I've been gone for several days. I went to watch the latest batch of Marines graduate, which included my son in Echo Co, Plt 2105! Private is home on leave now (no, no meritorious promotions). He's off to be a 2800- Data Comms Maintenance and Repair guy after MCT (and off to "the other desert" in 29 Palms). He's already been "plying the trade", as he repaired the DI's computer several times in Boot (he also taught me a new Marine term that had me chuckling, the DI's ordered him-- "Whiskey Pig, fix Porn Box, now!" He was one of the "Whiskey Locker Privates").

See, when I (and many of you) came through boot camp, there were no computers, excuse me, porn boxes, so we did not have a creative Marine name for them. He also calls his newly issued glasses "portholes", another term I had not heard (though they also still call them BCD's and/or BCG's-- Birth Control Devices/Goggles).

A few changes here and there, but MCRD and Recruit Training are virtually unchanged since my day. I recommend that every Marine make a trip back to the "Yellow Footprints" once more after 20 or so years. Just very awesome and encouraging to see these new Marines. And, despite what you hear about the new generation going to hell and having an overly PC and easy life in Boot Camp....not true. His DI's, though one generation after me, were still "Old Corps"-- man, I hate to use that term, "Old Corps" used to mean "China Marine Era", but....it fits.

My son (who's been home now all of 24 hours) still stands at parade rest to address everyone, and "we" all get a huge kick out of it ("we"- I work with and hang out with over a dozen retired Marines, we can't get enough of The Boot). And one of the advantages of hanging around this crew is that he's been offered several uniform items already. My old Blues Cover is a perfect fit (and Mom is still freaking out how much we looked alike as new Marines)

Glad to have him home, if only for a short while. He plans on either staying in CA or Okinawa after training school, but he's really not caring where...still motivated to do whatever is "best for the Corps".....Boots, gotta love 'em. Unfortunately, many of my other uniform items do not fit....seems that later in my career I might have gained a few (25) pounds or so since I graduated from Boot Camp....

All for now. I'll be one sporadically as my monitor has burned out. Gotta get a new one.

Gunny glad everything turned out good for your Son I remember when my Grandson came home from Boot then from his first deployment to Iraq he had changed in so many ways but they were all good.It made me feel like I had taught his Father right and he had passed it on like my Father would have wanted.

Oh, to be young and full of energy!

I hope all goes well and congratulations!

2800, lol! Is he a 2846, 47 or 44? If he gets sent to oki after school there's a good chance he might end up at my current unit (3rd Elmaco)!

porn box is a great new term btw, lol.

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2800, lol! Is he a 2846, 47 or 44?

He, uh, doesn't know yet.....that normal? He volunteered to change MOS in Boot Camp (dumbass, I gotta keep reminding him of that "never volunteer" thing). He hasn't got the orders yet to 29 Palms, still got to get through MCT.

And, BTW, Defcon, he's looking to latmove soonest opportunity to 0211 as well (which was my MOS when I retired). I keep telling him "wait until you see if you even like the Corps...". He's already making the plans though.

Trying to get him to look at the TSCM side....if you're a 2800 you might want to look at that as well, 0212 (though, you're already on the right track, you have to become an 0211 first).