Phase 1: Motivation Still Active

Finally, I'm here.  Finally, I've made it to the jumping-off point from which I will do and accomplish more than I expected.  For those of you who don't know, I checked into The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia on 29 April (Delta Company, 5th Plt). The first week has been a whole lot of in-processing/medical/admin work, but we're getting into the swing of things.  

Last week, we all completed our swim qualification (Beginner and Intermediate), to include a 250 meter swim (in cammies and boots), treading/floating in water for ten minutes (we used our blouses and trousers as flotation devices), a 50m walk/swim with kevlar (helmet), flak jacket, assault pack, and rifle (all the gear was fixed together), and a gear-dump in deep water. Y'all know I'm very much a land-dweller, but the swim qual was awesome. It tested me in an area in which I am unaccustomed, so I love that. Next time, I'll loosen the double knot in my boots before I try to take them off under water...

Initial PFT was yesterday (scored a 295...one dad-gum pull-up short) so it's good to have that under our belts. We're finishing up administrative work for the rest of the week, so y'all can count on more enthralling stories about how I tactically maneuvered my way through the Naval hospital in order to complete all dental screens (Objective A) and attain five pairs of portholes (Objective B).

God has so cleverly prepared me for and placed me in this situation. Of course, if I was a perfect officer, I wouldn't need TBS, so I'm hungry for learning and growth. We have phenomenal staff and enlisted advisers who are invested in us and our contribution to the Marine Corps as effective, competent servant leaders.

These six months have already been guarded and blessed. Not just for me, but for the entire company. I am encouraged and motivated by my peers and know we are going to accomplish and learn not only from the staff and instructors, but from each other. It's finally time to do work, y'all, and I couldn't ask for a greater opportunity. Here's to six months of miserable days, long nights, and whole heck of a lot work. This is what we asked for. This is what will separate the good from the best: the boot Lieutenants from the Marine Officers. Let's get it.

"Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, do not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Do not withold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it."
 --Proverbs 3:23-27

Here's my address in case you're interested:

2ndLt Jennie L Pearson
Delta Co, 5 Plt
The Basic School
24164 Belleau Ave
Quantico, VA 22134

(No pictures yet, but be expecting some as the POI progresses)

...

6 weeks and I have no idea where to start. 

Okay, so it was the most amazing 6 weeks of my life.  The first question most people have asked me is, "Well, how was it?"  Pretty basic question, so I give a straightforward answer, "I loved it."  After they hear that, they give me a look like I'm crazy and just kind of shake their head. 

But I'm not lying.  Yeah, OCS was a challenge and it was mentally tough at times, but I loved what I was doing and want more.  All in all, I can't wait for next summer.  A lot of candidates think about how much they were losing by going to OCS (everyday luxuries, family, etc.) but I can't help think of all the things OCS gave me.  I am now just a better person: more disciplined, more level-headed, a better decision maker...all the qualities I see in strong leaders have been dug out from my depths and brought to the surface. 

OCS gave me some of the best and coolest friends I could ask for.  The 27 females that stuck it out for the entirety of training are among the best people I've ever met.  We worked together and built a bond that no one can possibly break.  No one will take that away from us.  Whether they go back for SR's or not, we share an accomplishment that will hold us close forever. 

So many people don't understand or don't approve of the military and the Marines in particular, but I have just a few words for those people.  It's understandable that you don't understand why the military is the way it is, but until you've been part of it or dealt closely with it, you have no room to speak ill words of our armed forces.  Things are done the way they are for a reason and it's because of that system that this country remains the strongest force in the world.  I am so grateful for the Marine Corps and what it does for not only our country, but for our allies and for those countries and provinces that struggle for freedom and human rights.  It's truly an amazing organization (if you can call it that) and deserves the utmost respect, even if you aren't a member or don't particularly care for the military. 

I am absolutely honored to be on the path to becoming a Marine Corps officer.  The enlisted Marines deserve even more respect because they're the ones who truly run the Corps.  "Semper Fi" means so much more to me than ever because I will always be faithful to the Corps and to my country.  Faith in yourself, faith in God, and faith in your fellow Marines can carry you through anything, so Semper Fi, y'all.  Have faith in all that you do and know that somewhere, somehow, there's a Marines who's got your back.

I'll share OCS stories with y'all as they come to me but for now, we'll just leave it at that.