"Got my choice of Summer Block Marine Corps Ground Thing, Mom -I Can't Explain It"

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Sandydesert

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Could /would anyone familiar with the USNA Summer Block "Marine Corps Ground Thing" please give Mom a little more detail about what it is? Is it at Camp Pendleton? Parris Island? Somewhere else?
The " I can't explain it" part of DS's comment means he doesn't want to spend time telling me exactly what it is, knowing DS. Or is it top-secret and he can't say? He is very excited to be going,;it was one of his first choices for summer block.
 
Get used to it Mom. You're on a need to know basis and you don't need to know very much. It's probably the first time in his life he hasn't had to check in with Mom and Dad.

You've come to the right place to get your questions answered.
 
It's one of two things... Leatherneck or MAGTF. Leatherneck is 4 weeks in Quantico getting a glimpse at TBS (all Marine Officers go through this for 6 months). Land navigation, physical training, weapons training, military tactics. MAGTF is 4 weeks attached to a Marine Unit somewhere in the US (doubt they get sent to Okinawa for this). Since he said ground I am assuming this is what he is referring to and will be attached to a ground based unit vice aviation more than likely at Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune or 29 Palms. Essentially he will shadow a junior officer for his time there and see how the operating forces work while training with them.
 
It's very likely a MAGTF cruise as NavyHoops described. If it were leatherneck he probably wouldn't be very excited to get it (not because it sucks but because it's not too hard to get a spot -- everybody that's trying to do Marines will get one). If he's excited about "getting" something that was one of his first choices then I would say it's more likely that he got MAGTF cruise. MAGTF cruises are typically CONUS and can be on either coast. Last year 3rd block cruises (July-August timeframe) were all West Coast, and 1st & 2nd block cruises were all East Coast at Camp Lejeune. He doesn't have specifics because he won't know what units he's assigned to until much later. Typically the cruises are 4 weeks long and you spend two weeks with one MOS and two weeks with another. I'm told the experience will vary wildly depending on the unit he's assigned to. Some typical ones are infantry, Tanks, Comms (apparently sucks), logistics. I've heard of people going to helicopter squadrons so it's possible to get some aviation, though I would expect rotary wing to be more likely than fixed wing.

They have some spots this year for OCONUS MAGTF cruises for 1/c in addition to Leatherneck. They are either in Jordan or Djibouti. I'm going to assume this probably isn't something your son is doing.

Other (less likely) possibilities:
Marine Corps Mountain Warfare School : in Bridgeport, Ca. Heard it's a grand old time (not).
 
My son really enjoyed it. Some camping out, wallowing int he Mud. The BIGGIE, got to Qualify on a Machine gun, (Only because they happen to have extra ammo) His was called Brown water opps. or something along that line. Think small PT type boats working the coastline, and yeah all different sorts of activities. Very hands on and active, just the kind of things young folks love.

Ya know, see if you can really enjoy being dirty, cold, tired and uncomfortable...if so you might make a good Marine. ;)
 
Glad they switch you guys in MAGTF between MOSs. Comms is a solid MOS. I mean if you aren't deployed and just sitting in garrison it won't be that fun of a gig, but that goes for every MOS. I think it's important to see the garrison side of the USMC because you do that a lot and keeping Marines busy with solid training and mentoring is tough day in and day out, but critical. It's also important to see pushing paper as an officer you will... more than you want. But those awards, recommendations, and fit reps make or break a Marines career and is critical. Running around and knocking down doors is a small micro fraction of the job. There are marines who spend 20 years training to do that and never get to for real. Heck I hope that day never comes for anyone.
 
DS loved Mountain Warfare School. Tough humps and ice cold water crossings yet he couldn't get enough. Now he is in the fleet doing all that paperwork Hoops mentioned. I think he'd trade it for Mtn Warfare School! [emoji846]
 
Thank you, everyone!!! If "Marine Corps Ground Thing" also involves rappelling down mountainsides, he will absolutely love it. (Without my knowledge, he started rappelling at age 13. I found out when he was 16 that he was rappelling . Mom: Where did you get the money to buy the safety equipment: DS: (Blank look on his face) What safety equipment?
 
Sandydesert said:
Thank you, everyone!!! If "Marine Corps Ground Thing" also involves rappelling down mountainsides, he will absolutely love it. (Without my knowledge, he started rappelling at age 13. I found out when he was 16 that he was rappelling . Mom: Where did you get the money to buy the safety equipment: DS: (Blank look on his face) What safety equipment?
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LMAO!!!
 
One of my favorite movie scenes. Couldn't wait for DS to see it one Saturday night. One of those lines that became part of the culture, like a lot of lines from Bogie movies.
 
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