Posted on 01/14/2017 4:16:05 PM PST by lafroste
Last summer (July, I think), I post "Proud Papa Alert" to tell people that my son had decided to enlist in the US Marines. Several current and former military personnel chastised me, saying he was not really a US Marine until he got through basic training. Well, he did.
He graduated yesterday, Friday January 13, 2017 under both a full moon and a beautiful sunny sky at Parris Island, USMCRD. This his platoon out on the parade field during graduation. His was one of 8 graduating platoons, comprising some 700 brand new US Marines.
Here he is with his little sister after graduation, and she would not let go of him and could not stop hanging on his every word. She gushed pride in her brother. He arned an Expert Marksman badge and turned out to be his biggest peeve about training. He scored a 329/350 marksmanship score, but was waylayed but what he termed a "very stupid recruit" on the firing range next to him that ended up shooting up his target, costing him 11 points from his total score. The Company winning marksman had a score of 334. Had he received those 11 points, he would have a score of 340/350, beating the best and winning best marksman award. He would have also earned the rank of PFC. I told him to learn from this and keep a sharp eye on those around you.
Here he is on Thurssday, Family day, with his mother and little sister. We had a great visit with him on Thursday.
He pays homage to the Marine monument to Iwo Jima. I have many pics of him here, including paying honors to the flag, but danged if I can find that photo now. 
As the final indulgence, this is his rack. He showed us where he has lived for the last three months. And believe me, he is all smiles because he knows he's leaving "flea island". 
He scored very high on most things. Highlights include:
149/150 math
147/150 GS
100/100, 100/100, 100/100 Phase One training.
585/600 Physical fitness
329/350 Rifle.
Congrats to your son and family.
Whup whup!
Semper Fi from:
HippyLoggerBiker, Sgt, USMC, 1970-74
Congratulations....you are understandingly proud of your son.
It was such a pleasure to read of your son’s accomplishments, of your family and, perforce, of you though not necessarily directly.
Your handsome and thoughtful son is an echo of you and your families on both sides and how you all raised him
Congratulations to you all!! I wish him a long and happy life and thank him for being willing to protect us all.
Congratulations.
You have every right in the world to be proud of your brave Marine. Thank him for serving and Thank You for raising such a special individual.
You have my utmost respect.
Very nice. Congrats, Papa, to you and your wife and, of course, to your son. God bless all of you.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service.
Amazing - Congrats to your boy, and to you!
Very nice,congrats.
I thank your son.
“Please excuse the gushing vanity. Right now, I have lost my little boy. But I have gained a tremendous man in return. But it is bittersweet.”
Hey, nothing wrong with that. I was proud when my boy made it in 2003. 130 pound kid, had to do the Crucible twice because of extreme heat and low Sodium. He was runner-up for Honor Graduate in his platoon.
Came home in a box from Iraq in January, 2005. It happens.
He was so proud to have qualified as expert on the rifle range despite bad weather and a shortened training. Shot 5 in the black at 500. Not bad for a kid who had never fired an M-16.
I am so sorry for your loss. I fear such a loss would kill me. God bless you.
Awesome News! Congratulations to your son and the whole family. Great pictures. Wish him and you all the best in everything.
Congratulations. I’m sure he’ll do fine.
Me and a buddy were standing in the Naval induction center in Nashville in 68’ when a Gunnery Sargeant walked in. There was a guy in between me and my buddy. It seems the Gunny didn’t have enough people so he went down the line and picked every other man missing me and my buddy. The lamentations reached to the heavens.
Awesome! Blessings and glad he is getting a new CIC!!!
Congratulations to your son.
Thank you to you and your wife for raising this fine young man.
So glad Mattis AND the President will have his back.
God bless your son and the United States of America.
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