224 Hours
July
6th 0300 a beautiful Sunday morning driving south on the freeway
watching the sunrise
and many thoughts rushing through my mind on what I am about to embark on. I
arrived finally at Camp Margarita Camp Pendleton navy blue in every direction I
put my eyes too. I can smell the ocean breeze running through my nose, fear is
in my mind, my heart is racing, and I can feel my adrenaline rushing through my
veins this is a feeling like no other. Unfamiliar faces, faces of leaders, and
faces of doubt on whether or not they will make it through two weeks of hell
called BOOTCAMP. The thoughts going through my head when I arrived was whether or
not I was going to succeed or fall. I put my negative thoughts to the side and
put on an attitude of a leader. I walked the walk, said goodbye to my mom and
dad and at that I moment I felt like a true sailor proud and filled with
integrity.
Boot
camp did not start as great as I thought it was. When I met my Company
Commander I accidentally called her Ma’ am… She was quick to correct me and put
me in my place, and did I mention she was 15 years old. My punishment was to
carry every one of my shipmates sea bag to their room. I entered my room alone, I pictured the
barracks to be squared away but it was the complete opposite. I saw cockroaches
and spiders all over the bunks, the room smelled horrid, and the restroom was
disgusting I thought things could not get any worse. Things got better after I
met my roommates who turned out to be amazing girls, who I will never forget. They
came from different states all over the U.S. who knew that we can create a bond
so strong that got us all through boot camp.
Monday
came and the words “Get on the TOE LINE!” at 0500 were screamed every day while
my time at Camp Pendleton. Waking up every morning feeling the cold crisp air
running through my skin while I quickly make my way out of bed knew that my day
was not going to be easy. I, along with 30 other girls my age was in for the
time of our lives. The next morning I found myself being 1st squad
leaders for my company, Alpha Company, which meant I had the leadership
capability and I that I was the best marcher out of the company. The 1st
week consisted of team work drills competing against the male companies such as
Bravo, Charlie, and Delta in competitions such as marching, physical training,
academics, military bearing, and spirit de corps.
Alpha
company was leading the pack the first week against the boys which has never
happened before at Camp Pendleton. I have never seen bees in my life till the 2nd
week of boot camp, during the marching competition. Alpha Company was saluting
to flag and from a distance you can hear everyone screaming and ducking for
cover, none of us girls knew why, but we soon found out that it was a swarm of
bees coming straight at us. This proved our military bearing was perfect. After
that we were known as the Perfect Military Bearing Alpha Company. As the days
went by Alpha company learned new cadences each and every day as graduation
grew closer. My Personal favorite was “Mr. Peter Cotton Tail” and the cadence
goes like this…
“Mr.
Peter Cotton Tail
Hopping Down the Bunny Trail
Boom!!
Boom!!!!
What was that?
A - Bomb
No More Bunnies
Anywhere!"
Alpha company was
motivated, motivated, down right dedicated to win Honor Company and we did, we
all graduated with a nice colorful ribbon to put on our dress whites. Who knew
boot camp could be fun and memorable with so many different people from
different states coming together to become the best company in Southern
California. If I could go back and do it all over again I would, this
experience has opened my eyes on what I would like to pursue in my near future which
is to serve my country with Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
Wow what a great experience ! Good your starting early so you can be prepared for what's to come ! Great descriptions of what you accomplished !
ReplyDeletethis sounds like an amazing experience! im so happy for you, knowing that you love what you do and how much you have accomplished!
ReplyDeleteNoelle, your experience is very intense. I could almost picture you walking into your room for the first time and looking around with an image of disgust. I am glad that you have transformed into an accomplished/established leader. The subtle touches of humor in this piece allowed your personality to shine through. Great Job. You are going to make a great sailor one day!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so inspired by this Noelle. First, you achieved what I didn't. My entire middle school life along with my freshman year, I wanted to be in the military, from the Marines to the Air Force. I've heard so many things about the horrors of boot camp and just the military in general. Yet, I've also heard so many great things about the military. It just differs upon perspective. I'm so happy to have known and to be in band with you. It's people like you that step up for others. It's people like you which defend our freedoms and the very country we like to call "free." You're going to do great things out there, Noelle. I believe in you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this great experience! I could really picture everything, good use of imagery. Good job!
ReplyDeleteYou described your experience well. I'm glad that you have so much passion for what you do, despite how difficult it was in the beginning. Thank you for sharing, and best of luck in your future endeavors!
ReplyDeleteNO MORE BUNNIES ANYWHERE!
ReplyDeleteIt's always interesting to hear you describe things from your perspective you always include some funny stuff. It's really cool to hear about the things you did during the summer and I'm proud that you became such a strong leader.
NOOOO! NOT THE BUNNIES! I this essay is like the opposite that I would expect from a story about boot camp. Great work!
ReplyDeleteI thought this piece was really unique and i could feel all the emotions that you felt! I felt like i was at the boot camp completley! Not gonna lie when i first read the 0300 i was like uhhhh what? But i realized that it gave the paper or piece character and tealized its like what they say! Really really great piece!
ReplyDeleteThe setting was really weird but overall a good story
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I read Camp Pendleton, I began to read this narrative alongside my dad who is a retired US Navy Hospital Corpsman. I could tell my dad really enjoyed reading this along with me because he would laugh every now and then. I too also liked this narrative. You really described your experience at boot camp well enough to make me feel like I was actually there living those experiences with you. Overall, Great Job!!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy there are people willing to endure cockroaches, spiders, and bees. This was an eye opener. The story was fast moving and interesting!
ReplyDelete'm glad you had such an amazing experience! When I got to the part of the cockroaches, I cringed because I absolutely despise bugs and i commend you on being so brave to sleep in a place with cockroaches and spiders and everything. Good job!
ReplyDeleteAn inspiring story of success and equality! I loved the repetition at the end, and the anecdotal song.
ReplyDeleteNoelle you are awesome. I think it truly amazing that someone our age has had the opportunity to experience that. I feel like when we as teenagers go through these experiences we have a different outlook on the world and the people we interact with. Your story was amazing and was so profound. I hope you never forget this experience and apply it to the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job!
This piece was very descriptive and it emphasized on imagery a lot. It sounds like the setting was hell but you its not what environment you live in rather what are your reactions to it. Great job by the way.
ReplyDeleteThe story seemed to accurately depict your experience and was able to mirror the intensity of that time of your life. This is not an easy thing to do, it's not easy to depict a scene with beautiful accuracy and thus influence the emotions of the reader, but you did it very well. Congratulations, well done.
ReplyDeleteNoellllllleeee, this was really good. I pictured everything you were saying and I started to think of Cadet Kelly. I don't know how you dealt with those cockroaches , lol I would have been . . . i don't even know, but i give you props !! I have always thought about going to boot camp; it sounds intense yet fun. I know you will be great out there as you are in everything , Good Job (:
ReplyDeleteNoelle you're so legit. I definietly wouldnt have been able to handle the spiders. This sounds like an amazing experience and I'm glad you shared it with us.
ReplyDeleteWow this is a very interesting experience to go through not many people go to boot camp.
ReplyDeleteYour piece is really good! Great job on your use of imagery and really drawing the reader in from the start
ReplyDeleteNoelle, your experience sounds amazing! Its crazy that you had to deal with cockroaches! Good job on retelling the story with such detail.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an awesome experience! Can't believe you put up with all those insects and whatnot, you must really know perseverance! Good read, well done :)
ReplyDeleteThey way you wrote to share your experience is intense! Its great that you accomplished this, and by what you written I would say you seem like a intelligent, strong, empowering person.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great read! I loved learning about the ups and downs of an experience that's so close to your heart. I really felt the passion in your writing and imagery and I know that this must mean so much to you. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteYour use of descriptions was great! I felt like I was right there with you. Great job by the way!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a great experience. I like how you told this story by your own perspective, describing how you felt and what it was like during those days. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI cant believe how courageous you are, I could never last as long as you!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had an interesting experience that not many people would be brave enough to endure. I commend you for taking this chance in your life and deciding to serve, you'll do great things!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you were able to experience this Noelle. Not many people are age go though and experience like this and I'm sure that after you left you had a different outlook on the people you interact with and the world. I also liked your funny descriptions. Keep it up Nolle. You're destined for greatness.
ReplyDeleteI love how you share the experience of attending Boot Camp and how it affected you as a person. Reading your piece made me realize that you are a tough cookie, lol but anyways, I'm glad that you were able to grow from this experience and how this experience made you come to realization on what you want to do in life. Overall, I loved reading your piece Noelle! Good job! (:
ReplyDeleteIntense nail biter. Great job!
ReplyDelete