Scout Sniper School

Each month my recruiting office hosts a trip for all poolees (those waiting to ship to boot camp) to teach them about aspects of the Marine Corps. It also gives everyone a chance to meet and talk to the other poolees and Marines.

Last month we visited the scout sniper school at the Marine base in Quantico, VA. We got a talk from three of the instructors, a demonstration of the different rifles, a lesson in stalking and scouting for hidden objects, physical training (PT), etc. The picture on the top left is when we got to dry fire some of the rifles (we did not shoot live rounds). The picture below is from our stalking lesson wearing a gillie suit. I'm the one with the pink shoes :)

We've already covered the fact that I won't look like a typical Marine... especially with all the pink I wear! Whoever thinks Women Marines can't still have some girly girl qualities obviously doesn't know me...

Hi Everyone...

So, I figured this would be a good way to keep everyone updated in the months ahead.

As you may or may not know, I enlisted in the Marine Corps delayed entry program on Decemeber 15th, 2009. I am set to ship off to boot camp in Parris Island, SC on September 7th; just 79 days away! Back in February my job was reserved for me...as long as everything is smooth sailing with my security clearance I'll be going into the intelligence field.

Boot camp will be 13 weeks of long, grueling training but it will all be worth it when the drill instructor hands me the treasured symbol of the Marine Corps, the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. If everything goes as planned I will graduate on December 17th, 2010 having earned a title only a few can say they hold, a United States Marine.

Once boot camp is complete I will have 10 days to recover and get ready for MCT (Marine Combat Training). The Marines are the only branch of service that give every service member basic infantry training regardless of ones job. MCT will be 29 days long at the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, NC.

After MCT I will attend MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) school to learn the ins and outs of my job. I have not been assigned a specific MOS but I have a job in and intelligence field. MOS school could be in Virginia Beach, VA, Pensacola, Fl or Monterrey, CA and could be anywhere from 3 to 18 months long depending on my assigned job. At MOS school I will find out where my first duty station will be...

At boot camp the only access I will have to the outside world will be letters and maybe a few phone calls so please write! I don't have my address information yet and won't receive it until I reach Parris Island and put into a training platoon. My sister, Logan will update this while I am in training from the letters I write.

Semper Fi!

~Chelsea

"Once a Marine, Always a Marine"