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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

Marine Corps, MCRD Graduation Family Day

November 13, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

The Parent's Survival Guide to Marine Corps Boot CampThe Parent’s Survival Guide to Marine Corps Boot Camp

After thirteen weeks of intensive boot camp training, Marine recruits see their families for the first time the day before graduation at MCRD Graduation Family Day.

Plan to arrive on Wednesday afternoon or evening for a San Diego USMC Graduation because you will not want to miss anything!

I have THREE Marines and a USMC graduation in San Diego is NOT to be missed. 

With each of my Marines, each San Diego Marine graduation in San Diego has been different. 

Family Day during a Marine Graduation is held on Thursday, the day before the actual graduation at both MCRD San Diego or MCRD Paris Island.

The first time you actually see (or touch) your new Marine is during the Moto run in the Thursday morning. There is nothing like the excitement when they first run past.

You will cry, you will shake with excitement. Promise.

MCRD Graduation Family Day Moto Run will inspire and impress you when you attend your first USMC boot camp graduation.Up until Family Day, there are no phone calls (maybe one for travel plans), 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 families who are used to being in touch with their kids at all times.

What Happens at a Marine Family Day?

You get to hug your Marine recruit for the first time. Mom’s cry at the site of their son transformed so much in 13 weeks. Dads beam with pride as their child stands straighter and prouder than he has ever seen in the past. Brothers and sisters will stand in awe of their sibling who looks like the same person but is changed.

CafePress - Proud Marine Mom - Pullover Hoodie, Classic & Comfortable Hooded SweatshirtCafePress – Proud Marine Mom – Pullover Hoodie, Classic & Comfortable Hooded SweatshirtCafePress - MARINES Eagle Globe Anchor - Proud DAD Dark T-Shir - 100% Cotton T-Shirt, Crew Neck, Soft and Comfortable Classic Tee with Unique DesignCafePress – MARINES Eagle Globe Anchor – Proud DAD Dark T-Shir – 100% Cotton T-Shirt, Crew Neck, Soft and Comfortable Classic Tee with Unique Design

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What to expect at an MCRD Graduation Family Day?

Ears Open, Eyeballs Click

Marine Corps parents end the journey of USMC Boot camp with graduation starts with parents learning the meaning of Ears Open, Eyeballs Click

Family Day at the Marine graduation in San Diego starts with the Drill Instructor introduction.

It’s an interactive introduction to what your Marine recruits learned and how they had to respond. The ears open and eyeballs click command is to listen and eyes on me, with a response of YES SIR, at the top of your voice.

You will get to practice this many times.

After the MotoRun your new Marines return to their barracks to shower and change into their Charlie uniforms for on-base Liberty.

Marine Corps 101

Parents and family have about 2 hours before the Liberty review begins. There is normally several presentations by the MCRD Commander with an introduction of all the drill instructors. It is here you will learn more about the next phase of your Marines training and success.
CafePress - Marine Mom Red Friday T-Shirt - Womens Cotton T-Shirt, Crew Neck, Comfortable & Soft Classic TeeCafePress – Marine Mom Red Friday T-Shirt – Womens Cotton T-Shirt, Crew Neck, Comfortable & Soft Classic Tee

You can also shop at the MCRD Base Exchange for USMC Graduation Shirts and other Marine USMC merchandise if you didn’t buy them ahead of time. You really want to wear a Marine Mom Shirt and bring home several.

Each USMC Graduation Battalion has their own colors.

  • 1st Recruit Training Battalion = Red
  • 2nd Recruit Training Battalion = Gold (Yellow)
  • 3rd Recruit Training Battalion = Navy Blue
  • 4th Recruit Training Battalion = Maroon

Considering the Marine Corps graduations occur on Friday it’s only fitting to some Marine Mom T-shirts in Red RED so you can wear red on Fridays and support our troops.

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MCRD Graduation Family DayFamily Day Graduation Liberty

Finally, the time arrives when the new Marine Corps families and friends can hug their Marine. They will march and assemble by platoon and officially get dismissed.

Your new Marine will have four to five hours, on base, to enjoy with his family and friends. They are not free to do anything they want. They still have to be alert to salute and greet officers as they pass. My favorite part of the USMC Family Day is being escorted by my new Marine.

Seriously, they are taught to bend their left arm and escort females on base. There is a hierarchy. Grandma first, then Mom, then the girlfriend. So Marine Moms, you rank over girlfriends.

The pride you feel as a new Marine Mom is overwhelming and one you will never forget.

San Diego Marine Graduation tips and what to expectBring Food to Family Day

It’s not that the Marines don’t feed your son or daughter. BUT, Marine recruits don’t have time to enjoy food, nor enjoy their favorite food. Starting at the third phase of training letters from boot camp will start sounding like a menu as Marine recruits start imagining home and their favorite foods. Ask what foods they want you to bring.

You may be surprised what food your Marine recruit is craving. My new Marine asked for food of all types and during his five-hour liberty on Thursday and 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.

Marine Corps Traditions

Marines cannot eat and walk in uniform at the same time.MCRD graduation Family Day at San Diego USMC Graduation

Nope, won’t happen, so expect a lot of stopping to snack. We stopped to eat beef jerky, we stopped for cookies, we stopped for drinks. It was a constant “Hold on, do you have any more ______”

You will also notice other Marine Corps traditions which may be new to you.

  • Marines cannot walk in uniform and talk on their cell phone at the same time
  • Marines cannot put their wallets in their pockets of their dress uniforms
  • Billfolds are kept in their sock (yes you heard me right)
  • They must keep their right hand free to salute.
  • They will greet EVERY Marine officer or Drill Instructor with the proper greeting “Good Afternoon Staff Sergent” even when walking and talking with you, expect to get interrupted as you walk and talk.

During MCRD Graduation family day you can do several things.

  • Pick up Marines Official Dress Blues photos (the Marine Corps boot camp videos will come via USPS mail a few months later)
  • Eat lunch at the Bay View Restaurant on Base (here you can take a photo of your Marine with his drill instructor)
  • Visit the USMC Museum San Diego right on base and listen to your son describe what boot camp was all about.
  • Kick back and relax in the courtyard area outside the MCRD Base Exchange area
  • Go shopping with your Marine at the Base Exchange. He will want civilian clothes.

There will be plenty of food and gift vendors in the courtyard area and instead of walking all over the base and being exhausted you can actually relax.

Gift Ideas for Marine Graduates

Many parents like to give a gift at graduation to remember this significant day. Below are the best graduation gifts for Marines based on not only the recommendations of my Marines but countless other Marine Moms and parents.

They don’t like MOTO military gifts though and don’t WON’T wear a huge emblazoned Marine Corps logo.

So save your official USMC clothing for yourself.

Gift Ideas for Marines

Core Values - U.S. Marines Challenge CoinCore Values – U.S. Marines Challenge CoinKA-BAR Knife Desk Display Stand (USMC Emblem)KA-BAR Knife Desk Display Stand (USMC Emblem)Wrist Armor Men's 37100002 C20 Analog Display Quartz Watch with Black Silicone StrapWrist Armor Men’s 37100002 C20 Analog Display Quartz Watch with Black Silicone StrapHCSB Marine's BibleHCSB Marine’s BibleSterling Silver United States Marine Corps Medal with Christ Cross Back, 3/4 InchSterling Silver United States Marine Corps Medal with Christ Cross Back, 3/4 InchAllied Frame United States Marine Corps Certificate of Achievement FrameAllied Frame United States Marine Corps Certificate of Achievement Frame

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Have you been to a MCRD Graduation Family Day?

What has been your experience at your Marines Family Day? What did you do differently and what would you recommend?

 

Filed Under: Family, Marine Corps, Military Pride, Project 365, Travel Adventures Tagged With: 365project, boot camp, California, Food, graduation, marine boot camp, Marine Corps, marines, mcrd graduation family day, military, oorah, project365, San Diego, semper fi, snacks, travel, US Marines, USMC, Vacation

Day 243/365: Top 10 Reason Why I Love Southwest Airlines

September 16, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines, flying home from Connecticut late July

I love Southwest Airlines! Just about everything about it, from the friendly staff, the easy, no hassle reservations on their website and even their phone customer service. I have never gotten my luggage lost with Southwest, nor have I ever been charged a luggage fee. Which didn’t used to be an issue, but now, it’s a hassle on every other airlines.

My first flight on Southwest was probably back in the 1980’s or early 1990’s and I’ve flown several airlines over the past thirty years.

  1. Flight Attendents are friendly and casual (no stuffy suits, and overdone makeup)
  2. Pre-flight announcements are normally random and funny (I actually listen)
  3. I get to pick my seat and who I sit next too for several hours
  4. Passengers are more laid back and relaxed than other airlines (maybe due to more casual travelers and less “business” people who are flying the “other” airlines)
  5. Never have lost my luggage
  6. Checking in is easy (first to use computer terminals at airports)
  7. On line reservations is easy, you know you’re getting the lowest price instead of playing the “pricing game”
  8. No change fees!! No change fees!! Did you hear me, no CHANGE FEES or PENALTIES!!
  9. No luggage charges (Hey other airlines, what’s up with that?)
  10. I notice all the employees help each other out and are friendly to one another. Gotta be the khakis and casual attitudes.

First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do DifferentlyThe Southwest Airlines WayFlying LUV: Southwest Airlines Strategic Analysis

The latest reason I like Southwest, my youngest  son graduated Marine boot camp in early October. I made reservations, and a few days later I received a letter saying he would rather leave on a different day to come home on leave. I assumed I would have to pay a change fee for changing my flight. Considering the reason, my logic brought me to call customer service to plead my case a waive the change fee.

This was not needed. The customer service representative said there was no change fee and it’s very easy to change my reservation on line just by entering the confirmation number. No limit, no change fees and if the flight was cheaper I would get a credit. I reminded her I bought the cheapest “Wanna Get Away” Flight. Still no hassle, if the price was higher I would just pay the difference in the flight cost. She walked me through the website and by changing my reservation I actually saved over $200 on three flights by rebooking during their 2 Day sale. Awesome!

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take ActionSouthwest Airlines 82 Success Secrets – 82 Most Asked Questions On Southwest Airlines – What You Need To KnowSouthwest Airlines Crazy Recipe for Success Nuts!Lead with LUV: A Different Way to Create Real Success

It gets even better.  The flight attendant on our flight from San Diego home gave a very touching welcome and tribute to the armed forces and our service men and women. She welcomed and thanked my son, the new Marine and gave him a angel medallion when he left the plane. I was so touched.

During my eleven year tenure at Oxbow Animal Health the book “Good to Great” was required reading. Without going into business philosophy on how this good company became great I’ll just tell you what I have seen and heard. There is the story about the elderly gentleman who needed help and a random luggage carrier took it upon himself to go above and beyond, find help, and make the decisions needed to satisfy a customers need.

Employees are empowered at Southwest to do the right thing, make decisions and make a difference. To have an impact on customer, make them remember you, make them remember a company is a philosophy every company should have. I have seen small things throughout the years on Southwest that make me smile. But how I was treated the past couple of weeks, and the ease of the transactions, just made me want to tell others. It was a much needed blessing in my very hectic past two months that made a difference.

Give a Southwest Airlines Gift Card to your favorite traveler $100

So here is to Southwest Airline, thank you for being customer friendly!

As as extra benefit Southwest flight attendants are not only friendly, but they are funny and people actually look forward to the pre-flight announcements. Unlike other airlines like Delta and American where most people ignore the safety brief. Enjoy the rapping flight attendant on Southwest.

What Makes Southwest Airlines Great?

Southwest Airlines to Keep a Lid on Bag Fees

Fly Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), and your bags will continue to fly along with you for free. That is the message CEO Gary Kelly had for attendees of a recent conference on business travel. According to The Los Angeles Times, which was reporting on …

Invisible Tribes — Where are Yours? | Small Sparks Big …

And we were off to the races… swapping Southwest Airlines stories and lots of laughs. Several stories later the plane was nearly full and a perky 30-something woman eyed the middle seat. Aisle Guy quickly got up and waited …

The Seamless Brand: Branding Guidelines: Brick by Brick

Branding books (including my own) use examples like Apple, Starbucks or Southwest Airlines; stories that don’t always resonate with small to medium sized enterprises, business-to-business companies, or industrial product …

Teaching us How to Listen, Lead… and Live

Tags: Carla Sprague, Duke Johnson, Granada Presbyterian Church, Influence, Jim Gasior, Jimmy Johnson, Joe’s Stone Crab, Lisel Allbee, Paul Ting, Peggy Gasior, Russell Maryland, Southwest Airlines, stories, University of …

11 of the Best Customer Service Stories Ever | Mental Floss …

… from design community Orange Hive – Vulcan PostIn “Branding”. At the CrossroadsIn “Life”. On my way: Part 1In “Life”. Amazon, Apple, branding, Lexus, marketing, Ritz carlton, Southwest airlines, stories Leave a comment …

Filed Under: Military Pride, Project 365, Travel Adventures Tagged With: 365project, airplane, Bargain, businesses, clouds, company review, Connecticut, flying, Marine Corps, Nebraska, planes, Product Review, project365, sky, southwest airlines, southwest airlines stories, travel

Day 240/365: Wilderness Lake, Connecticut

September 15, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Wilderness Lake
Wilderness Lake

This lake in north eastern Connecticut was perfectly still and calm, we walked down to watch the girls go swimming and just drank in the peaceful vista around us. Oh to have a deck chair now and watch the fall colors turn and reflect off the water.

Ripples in Wilderness Lake
Ripples in Wilderness Lake

Filed Under: Project 365, Travel Adventures Tagged With: 365project, bathing suits, Connecticut, girls, lake, project365, summer, swimming, travel

Day 239/365: A Friendly’s Perfect Ending Ice Cream Sundae

September 14, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Does anyone need any reminders that I love Friendly’s ice cream sundaes? Don’t think so. Since Friendly’s restaurants have yet to open a store in Nebraska I have to get my fill when I return to Connecticut. This was my third and last stop of my Connecticut trip and it was a perfect way to end our Block Island trip.

Friendly's Sundae
Friendly’s Sundae, a perfect ending to any outing

Sure, I could make my own ice cream sundaes at home, but they wouldn’t be the same as the experience of sitting in a booth after a day of fun and adventure with friends.

Did you know you could buy Friendly’s gift cards on Amazon? Heck ya!! If anyone is thinking of a gift for me around the time I’m going back home to New England this is a GREAT idea!!!

Friendly’s Gift Card $25

Until then I’m just going to have to create my own ice cream sundae creations. First, you HAVE to use vintage ice cream sundae glasses. It’s even better if you can store it in the freezer.

I’m partial to the larger sundae glasses, more room for ice cream and toppings, but for kids, paper ice cream bowls are more manageable. Next, you need toppings.

An ice cream sundae bar is a perfect addition to a graduation party or a wedding reception. Order custom printed ice cream cups for your special occasion.

I keep the Glad twist top containers filled with chopped peanuts, sprinkles, crushed cookies, crushed butterfingers, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows,  and a variety of sundae syrups in the fridge.

What are your favorite sundae and toppings? Do you like to make a monster sundae and share with others or create a sundae bar? This classy looking acrylic toppings dispenser would be perfect for any ice cream bar.

For my youngest son’s high school graduation we had a sundae bar which was a big hit and a unique party theme. For this special occasion we bought sundae bowls in bulk and these, of course, were plastic.

Ice Cream Sundae Bar

So just because I can’t go to my local Friendly’s restaurant for an ice cream sundae fix doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy my ice cream. I use every opportunity to share my love of ice cream with others at celebrations.

Order these cute ice cream sundae bar printables for your next party. They are bound to make your celebration even more special.

Filed Under: Food, Travel Adventures Tagged With: 365project, Connecticut, Food, Friendly's, ice cream, ice cream sundae, ice cream sundaes, menu, project365, restaurant, snacks, sundae, tradition, travel, treat

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