Valentines Day Pool Function

Hey everyone, yesterday was my Marines monthly pool function. As always we took our IST, Initial Strength Test. First we did our pull ups. I have been working a lot on them lately and was pumped to see where I was at from my last months 6. I was able to pull out 8, which was 2 under my goal of 10. Oh well, there is always next month. My recruiter gave me some tips on how to increase them. My goal by July is to pump out 20 of those bad boys, which is the MAX. Next came the crunches. We test on how many we can do in 2 min. Right when I joined I was only able to do 44. Yesterday I achieved an all time best of 100, which was my goal and is the MAX. Next came my favorite test, the 1.5 mile run. The last two pool functions I have gotten the best time out of everyone, and this was my goal for today. It was 25 degrees out which I thought was going to kill my run time, but I was able to post a 9:50 1.5 mile, which again was the best, and the best time I have posted. The minimum time that you need to post is 13:30. I had 2 new guys right behind me when we finished, but was able to beat them out at the end. After that we did some formation running and chanted our beautiful cadences. After the 1 mile cool down jog, we did some exercises. Side-Straddle-Hops, Marine Corps push-ups, flutter kicks, and hello dollies were some of them we did. After that we were free to go. All in all it was a very fun pool function. It is nice to have them monthly and be able to test how much you have improved. Next month, we are going to tear down M16s, M249's, 50 Cal's, rocket launchers, and all that fun stuff. Can't wait to blog about that! See you next month!

Wollmann

Skyforce Game

Hey everyone! The latest function that I have had with the Marines was the Sioux Falls Skyforce game on Feb. 6th. It was military appreciation night and every branch brought their poolees in for the halftime show. We all got in free and during the halftime show we marched out, Marines leading of course, and did a mock oath of enlistment. It was one of the most fun things that I have done with the Marines that didn't include physical fitness. So many people came up to us after and congratulated all of us for joining. I was able to throw some t-shirts in the crowed so that was fun. The best part was seeing how many people came up to our recruiters in their dress blues thanking them, just made me want mine even more. Next Poolee function is this coming Saturday the 13th, valentines day, looks like I will be with my one true love for valentines after all! :)

Family Night

Hey everyone! The poolee function for Jan. was cancelled due to the winter storm we had. With poolees travelling from as far as Mitchell and Pierre, it was a choice with regards to safety. But we defiantly had our share of fun during the month of Jan. We had a family night on Jan. 25th. This was a great time! Our recruiters were dressed in their blues, and every poolee there had family members. It was a great opportunity for families to mingle and discuss the Marines, and also a great time for parents to talk to Recruiters. They also had a great meal prepared for us. But the greatest part of the night was the D.I's. They flew in 3 Drill Instructors straight from MCRDSD, Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego. We got into formation and called them in by yelling Drill Instructor 3 times at the top of our lungs. They came in, Drilled us for about 12 min. and put on a great show for our families. The first time I met the Drill Instructors I was very nervous and didn't want them by me. But now I understand that every second I can spend with them now, will make it easier when my day finally comes. After the drilling, we took our seats and parents were able to ask questions to the Drill Instructors. All in all it was a very very fun night! It is always a pleasure to see the Drill Instructors, my idols of the Marine Corps.

Poole Function Dec.

I would like to start this off with a little tribute to Matthew Cook. Many of you might have heard of the motorcycle accident that left a 19 year old man in the hospital. Well that man was Matthew Cook, and he was a member in my Delayed Entry Program. Matthew was what you would refer to as a stud. Being able to whip out 30 pullups, well over 120 crunches in 2 min., and on average a 8:30 1.5 mile. Matthew was adopted from Russia at a young age, and ever since he came to this amazing country, all he wanted to become was a Marine. He also loved to ride motorcycles, and was scheduled to join the Elite, the Marine Corps Recon, after he graduated Bootcamp. He would have made a excellent Marine, and all of us at the DEP miss him greatly.

One thing that I have learned so far, is that the Marines, future Marines, and family members of Marines all look out for each other. And when something happens to one of us, it effects us all. That is another reason why I joined. Everyone cares and looks out for everyone.

Last Saturday, Dec. 12th, I had my monthly Poole Function. We did our basic tests, pull ups, crunches, and 1.5 mile run. To max each out, you need to run it in 13 min. 30 seconds, do 20 pullups, and do 100 crunches in 2 min. We also had a knowledge test, and did a formation run with some Marines right out of bootcamp. I was able to run my 1.5 mile in 9 min. 50 sec. around the Mall. It's really fun running around the mall becuase they have Marines posted at every corner, pushing you along the way. Also sometimes you have people cheering or clapping while they are walking into the mall, so that always is a great sight. I was able to get 82 crunches so I was happy. My pullups is my greatest fault. I only pulled out 6, when I usually do 7. But with a lot of work, Im hoping to pull out 10 next time, and build my way to the 20 mark.

The special activity we did this time was the formation run. Posting the best run time out of everyone, I got to be in the front with the real Marines. So that was a lot of fun. Its always fun to run around the mall parking lot, with road guards making a path for us, and letting everyone hear our cadences.

Last but not least we had a knowledge test. This ranged from military time, Marine terms, the 11 General Orders, Enlisted Ranking, and Officer Ranking structures. These all need to be memorized and engraved into our minds before we leave for boot camp.

Well that is a summary of my last Poole function, can't wait for the next, and hope u enjoyed this months post. 200 days left before I leave, and as always if anyone has any questions please email me!

Wollmann
b_rad09@hotmail.com

Welcome everyone and I hope to be updating this blog frequently. First of all I would like to say thanks to the wonderful man and the voice everyone might recognize on game night AM 1390 for getting me started blogging. He is quite frankly one excellent guy and announcer I might add! We definatly have fun conversing at the games and bus rides and I will definatly miss having those conversations. Please check out his site at http://jackrabbitden.blogspot.com/
Thanks again for those kind words, I will definatly remember them while my face is in the sand! ha
Well for my first post I would just like to say what the DEP or Delayed Entry Program is, and how it definatly benefits future Marines. The program essentialy lets young men and women commit to becoming Marines even though they may not begin boot camp for up to a year.
In my time between signing my contract and boot camp, I will start to develop a sense of brotherhood through organized events, family nights, and other events. I also use this time to prepare for the challenges of boot camp. The Marine Corps Recruiters help us prepare physically, and will provide information to help us adjust to the future in the Marine Crops. This program ensures that all future Marines will report to recruit training ready, both physically and mentally.
This is where I am currently at in my Marine Corps Career. Every month I meet at the Recruiting station in the Empire Mall and do my IST, Initial Strenth Tests, and some knowledge tests. My IST consists of pull ups, crunches, and a 1.5 mile run. My knowledge tests consist of rank structure, enlisted and officer, and my 11 General orders.
I guess my advice if you are going to join the Marine Corps is to A: Join as soon as possible if you know thats what you want to do. And B: Take advantage of the Delayed entry program, one more pushup at home, makes that one more pushup at boot camp easier, or so I would assume. Within this blog I will track my own progress through the delayed entry program, and answer any questions anyone might have about the Corps. Again thanks for visiting my blog and hope to see you again!