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Marine Corps

How Marines Relieve Stress in Afghanistan, with “Call Me Maybe”

September 17, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I don’t know why this Call Me Maybe song by Carly Rae Jepsen has inspired so many lip synch covers but everyone seems to be doing it, including the United States Marines.

US Marine overseas heading to AfghanistanWhen my son returned from his Afghanistan deployment in late July he had not seen the below video yet and was super excited.  He knew some of the Marines in the video via his job in Air Wing support at Camp Bastion, but this was filmed in Kandahar before the squadron moved to the larger, more secure, base. It wasn’t until he returned home he learned about  the video.

This version below is especially poignant now. They are part of the 3rd Marine air Wing‘s Marine Aircraft Group 13 out of Yuma AZ,  the same ones attacked September 14, 2012 ,where two of their Marines were killed.

I heard first the news on Facebook where I’m friends with a number of Marine Moms who have sons stationed at Yuma, or connected to the Harriers, posted the news on Friday and I slightly freaked out thinking it could have been my son if he was there.  I can’t help but think of the Marines and their families as they waited for news from their sons and husbands.

As my son said, this is what we do Mom, other Marine bases get a “..whole lot more IDF’s”  (indirect fire) it’s our job. So as a good Marine Mom, I go on and want to remember the young men and women as they took time out for this very fun video.  I think they would want their families to remember them this way, with a smile on their face, taking a break from the seriousness of their jobs.

Marines Lip Synch Call Me Maybe

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2ySHSTEzjQ]

Now for a version the Marines REALLY like to watch. Before you watch it, here’s a little bit of background. For obvious, logistics and otherwise, most Marines and soldiers don’t have internet access and they rely on other forms of electronic entertainment. For example, my sons group had a  “Deployment Drive”. This is a portable hard drive loaded with an electronic library of  specific downloaded YouTube videos, games and movies

The the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders version was watched SEVERAL times a day, my son said he had it memorized and knew what cheerleader came on at what time.  The look on his face when he talked about this song at the dinner table was priceless. Can you just guess why it’s popular with a bunch of testosterone filled young men, in the middle of a desert, in Afghanistan?

[youtube=http://youtu.be/FIfbghHdG1s]

Hey, the stress over there is hard enough, 12 hour+ days, seven days a week. Whatever can take their mind off terrorists and people who want to kill them for a little while  is fine with me.

Gift Ideas for Deployed Military

By the way, for anyone looking to buy a gift for someone in the military who is going to be deployed or already in country, this solar charger is ideal. They listen to a lot of music, but batteries can be difficult to come by in the desert, especially if they are outside the wire. It will charge a cell or smart phone in less than two hours in the sun.

Marines in Afghanistan

  • Two Marines killed in Afghanistan from Yuma (yumasun.com)
  • Attack on Afghan base kills 2 Marines (cnn.com)
  • The Taliban Attack On Camp Bastion Sends An Unmistakable Signal (businessinsider.com)
  • 2 Marines killed in attack on base in Afghanistan (foxnews.com)
  • ‘Well coordinated’ Camp Leatherneck attackers wore US uniforms (twitchy.com)
  • Two Marines Killed at Afghan Base, Prince Harry Safe (newsy.com)
  • Marines Sing ‘Call Me Maybe’ (VIDEO) (blippitt.com)

Filed Under: Marine Corps, Military Pride Tagged With: Afghanistan, basition, call me maybe, Camp Leatherneck, Carly Rae Jepsen, Kandahar, marine, Marine Corps, military, music, United States Marines, USMC, veteran, video, YouTube

Girls Journey From Civilian to Marine: Letter #4

August 15, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Here is the last letter from Devil Doggery and her journey from civilian to a United States Marine. I really had to laugh at this letter as she sounded just like my youngest son in his last phase at boot camp. EVERYTHING was about food! I’m even going to compare the two letters. Here is an excerpt from her letter. (full one can be read here)

nutter butter
nutter butter (Photo credit: roboppy)

“And, again, I’m going to spend time talking about how I want to stuff my face so badly. You know what sucks though? I was trying to play exactly what I was going to eat as soon as I got home and then I realized… I’m probably flying into San Jose at like, midnight or later. And I could still go get something, but … I want Asian food and that  ain’t open that late. Or some In-N-Out… Mmm… But regardless, I’m sure if it’s that late, all I’ll want to do is pass out. And fortunately, I’ll still be able to get tasty snacks and such before then, because we have Liberty Sunday the day after we get back from the Crucible, meaning we get to wander the base and buy actual food, and a bunch of the other recruits said that their families would be willing to adopt me on Family Day (the day before graduation).

Either that or I figured I could mooch some treats off of them and then run off with some of the other orphans and have a bit of free time. Even though I’m a geek, so I find myself wodnering if there’s a bookstore somewhere on this base… LOL. I NEED TO READ THE SECOND BOOK IN THE CHAOS WALKING TRILOGY. Also, I would like to read Divergent. I think I just miss reading. And TV. Oh man, if I could, I would so just buy a pint of ice cream and a pack of cookies, (Chips Ahoy or Nutter Butters), and find a TV and just veg. That’s how I would spend my Liberty Sunday. Because I’m boring, LOL.

I want me some sushi and like, KBBQ and chocolate milkshakes and a burger and a donut from this awesome donut place in downtown Campbell, and banh mi from Lee’s, and Yogurtland, and EVERYTHING. I’m hungry. This needs to stop.“

Below is an excerpt from my son’s letter from last fall before he graduated from US Marine boot camp.

Liberty formation during a Marine Family Day
Marching in very formally with great ceremony

“Find a cheesecake place and pizza. Girl scout Caramel Delights are also on my snack list. Oh, and I’ll want to be stopping a lot to eat. One of the snack items is Eli’s Mama muffins, also cake, like back home, chocolate with vanilla frosting. Don’t forget Tammy’s Orero balls Swedish fish, beef jerky, snickers, and Twix.  Anything snacky. Bring my MP3 player with my songs on it, I seriously want to sing to the Carnegie Hall music”

It seems the topic of food is the number one discussion item in the barracks as boot camp gets closer to an end. If you don’t remember my son’s journey here is what he did actually eat on Family Day. It would impress the most serious competitive eater. We all stood in awe.

So in the end it doesn’t matter, male or female, they all crave the comforts of home, which starts with food.

This young women has most likely gone through the Crucible and is now a Marine. Graduation probably right around the corner. I’ll be interested in hearing her feelings now that boot camp is over.

Liberty Formation on Family Day
Liberty Formation on Family Day
Related articles
  • A Girls Journey From Civilian to Marine: Letter #1 (ndjmom.wordpress.com)
  • A Girls Journey from Civilian to Marine: Letter #2 (ndjmom.wordpress.com)
  • A Girls Journey from Civilian to Marine: Letter #3 (ndjmom.wordpress.com)

Filed Under: Marine Corps, Military Pride Tagged With: armed forces, boot camp, marine, Marine Corps, military, patriotic, United States Marine, us marine, USMC, women

US Marine Corp Graduation

July 18, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

A year ago this month my youngest son left for  Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego and started 13 weeks of the most challenging accomplishments anyone can face. Becoming and earning the right to be come a U.S. Marine.  At the

Across the parade deck hundreds of new Marines march in their platoons as the last maneuver they will complete before leaving MCRD full fledged Marines. The Marine Band plays to open the ceremony, the chaplain leads every one in prayer and then the parade of dress blues begin. This is my second Marine graduation, my oldest is also a Marine,  but  the tears of pride still flow just as fast and my hands shake as I hold the camera.

Marine Corps Graduation, San Diego CA
Marine Corps Graduation, San Diego CA
Marine Corp Champlain leading off the graduation
Marine Corp Chaplain leading off the graduation
MCRD, India Company, Platoon 3213, October 7, 2011
MCRD, India Company, Platoon 3213, October 7, 2011 (son 6th from right)
My New US Marine
My New US Marine, November 2011

Since graduation my new Marine has attended MCT (Marine Combat Training) in Pendleton CA, Corrections training in San Antonio TX, and is now back at Pendleton as his permanent duty station. Congratulations to my newest U.S. Marine, he makes me proud.

I found this draft sitting in my WordPress folder.In evaluating my stats in WordPress my US Marine Corps postings represent 20% of views. Very popular topic, but considering every parent of a new Marine searches the internet for every scrap of information they can find to learn more about the journey ahead, I can understand.

Related articles
  • Marine Dress Cover (ndjmom.wordpress.com)
  • A closer look at what it really means to be a U.S. Marine (fox6now.com)
  • Boy Becomes Honorary Marine (foxnews.com)
  • Required Reading for Marines

 

Filed Under: Family, Marine Corps, Military Pride, Travel Adventures Tagged With: boot camp, California, marine, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, military, San Diego, semper fi, U.S. Marine, United States Marine, United States Marine Corps, USMC

Marine Corps Dress Cover

May 23, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I’ve loved this photo ever since I took when my youngest son graduated from Marine Boot Camp. A Marine in his dress blues is the epitome of pride, honor and commitment. They also look very handsome.

United States Marine Dress Cover
United States Marine Dress Cover

Every part of the Marine Corps uniform is thought out to the smallest detail. The cover issued to boots have a cloth crown (shown above) , some Marines later opt to purchase a white vinyl crown which is more durable. Military uniforms have a lot of history, yet the United States Marine Corps seems to be the one that everyone recognizes as being the best design and the most iconic.

Little brothers of Marines enjoy dressing like their big brothers, pint size dress blues costume to school on veterans day, Halloween, dress like your hero day. I think it’s really really cute and a great way for them to show their support for the military.

Don’t get the idea that an adult could wear it though, that would be called stolen valor and is greatly frowned upon. Don’t do it, EVER!

Dress Blues Costume for Kids

Kids 3 Pc U.S. Marine Corps Dress Blues Replica Uniform MediumYoung Heroes Marine Dress Blues Costume, SmallStuffed 10″ Dress Blues BearTalking Sgt R. Lee Ermey 12″ Action Figure

 Information on Marine Corps Uniforms

Marines To Wear Service Uniforms Every Friday

MARINE CORPS SUPPORT FACILITY NEW ORLEANS — Beginning Jan. 4, 2013, all non-deployed Marines and sailors assigned to Marine units, regardless of component, active or Reserve, will be required to wear the appropriate seasonal service uniform …
Marine Corps Electronic LIbrary | Writer’s Guide to …

… does the Marine Corps manage operational stress? What did Marine Corps uniforms look like in the early 1980s? How would a Marine disarm a mine? Description: The US Marine Corps is pretty open with their publications, …
SUNROTC_Marine Corps Uniforms – ProProfs Quiz

This quiz will test the student’s comprehension of the correspondence material covering the U.S. Marine Corps Uniform Regulations.
Appropriate times to wear uniforms? – Leatherneck.com

I was wondering when the appropriate times/occasions/places/etc you are allowed or most common to wear certain uniforms upon graduation from Recruit Training. I believe these are all the Marine Corps uniforms, but I may …

Filed Under: Family, Marine Corps, Military Pride Tagged With: #warriorwednesday, cover, dress uniform, family, hat, marine, Marine Corps, marine corps uniform, military, Photography, reflection, troops, uniform, USMC

U.S. Marine in Service Charlies

April 18, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Nothing is sexier than a Marine in his BCG glasses at boot camp. Or maybe not, considering the nickname for the standard issue Marine eye glasses in 2011 were called “Birth Control Glasses” as in you look like the ultimate nerd, they cover your face, make your eyes look big and even cause Mom (me) to snicker a bit.

U.S. Marine in Service Charlie Uniform

If a recruit wears glasses or contacts they are issued  standard-issue spectacles, S9s or commonly called  or BCG’s “Birth Control Glasses” because they are so ugly that no girl will come near you. They have been a staple in the military and are tough, sturdy and just plain ugly.

Marines joke about them, raze each other, but they are just as  much as they are hated they hold a certain affection amoung the ranks. I just read on the Marine Corp blog they are being retired for those interested “Goodbye Birth Control Glasses” is a very good read.

This image was taken on Family Day at MCRD San Diego after the MotoRun. The new Marines change into their Service Charlies uniform, and garrison hat, or cover (Marines often refer to it as their “piss cutter”.) and then have their first five hour liberty to spend with their families on base.

I have two sons in the U.S. Marine Corp, one stateside and one in Afghanistan and have come across a Twitter theme #WarriorWednesday. So I thought why not start a new theme and feature on my blog. I don’t know how long this will last, but at least until I run out of photos and images. So it might take a while.

This photo started off as “PhotoShopFriday posting until I thought of the #WarriorWednesday. I adjusted the levels, color selected the blue sky, and darkened the blues, used shadows and highlights to open up the shadows on his face and then cropped for a better balanced photo.

Marine Corps Boot Camp

If you are interested in what Marine boot camp is all about here are some books that come highly recommended by Marine recruiters for new poolees (recruits waiting to ship to boot cam) and parents of Marines.

Welcome to Hell: Three and a Half Months of Marine Corps Boot CampMarine Corps Boot Camp Survival Guide: Everything You Need To Know To Prepare For (And Live Through) Marine Corps Boot CampThis Recruit: A Firsthand Account of Marine Corps Boot Camp, Written While Knee-Deep in the Mayhem of Parris IslandThere’s Always One!: 50 Rules for Surviving Marine Corps Boot CampThe Making of a MarineMaking the Corps: 10th Anniversary Edition with a New Afterword by the Author

Related Articles

  • Happy Birthday Marine Corps
  • Gifts for A Marine Graduating Boot Camp
  • A Mom’s Letter to the Marine Corps
  • A Marine Mom’s Real Fear
  • Marine Corps Reading List

Filed Under: Family, Marine Corps, Military Pride, Travel Adventures Tagged With: Adobe Photoshop, California, family, Family Day, marine, Marine Corps, marines, military, photo editing, Photo manipulation, Sand Diego, travel, U.S. Marine, uniforms, United States Marine Corps, USMC

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