The Educators Workshop, 31 Oct - 3 Nov 2006

As a guest of the 1st Marine District, Andrew participated in the Educator's Workshop, which was held at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.

Each Marine recruiting region invites educators including high school teachers, guidance counselers, and various levels of administrators so that they may become familiar with both the Marine Corps and boot camp training. Subsequently, they will be able to convey this information to interested students who might then consider a career with the Marine Corps.

As part of 83 invitees from the Pennsylvania recruiting region, Andrew watched a busload of recruits arrive at the Parris Island receiving yard late one evening and receive their 'Welcome to Parris Island" from one of the Drill Instructors.

With 6,000 +/- recruits on base, the Educators were able to watch, observe, and participate in most facets of recruit training. They watched early morning PT, observed the famous 'snapping in' drills where the recruits begin to learn markmanship, and were privileged to watch a platoon of recruits performing the 'Ammunition Re-supply" exercise on Day 1 of the famous boot camp routine called "The Crucible."

The Educators were also able to participate in M-16A2 live- fire exercises, as well as challenge themselves on several of the obstacle course stations known as "The Confidence Course."

And the crowning event for the Educators was competing against the Drill Instructors at the Pugil Stick!!!