This will be the last letter I write to anyone while I am here. This Sunday we step for the Crucible. The first day is the "Confidence Chamber"-the gas chamber. Not excited.
I do have some news I am excited about! I received my orders. December 20, I stand detached from my current unit (my bootcamp platoon) and I am to report to MCT = Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton on Jan 14, 2014. On Dec 31, 2013 I will be doing recruiters assistance for two weeks after my leave. So you all get 20 days of me being HOME!
I am pretty stoked!
Also, my exact military occupation speciality is Aviation Ordnance, I didn't get Crash/Fire like I was hoping for however, as I understand it, I will be putting payloads onto aircraft, assembling them, bomb building, and/or maintaining the really big guns on a Thunderbird. So still a very awesome job!
After the next training MCT (Marine Combat Training) I will go directly to Pensacola Florida for my training/education. I am allowed to have phone calls at all the next few places and I hear that MOS training is a lot of fun.
If you are wondering what I need, I do not really need much.
Once you get here, there is shopping on base.
I want to share an experience I have had this week, as I have mentioned previously, I am the LDS Prayer Leader in my platoon for four recruits. One of which I helped baptized during our time here. The protestant prayer leader is one rack away from me and he and I are pretty good friends.
Throughout all of bootcamp he asked me about the "little rumors" surrounding mormons and I always answered to the best of my ability, but, always told him that I wasn't not the best source because I do not know everything. Well, through out this training He and I have jokingly had little sparring matches about our faiths. Now as a prayer leaders we get to meet once during the week to discuss ways to better help the platoon spiritually. This week, he came to our mormon prayer leader lesson. While Elder & Sister Jensen taught the lesson, I went to the back of the room and taught him some of the foundational truths of the gospel. After, Elder J and I gave him a healing blessing and he is coming to church with me again this Sunday.
I have had such an expotential spiritual growth here, I am feeling confident.
To finish this last letter, I want to share one final thing. Bangle challenged me to do this and I like the idea. In WWII an American Pilot was shot down and captured. His captures allowed him to write home only once and limited him to 25 words. So he had to think hard about exactly what to say because he thought it could be the last 25 words anyone would hear from him. While my situation is not the same, I am going to give you my 25 words.
My Family - There are many like you, but you are mine. The love we share has carried me up and made me whole. I Love You.
Love,
Tanner
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
A Baptism @ Basic - Nov 24
I have really exciting NEWS! I was going to wait to tell you, but can't wait anymore I want to tell you about it!
Two weeks ago, I was ordained to the Office of an Elder. I have already given a couple blessing and seen them manifest. It has been such an experience.
Now, today, I had the opportunity to baptize my good friend. His name is Holden Bangle, he is from Roy, Utah. He and I had the same recruiter and I had the opportunity to confirm him a member along with another recruit. I am getting my temple recommend before graduation. :) Seriously, I am really psyched to graduate and go to church with you all. I am looking forward to go to the Temple.
That first Monday night I get back, Bangle and several other from Utah in my company are going to go together to see the lights at Temple Square. It is going to be a lot of fun.
I want to visit all the family we can before Christmas. As for what I would like to do on and around graduation I am including a small ternary of what I would like.
Things will definitely be strange for you all seeing me again. Not sure how noticeable my changes will be.
I miss and love you all,
Love Tanner
Two weeks ago, I was ordained to the Office of an Elder. I have already given a couple blessing and seen them manifest. It has been such an experience.
Now, today, I had the opportunity to baptize my good friend. His name is Holden Bangle, he is from Roy, Utah. He and I had the same recruiter and I had the opportunity to confirm him a member along with another recruit. I am getting my temple recommend before graduation. :) Seriously, I am really psyched to graduate and go to church with you all. I am looking forward to go to the Temple.
That first Monday night I get back, Bangle and several other from Utah in my company are going to go together to see the lights at Temple Square. It is going to be a lot of fun.
I want to visit all the family we can before Christmas. As for what I would like to do on and around graduation I am including a small ternary of what I would like.
Things will definitely be strange for you all seeing me again. Not sure how noticeable my changes will be.
I miss and love you all,
Love Tanner
A Prayer Answered - Nov 19
Today, I had the Series Commander Inspection. Basically, we all stood in formation in our drill uniforms and a handful of recruits are inspected by random by the series commander--Capt Moore.
I have recently been praying for the Senior Drill Instructor and his subbordinates to notice me more (in a good way). Sure enough, Capt Moore's heels came together in from of me and as luck would have it my Senior Drill Instructor was right there watching. I executed a perfect inspection arms (look that up on YouTube) after which he took my weapon and checked it and my uniform.
Cleanest weapon in the platoon, perfect uniform, and I answered all his questions with a cool confidence. The expression on his face was a HUGE confidence builder but even more so when he turned to my Senior Drill Instructor and said "This guy know his stuff and his bearing is solid. It was a good day.
I am a Phase III Recruit now in the MCRD again. I have exactly 31 days from today until I get to see you all again. 3 more weeks of training and then the Crucible. I am so excited! The end of the training is in sight.
Mom/Dad as for all your questions: Yes, bring a small bag with my things. When you pick me up I will need room to pack my sea bag other gear bags (shouldn't be a problem with Black Betty) Other than that, pretty simple.
I love and miss you all,
Love
Tanner
I have recently been praying for the Senior Drill Instructor and his subbordinates to notice me more (in a good way). Sure enough, Capt Moore's heels came together in from of me and as luck would have it my Senior Drill Instructor was right there watching. I executed a perfect inspection arms (look that up on YouTube) after which he took my weapon and checked it and my uniform.
Cleanest weapon in the platoon, perfect uniform, and I answered all his questions with a cool confidence. The expression on his face was a HUGE confidence builder but even more so when he turned to my Senior Drill Instructor and said "This guy know his stuff and his bearing is solid. It was a good day.
I am a Phase III Recruit now in the MCRD again. I have exactly 31 days from today until I get to see you all again. 3 more weeks of training and then the Crucible. I am so excited! The end of the training is in sight.
Mom/Dad as for all your questions: Yes, bring a small bag with my things. When you pick me up I will need room to pack my sea bag other gear bags (shouldn't be a problem with Black Betty) Other than that, pretty simple.
I love and miss you all,
Love
Tanner
Fire Team Leader - Nov 17
Dear Family,
Thanks for keeping posted on how my things are at home. I am glad to know my bills are correct/in order. When you all get here there is a family day, and then graduation that Friday. As soon as I About Face and guys rush on that parade deck and find me! We can pack up and go. I am pretty sure that I am going to want to just go home quick.
I will spend one day relaxing with you in Cali, but I want to get to the Snow and have Christmas home in Utah.
Today, we go back to the MCRD-it's the first day of Phase 3. I qualified as an expert in the marksmanship, I scored a 320 our of 350 combined over both the know distance course and the combat course. It was a lot of fun but I am glad to be in the home stretch. I am so excited to see you all and for you to see me. I am not sure I "look" different but I feel a lot different. My self control and disciple are through the roof! I am under 180 now. We have completed all the hikes other than the final one up the reaper. I don't know if I told you? I am a fire team leader in my squad. The guide wants to make me a squad leader, he says I do more as a fireteam leader than most squad leaders. So that is exciting. Other than that, I don't really have much news.
I am really starting to miss you all really bad. I have one request, my first meal outside of here needs to be Chinese! So do some research in the area so we can go straight there after I graduate. Pack some of my clothes, my phone, some toe shoes.
I love you all!
Love, Tanner
Thanks for keeping posted on how my things are at home. I am glad to know my bills are correct/in order. When you all get here there is a family day, and then graduation that Friday. As soon as I About Face and guys rush on that parade deck and find me! We can pack up and go. I am pretty sure that I am going to want to just go home quick.
I will spend one day relaxing with you in Cali, but I want to get to the Snow and have Christmas home in Utah.
Today, we go back to the MCRD-it's the first day of Phase 3. I qualified as an expert in the marksmanship, I scored a 320 our of 350 combined over both the know distance course and the combat course. It was a lot of fun but I am glad to be in the home stretch. I am so excited to see you all and for you to see me. I am not sure I "look" different but I feel a lot different. My self control and disciple are through the roof! I am under 180 now. We have completed all the hikes other than the final one up the reaper. I don't know if I told you? I am a fire team leader in my squad. The guide wants to make me a squad leader, he says I do more as a fireteam leader than most squad leaders. So that is exciting. Other than that, I don't really have much news.
I am really starting to miss you all really bad. I have one request, my first meal outside of here needs to be Chinese! So do some research in the area so we can go straight there after I graduate. Pack some of my clothes, my phone, some toe shoes.
I love you all!
Love, Tanner
Scored An Expert - Nov 8
Dear Family,
Well I scored an expert this week for the rifle qualification. I did my best at the 500 yard line which is a really far distance to shoot a little bullet! I am pleased.
This weekend is the birthday of the Marine Corps, so most of the Drill Instructors are in Las Vegas for the ball. So today has been a relaxing day. All we have done is drilled, studied, and trained a little. I am up to 17 pull-ups, 167 crunches in 2 minutes, and 120 ammo can lifts in 2 minutes. I ran the last 3mile in 22:30. I am getting in really good shape here. Can't wait to show you all!
It is crazy to think I am already near the end and next week is the field week, we learn land navigation, sleep in sleeping bags, eat MRI's, Hygiene with baby wipes and then we shoot another rifle course with moving targets and such. That will be fun! After all that we go back to MCRD and have team week which is just us working together to accomplish simple tasks around the base.
Then PT week, then Finals Week, then the Crucible, then Marine Week. At the end of Marine week I get to see you all again! I know its still a month away, but the way it is broken down helps it move more quickly. I really look forward to that final day, driving home with you all.
I definitely want to just go home. So please do Disneyland and anything else you like beforehand. The sooner I can have a day to just relax and decompress the better. I miss family road trips too---
I love you all,
Love,
Tanner
Well I scored an expert this week for the rifle qualification. I did my best at the 500 yard line which is a really far distance to shoot a little bullet! I am pleased.
This weekend is the birthday of the Marine Corps, so most of the Drill Instructors are in Las Vegas for the ball. So today has been a relaxing day. All we have done is drilled, studied, and trained a little. I am up to 17 pull-ups, 167 crunches in 2 minutes, and 120 ammo can lifts in 2 minutes. I ran the last 3mile in 22:30. I am getting in really good shape here. Can't wait to show you all!
It is crazy to think I am already near the end and next week is the field week, we learn land navigation, sleep in sleeping bags, eat MRI's, Hygiene with baby wipes and then we shoot another rifle course with moving targets and such. That will be fun! After all that we go back to MCRD and have team week which is just us working together to accomplish simple tasks around the base.
Then PT week, then Finals Week, then the Crucible, then Marine Week. At the end of Marine week I get to see you all again! I know its still a month away, but the way it is broken down helps it move more quickly. I really look forward to that final day, driving home with you all.
I definitely want to just go home. So please do Disneyland and anything else you like beforehand. The sooner I can have a day to just relax and decompress the better. I miss family road trips too---
I love you all,
Love,
Tanner
Tough Day - Nov 2
Dear Family,
Today has been a really tough day. We had a 5 mile hike over really rough terrain in full combat gear. Cammies, boots, flak jackets, kevlar helmets, our M16's slung over and full packs on our backs. We have to stay in formation and shout off cadences. I am so beat. Then we drilled the rest of the day, prepping for the final drill next phase. Monday, we start shooting for the first time. We practice for 3 days and then have to qualify on the las day. I am going to go for my expert badge. I just want to get to the end of this training. I am tired all the time and I have not been comfortable since my last night at home with you all. Don't get me wrong, I am motivated and still going strong! Just missing home really bad today.
Anyways, how are things at home? How was Halloween? I spent my favorite holiday in a sitting position with my M16 digging into my shoulder for several hours. Our rifles are pretty cool :).
We have Alogs on them so that part is exciting.
I have learned how to fight iwth a bayonet on my rifle and how to fight with it in my hand. Hand to hand combat. I know some pretty cool take downs, chokes, and finishers. I feel like I am in a Mortal Kombat when we do combat training because they have us shout "kill" every time we execute a move.
As I move forward heres it really makes us move faster. Everything we have to do has to be loud, viscous, fast, and intense. Don't be surprised when I sit down for a meal together and I am finished before you even get started! Despite how tough it is, as I look back on all the challenges I feel like recruit training has not been all that difficult. I feel like anyone really could do it. NOT everyone should-but, could. But, maybe that is because I am feeling stronger mentally, physically, spiritually now. Perhaps that influences my opinion.
I really do miss you all. Make sure you are here early that morning of the 19th for family day! I want you all to see my run the moto-run and have that day on base with me. Then the 20th get a good parking spot so when I graduate we can HEAD OUT! I can't wait to get a good meal and with my family.
Love and miss you all!
Love,
Tanner
Today has been a really tough day. We had a 5 mile hike over really rough terrain in full combat gear. Cammies, boots, flak jackets, kevlar helmets, our M16's slung over and full packs on our backs. We have to stay in formation and shout off cadences. I am so beat. Then we drilled the rest of the day, prepping for the final drill next phase. Monday, we start shooting for the first time. We practice for 3 days and then have to qualify on the las day. I am going to go for my expert badge. I just want to get to the end of this training. I am tired all the time and I have not been comfortable since my last night at home with you all. Don't get me wrong, I am motivated and still going strong! Just missing home really bad today.
Anyways, how are things at home? How was Halloween? I spent my favorite holiday in a sitting position with my M16 digging into my shoulder for several hours. Our rifles are pretty cool :).
We have Alogs on them so that part is exciting.
I have learned how to fight iwth a bayonet on my rifle and how to fight with it in my hand. Hand to hand combat. I know some pretty cool take downs, chokes, and finishers. I feel like I am in a Mortal Kombat when we do combat training because they have us shout "kill" every time we execute a move.
As I move forward heres it really makes us move faster. Everything we have to do has to be loud, viscous, fast, and intense. Don't be surprised when I sit down for a meal together and I am finished before you even get started! Despite how tough it is, as I look back on all the challenges I feel like recruit training has not been all that difficult. I feel like anyone really could do it. NOT everyone should-but, could. But, maybe that is because I am feeling stronger mentally, physically, spiritually now. Perhaps that influences my opinion.
I really do miss you all. Make sure you are here early that morning of the 19th for family day! I want you all to see my run the moto-run and have that day on base with me. Then the 20th get a good parking spot so when I graduate we can HEAD OUT! I can't wait to get a good meal and with my family.
Love and miss you all!
Love,
Tanner
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)