What up Civilians?!
 4 weeks of training complete and I think I'm getting the hang of Boot Camp.  I don't even care anymore when we dump out our stuff out of our war bags literally 30 times in a row, or duck walking with my foot locker around the squad bay, or throwing my boots across the deck, or whatever other games we play.  Also don't care about getting yelled at anymore.  It's yelling like you've never seen.  So much spit!! Workers at the Chow Hall wear ear plugs because it's so loud. 
 It can still suck and I feel more like a fresh recruit..zoo animal...child..instead of a future Marine.  Guess that's what first Phase is all about; breaking us totally down before they can mold is into the warriors we need to be.  Over the past 4+ weeks I've learned some great lessons.  Confidence is key.  Own everything you do no matter what it is.  Do everything better than anyone has ever done it, whether it's brushing your teeth, making your bed, your job, or just walking around.  People notice confidence.  If you want something, go for it.  Work for it and take it.  I've also learned that everything ends so don't give up on anything.  One way or another whatever is happening will end.  The sun has to rise and fall everyday.  Push through and you'll be much better afterwards.  I've also learned to understand my body and my limits and what I'm capable of. 
 It's easy to go medical here.  You just gotta say something hurts and you get a couple of days off.  At first tons of guys were going medical for tiny things and missing training, then they get behind in their training.  When there's an easy way out of something hard, the temptation is great and yeah, i've been in pain but pushed on and kept training and now feeling better.  Still got blisters and knee pain but I'm not dead so I'm going to keep kicking. 
 Here, you also learn that you're on God's time and will.  There are guys who have been here for 6-12 months for various medical reasons and who knows what else.  Our guide, or platoon leader, has been here for 5 months because he dislocated his knee trying ti flush a toilet with his foot.  His girlfriend gave birth to his first son 2 months ago.  He was supposed to be home before she had the baby.  The other day at PT, he jacked it up again and was dropped....again.  No one wants to be here longer than the 13 weeks but we all want to learn as Marines.  Tomorrow we have Initial Drill before we begin Phase II.  We are prepared and our Senior DI legitimately believes we'll break records.  The other platoons are sure worried and the entire Depot is talking about us.  To hype us tonight we were given tons of free time and they've been playing music.  It feels so good to hear music again!  It also feels good to be able to smile and laugh.  Tonight I even got to take a full 1-minute shower and got more than 25 seconds to shave!  It felt so awesome!  Don't take anything for granted!  Well that's it for now, more to come later.  Feel free to write me.  Getting mail is the best! 
Semper Fidelis, OORAH!
Jaxon

Hello anyone reading this,

I'm towards the end of my 3rd week of 12, only 9 more to go!  We are starting Phase II now.  Time is weird.  Sometimes it feels like time is going by so slowly and other times quickly.  My voice is beyond shot, my throat hurts all the time especially in the mornings.  Of course we are still expected to scream loudly so our voices can't seem to heal.  

Sometimes when I'm sitting there doing whatever training, I think "why is this so hard!" Then I remember this is Marine Corps Boot Camp...haha!  We have 5 Drill Instructors.  2 younger ones that are insane, 2 older ones that are more calmer and 1 senior one that really wants us to graduate and protects us from the younger 2.  Needless to say, he saves us a ton.  

Sometimes training is actually fun.  Today we did a really cool obstacle course.  Yesterday we did an assault course with our kevlar helmets, flak vests and rifles.  It was a killer but cool.  The hardest part of training is staying awake during classes.  We have about 3-4 hours of class a day.  Yes I know, that's less than a school day but it feels longer than a school day.  Glad I did a semester at college before this to get used to having to learn things quickly.  In a few weeks we have a big written and oral exam and we are expected to know more stuff than learn in a whole semester, it's crazy.  

In 4 weeks we do shooting, field stuff, the Crucible and then come back as real Marines.  Before we go there in 4 weeks, we have Initial and Formal Drill, swim weeks, more obstacle courses, rappelling and all sorts of stuff.  

You know what's cool about Boot Camp?  I'm getting paid to be here! But, you really earn the money here.  Nothing here is given, it literally has to be earned...literally everything! Well, that's the end of this post....more fun stories next time.  Love you all.  Hope you will write to me, getting mail is awesome!  Stay humble and enjoy life.  

Sincerely,

Recruit Jaxon Tubbs 

Jaxon's first Blog

Hey all,
  I finally have enough time to write for the blog because I'm at the dentist....the dentist at Boot Camp, who would have thunk huh?  It's crazy that I said goodbye 3 weeks ago now!  Turns out Boot Camp kinda sucks...haha.  The first week; receiving week, is the worst thing on the planet.  You basically stand at attention for literally like 4 hours at a time.  At least now we are getting some training done.  And to make Receive worse, I was honestly pretty homesick.  I miss everything and everyone! I don't care if we didn't know each other very well or you thought I didn't like you or something, I miss you!
   I miss wearing whatever I want, waking up whenever I want, eating slowly and having privacy.  Here at Boot Camp, we get absolutely no privacy at any time.  On the bright side, only 10 weeks until graduation!  Already can't wait for that day.  Chow is super good and I'm eating healthy Mom! I have tons of salad, fruit, grains etc.  It does kinda hurt to eat it all in 2 minutes.  The Drill Instructors make chow extra stressful for some reason...IDK.  Man, in Utah County we take Sundays and church for granted.  Sundays are the best.  It's so nice to be able to get away from the stress and yelling.  I am a Platoon Prayer Leader so I'm like a platoon chaplain.  On Sundays I go to church from 0700-1100, I love it! 
  We have the craziest Drill Instructors in the whole company.  They looooove to play games with us like throwing our stuff around, making us run all over the place, and there's a thing called "I.T." that they love.  It stand for Incentive Training and it sucks.  If your feet aren't a perfect 45 degree angle, they make us to all sorts of fast, crazy exercises for a long time.  Luckily, I've only been IT'd a couple of times in the first few days...I'm on a good streak with the Drill Instructor so pray that it continues...haha!
  At the beginning of Boot Camp we had 89 in our platoon and now we are down to 72 already.  There is a big written exam in 2 weeks so there's a few who will fail and get dropped...meaning they'll stay here longer.  Not me though!!  I'm graduating April 6th and that's final!  The older recruits say that the first 3 weeks of training are the hardest and that it get's "easier" and time flies by.  So I'm finishing week 3 and golden! 
  My testimony of the Gospel is growing in ways I could never have imagined.  I pray basically 24/7 for strength and comfort, and I have really been blessed.  I enjoy the physical training, I love getting stronger.  As one of our commanders said "be comfortable being uncomfortable!'  That's when we grow and progress.  Here, you're always uncomfortable and I'm learning to just get over it.  Always turn to the Lord, He knows and feels your struggle!  Don't worry about things that are temporary.  Trials will pass and every day the sun will rise and set.  Time doesn't stop with having a trial so push through, keep your head up, pray and have unshaken faith.  When it's over, you will be so much better, stronger and happier.  The scriptures are great!  I read them with other Mormons in my platoon.  I never got the power of the scriptures as much as I do now. 
I love getting letters so PLEASE if you're reading this...write to me! (Mom, include my address please).  I'll try to write back as soon as I can.  Hope Utah is great.  Weather here in San Diego is great; cool in the mornings, kind of hot afternoons, and cool evenings.  Really can't complain about the weather, it's always breezy and usually a little cloudy. 
Love all of you, pray for this poor Recruit please!!  hahaha. 
Best Wishes,
Recruit Jaxon R. Tubbs

Yay! We heard from him!

We got his address this evening.  If you'd like to write to him, here it is:

RCT Tubbs, Jaxon
1st RTBN Charlie Co, PLT 1053
40002 Midway Ave
San Diego CA   92140-5680

I imagine that he could use words of encouragement. Please only send letters. Please do not send anything with the letters. It could get him in trouble.

His first week there was spent doing things like getting his uniforms, his first Marine haircut, and meeting his drill instructors and platoon.  This week is the first official week of boot camp.

We did get to talk to him before he got to the base, he called us from the USO at the airport.  It was such a blessing to talk to him then, because the next time we heard from him that night, he was hoarse and yelling "I've arrived safely...." from a script.  It had begun, he is on his way.  We look forward to his letters home and will share what we can from there here on the blog.

The Next Adventure

He's waited a long time for this. He swore in in July and now it's time for him to ship off to boot camp.  He leaves Monday, Jan 8th.  

He is ready for this next adventure in his life. We will miss him a ton but are happy to see him pursing his goals.  Over the next 13 weeks, we will use this blog to update friends and family.  He will be in our prayers for safety and success.  oorah!