So I am a Marine now! Just posting this to let you know that I'm alive and well. I am so happy right now, I finally did it and I am a US MARINE! The Crucible was something else, I will tell more about that later. Tell everyone I made it, I love them, and I'll be back soon! This is the beginning. I have much to say soon, not much time right now but will see you soon, can't wait :-)
Private First Class J R Tubbs
We are proud of Jaxon. In the last year of high school, he had a major hand surgery that threatened to derail his course of becoming a Marine. He also had asthma that he'd have to prove he had overcome. Added to these, Jaxon made the weight minimum for military entry by a mere 5 pounds...meaning he'd likely be one of the smallest recruits in his company. So when these physical challenges stand in the way of a major goal, the measure of a man is by the heart he brings to the fight. What manner of heart; what courage, fortitude, determination, spiritual wellness, and mental toughness would he have to reach this lofty goal of serving his country as a US Marine. We now have an answer. For that we are proud of him and say Semper Fi!
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Friday, March 23, 2018
We have a Marine!
In the wee hours of the morning, Recruit Tubbs was awakened and began his last march. Several miles, hills and obstacles later he would complete the Crucible. Recruit Tubbs is now Private First Class Jaxon Tubbs, United States Marines. He did it! We haven't spoken with him but a post was made to the Marine Facebook page that stated his Platoon had finished.
After they were given their anchor globe and eagle emblem, they were treated to a Warrior Breakfast. After their starvation, I'm sure they put a hurt on some breakfast. The post also said we'd likely get to speak with him on Sunday. Should be great.
After they were given their anchor globe and eagle emblem, they were treated to a Warrior Breakfast. After their starvation, I'm sure they put a hurt on some breakfast. The post also said we'd likely get to speak with him on Sunday. Should be great.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
The War
Jaxon is incommunicado as he is in the throngs of The Crucible. His adventure began at 0200 this morning (that's 2:00 am) when they were awakened and began a 6-mile march loaded down with all their gear. Several obstacle courses were on the menu for the day to include doing obstacles while carrying stretchers, weapons and ammo. He also gets to endure many hand-to-hand battles. The day will end when they will sleep from 1200-0400; meaning they will have been going strong for nearly 24 hours to get a small reprieve of 4 hours of sleep. Tomorrow will see another rigorous schedule while the sleep deprivation and lack of food builds. Rain and cold are in the forecast.
Why would anyone choose to do this? Kids his age are enjoying their young life, not asking for this kind of torture. But, if young men like him won't choose this, who will? The amazing thing about freedom is that we get to choose not to even defend it. We think it's honorable and necessary to serve in the military, as long as it's not me or my kid. Jaxon chose this path, even when his parents were trying to pull the reigns tighter and steer him in another direction....at least to consider other directions. Soon, we will be asleep in our warm bed while he's still in the mud struggling to complete the day's tasks.
The military doesn't have a monopoly on service and sacrifice. Law enforcement, teachers, doctors & nurses, missionaries, and many charities are just some of the other pathways of people who serve. Great is the person who will sacrifice a warm bed for mud, for a patient, for a student, for a brother or sister, or for a flag. Jaxon has chosen his path for now and other pathways will no doubt follow. In about 48 hours he will be a United States Marine. His Mom and I are truly proud of him, not only because he'll be a Marine but because he chose his pathway; not to be easy but to be hard.
Why would anyone choose to do this? Kids his age are enjoying their young life, not asking for this kind of torture. But, if young men like him won't choose this, who will? The amazing thing about freedom is that we get to choose not to even defend it. We think it's honorable and necessary to serve in the military, as long as it's not me or my kid. Jaxon chose this path, even when his parents were trying to pull the reigns tighter and steer him in another direction....at least to consider other directions. Soon, we will be asleep in our warm bed while he's still in the mud struggling to complete the day's tasks.
The military doesn't have a monopoly on service and sacrifice. Law enforcement, teachers, doctors & nurses, missionaries, and many charities are just some of the other pathways of people who serve. Great is the person who will sacrifice a warm bed for mud, for a patient, for a student, for a brother or sister, or for a flag. Jaxon has chosen his path for now and other pathways will no doubt follow. In about 48 hours he will be a United States Marine. His Mom and I are truly proud of him, not only because he'll be a Marine but because he chose his pathway; not to be easy but to be hard.
Monday, March 19, 2018
Thursday, March 15, 2018
The End Is In Sight
The End is in Sight!
As you have likely noticed, there haven't been recent updates to Jaxon's blog. Towards the end of February, Jaxon's platoon moved to a part of Camp Pendleton where they started doing more field exercises. We were told by the Marines that once this happened, the mail from our recruit would become infrequent. They were right. We haven't heard much from him. But, what we have heard we will share.
This past week, Jaxon was on Fire Patrol....which is akin to Guard Duty. While on duty, he heard a loud crash come from the area of the latrine. He ran there to find the source of the noise when he came upon a fellow recruit on the floor having a seizure. He acted quickly by rolling the young man over, clearing his airway and giving him assistance while he directed another recruit to call for help. Help arrived and the recruit received medical attention. Jaxon said the young man is ok but didn't state whether he was allowed to continue in his training. He did say however, that the doctor credited his quick action and response to saving the young man's life. How cool is that? I will be curious to find out if he thinks his Marine training or perhaps his scout training prepared him for this event. Maybe both? Either way, I can say that his scout training has been a huge factor in his success so far. I would also say his AF Marching Band experience has also played a key role in preparing him.
After telling us about the seizure event, he told us that they were in the field doing weapons exercises when someone's weapon sent a round about 2 ft from Jaxon's head. How not-so-cool is that!
3 weeks from today he graduates. Next week is The Crucible.....which is the biggest event at Boot Camp that they've been building towards. At the end of that week and with successful completion of The Crucible, he will shed the title of Recruit and assume the title of Marine! He'll still have a couple weeks to finish but he will have earned a title that has meant much to him, and achieved a goal as an 18-yr old that is mighty impressive. As a military vet, I truly wish nobody's child ever had to serve in a military. But, it's a reality that we are faced with due to the world we live in. I hope Jaxon never tastes the bitterness of combat....but it's a reality that we will likely be faced with. Can't even express how proud of our son his Mother and I are! Semper Fi!
As you have likely noticed, there haven't been recent updates to Jaxon's blog. Towards the end of February, Jaxon's platoon moved to a part of Camp Pendleton where they started doing more field exercises. We were told by the Marines that once this happened, the mail from our recruit would become infrequent. They were right. We haven't heard much from him. But, what we have heard we will share.
This past week, Jaxon was on Fire Patrol....which is akin to Guard Duty. While on duty, he heard a loud crash come from the area of the latrine. He ran there to find the source of the noise when he came upon a fellow recruit on the floor having a seizure. He acted quickly by rolling the young man over, clearing his airway and giving him assistance while he directed another recruit to call for help. Help arrived and the recruit received medical attention. Jaxon said the young man is ok but didn't state whether he was allowed to continue in his training. He did say however, that the doctor credited his quick action and response to saving the young man's life. How cool is that? I will be curious to find out if he thinks his Marine training or perhaps his scout training prepared him for this event. Maybe both? Either way, I can say that his scout training has been a huge factor in his success so far. I would also say his AF Marching Band experience has also played a key role in preparing him.
After telling us about the seizure event, he told us that they were in the field doing weapons exercises when someone's weapon sent a round about 2 ft from Jaxon's head. How not-so-cool is that!
3 weeks from today he graduates. Next week is The Crucible.....which is the biggest event at Boot Camp that they've been building towards. At the end of that week and with successful completion of The Crucible, he will shed the title of Recruit and assume the title of Marine! He'll still have a couple weeks to finish but he will have earned a title that has meant much to him, and achieved a goal as an 18-yr old that is mighty impressive. As a military vet, I truly wish nobody's child ever had to serve in a military. But, it's a reality that we are faced with due to the world we live in. I hope Jaxon never tastes the bitterness of combat....but it's a reality that we will likely be faced with. Can't even express how proud of our son his Mother and I are! Semper Fi!
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Trouble for Tubbs
What a crazy night I had last night! I had the first hour of Fire Watch as Front Post so my duty was to stand at the front hatch (door) and fill out papers counting the recruits, weapons, and if anyone comes in the squad bay I salute and report my post. I'm also in charge of time. About 10 minutes in to Fire Watch, 5 Drill Instructors from other platoons came in. One of them told me to take all the laundry soap to the back of the house....but I can't leave my post so I just stood there. They yelled at me to move so I took 2 steps and my DI came and yelled at me for leaving my post, then threw all my papers and stuff everywhere. Then he ordered me to pick up the papers in order by date starting with January 10th in 100 seconds or about 45 actual seconds. When I didn't make it, I was ordered to throw them again and pick them up, then walk over to the guide and chuck them at his face which woke him up. Then I had to pick them up again. I was about halfway done organizing the papers when all those DIs came back in and told me to throw the papers again. They made me take off my cover (hat), reflective belt, pants belt, blouse and left boot and them them in different places. Then, they told me to put them all back on but my feet can't touch the deck without shoes so I had to hop over to all my stuff and they wouldn't let me bend my knees to put the boot on. They kept walking on and off the deck, or in and out of the squad bay so I had to salute and report by post like 15 times. One of the DIs was going to pour laundry soap in my cover and all over the deck...this stuff went on for literally the entire hour of Crew Watch.
Looking back, that was probably hazing or whatever but I walked away laughing. They were just having fun and at least I didnt have to stand at attention for an hour. DIs love to do that stuff..haha. We've had to carry our mattresses around, all sorts of crazy things. During Phase I they just yell at you and try to scare you. During Phase II, they mess with you in funny ways. At PT, the DI was yelling at a seagull to move faster. Starting to get used to Boot Camp and starting to thrive instead of survive. They're really pushing unit leadership and accountability. My leadership skills and confidence are improving a lot. I handle stress better now too...hahaha. Like my story, you really learn to embrace the suck and smile through the pain.
At Boot Camp they have this thing called IT, which is Incentive Training. It's basically 10 minutes of P90X times 50 and much faster. Often times it goes for longer than 10 minutes. Sometimes you get IT if you really screw up or if they randomly pick you cuz they're bored. Last night I got IT'd twice while cleaning the squad bay. A kid was walking by minding his own business and they made him come and join us. We both laughed a little. At one point during it, I was doing pushups and the DI got right up in my face, yelling at me to scream over and over again. So we were like 3 inches away from each other's face just screaming. I wish someone would have taken a photo of it.
In just 5 weeks from tomorrow I start the Crucible, or 50 hours of suck to earn the title. I'm 5 weeks away from being a Marine! 6 years and I'm finally 5 weeks away...how cool! Feels like a long way away, but then again when I first here, it felt like this point would take forever to to or never come, and now I am 6 weeks later....faster than I expected.
Lately I've been thinking about the song Lead Kindly Light, the words are awesome. Look for the Light in everything! Stay faithful, the Spirit will guide you through everything as long as you are doing what you're supposed to and praying. Every day my testimony is strengthened. Apparently I'm going to miss Easter and General Conference?! What's up with that! Oh well, all the Easter candy will just be cheaper when I get back! The guy in the rack next to me might be getting baptized soon, how very cool. I've already conferred the Priesthood on 2 new Marines. Priesthood sure makes a difference here!
My Company is the oldest recruit company on the depot so people look up to us and think we are cool...hahaha...I dig it. I try to give them good advice and am nice to them. They need it. During my first few weeks, the older recruits were not nice and treated us like garbage.
How's the Utah weather? It's nice down here. It's been partly cloudy and there's always a nice breeze from the ocean. Some days it's super foggy and we can hear the fog horns from the boats. So close to civilization yet so far away! One day I'll be back in it though. 7 weeks until graduation, that's going to be one heck of a day! I get all of my dress uniforms fitted and tailored this week so that's super cool. What's the NBA looking like these days? Someone update me!
Well, when times get hard just remember it could always be worse and it will end! Stay strong and smile through the pain. Love y'all.
Jaxon...Semper Fi
Looking back, that was probably hazing or whatever but I walked away laughing. They were just having fun and at least I didnt have to stand at attention for an hour. DIs love to do that stuff..haha. We've had to carry our mattresses around, all sorts of crazy things. During Phase I they just yell at you and try to scare you. During Phase II, they mess with you in funny ways. At PT, the DI was yelling at a seagull to move faster. Starting to get used to Boot Camp and starting to thrive instead of survive. They're really pushing unit leadership and accountability. My leadership skills and confidence are improving a lot. I handle stress better now too...hahaha. Like my story, you really learn to embrace the suck and smile through the pain.
At Boot Camp they have this thing called IT, which is Incentive Training. It's basically 10 minutes of P90X times 50 and much faster. Often times it goes for longer than 10 minutes. Sometimes you get IT if you really screw up or if they randomly pick you cuz they're bored. Last night I got IT'd twice while cleaning the squad bay. A kid was walking by minding his own business and they made him come and join us. We both laughed a little. At one point during it, I was doing pushups and the DI got right up in my face, yelling at me to scream over and over again. So we were like 3 inches away from each other's face just screaming. I wish someone would have taken a photo of it.
In just 5 weeks from tomorrow I start the Crucible, or 50 hours of suck to earn the title. I'm 5 weeks away from being a Marine! 6 years and I'm finally 5 weeks away...how cool! Feels like a long way away, but then again when I first here, it felt like this point would take forever to to or never come, and now I am 6 weeks later....faster than I expected.
Lately I've been thinking about the song Lead Kindly Light, the words are awesome. Look for the Light in everything! Stay faithful, the Spirit will guide you through everything as long as you are doing what you're supposed to and praying. Every day my testimony is strengthened. Apparently I'm going to miss Easter and General Conference?! What's up with that! Oh well, all the Easter candy will just be cheaper when I get back! The guy in the rack next to me might be getting baptized soon, how very cool. I've already conferred the Priesthood on 2 new Marines. Priesthood sure makes a difference here!
My Company is the oldest recruit company on the depot so people look up to us and think we are cool...hahaha...I dig it. I try to give them good advice and am nice to them. They need it. During my first few weeks, the older recruits were not nice and treated us like garbage.
How's the Utah weather? It's nice down here. It's been partly cloudy and there's always a nice breeze from the ocean. Some days it's super foggy and we can hear the fog horns from the boats. So close to civilization yet so far away! One day I'll be back in it though. 7 weeks until graduation, that's going to be one heck of a day! I get all of my dress uniforms fitted and tailored this week so that's super cool. What's the NBA looking like these days? Someone update me!
Well, when times get hard just remember it could always be worse and it will end! Stay strong and smile through the pain. Love y'all.
Jaxon...Semper Fi
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