december 04, 2008

i'm three days in to checking back into the marine corps. yes, i had to shave off all my hair. i've been vaccinated (the anthrax shot is the worst - my arm is still tender and swollen), had a complete physical, and finished my travel claim and other admin type paperwork. we're living in the same quonset huts that the clint eastwood movie "heartbreak ridge" was shot.

so far all the other mobilizing marines and i have been allowed to remain in our civilian attire, though that will end tomorrow or the next day. saturday we are going to start our predeployment training which will include live fires with our m16 service rifles and machine guns, and other activities that are typical for the field.

i've been recalled to active duty for 12 months starting december 1, 2008, and i am going to be documenting as much of it as i can on here. i've never kept a blog before so i expect it to get better and more interesting as i go along so i encourage anyone who has any suggestions for me to leave a comment or e-mail me.