam room where the doctor looked us over head to toe. Mostly he asked me about my weight and pregnancy and then I was told to hurry and get dressed and wait in the reception area.

I hurried, I waited.

While waiting I took a peak at the doctor's notes and I was happy to see that he specifically noted I did not have an eating disorder, or allergy to any food and was healthy and normal.

Next it was time to go back to our liaison's offices and the five of us wannabe Marines hurried over there only to be colorfully told to sit down and wait. We hurried. We waited some more.

While we were waiting we noticed the other applicants chatting and laughing with their service liaisons while the five of us sat stick straight and silently outside of the Marine Corps office like we were waiting for the door to explode and that red-blond SSgt to come out guns blazing.

The other gal came out of her liaison office and said, "He told me to go to lunch. Want to come?"

I said, "My guy told me to sit here so I'm staying."

It was now 10:30 and the cafeteria was open, our stomachs were growling and while everyone else was heading to lunch the five of us sat there like little stone statues.

An hour rolled by and we didn't move.

Finally, the head guy who had initially briefed us upon entering came over and asked if any of us had eaten. We told him we hadn't and he stuck his head in the Marine Corps liaison's office, then came out and told us to go eat. We practically tripped over each other on our way to the cafeteria.

We ate fast and were back to the liaisons office where, FINALLY, the first one was called in.

Another forty-five minutes and I was called to the front desk to meet my husband and son. I was so happy to see both of them but couldn't stay to chat as I was the only one left to be seen by my liaison.

I went back to his office and sat there just as he brought another applicant out of his office.

"Did you do your pull-ups at your recruiter's office?" he asked the kid.

"Yes, Sir," the boy answered.

"Well, I don't give a [colorful-phrase] what you say you did there. You are going to do them for me, here. Get on my pull-up bar."

The boy hurried over to the red pull-up bar with "MARINES" stenciled all over it and started his pull-ups while the liaison counted them out.

I winced.

My prior recruiter had told me that there would be no strength testing at MEPS and to attempt to conserve my weight for the weigh-in I was told not to work out until after MEPS so I didn't loose any precious ounces. Outside of doing my daily Yoga I have not been working out, so I was a bit nervous as to what I knew was coming.

Sure enough, after the boy dropped from the bar, the SSgt turned to me and said, "You! Did you do your flexed-arm hang?"

"No, Sir."

"Get on my bar."

Because I'm shorter than most he had to give me a boost up to the bar where I held on for dear life as he timed me on his watch.

I was very surprised to here the words, "You're doing good," come out of his mouth and I did 32 pathetic seconds before I dropped to the floor.

Wordlessly he disappeared back into his office and because I was not told to follow I sat back in the waiting area and waited some more.

Another ten minutes went by and he finally called me in to go over my paperwork.

We got to the drug portion and I knew what was going to happen.

"Have you ever taken any drugs?"

"No, Sir."

"Abused any prescription drugs?"

"No, Sir."

He looked me in the face doubtfully. "Never a hit from marijuana? Not a night at a party where you were having a little too much fun..."

"No, Sir."

"You're sure, because it doesn't necessarily disqualify you. You lie to me, however, and I find out about it and you will be disqualified and can be prosecuted for fraudulent enlistment. So, I'm going to ask again, ANY drugs?"

"No, Sir."

"Have you ever gotten high off of anything?"

"No, Sir."

He doesn't know that growing up I never so much as touched the stuff. Sure, I had the same opportunities as others to do drugs but they scared me to death. After hearing one girl talk about being date raped and having a bad trip where she was hallucinating worms on the walls and waking up in rooms she couldn't recognize without her clothes as a result of getting high I was scared straight and never so much as wanted to look at the stuff. I am a pure drug virgin and plan on dying that way.

"I bet you don't have many people who can say they've never touched drugs," I said.

"Everyone says it," he said, a touch of annoyance in his voice, "I just don't believe it."

"I suppose that's true," I said. "People don't believe me when I say I've never touched drugs but I haven't. And I don't care if they believe me or not. I know what I know and it's that I've never done any kind of drugs."

He rolled his eyes and carried on with the paperwork, making notes as we went.

When I was done he gave me my Service Record Book (SRB) and told me to give it to my recruiter and ordered me out of his office.

After that I checked out and walked out of the MEPS into fresh air, happy to see my husband sitting in the car with our son in his lap, his head sticking out of the window and pointing at me.

We had to go over to the recruiter's office and give him my SRB and my husband had to sign some stuff indicating that he is mentally, physically and financially able to take care of our son while I'm in training.

After that he took me out to dinner and it was time to go home.

All in all it was a boring, long process.

I would never be convinced that it is hard or bad or humiliating, etc. I suppose that after giving birth and having at least twelve doctors and nurses seeing me naked, screaming and sweaty, having another doctor and nurse and girl see me in my underwear while I duck walk around the room is nothing.

Next I have to get my college transcripts, which I requested this morning, and when all of the blood work and initial background check info comes back I will swear in and sign my Department of Defense (DoD) contract and be sworn in to the DEP.

I'm told this should all be done before April 1 and right now I have my choice between an August ship date and an October one.

We'll see, but I'm wanting to take the August one.

Till then, it's just more waiting.

Put to the Test

I'm going to be turning twenty-five years old in just six days. I'm young, yes, but I'm not that young. I have experienced many things, but there is much more I haven't done. I'm content but I want more. I'm satisfied but eager. I've done so much, but I have so much more to do.

I'm also nervous and afraid and anxious.

I expressed to my husband that I wasn't sure why I was so apprehensive. It's certainly not as though I've never made life-changing decisions before. I chose to get married, to have a child, to buy a house. Those decisions are far more life altering than joining the military and I felt no great fear or nervousness in those decisions.

My husband was quick to point out that this is the first time in my life I will be stepping out entirely on my own. A marriage is a partnership of two people and if it fails it is usually as a result of both parties failing. Similarly, raising a child is a joint task and something inside of me is comforted by the fact that I will never be held 100% responsible should those things fall apart.

I have never been forced to make a life-changing decision or undertake a life-changing course of action entirely on my own. I've never bought a car. I've never had my own apartment or lived on my own. I've never been fully responsible for all of my own bills or even a cell phone. I've had plenty of jobs that have greatly contributed to bills and the ease of our lives but I've never been solely responsible for my own or anyone else's welfare.

I went directly from my parents' home to a private college and from there back to my parents' home then straight to a marital union with a stable and wonderful man who has provided for all of my needs. While there were many time my husband was not there to support me in some things his paychecks, voice, emails or presence has always been there combined with the loving support of friends and family to see me through any and every trial.

I understand about responsibility. I also understand about confidence and decisiveness. I understand the concept of self-reliance but they are traits I have never had to develop within myself.

For the quarter of a century that I have been alive I have never been completely, 100%, self-reliant.

That makes me feel.... ashamed, perhaps even a bit cheap and needy. If there's anything I detest it's feeling needy.

When I step off that bus at Parris Island and I stand on those yellow footprints it will be me and me alone doing it. My husband will not be there. My family will not be there. There will be no phone call for encouragement or to ask what to do next. I will not be awarded the luxury of waiting for someone else to make the tough decision or of passing off blame or responsibility to someone else. If I fail it will be because I failed. If I succeed it will be because I succeeded.

This both excites and terrifies me.

This is my moment to be tried and tested. This is my time to stand on my own and prove to no one but myself that I have the courage and the strength to be an individual in every sense of the word. And if I falter, this is my moment to find new reserves within myself, not my friends, my family or my husband, but myself alone. This is my time to at least try.

If I can do this I can do anything.

MEPS: My Birthday Present from the Corps

This upcoming Monday is my birthday. It just so happens that that is the day I will be taking my ASVAB then spending the night and heading to MEPS the next day.

My initial reaction was to be a little bummed that I'm going to be spending my birthday away from my family but, ever the beaming optimist, I chose to see my first night in my own hotel room since I can remember as the greatest birthday present myself and the Marine Corps could do for me.

A free hotel room with my own bed, complete control over the remote (even though I'll be going to bed early), no diapers to change, dishes to be done, laundry to fold, floors to sweep... nothing.

I'm pretty sure a long bath is in order and an early bedtime all by myself in, hopefully, a king size bed.

Sure, I have to get up at 0400 the next morning to head to MEPS but I think it's safe to say I will welcome a full night to myself.

Yep, I'm ready.

Telling the Family

Boy, am I glad that is over.

After coming back from the recruiter's office on Saturday we decided it was time to tell my parents.

I will admit. I was a bit nervous. I had a pretty good idea of what they were going to say but there is always room for the unknown, unexpected and just plain wild.

My mom answered the phone and I said, "Well, there's no easy way to say this so I'm just going to be blunt. I'm joining the Marine Corps Reserves."

Thankfully, I know my parents a lot better than even I give myself credit for and they reacted just as I expected they would.

After the initial, "You're kidding!" my mother said I was crazy and my father agreed. Then they both started in on the questions as to why, when, where, what, with loads and loads of "what ifs" mixed in.

To sum up an hour and fourteen-minutes of conversation into as few words as possible: They aren't thrilled. They don't understand. They want me to change my mind. They will pray for God's will. Once I've past the point of no return they will be 100% supportive.

I can't wait for the 100% supportive part.

My brother, a Sailor of twelve years, went through this with my parents and when I told him the news this morning he was just as surprised but much more supportive. At the very least he has said, "You can do it," whereas my mother said, "You'll snap like a twig."

Ahhh, the differing opinions.