After thirteen weeks of intensive training Marine recruits see their families for the first time the day before graduation on Family Day. Up until then there are no phone calls, no emails, no Facebook, nothing. They are totally immersed in concentrated training and focused on the task. In this day of instant communication it is definitely a culture shock not only for the recruits but the families who are used to being in touch with their kids at all times.
MCRD Family Day Moto Run, Formation
Boot Camp, Liberty Formation
My youngest son had a different experience in boot camp. He left right after high school, and experienced more homesickness than his older brother who had been in college for two years prior. My new Marine was craving food of all types and during his five hour liberty on Thursday he ate continuously.
All we could do was watch in amazement as two bags of homemade treats, beef jerky, oreo balls, “Memaws “(bran) muffins, swedish fish, pringles, cheeseburger, ice cream disappeared AFTER a full buffet lunch. Since Marines cannot eat and walk in uniform at the same time there was a lot of stopping to snack.
New Marine at MCRD San Diego
Open the Feed Bag for a new Marine
Related articles
- Dueling Knife-Hands (ndjmom.wordpress.com)
- Marine recruit caught running across runway at San Diego airport (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
- Required Reading for Marines
What a beautiful day you had! I can not believe how much he ate!!!