A New Marine!

Introducing one of the newest members of the United States Marine Corps, First Class Tyson from Bravo Company, Platoon #1025.

We were able to travel to San Diego, California this past weekend to support Tyson in graduating from the Marine Corps Boot Camp. He has been there for 13 weeks, and what an accomplishment this is for him. While we were there we were able to see firsthand what goes on and we could see other troops being trained and OH MY GOSH!!!! I wouldn't have lasted one day there. I heard yelling drill sargeants left and right and "YES SIR" being yelled back left and right. We even saw singled out boys going through "IT" where they are singled out for doing something wrong. What physical and emotional torture!!! I guess they have to go through this intense breaking down to make them the tough Marine that they need to be. We are so proud of you Tyson for making it through!

Brandt, Kortney, Jean, Tavyn, Mark, me, Tyson and Kylie

On Thursday, "Family Day" we hadn't been allowed to see Tyson until all the Marines came running in formation with their platoons and marched into formation in front of us. We were told they wouldn't be allowed to make eye contact with us but we did catch him eyeballing us. It was pretty neat! After that they ran off again to run 4-miles and we couldn't meet up with them again for another couple of hours.
After we were able to finally see and talk with him we went to a luncheon that our church sponsored for those LDS Marines who attended the branch on base. The Branch President who served in the Marines cut the ceremonial cake with a sword that he had while he was serving as a Marine.

Bravo Company, Platoon #1025 marching in for graduation
Graduation Ceremony

After the graduation, he was given his orders where he is allowed 10 days leave and he flew home with us. After his leave he will return to San Diego to Camp Pendleton for 3 weeks before heading on to North Carolina where he will be in school/training until December. After that, he's not sure what or where he will go. Until then, he will probably enjoy sleeping past 4:30 am and eating all the junk food he wants with more than the standard 4 minutes chow time. He won't have any drill sargeant yelling orders and he can actually talk normal to us. I am interested though in seeing how the drill sargeant said he will know how to make his bed and clean up after himself.....this I HAVE TO SEE!!!!