Friday, 3/13/26 - The End of Receiving Week and the Start of Training
I thought I would share updates on Gabe's Marine Corp Journey here for friends and family who would like to follow along. I find myself constantly thinking about him and wondering what and HOW he is doing, so writing some of this out will help me put all the swirling thoughts into something productive. PLUS, it would be fun to look back on this someday, and share with Gabe. Feel free to comment on these posts as I will be sharing all of this with Gabe when he is finished (and may put some of the messages and comments into letters to him as well).
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026: F-1 Black Friday!
Today marks the END of receiving week (he arrived at Marine Corp Recruit Depot in San Diego on Monday, 3/9 for those who didn't see my previous posts on social media) and the OFFICIAL start of training.
INFORMATION WE RECEIVED FROM THE CHARLIE COMPANY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP TODAY:
Between today and tomorrow, your recruits will meet the Drill Instructors that will form them into Marines.
We have gone from receiving to F-1. The F stands for Formation. These next four days they will move into their training barracks, learn to make a bed, and learn all the rules of the house.
A nickname for today in boot camp is Black Friday. It’s not the fun shopping day… it’s the day the recruits meet their Drill Instructors.
From the Training Matrix
Today your recruits will do the Initial Strength Test (IST). The IST is an abbreviated form of the Physical Fitness Test (PFT). The IST is the same as the PFT, the only difference being that the run is only a mile and a half instead of three miles.
Today is also pick-up day. Your recruits will be put into their platoons (which means we can start writing letters once we get their Platoon number) and meet all of their Drill Instructors. They will move into the barracks they will call home until they complete recruit training.
These Drill Instructors will push the recruits to levels they never thought were possible. Whenever a recruit feels they can't keep going the Drill Instructors will be there to show them how much further they can actually go.
They will have to pass the Initial Strength Test (IST). The IST is a shortened version of the PFT. A recruit only has to do pull-ups, push press, sit-ups and a 1.5-mile run. The IST is the first physical test aspiring Marines must pass in order to attend recruit training (side note - Gabe did the best of all the poolees in their PT group the month before he shipped out).
The IST consists of four events: Pull-Ups, Crunches, Timed Run and Ammo Can Lift. The minimum and recommended standards for Marine recruits selecting a load-bearing military occupational specialty and passing the Initial Strength Test.
I should have his Platoon number in the next few days, and once we have that we can start writing letters!! I will share as soon as I have it.
INFORMATION WE RECEIVED FROM THE CHARLIE COMPANY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP TODAY:
Between today and tomorrow, your recruits will meet the Drill Instructors that will form them into Marines.
We have gone from receiving to F-1. The F stands for Formation. These next four days they will move into their training barracks, learn to make a bed, and learn all the rules of the house.
A nickname for today in boot camp is Black Friday. It’s not the fun shopping day… it’s the day the recruits meet their Drill Instructors.
From the Training Matrix
Today your recruits will do the Initial Strength Test (IST). The IST is an abbreviated form of the Physical Fitness Test (PFT). The IST is the same as the PFT, the only difference being that the run is only a mile and a half instead of three miles.
Today is also pick-up day. Your recruits will be put into their platoons (which means we can start writing letters once we get their Platoon number) and meet all of their Drill Instructors. They will move into the barracks they will call home until they complete recruit training.
These Drill Instructors will push the recruits to levels they never thought were possible. Whenever a recruit feels they can't keep going the Drill Instructors will be there to show them how much further they can actually go.
They will have to pass the Initial Strength Test (IST). The IST is a shortened version of the PFT. A recruit only has to do pull-ups, push press, sit-ups and a 1.5-mile run. The IST is the first physical test aspiring Marines must pass in order to attend recruit training (side note - Gabe did the best of all the poolees in their PT group the month before he shipped out).
The IST consists of four events: Pull-Ups, Crunches, Timed Run and Ammo Can Lift. The minimum and recommended standards for Marine recruits selecting a load-bearing military occupational specialty and passing the Initial Strength Test.
I should have his Platoon number in the next few days, and once we have that we can start writing letters!! I will share as soon as I have it.
How wonderful to have this blog to follow Gabe's journey. I pray for him every day. He is strong
ReplyDeleteand will pass every physical test with high marks! May the days fly by until the letters start coming.