For all the young Marines who have gone through Marine Corps Bootcamp, and Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (aka, Organized Chicken Shit), this photo should bring back memories:

With some jobs, any day can look like Independence Day.

Ooh Rah, Marines!

The best place to stargaze is probably not in your backyard, but somewhere more adventurous.

And never forget, neither bravery, nor courage ever goes out of style.

Tonight I will toast US Army Lt. Col. (Ret.) Charles Kettles with a double neat Glenfiddish 14 year, Bourbon Barrel Reserve single malt whisky, Thank you for your courage, and for saving dozens of men while under intense enemy fire. 

The last few have been long, exacerbated by the appointments requiring reveille to sound by 04:30 for the last week, combined with a Tour de Force obsession, a 23:30 lights out, and I need a bit of recovery time. However, I do have Maddogsson, a new Marine, back at the family Squad Bay, so expect blogging to recover within a day or two.

Maddogsson lost 20 lbs. from a 155 lb. frame, at 6' tall that makes him pretty lean. 

Semper Fi!

Marines!

MCRD San Diego Family Day!

Marines!

Semper Fi!

CBS: Marine combat veteran saved “dozens” of lives in Orlando terror attack - Hot Air

Semper Fi!

Why yes, yes you are!

​Famous last words, "Abandon ship!"

21 stunning photos prove the US Navy and US Marine Corps have the best diving boards and swimming pools

Oh to be young again!

Overprotective “New Army Mom” Ruins Son’s Military Life after Complaining to the Wrong People

. . . takes out precious snowflake son.

If this is real, it is epic! I should probably do this to Maddogsson once he is safely down at MRCD San Diego! Now I'm just being naughty!

Apparently, there is a part II.

“Combat Patches are Unfair” Helicopter Army Mom Part Two: The Pizza Party

Ok, so 5Bravo finessed this idiot into defcon 1 level stupidity! Here are two screen shots of the third installment of this epic journey!

Photo

Photos from 5Bravo's post

Helicopter parents deserve exactly what they get. Sadly, we don't get to know what that Pizza Party meant exactly. Dang! I bet it was really cool!

We laughed so hard even after a second reading, we thought it would be a good idea to repost for some who may have missed this. We don't know if it's real or Memorex, but it is funny.

Maddogsson is still in Marine Corps Boot Camp, now at Camp Pendleton. Oh, to be young again!

​We just received a letter from Maddogsson regarding rifle qualification at Marine Corps Boot Camp

As expected he qualified as a Rifle Expert, and will be able to wear that badge. His concern on the day before qualifications was the kneeling position, I am not sure why, but that would have been the position he has least fired from. We shoot pistols weekly, and rifles about 30+ times per year. He has plenty of experience with a large variety of weapons. He was very open to learning everything the Marine Corps trainers could teach.

Apparently, his platoon is has a few bad eggs who do not seem to like the Boot Camp experience. They pissed in a few canteens the other day, and, of course, the Drill Instructors found out, they have eyes in the back of their heads. The platoon was placed on lockdown resulting in constant headcount, and fire watch needing to report anyone leaving their rack!

Maddogsson was pleased with his shooting but disappointed that another in his platoon significantly out shot him. Heh. Competition will only sharpen his skills. While his platoon is full of problem children, in things like rifle qualification, Pugil Stick, etc they do very well. This time they performed and scored highest qualifying average. An equipment malfunction disqualified them, however. Too bad!

My first correspondence with "the Boy," now that he is at Marine Corps Boot Camp:

The actual letter (ok, with light editing)! If you have not received an email with his address and you wish to write him, email me and I will provide the full address.

Rct Maddogsson
xxxx
xxxx
San Diego, California 92140


Rct Maddogsson:

I received your note, and letters from Staff Sergeant, Joseph Galvan, and Captain C. R. Bolton dated 15 April 2016.

Semper Fidelus!

News from the home front. Maddogsdog had fleas. We DDT bombed the crap out of them. It is a flea killing fields. He misses you and still sleeps downstairs. The rabbit is well, running free in the house most days. Maddogsdatir5.faux says hi. I suspect that due to an incomprehensible BS School District policy she will not be able to remain with us during the fall semester, and she may have to go home. Bureaucracy is latin for “the stupidest way of doing anything.” Sissy is still a sociopath. Go figure. Mom is traveling, I will give her your address and the letters from your command. I expect that means she will write. I give you a 60/40 chance she does not write a letter to command which triggers a “pizza party.” The means you have a 40% chance of a “pizza party.” Good luck with that one.  Weather here is turning nice. I expect weather there is always nice. 

Use sunscreen. Brush your teeth. When you come home you will need to show me how to make a bed. Sweep carefully, dirt is bad. Comb you hair every day, sorry, never mind. Don’t forget to wake up early, always good to get an early start to the day. Try curling your little finger when you salute and see if any of your noncoms were Boy Scouts! Say Shazam often. 

Here at Stately Maddog Manor I am very proud of you. I expect you are probably both physically and mentally exhausted. Keep your eye on the prize. You have it in you to become a fine Marine. Work hard, always give everything your best effort, dedicate yourself to becoming the best Marine you can, and you will look back on this as a difficult but positive experience. Make sure you do whatever you can to help the other recruits around you succeed. This is a group grope, and you are a member of a nascent team. Once you make it you will be part of a select few, a team of very special men, er, people. 

I will track your progress from the comfort of my easy chair, eating bonbons, and drinking fine cognac. You should try it sometime soon. You must have a free weekend now and again, no? I amuse myself.

Remember, if you get an extra helping of work, or duty, it is because your drill instructors see in you the ability to go beyond, to be something more. Their goal is to create, in each one of the recruits, the very best Marine they possibly can. I will write asking that Sergeant Joseph Galvan pay you special attention, since I believe you will go far in the Marines. I will have your mother do the same! I am sure that will work wonders. 

Nurse your voice back to health, focus on the goal at hand each day, excel, support the other recruits, respect your officers, and the noncommissioned officers in the command, and become something special.

Semper Fi!

Your corn nuts eating, cognac swilling,

Dad

The reason for this is the prevailing winds come from the west, the river current comes from the east. and the tidal currents run east/west. This means waves frequently of 25' and up to 50' will bear directly down into the bar and conflict with opposing river current. These waves become steep, sharp and dangerous. Add wind driven chop, and the place becomes a violent cauldron. There is a reason they call the Columbia River bar the graveyard of the Pacific.

Many time while kayaking the deep blue briney, I have been very happy that so many Coasties have been trained in this cauldron. While I never needed to trigger my rescue beacon, I am glad they are tanned, rested, and ready.

With Maddogsson in the Marines, I continue to hope Maddogsdatir, an accomplished swimmer, will do her duty as a rescue swimmer with the US Coast Guard. 

​Semper Fi!

With seamen in the water, it is time for the Rescue Swimmer! Thank God, the Rescue Swimmer didn't need to go in this rescue! Holy PB&J Batman!

She's Got Grit: Early woman Coast Guard rescue swimmer makes waves

​It is tough on some men to have women challenge their view of the world. We need more women to do just that, by being excellent while performing emotionally difficult, and arduous tasks.