Good mornin all … well, my Marine, Matthew, started week 10 of boot camp. Only 2 weeks and 3 days and he will be home on leave for 24 days, How excited is his Mom, major!!!! But, before he can graduate, he has to go thru the hardest part of boot camp … The Crucible! This is a summary of what that is:

The Crucible is a test every recruit must go through to become a Marine. It tests every recruit physically, mentally and morally and is the defining moment in recruit training.

The Crucible takes place over 54-hours and includes food and sleep deprivation and over 45 miles of marching. The entire Crucible event pits teams of recruits against a barrage of day and night events requiring every recruit to work together to solve problems, overcome obstacles and help each other along the way.

The obstacles they face range from long marches, combat assault courses, the leadership reaction course, and the team-building warrior stations.

Each Warrior Station is named for a Marine hero whose actions epitomize the values the USMC wants recruits to adopt.

Bottom line — The Crucible is a rite of passage that, through shared sacrifice, recruits will never forget. With that memory and their core values learned in recruit training, they can draw upon the experience to face any challenge in their path.

I know Matthew can do it … I just worry, as any parent would. He is a strong, bullheaded (wonder where he gets that from) young man. This is his dream, to serve his country. He told me once, "Mom, I will protect all of you" … it makes me so proud and so scared for him all at the same time.

I ask you to keep Matt in ur thoughts and prayers.

I will post pictures soon … some today from boot camp …

Thank you all in advance … Have an amazing day!!!

S.