One down, 12 to go

Josh has now completed his first week of boot camp.

While I don’t know exactly how he’s doing, I’m confident he’s doing well. The reason: We’ve been told more than once that no news is good news. And so far, there has been absolutely no news – no first night phone call, letter or word from his recruiter or anyone else with the Marine Corps. So, like I said, that’s great news when I wonder how Josh is doing.

By this point, Josh and the other members of his platoon likely have listened to lectures about the history of the Marine Corps – something Josh studied on his own well before he joined the Delayed Entry Program. He also has marched in formation and learned the basics of how to use weapons safely.
On Friday, he met for the first time his drill instructors, the men charged with forming the recruits into Marines. On several occasions in the days leading up to his departure for boot camp, Josh said that he couldn’t wait for that first Friday – the day he would meet the DIs.

Hopefully, that was still the case when D-Day, make that DI-Day, arrived.

With the start of the second week now here, his training has likely shifted to “combat water survival” – basically how to stay afloat in full combat gear. Unlike his brother, Andy, Josh has never shown a desire to just go swimming. Sure, he’s gone many times into the pools at the homes of relatives, and has always had a great time. But often after a short while he ends up out of the pool and into the Jacuzzi. It will be interesting to find out how big of a challenge this week was for him.

Finally, a couple of notes: Bob, thank you for posting the link to the story about the School of Music. It was interesting reading for me, and I’m sure it will be for Josh, too. And, Kevin, thanks for including the link to your blog. It looks like you’ve put a lot of work into it; it’s very informative.

Now it's for real

Today, Josh moved one step closer to his dream: becoming a Marine and, in less than a year from now, a musician with the 1^st Marine Division Band at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

He reported to the Temecula recruiting station a little before 1 p.m., along with several other poolees who are headed to boot camp along with Josh. At this time, there’s no way of knowing whether they will belong to the same platoon, but this much is certain: they all will arrive at MCRD San Diego and become members of Echo Company.

Here’s a photo of Josh in front of the recruiting station. In three months, I plan to post another photo of him standing in the same spot. We’ll see how much he changes.

Staff Sgt. Lee, a recruiter, talked about some of the things that the poolees have in store. They will be staying tonight at a San Diego hotel. The wake-up call comes early, at 4 a.m. They will travel to the US Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), where several hours later they will raise their right hands and take the oath: I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and that I will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, so help me God.

Josh already has taken that oath once before, on Oct. 1, 2009, when he entered the Delayed Entry Program. He posted a video of that brief swearing-in elsewhere on this blog. His swearing-in on Monday, July 19, 2010, will appear much the same but it carries greater weight. After this one, he heads off for boot camp.

I talked with Josh today for what should be the last time until I see him again on the day before his graduation in October. I’m sad at the prospect of not being able to sit and chat with him about the day’s events and all that’s going on in his life. But I consider it a very small price to pay, because this is the start of a tremendous opportunity for him – and I want the absolute best for my son. What father wouldn’t?

When I talked with Josh, he shared some of his thoughts about going to boot camp: “I’ve talked to so many people about it, seen so many movies and documentaries and read so many books on it, I kind of know what to expect. Now it’s finally going to be happening to me. I’m really excited to do it.”

Godspeed, Josh Rice.

The Last Day

Wow. Today was my last full day as a civilian. This week has been great! Let me try to recap:

Earlier in the week, I met up with a couple aunts and cousins from my mom's side of the family for lunch. Later in the week, I went out to a fancy Italian restaurant with my Nana (they even had a piano player!). Today I met for dinner at In-N-Out with some members from my dad's side of the family. To be treated to 3 meals in a week was truly an honor. It means SO much to me to be invited out to eat to see my family one last time. I'm no psychic, but I know that aside from God, family will be the biggest motivator when I'm broken down at recruit training. Family, thank you for the support. There are so many people that have gone through training without encouragement from their family. To have all of you supporting me is quite humbling!

Thursday morning, my Dad and I left for Las Vegas, Nevada, to spend some last quality father-son time together for the next quarter-year. Before we left southern California, we stopped by at my Uncle's work to not only see what he does, but mainly, for him to introduce me to his co-worker -- a former Marine and Vietnam veteran. Speaking to him was such an honor! He spent 22 years in the Corps, and hearing what he had to say about his experiences was so motivating, it reminded me why I chose the Marines. The USMC is unlike any other branch...the bond Marines share are extremely unique to their service. What I thought was funny was he mentioned that when he was in, he remembers Marines saying, "Oh, the Corps is not what it was back in the day. It was better back then." He said that even though the drill instructors today don't beat recruits, they are still making quality U.S. Marines that honorably continue what was started on November 10, 1775. He thought that boot camp is physically harder now, and the Crucible, which was started in the '90s, is a great add. Another thing he added was that when he went to a recent boot camp graduation (for someone in his family), he STILL saw the same pride and commitment that he saw from Marines during the Vietnam era. He said that he wished he was going to boot camp on Sunday!

At Las Vegas, my dad and I saw Frank Caliendo at the Monte Carlo -- my first time seeing a comedian! He was great! Unfortunately, I already heard a lot of his jokes when I looked him up on YouTube. Nonetheless, the new jokes I heard were pretty funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivk_uTW9Nao

Let me get this out there: I'm a huge fan of the show "Pawn Stars" on History Channel. If you don't know what it is, definitely check it out. We were able to visit their shop! The only bad part was the we couldn't meet the main people from the show...however, we did see some items that we saw on TV! It so SO COOL being at a store that we've seen on TV for so long!

Truth be told, the best part was just being able to talk to my Dad. I can't think of a better role model as a father. I hope I can be as good as a dad as he is!

Anyway, it is almost 10:30pm here, and I head to church tomorrow bright and early (it starts at 9:30am). I have to report at my recruiter's office by 1pm. After that, I'm headed to a hotel, where I will spend the night. On Monday, July 19th, I will be waking up at about 3:30 in the morning to start the day. I will be going to MEPS to finalize some paper work and medical things before I go to MCRD. I don't know if I will have time to do one last post before I go (as I should clean my room some). This could be my last post as a civilian. If not, then my last one will be tomorrow.

I've spent the past year physically and mentally preparing for recruit training. My final Initial Strength Test scores from the Delayed Entry Program are as follows:

• 10:31 mile and a half (11:30 is the minimum)
• 76 crunches (I think 45 is the minimum...I don't know because I aim for a perfect score)
• 10 pull-ups (3 is the minimum, 20 is perfect.)

I've also completely memorized the 11 General Orders, 14 Leadership Traits, and rank structure. 


PLEASE pray for me. The power of prayer is, well, very powerful. Please pray that I'm able to safely graduate on time, and without problems. I know that what does happen, however, will be God's Will. 

Well, I'm about to take my last shower at home, and sleep in my bed for the last time (until October). I need to get some sleep ASAP! Adios!

P.S.: I told my friend I would give her a shoutout on here, so I'm going to do it now. Hi Sam Millare!

Mom's Mini-Blog

For many months, I've known Josh would be going to Boot Camp...but lately that thought changes my perspective on everything...Like "I should bring him a bowl of fresh fruit salad, because he won't be having anyone waiting on him in boot camp" or "I'll fold his clothes (he must put them away) since he'll be having to take care of his own clothes in boot camp." Yes, I'm the mom and must learn to let him go. When I look at him and talk to him, I DO know he is ready.

Like his Dad, the practical jokes at the dinner table that have gotten him sent to the kitchen to eat by himself, will be missed. (I've not wanted his brothers to choke when laughing and now fully expect his brothers to come up with their own ways to crack everyone up). I absolutely loved our conversations back and forth from Vista when I'd take him to countless band practices, football games, and concerts. Those will be precious memories...but I KNOW new memories are coming. I can smile thinking of seeing him for the first time in his "dress blues" because I will know he's made his dream come true. What more could any mother want for their son!?!

Boot Camp Countdown Continues

Hi, I'm Jerry, Josh's Dad.

Josh has entrusted me with the responsibility of updating his blog while he is in boot camp. I'm looking forward to it.

In the meantime, with just days to go before he is required to report, it appears it will be yet another week filled with "lasts." He already has been on his last vacation as a civilian with his parents and brothers. He spent his last couple nights without any outside thoughts of "serious" responsibilities with his friend, Eric. Today was the last full Sunday he will have at home to play video games before boot camp, tomorrow will be the last full Monday, etc.

He will be putting that part of his life on hold for a while. In a little more than three months, those "lasts" will become "firsts": his first night out with his friends as a newly minted Marine, his first opportunity to sleep in, etc. I imagine he will feel a range of emotions when he attends his first high school football game just hours after graduating from boot camp -- particularly when the Golden Alliance plays the national anthem before the kickoff.

As for me, I will miss having him around the house. I will miss the jokes around the dinner table and our late-night conversations. But much more of me is excited for him, as he takes his first step toward realizing a dream, and into this next chapter of his life.

I Made the Paper!

Josh Rice and Shawn Marron, who sat next to each other as saxophone players in the Vista Murrieta High School jazz band, will not have to give up playing together now that they've graduated from high school.

The two musicians have been selected to become members of the 1st Marine Division Band at Camp Pendleton.

Rice said he was told they are the first Southwest County high school graduates to be selected for the ensemble.

The 18-year-olds will join the band in about 10 months after they complete Marine and music training.

Avid musicians and friends since meeting in eighth grade, it wasn't the band that drew them into the Marines. Both teens said they would have enlisted anyway.

"I was going to go straight infantry. I wanted to be a Marine," Marron said. "Music is just a plus."

They were each in middle school when they first considered the Marines as a career.

"(I wanted to join) because of the veterans and what they stood for and what they protect," Marron said.

"I was inspired by different people in my life, like my grandfather," Rice said. "I just wanted to be like them." Once he was accepted by the Marines, auditioning for the band seemed natural, Rice said. "Military is something I wanted to do and music is something I want to do, so why not do both?" he said.

Both joined the Marines last year through the Delayed Entry Program ---- which allowed them to enlist before their senior year in high school ---- and have been training weekly at the recruiting center in Temecula.

Rice leaves for boot camp at Camp Pendleton on July 19. Marron follows next month.

They will undergo 13 weeks of boot camp, 29 days of Marine Combat Training and six months at the school of music in Virginia before joining the band, one of 12 Marine Corps bands located around the United States and Japan.

The 50-member 1st Marine Division Band is booked for more than 400 concerts and performances each year, playing all styles of music including classical ---- which Rice favors ---- and Marron's favorite, jazz.

When Rice was accepted into the Marine band in 2009, he filled the only saxophonist opening. So, hoping to join his friend, Marron started playing the bassoon. But, another saxophonist spot opened up and Marron auditioned and was accepted in March.

Being musicians does not mean the men will not be sent into battle. The band is a deployable unit, with about a dozen troops currently serving in Afghanistan, Rice said.

Marron said he hopes being in the band does not prevent him from serving overseas. "That's why I joined the Marines, so I can go over there and make a difference," he said.

Link: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/murrieta/article_3a48c23f-0e76-5691-aea0-3a6fdaeddb4f.html

Only One Week Left

Woo! I just got back from spending a few nights at one of my best friend's (Eric) house. All we did was eat, sleep, talk, watch TV and play video games. (We literally watched the entire first season of Dexter in less than 24 hours. Crazy. It is horrific to watch at first, but it gets pretty good.) It's nice to be able to waste an entire day doing nothing but relaxing, but I'm really getting bored of it. All summer my life hasn't been exciting at all...and really, it doesn't need to be. I know as soon as I hit the yellow footprints, I'll be wishing I had time to relax again. But for now, I'm sick and tired of waiting -- I want to be a Marine already!

Being in the Delayed Entry Program, it is my job to go to the weekly physical training (PT) sessions at my recruiter's office. We work out a lot, that's for sure, but we also go over some good knowledge stuff. (Like what Honor, Courage, and Commitment, the Corps' core values, really mean. We also look at the heroic actions of certain Marines.) Anyway, this past Wednesday was my final PT session (I've been advised to relax the last week to be safe, and enjoy being a civilian. It would be a shame to hurt myself right before I go, which easily could have happened this past week). Boy, will I remember my final PT session as a Poolee for awhile...at least until the 19th.

 

It began with a representative from the University of Phoenix talking to us about his school. I'm definitely planning on going there. It is among the largest and most accredited online universities, with 1/2 a million graduates and just as many currently enrolled. Since I'll be in the service, I can go there for free! I'm definitely planning on getting my AA degree there.

After that presentation, the fun began. A drill instructor was there. We ran a lot, did 400 push-ups (I counted), and a ton of ab workouts. We also did a mock CFT (Combat Fitness Test), where we had to sprint carrying two 30 lb ammo cans, perform elongated low crawls, and two types of fireman carries. The day ended with wrestling and a run back to the office.




Even though my whole body hurt for a few days, I really had a lot of fun. If I'm this satisfied after a PT session, I can't imagine what it must be like to be a Marine. I can't wait.