Images were captured from the Marines Facebook page

Miah climbing down a wall.

More images of the 125 foot wall

Miah is on the left second in line.

Almost hidden behind a post.

  This is an image from the Platoon video.

Charlie Company - an image off the video

Thanks for your prayers!

USMC Miah : Prayer & Appreciation

We received another letter from Miah. It was short but filled with prayer updates and a deep appreciation.

First, Miah is dealing with sickness. He has bronchitis. He was on bed rest a few days on the 10th, 11th, & 12th. He has bunch of Meds and an inhaler to help with the congestion.

On a bright note, he wants everyone to know how much he appreciates your prayers. He loves getting messages over Facebook. I print them and send them. Post encouraging comments!

He didn't have much time to write.

More later....

Letter three from USMC Recruit Miah

We got Miah’s third letter today. It is exciting to get letters from him. This letter was dated June 9.

He told us that he ran the O-course and learned some “RAKE DOWNS” in MCMAP. He says that this was fun. He looks forward to Sundays so that he can go to church; he loves going to church.

He got to do pugil sticks. It is a competition using long sticks with pads. He was able to take down his partner. So quick that he was told that he had to do it again; he got to take his partner down a second time. He described being able to take down his opponent using the butt stroke.

He tries to eat lots of protein. Usually fish. He described how he eats lots of peanut butter every day to keep up his weight. He created his own recipe of “pink fluff”. He piles on the Cottage Cheese with red Jell-O.

He has a cold. Sometimes his ear hurts. He tries not to complain. He also has to deal with pain from his hamstring; a prior injury from Track. He is hoping that it doesn’t get worse.

We have sent him several letters. I know that several others have written too. I appreciate all the support from everyone. Miah loves getting news from home and friends.

More later….

Miah's second letter

We got a second letter from USMC Miah. It is always fun to get his letters.

He is doing well. He told us that he caught a cold. He was in the Doctor's care for a day. He told us that the day goes fast. He can't believe how fast the time has gone. Yet he stated that he realizes how long he has to go.

He went to church last Sunday. He really liked it! He especially liked singing a song, "These are the Days of Elizah." It is a fun song.

I know Miah appreciates letters that have been sent although he has not gotten them yet. They are holding them. I remember (Jon saying that he waited for letters and one day many letters arrived.) Keep writing him.

He said that everyday is about the same. He said that he is still a leader of the platoon. He told us that the team is working together and following his lead. PT (physical training) is not hard for him. He is handling things well. Hopefully that continues.

This weekend he hoped to earn the ability for a phone call.

He also wanted his Taylor U football coach Korf to know that drill has included daily speed and agility drills. He is pumped about football in the Fall.

More later!

Jeremiah - week 4 coming up... week in review

We received Miah’s first letter. What a great letter! It was great to hear from him. He was confident and excited. He has a leadership role, for now. He is the platoon leader which means that he can eat with other leaders and not be harassed as the recruits usually are. It is a double edged sword however. That means IF his team messes up, he pays the price. So far the team are quick learners and are impressing the Drill Instructors.

This past week, according to the schedule, Miah has done Confidence Course, Pugil Sticks, Run in the Rain, 2-mile ability run and Inspections. This is perhaps the hardest because it involves endurance and the ability to not react negatively. These are things that Miah may have trouble with; he is impatient and can easily complain. However, he know what he needs to do to make it.

We send Miah a few letters. So have others. They should have arrived this week, and just in time since the week may have been tough. Several in my office signed a great card that showed a tree frog hanging over a stick with the statement, “HANG IN THERE!”

Next week is swim week and a few more courses on the History of the Marines. The dreaded bus ride is also next week on Friday. Miah does not like bus rides, he may throw up. He get car sick. Because the DI’s make them keep their head down and they can’t look out the window, I would guest he will get sick.

More later…

The address to Miah

Miah has an address :
name - "Jeremiah Carder"

Another day closer to home

I woke up this morning thinking about Miah and wondering how his day was going to go. I wondered if he was going to be dealing well with the orders. I wondered if he was on schedule with the events posted on the web site. Today he should be learning basic fighting techniques. I think he will enjoy that.

Miah is physically ready! I know he can handle the early morning stuff….he is our morning guy. I am confident that he is enjoying the cooler temperature even though he will be in the sun more than I will.

If I count the days right we are about 80 days from seeing him again, Lord willing. He has many incredible things to do yet. I will keep you posted.

On Friday AM he will wake up early and learn the history of the proud US Marines. What a great history. Check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea,^[7] using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States. In the civilian leadership structure of the United States military, the Marine Corps is a component of the United States Department of the Navy,^[8][9] often working closely with U.S. naval forces for training, transportation, and logistic purposes; however, in the military leadership structure the Marine Corps is a separate branch.^[10]

Captain Samuel Nicholas formed two battalions of Continental Marines on 10 November 1775 in Philadelphia as naval infantry.^[11] Since then, the mission of the Marine Corps has evolved with changing military doctrine and American foreign policy. The Marine Corps has served in every American armed conflict and attained prominence in the 20th century when its theories and practices of amphibious warfare proved prescient and ultimately formed the cornerstone of the Pacific campaign of World War II.^[12] By the mid-20th century, the Marine Corps had become the dominant theorist and practitioner of amphibious warfare.^[13][14][15] Its ability to rapidly respond on short notice to expeditionary crises gives it a strong role in the implementation and execution of American foreign policy.^[16]

Historical mission

The Marine Corps was founded to serve as an infantry unit aboard naval vessels and was responsible for the security of the ship and its crew by conducting offensive and defensive combat during boarding actions and defending the ship's officers from mutiny; to the latter end, their quarters on ship were often strategically positioned between the officers' quarters and the rest of the vessel. Continental Marines also manned raiding parties, both at sea and ashore. America's first amphibious assault landing occurred early in the Revolutionary War on 3 March 1776 as the Marines gained control of Fort Montague and Fort Nassau, a British ammunition depot and naval port in New Providence, the Bahamas. The role of the Marine Corps has since expanded significantly; as the importance of its original naval mission declined with changing naval warfare doctrine and the professionalization of the Naval service, the corps adapted by focusing on what were formerly secondary missions ashore. The Advanced Base Doctrine of the early 20th century codified their combat duties ashore, outlining the use of Marines in the seizure of bases and other duties on land to support naval campaigns.

Throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, Marine detachments served aboard Navy cruisers, battleships and carriers. Marine detachments (generally one platoon per cruiser, a company for battleships or carriers) served their traditional duties as ship's landing force, manning the ship's weapons and providing shipboard security. Marine detachments were also augmented by members of the ship's company for landing parties, especially in the Caribbean and Mexico campaigns of the early 20th centuries. Marines would also develop tactics and techniques of amphibious assault on defended coastlines in time for use in World War II.^[24] During World War II, Marines continued to serve on capital ships. They often were assigned to man anti-aircraft batteries. When gun cruisers were retired by the 1960s, the remaining Marine detachments were only seen on battleships and carriers. Its original mission of providing shipboard security finally ended in the 1990s when nuclear weapons were withdrawn from active deployment and the battleships were retired.

Source: Wilipedia.com

Miah's training schedule at boot camp

Miah is in week one – today he is doing first aid. I am sure he will love it since first aid is something he already knows and had done.

Week one of training begins for USMC Miah

Miah is into his second week... No word from him but I am sure he us doing fine.

The picture is from the fall, 2010. He is on the Taylor football team.

He is now part of a new team : the USMC team.

The temperature today at boot camp us at around 75 degrees. It is almost 90 here at home. Hmmm, does Miah have it better? NOT!!

We miss you Miah. I know you can do it! On Facebook, there are many who are cheering for you!

Miah at USMC boot camp - first weekend

Miah is enjoying (for now) cooler temperatures than what we are here. It is 90 degrees here and only 61 degrees in San Diego. Today Miah had opportunity to go to church then "square away" time. He can organize his stuff, adjust his uniform and write letters. I hope he writes us a letter.

We had a big lunch today. Jon prayed for Miah and we posted on Facebook a picture in case he gets to see it.

An addendum for Miah

Jossy sang last night at Eastbrook's Baccalaureate Service. She is such a talented young lady. She strives to do what you do in track. She misses you Miah.

Miah - day three...

It is most interesting that as I am getting my day going (slowly making my way to the breakfast table) that Miah is approaching his day in a wholly different way. Granted, the Marine recruits start their day before mine (and given the three hours time change) they are always dealing with someone yelling at them. The drill instructors are forcefully commanding the day's agenda!

I am thinking of Miah daily. His decision to join the USMC makes us proud! While we have always been proud of him we are ever more mindful that he is not our little boy anymore.

On this day the USMC recruits will usually be hitting the road running, lifting and preparing for what is going to be the biggest challenge of their time, the Crucible. This 50-plus hours of non-stop action and challenge will deepen their resolve and galvanize their spirit and teamwork. Today is no exception. The recruits will have to do whatever they are told, when they are commanded to, and the way they are instructed to. This is more than what we could ever imagine.

Miah, you will read this blog after your return. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, know that you have achieved more than most and demonstrate the courage beyond your years. You have made us proud. You have earned respect. You are not just our son, you are a man.

My hope for you today (while you may not read this until the end of August) is that you will give it your all, demonstrate responsibility, and do your part to develop team loyalty and spirit. You should know that we are praying for you each morning, thinking of you throughout the day, and wishing you well at each part of this incredible journey.

We love you.

Miah's basic training

http://www.marines.com/main/index/making_marines/recruit_training/marine-bootcamp

Interesting videos of boot camp experiences....

Daily schedule

An average day typically begins before sunrise.^[1] Reveille is sounded and all recruits present themselves for accountability. After personal hygiene and morning clean-up, recruits will perform physical training (only on Monday through Saturday). After the morning meal, the recruits begin the day's scheduled training, which may include classes, drill, or martial arts. On Sundays, recruits are offered the morning to attend divine worship and personal time. After the noon meal, the day's training continues until the evening meal, typically around 1700 to 1800 (5:00 to 6:00 PM). After this time, recruits will have hygiene time to shower, clean their weapons, and clean their barracks. Recruits also get roughly 1 hour of square away time after this, personal time for recruits to engage in personal activities such as preparing uniforms or equipment, writing letters, working out, or doing laundry. Recruits are not free from their DIs or allowed to leave the squad bay during this time. In preparation to sleep, recruits may hydrate, pray together for 5 minutes, ensure footlockers and rifles are locked, and often recite the Rifleman's Creed or Marines' Hymn before hitting the rack. Lights-out can range from 2000 to 2200 (8:00 to 10:00 PM), depending on the next day's activities.

Jeremiah is finally en route to USMC (Marines)...

This is day one (officially) of Jeremiah en route to San Diego for 13 weeks of training with the Marines boot camp. This journal is a record of Jeremiah's daily activities or special events he will miss....

Please feel free to add comments to message Jeremiah.