Don’t misunderstand this as complaining. Although it’s no Four Seasons, being at Camp Leatherneck is not entirely a incovenience. A mixture of the safety of a large Marine Corps base and amenities such as air conditioning in my room and more than adequate chow halls makes it very, well, tolerable. The fact that I am able to check my Facebook and blog says I have some luxuries that many other Marines do not enjoy. I am fortunate to have a USO and the MWR Recreation Center where I can catch Sports Center and make use of a phone call.

It seems that I will be based out of Leatherneck but I may have chances to get out of here and perform my duties all over the province. While it may be relatively comfortable here, sitting on an amenity abundant base large enough to require a mass transit network, it’s not exactly what I envisioned mid-July of 2009 when I signed my contract. I hope to contribute to doing some good while here. Never the less, it is such an immense privilege to serve here regardless of the capacity.

I hope that I can keep the blog updated with interesting information and not be a means of posting self-indulgent banter. Stay tuned.

Call me a hopeless romantic, but I think it is real. I like to shoot for the stars and deal with the fall to the painful earth below. Yes, impacting Terra Firma at terminal velocity is quite painful. Yes, it has an arduous effect on my self worth, confidence and makes me second guess my decisions. But, truth be told, the exhilarating rush of flying through the air is worthwhile. The sights that I have seen while missing the mark soaring through the stratosphere are visions that I would never trade. Those experiences are priceless. Even more a treasure they are when a lesson is learned on the other side.

Do I deserve this thing which I strive to get? Resoundingly the answer is no. I deserve to be confined alone to a cold grey apartment, eating salt less, tasteless foods, and working some mindless dead end job. Will I concede to a life of such entrapment? Again the answer is a resounding no. I will always strive for things which I do not deserve. I will push for it until I succeed or falter in the pursuit.

Although I live in the microwave society of instant gratification, I know that this quest is not one to happen overnight. I recognize this will be a journey of self control and patience. I am prepared for the task. Should it take more than a year? Two? Three? More? That is irrelevant. The pertinent point is my aim and goal. That is the focus from which I cannot waver. Is this my only focus? No. I have many objectives I would reach. This focus, however, inspires more passion and drive than I have ever experienced.

I know this about myself: I will not let go of something that is the most perfect thing I have ever encountered. Some might not understand. Some may say it is beyond my grasp. It just might be. My hands and heart will be reaching until my face is firmly planted on this terrestrial sphere after shooting for and missing the heavenly bodies somewhere in the cosmos or until I have that one star locked in my clenched fist. Failure will never intimidate me. I have experienced it before. It is painful; excruciating even. Pain is temporary. Eventually, pain will cease.

I know not if this will be read by anyone. Could anyone bear this uninspired albeit abbreviated drivel? That is not for me to say. This is, however, something that began captive in my cerebral cortex and made a short trek to my fingertips on the laptop keys taking only a quick detour through my heart. Maybe my lack of intelligent interaction recently has combined itself with the second hand smoke and obvious inebriation of my fellows and has affected my ability to string together intelligible thought. Nonetheless, this is what has been produced from my introspective thought process.

It’s been a long time since I have had the creative bug crawl up my trouser leg and bite down on me. Live has been busy since my last post. Since then I have: completed the Crucible, graduated boot camp, spent time with family at home, completed Marine Combat Training (MCT) and moved to Ft. Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma! It’s been quite exiting and fun . . . until I stepped of the bus at the Lawton International Airport, Hair Salon, Barbershop, Tire Repair and Animal Clinic. Well, it might have been just a simple airport. It seemed like it should have been all those things.

The winds never seem to stop. At first it was chillingly cold and combined with the wind it seemed to slice through Gortex jacket that I’d been issued. The second time I put my jacket on the zipper broke and would bust open only to allow in more piercing wind. Much of our time was spent waiting . . . outside . . . in formation . . . in the cold . . . just waitting. Half the time it was to ask a simple question and fall us out. We would march to chow surrounded by a bunch of nasty soldiers that were either brand new recruits or some prior service re-enlistees that seemed like civilian in a gray digital camoflage utility uniform. Rushed we would be most every time making us flash back to the days of boot camp. Upon returning to the barracks we would be dismissed to clean. Cleaning is what we would do for hour after hour. We never got much work done because we were to clean the same thing over and over again. Such was my first few days at Ft. Sill.

Things are a little different here than at boot camp or MCT. We are treated like human beings more than we are recruits. They give us liberty, if you are old enough you are allowed to drink alcohol, and given off-base liberty. For most 19-year-old Marines it’s plenty of slack in the rope for them to hang themsleves. In fact, a few days before I arrived at the Marine Battery here on Marine unsuccesfully attempted suicide using his web belt tied to a bunk bed. This Marine was intoxicated. The consequences here are real. Since my arrival I’ve seen several getting a Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP). This action (affectionaltly refered to as a “NinJa Punch”) is a big deal that will be seen every time the Marine goes for a promotion for the rest of his Marine career. With the Platoon Sergants there are no excuses or mercy for stupidity. Sometimes it amuses me how brain dead these Marines are.

Anyway, the most boring part of being here is over. I’m glad it is. I spent 3 weeks in the worst part and am ready to move on. I start my classes to get me trained to do my specialty for the Marine Corps. After the course, which is 7 weeks long, I’ll be back in Arlington, Texas continuing my life and serving my Marine Corps in a Reserve Unit.

I’ll fill you in on some stuff I left out from Boot Camp and all of MCT. Stay Tuned

PFC Ingram, Isaac I. USMC

Some good things that happened today are cool. We’ve been getting cookies that friends and families sent for Christmas. (continued on Saturday)

So, I had to continue my letter today. Today has been weird. It started off with company inspection. It was not that good. The senior drill instructor was yelling at all of us. And he was mad at the other drill instructors because we weren’t ready for inspection. After that all the drill instructors went away and we all had the rest of the day with the senior drill instructor. We all got our dog taggs which is awesome. Mine has my name, ssn, blood type, and “Baptist” right on the bottom.

For noon chow the senior drill instructor told us all to get ice cream. We didn’t think he was serious until he got mad because no one was getting any. I got some vanilla from the soft serve machine and it gave me a brain freeze. It was worth it.

Then we packed for the “crucible”. After the “crucible” we get to be called “Marines”!!! Anyways, we were yelled at and threatened because were packing to slow. He got pretty upset and we thought it was going to be bad.

When we went to evening chow it was weird. He told us to get cake and ice cream. We were all still skeptical. We were wondering what the catch was. Later we had some dialog with him and he said he was getting back at the drill instructors for all their mistakes since first phase. He told us to do something crazy to the drill instructors in the morning. But I’ll let you know next time about what it is.

The next blog entry will be written by a Marine. It’s only five days away and I’m pumped! Thanks for your prayers so far.

Isaac Ingram

PS. I found out my new M.O.S. (military occupational specialty). It’s 08-44-Field Artillery Fire Controlman. It’s cool because I tell people what to blow up and my school is in Ft Sill Oklahoma (I think)

After that, we have some classes and stuff. Some classes are cool, some not so much. Yesterday we had one on educational benefits. That one was helpful. A couple of days ago we had one on sexual responsibility and STD’s . That one grossed everyone out! Most of the time they’re helpful.

After the classes, we have a “dummy grade” to help us prepare for final drill. We are being graded by the 3rd Battalion Drill Master (big deal). Our senior drill instructor is big on drill, so the out come of the grade will most likely determine how tough the next couple of days will be. Fingers crossed.

Next week is finals week! Monday is final drill. There are huge bragging rights associated with it. It makes drill instructors very happy to win it. Tuesday is practice test and first aid finals. Those shouldnt be to bad cuz we’ve been working on it. Wednesday and Thursday is final PFT (physical fitness test) On inventory PFT I did better with 9 pull ups, 82 crunches, and 24:10 3 mile run.

I ran out of time. Catch you next time.

Almost done!

Isaac Ingram

I’m just really excited about going to church tomorrow. It’s not really church to me but I get some worship in and sometimes get some truth from the word. I love to get to sing too. It’s still not hymns but you get what you can.

Today we ran the 2.5 mile S&E (I believe, could not read the writing) course. It’s like running 1/2 a mile and do some stretches and exercises 5 times. This time it was pouring rain and we did exercises and stretching in the mud. It was awesome! We were covered in mud from head to toe. So SWEET!

The other day a small group of us were picked to go on a working party. We got to leave the squad bay for the whole day. We went to this warehouse in the back of an open truck in the rain to pick up some boxes. We literally sat around for a couple hours and waited to be told what to do next. After noon chow we were taken to another building and unloaded the stuff out of the truck. We ended up decorating for this marine Christmas party. In a way it was fun to be around all the Christmas trees and lights. But a lot of us got a bit depressed to be missing out on all the Christmas stuff back home. I was a bit of both. All in all it was fun.

Other than all that, nothing much is going on. Just pray for me over the next few weeks as we do all our final events. Next week (this week actually)is a lot of physical stuff and the week after is test and stuff like that.

You guys have a great Christmas season while I work my tail off!

Isaac Ingram

Last week we shot the second portion of our marksmanship course. I had a good time but missed shooting “expert” overall by one point. I really wanted that shooting badge. I’ll have to make due with “sharpshooter”.

At the beginning of the week we had field week. We stayed outside for three days. We slept in tents, ate MRE’s and did a lot of field training. The two combat obstacle courses were cool. They made us all get really dirty!

One thing that is awesome is in the last four weeks I’ve gotten more letters from church members than from family. Maybe the family has slacked off on the letter writing. Just a thought.

I’m going to close it down for now. Got some more letters to produce to my family in hopes to get some in return. If anyone hears from my brother, Tim, tell him I’m still waiting.

I hope all is well back in the civilian world. I’ll see it in about 4 weeks.

Pressing on!

Isaac Ingram

After all that junk it’s gotten better.  We had church, ate & did a bunch of other stuff.  I enjoyed the music even though it was a bit contemporary.  It just made me realize that I miss my own church and church family. 

Anyways, let me get you guys up to speed on what’s going on with me.  On Wednesday we had rifle qualification.  Good news is that I qualified expert.  That’s the highest qualification.  Bad news is that our Platoon scored the lowest in the whole company.  I know it’s that bad.  It’s not official because we still need to shoot table II which people say is pretty easy and a bit fun. 

Today was an adventure!  The whole company embarked on an 8 mile hike with our 80lb pack.  It wasn’t all that bad except the freezing rain and mud on the last few miles. 

Next week we are doing field week.  Which is just 3 or 4 days of camping in the wilderness. After that it’s all downhill!  I can’t wait to graduate.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers

See you guys soon!

Isaac

Last week was swim week and I passed my 4 & 3 qualifications and failed my 2 qualification. It’s all good though cuz I didnt need it. Also we did our initial PFT (physical fitness test) and I passed. I met all my personal goals but barely. I ran 3 miles in 24:50, did 61 crunches and 7 chin ups. Most definitely need to improve in all categories.

Saturday we moved up to Camp Pendleton, CA. It’s mainly field training and instruction on the M16 A2 service riffle. Pray that I pass qualification and shoot “expert”. It’s the top qualification.

It’s exciting to me cause I get to shoot an awesome weapons system. It’s a bad mamba jamba!

Our companies in front of ours say that the three weeks up here at Pendleton fly by. It’s also phase 2 out of 3. Im hoping that it does fly by.

Well I will depart on that. Pray for the health of the whole platoon! Lots are sick. Pray for our guide (head recruit)! Lots of pressure on him!

Thanks for your prayers and support!!!

Isaac

A couple of days ago we went to get a “dummy grade” for our drill. It’s just a fake grade to show us where we are in getting prepared for initial drill. To cut the story short, we got kicked off the parade deck by the drill master. Yeah, it was that bad.

On a good note, today I took a language proficiency test for Romanian (which I havent really spoken for 8 years). I passed it in both the reading and listening portions. That qualifies me for extra pay. YEAH! Im not sure how that will work in the reserves but money is money.

All in all Im enjoying it still. I could use a good steak and Taco Bell. I could also use an xbox night with some good friends. It is all going to happen soon enough.

I will leave you with that. Thanks to all for your interest in my journey here at MCRD San Diego! Unless no one is actually paying attention to the blog.

Take care and God bless!