There is Life After Boot Camp – September 15-16, 2023

After graduation, Ryan just wanted to change his clothes. Insider information: When you see a Marine, their shirts are always perfectly smooth front and back and always perfectly tucked in. Ryan showed us that they have to wear these suspenders attached to the tops of their socks and then to the hem on their shirts, keeping everything pulled tight and in place. He said when he has to dress like this, he winds up with a huge wedgie from his shirt. No wonder he wanted to change right away.

He finally decided he wanted a hamburger and French fries to eat so we took him to a place not far away on the water with excellent burgers and listened to more stories. Ryan does not use curse words at all, even now. One day, during some of the antics in the barracks he slammed his leg into the post of his bunk. He let loose with a tirade for him of “oh Mollie Bolt, Sam Crackers!” Next thing you know, his DI is standing next to him and says, ” Shaw, what the F$%! was that supposed to be?” In his best lowly recruit voice he had to explain and take the grief that followed.

Several people in the restaurant stopped and congratulated him. I guess our red shirts along with his hair cut was the giveaway. Now he was on a roll and got the hang of telling us what he wanted to do. Miniature golf and pizza so all nine of us converged on a miniature golf course and we bought takeout pizza for dinner to take back to the hotel.

Next Day, the plan was the San Diego Zoo. We had a great time and saw lots of animal activity because the weather was cool and overcast.

After the zoo, we stopped at a deli and got sandwiches to take back to the hotel where there was a cake and presents for our new Marine.

After a 10-day leave, Ryan returns to San Diego, Camp Pendleton to be exact, for 60 days of Infantry training because no matter what your military occupation may be, you are always a soldier first and foremost. Oorah!

Sunday morning everyone headed back to their normal lives, and we headed to Las Vegas for three days of relaxation.