Vance goes to Boot Camp!

Last week Vance had the opportunity to attend a Marine Workshop for educators. He spent five days in sunny San Diego learning the ins and outs of Marine life at Camp Pendleton. He left the Idaho Falls airport where they had to spray all the ice off the airplane and landed in 75 degree weather. Needless to say, he came back with a tan that most Eastern Idahoans envy in the middle of February. He had a really great experience seeing the training that new recruits go through for three months of Marine boot camp. He came back with a new appreciation for the armed forces and the sacrifices they make for our country.

These are some pictures of an actual Marine graduation. Vance said it was a pretty emotional ceremony. These boys went through a lot to get where they are. Vance was touched by a father that was standing in front of him when his son ran over after the ceremony, and crying, gave his dad a big hug.

This is Vance with Staff Sargent Buck. Yes, the educators actually had a drill Sargent that gave them the real Marine treatment...well, a taste of it anyway. Vance was late getting on the bus the second day and got chewed out by Sargent Buck. Intimidating, huh?

Towards the end of their training, all recruits have to go on what is called "The Crucible". These are the 75 pound packs that they have to carry.

These are some pictures of Vance in front of some of the Marine aircraft.

They tried to give the educators at this workshop a real taste of what Marine training is like. They dressed them up in all the gear and had them run several drills.

Pictures of Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs).

Vance got to shoot an M16 Rifle...he said he is kind of a terrible shot.

They also got to run a bayonets course. Vance got really into character for it. He was told afterward that he had really good energy.

Some of the things the recruits have to do to pass their training is swim the entire length of the pool in one breath, rescue other Marines dressed in full gear, and swim certain distances with all their gear. It was super-tough stuff!

This is a picture of the bunks the recruits actually stay in. Very neat and tidy, huh? I told Vance he could never be in the military because it would only perpetuate his O.C.D. tendencies for tidiness.

This is a drill the recruits have to do. They all hold onto a big log and the drill Sargent makes them lift it up and put it down over and over. Vance had to do a similar drill and he was sore for several days after. Vance also wants me to mention that he felt at home among all the bald-headed recruits. :)

Rexburg Snow Fest

Last weekend we went to the Rexburg Snow Fest. Austin and Vance had a lot of fun romping around in the snow. Brittney had fun not romping around in the snow. There was a big sledding hill that Austin and Vance played on. We had fun taking a horse-drawn carriage ride through Smith Park and we got a kick out of watching a bunch of crazy people jump into a freezing pool of water for the Polar Bear Swim.

When I told my mom that we were taking Austin to Snow Fest that day she said, "Do you have enough snow for that?" I just want to make it perfectly clear that Rexburg is not in want for any snow. It must have been too long since my mom has visited Rexburg in the winter!