The day they leave - is probably one of the toughest days ever. You will cry, you will feel like your lost, you will not function that well in your daily routine. DO NOT WORRY this is perfectly normal behavior. Essentially, someone you have kept close tabs on has disappeared into a void. You feel like you know nothing, you don't know what to expect, you wonder if they are okay, what they are doing each and every second and what you can do to help. It's like a big black hole has come and swallowed them up. The thing to remember is that thousands upon thousands of US Marines have passed through those portals and made it just fine.
- Arrival - When the bus arrives, they are met by receiving Drill Instructors and the indoctrination begins immediately. Recruits get off the bus, stand on the fabled yellow foot prints and their journey aboard MCRD Parris Island or San Diego begins:
http://www.marines.mil/unit/tecom/mcrdparrisisland/Pages/2009/Other%20Months/ParrisIslandthroughtheeyesofnewrecruits.aspx
- Phone call home - each recruit is given the opportunity to make a quick call home - make sure your phone does not have any blocks on it as the call will come from a restricted number. It is a scripted call, they cannot deviate from the script. You will hear yelling in the background, and your recruit may not sound like their self. This again is normal, they are in a very new and different environment, have been traveling for possibly hours and a little nervous. Just scream I LOVE YOU into the phone - no need to listen as this link will tell you what they are saying.
- this is very important to remember - do NOT worry if you do not receive this "I'm here" phone call. They did not lose your son/daughter/hubby/wife/bf/gf/nephew/niece/brother/sister. There are occasions where the recruit either forgets your # or dials incorrectly, most will be too nervous to say anything so... on Tuesday mornings, in random homes across the USA there is someone scratching their head wondering what they heck that 1 AM phone call was all about.
The recruits spend the first few days in RCP or Recruit Processing Platoon. They are given haircuts, clothing, instructions - their transformation from civilian to Marine has begun.
- Start writing those letters, no you will not have an address yet, but you can start writing so that when you do - those letters are ready to go !
- Utilize the recruit message boards, talk to others who have experienced week 1. I'm not going to lie, it's a tough week. You want to know are they okay, are they homesick, are they regretting this, what are they thinking, eating, wearing, O M G how am i going to get through 13 weeks of this?
Now if you've done your reading.. hint hint... you will have read that Boot Camp can be a very stressful/chaotic time for recruits. It is also a very stressful/chaotic time for loved ones. The same basic premise for the reasoning applies to both groups. Your recruits are being trained to be US Marines, you are being trained to be a US Marine loved one. They are learning that the only thing they need to know is whatever the Drill Instructor tells them.
We are learning we no longer are the only authority in their life. The needs of the Corps will almost always trump anything else we deem important. You can be bitter and angry when you realize this or learn to accept it as your recruit has. Lack of communication, information, knowledge is a pattern that will be repeated. It is sometimes a hard thing to come to terms with, there is going to be a small part of what they do that we will never know about.
For the most part they are trained to not attach emotion to what they are doing - so 'how did you feel when..." is a question that will be met with a blank stare. They didn't feel - they just did. Yes I know... we all want to know the magic formula to transform the civilian who had to be asked to pick up his/her socks 10 times before it was done to one who will follow his Drill Instructors order immediately and without question. Alas, it is a deeply guarded secret. Each Drill Instructor, while trained the same, is as different as each recruit is. What works on one recruit may not motivate another recruit.
The first night is a tough one, mostly we're worn out from the emotions of the day so we can sleep. There's no way around the fact that your last waking thought and first in the morning will be of your recruit. I'm really not sure how it happens, and so quickly, but every single thing that was important yesterday has taken a back seat. You have gone into hyper focus - your thoughts are never far from Parris Island. It's not unusual to find yourself in the midst of a conversation regarding the weather and jump in with ... hmm I wonder if it's a black flag day on PI". The person you are speaking to will more then likely not have a clue as to what you're talking about. Continue on as if nothing happened. This won't be the last time, you will become quite skilled at finding a way to work your recruits name into any topic of conversation. It becomes a high art form.
Example; Friend, " I am training to climb Mt. Everest next year", your reply, "Wow that's nice. I wonder if Recruit has any mountain training at boot camp. Talk about training hard, have I told you what Recruit is doing today"? Then whip out your handy matrix and show it to your friend.
This gets a little better as time goes on, but for the most part, yeah you're most likely a bit obsessed. It's okay, we understand.
to be continued........
