Weird as it is, I am blogging in the MORNING.
For any who don't know, my older brother TJ is going to be a Marine and leaves for Basic Training in June. Last night we went to a USMC Family Night in order to meet other Marine families, see what they are going to be doing, and have any questions answered. First Staff Sergeant Rogers gave a nice speech, then all the Recruiters were introduced and told us a bit about themselves. Then the DI's sent up about twelve Poolees for a small taste of what Basic is like, my brother was among these. (DI is a Drill Instructor, Poolees are people like TJ who aren't haven't gone to Basic yet, but are enlisted or planning to once they are seventeen). All twelve or however many there were looked fairly nervous and slightly terrified. Some of them were merely doing running and sitting and standing. Others messed up and had a DI screaming in their face, click here for an example. (Video link does contain language). After their demonstration, the Poolees had to sit, not moving, on the floor while the DI answered questions from parents about Basic. At one point, a Poolee twitched his foot and the DI stopped his talking to go yell at the kid.
Afterwards, we all went to eat while the poolees stood behind the food tables and watched us get our food, then were allowed to eat after all the guests had eaten. We were not allowed to clear our own empty plates, TJ had to clear ours (every poolee cleared their own guests dishes), and after some had left they all cleaned up. I have never seen a room with that many tables and chairs become a clean space so fast before. Apparently, when TJ comes back from Basic, they will have taught him how to make his bed, open the door for girls, and even how to "wear his pants on his waist instead of below his damn butt" as the DI said.
All in all, it was a very interesting experience. I'm told that if I send him cookies or cake or something, he will get in trouble, so thats probably something I will be doing.
For any who don't know, my older brother TJ is going to be a Marine and leaves for Basic Training in June. Last night we went to a USMC Family Night in order to meet other Marine families, see what they are going to be doing, and have any questions answered. First Staff Sergeant Rogers gave a nice speech, then all the Recruiters were introduced and told us a bit about themselves. Then the DI's sent up about twelve Poolees for a small taste of what Basic is like, my brother was among these. (DI is a Drill Instructor, Poolees are people like TJ who aren't haven't gone to Basic yet, but are enlisted or planning to once they are seventeen). All twelve or however many there were looked fairly nervous and slightly terrified. Some of them were merely doing running and sitting and standing. Others messed up and had a DI screaming in their face, click here for an example. (Video link does contain language). After their demonstration, the Poolees had to sit, not moving, on the floor while the DI answered questions from parents about Basic. At one point, a Poolee twitched his foot and the DI stopped his talking to go yell at the kid.
Afterwards, we all went to eat while the poolees stood behind the food tables and watched us get our food, then were allowed to eat after all the guests had eaten. We were not allowed to clear our own empty plates, TJ had to clear ours (every poolee cleared their own guests dishes), and after some had left they all cleaned up. I have never seen a room with that many tables and chairs become a clean space so fast before. Apparently, when TJ comes back from Basic, they will have taught him how to make his bed, open the door for girls, and even how to "wear his pants on his waist instead of below his damn butt" as the DI said.
All in all, it was a very interesting experience. I'm told that if I send him cookies or cake or something, he will get in trouble, so thats probably something I will be doing.
HAHA...I love that he will learn how to wear his pants! Not sure it would be smart to send him the cookies, though. Talk to Pam about that one!
ReplyDeletedidn't she send someone a piece of gum or something?
ReplyDeleteWow if someone started screaming in my face like that, I'd start crying.
ReplyDelete