Fourth Phase
“Marine Week”

Marine Week

This week is a pivotal shift for your Marine as they enter “Marine Week,** marking their transition from recruit to Marine. While the intensive training continues, this phase focuses on preparing them for their new identity. It’s a whirlwind of crucial activities: more physical fitness to ensure readiness, a gathering of personal effects, coordinating final travel arrangements, addressing outstanding bills, reinforcing core values, and undergoing final inspections for graduation. This week is a culmination of their arduous training journey, filled with excitement as they near the finish line and officially complete boot camp.

History Lesson 

Week eleven is about building lasting memories and solidifying their bond as Marines.  They’ll receive their final uniform fittings, a symbol of their imminent transformation.  There’s also a visit to the Marine Corps Museum, a cultural immersion I highly recommend adding to your own itinerary next week! This exploration of the Corps’ history and legacy will further deepen their connection to the brotherhood they’ve forged in boot camp.

Conquering Heights

Later in the week, your Marine will face the Rappel Tower, a powerful test of courage and controlled fear. During this event, they’ll learn the precise techniques needed to safely descend a vertical wall while secured to a rope. As they rappel down, adrenaline surges, and each step reinforces their confidence in the training they’ve received. Conquering the tower is more than just a physical feat—it instills a deep sense of accomplishment and the belief that with discipline, preparation, and determination, no obstacle is insurmountable. This moment symbolizes the importance of trusting both their training and themselves as they move forward in their Marine Corps journey.

Company Commander’s Inspection and Field Meet

This week marks a significant milestone for your Marine: the Company Commander’s Inspection. This rigorous evaluation serves as a final dress rehearsal before graduation, with the company commander meticulously reviewing their uniform presentation, military knowledge, and personal motivation. Every detail—whether it’s the crispness of their uniform or the precision of their responses—is assessed to ensure they meet the high standards of the Marine Corps. It’s a critical step in confirming their readiness to uphold the Corps’ values and traditions with pride.

Following the inspection, your Marine will participate in the Field Meet, a series of competitive events that challenge their teamwork, physical fitness, and morale. The Field Meet serves as a celebration of the camaraderie developed throughout training, offering Marines a chance to compete and bond before graduation. With these events behind them, your Marine will be fully prepared for the Battalion Commander’s Inspection and, ultimately, for graduation day.

Liberty Call Liberty Call

Your new Marine will enjoy some on-base liberty this weekend (normally on Sunday), marking their first opportunity to make phone calls and visit the main exchange. We hope you cherish this chance to reconnect! Take immense pride in your Marine’s accomplishments. Your unwavering love and support played a vital role in their journey to this pivotal moment.

Preparing For Your Trip

As excitement builds for your Marine’s graduation at MCRDSD, don’t forget to equip yourself with all the essential information! The Sandboxx Grad blog is your one-stop shop for everything graduation week.  This informative resource delves into details about the schedule of events, what to expect on the big day, and even helpful tips for planning your trip.  By checking out the Sandboxx Grad blog, you’ll be fully prepared to celebrate this momentous occasion and proudly witness your Marine take their place among the ranks of the United States Marine Corps.

Get ready to celebrate! Next week, I’ll be back with all the exciting details surrounding your Marine’s graduation ceremony. You won’t want to miss it!  

I’m SgtMaj Paul Davis (USMC Ret); see you in the next and final update. Semper Fidelis