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!