Evaluations

Week 8 was the culmination of of our training evaluation at Officer Candidate School. I wasn't sure I would make it this far after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in my left heel about 10 days ago.

Our evaluation began after a 9 mile hike Tuesday (which started at midnight and involved a 40lb pack). The hike ended with the Leadership Reaction Course where we were presented a problem and were given 10 minutes to work through it while supervising 3 others.

I was presented with 2 platforms in the middle of what was basically a swimming pool. I had 3 boards and a box of ammunition and my task was to use my team to get the ammo from one platform to the other. Of course, the boards did not reach the platform. The main point was to see how I would react as a leader to a basically impossible problem.

After spending the night in the field, Wednesday, we went by squads (mine had 10 candidates from my platoon) and performed the Small Unit Leadership Evaluation. This evaluation involved small missions to be lead by each candidate. This event included briefing the squad and using tactical measures and movements to complete a mission, and possible engagement with the enemy. We would run about a mile between each evaluation site on hilly terrain as and added bonus.

My mission was to link my squad up with a platoon about 300 meters away. I had to use land navigation skills to make sure we were going in the right direction and also set my squad in a formation that would be ready for unknown enemy location. We made contact with the enemy (a Corporal shooting blanks sitting in a lawn chair behind a fortification) and successfully pushed through.

I passed both evaluations. My feedback from the evaluators basically stated that I am above average briefing others and using tactical formations. I have decent confidence and making decisions. I need to work on force and a gain a sense of urgency.

Aaron did incredibly well. He got a 100% on LRC II and 97% on SULE II. The more I think about it, I know for whatever reason Aaron was supposed to be here with me. I would not have made it through the first week without him.

I don't know what plans God has for us, but I see Him in every aspect of our lives. This training has been so difficult. It's far beyond the most difficult thing I have ever done. There are days where I have no strength, but somehow I make it through. I know it is God's strength pushing me through. There is no way I could make it on my own.

If all goes as expected, Aaron and I will be graduating August 10th. We purchased our uniforms today. I'm excited, but so nervous. I am going to be responsible for the lives of others and for our nation's freedom.

“For of those to whom much is given, much is required”
Luke 12:48

Week 6

The challenges here are now becoming a lot more physical. I am exhausted physically and mentally. But, that is part of the process of Officer Candidate School. We start Week 7 tomorrow. The schedule is made up almost entirely of physical events. Last week, we went on an "administrative move" to our Night Compass Land Navigation course site that somehow ended up being a 4 mile hump with a 30 lb. pack on our backs in the middle of the afternoon. We quickly ate chow before going into the tree line for about 3 hours of classes. After which we humped another mile, set up a bivouac site (camp site) and then set about our night land navigation test. It's amazing how you can feel completely alone (not a bad thing, by the way) with 300 candidates surrounding you in the tree line in total darkness trying to follow a compass a set distance to find a numbered box which was impossible to see.

Before dawn, we set out again on a squad mobility march. This was a 3 mile hump back to the squad bay led just by our squad, no staff around, It was a blast! We set a quick pace but sang motivating cadences the whole way back. I don't think anyone wanted it to end.

This next week will be extremely physical. I'm a little worried because my body is so tired. I have a few precious hours left of liberty before things start up again and sleep is a major priority. Thanks to all who are praying for myself and Aaron. Whatever happens, we know God is in control. We could never have made it this far without him.

The Few and the Proud

Greetings from Officer Candidate School (OCS). I have completed my fifth week (half way) of the most difficult introductory military training in the US and possibly the world. When I made the decision to join the Marine Corps Reserve, I knew it would be difficult-and the Marines know how to take 'difficult' to a whole new level!

This is definitly the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Physically, it is tough; but I have "Physical Courage" (Marine Corps Leadership Trait) and push through whatever the obstical. My struggle has overcoming myself and my own weaknesses inside me. Weaknesses I never knew I had.

The moment we were picked up by our Sergeant Instructors (think drill instructors on steroids) I basically went into some type of survival mode. My body freaked out and I froze up completely like some poor animal cornered by a preditor. I finally realized I had never been yelled at before in my life. I was scared, truly scared. I know that the yelling is part of a test to see how we react to stress like the stress of combat. Coming into this, I thought I could handle any kind of stress. It took about two and a half weeks to finally start putting true effort into my training instead of just trying to survive.

I was told by Marine veterines that I would learn things about myself that I wouldn't like, and things that would amaze me. No matter what, the training would change me. I have been disappointed that it has taken me so much time to over come my weaknesses. I started to believe the words the sergeant instructors were saying about me. That I was a complete idiot. That I was incapible of anything. The worst were when the staff would say things about how Aaron must be disapppointed with how poorly I was doing and embarrassed of me. They would even go over to his platoon and tell him what I had done. I know this is all part of the test, but there were times it took all my strength such as when Aaron's sergeant instructor yelled and spat in my face and told my that Aaron and I were both worthless and and needed to be sent back to where we came from. We weren't wanted. It took a lot to not believe these words.

I always thought I would be the one helping out others, and here I am needing help. It's tough asking for help. It's tough being seen by others as slow or weak.

The past few weeks have been better, but everyday is a test to see if we truly want to be here. If we have what it takes to lead Marines. I can leave at any time. I can also be sent home at any time. We've already lost 17 in our platoon.

I am finally able to focus on others rather than my own survival. However, what I know most is that I can NOT do this on my own. If I am to make it through this training, I must rely on God alone to pull me though. There is no other way. If I am to be a Marine Corps officer, it is because it is God's will.