The Calm before the Storm (and Caleb's Mailing Address)

Fort Wayne to Quantico 

This weekend was Caleb's last as a civilian. The preparations were complete. He was to report to the office of Captain Kline, his Officer Selection Officer, complete final paper work, attend a leadership development seminar, check into the Crown Plaza Hotel, have a final orientation of Capt. Kline with the candidates and their parents, overnight at the hotel and depart for the airport at 0915 on Sunday morning. He was scheduled to depart Indy about 11:15 for Reagan International Airport, Washington, D.C. At Reagan International he was to be met by US Marine Corps personnel to transport him to Quantico. Here are the details.

The Drive to Indy

Our departure for Indy was delayed un 18:30. There were many "last minute" details to resolve. Credit card issues settle; last minute bills to pay; packing away personal items in his room. The list seemed to multiply like rabbits. Complete one and and two more. Caleb and I started at 07:00 and by 18:30 were finally able to hit the road.

Normally this would not be a problem. Fort Wayne-Indy is a smooth straight run down I-69. Two hours to I-469. It's easy—unless a snow storm hits. The snow began to fall about mid-day. By the time we left a full-fledged storm was reminding us of normal Indiana weather. High winds, blowing snow, icy roads. Drivers with four-wheel drive vehicles, thinking that just because they can go without difficulty they could stop on a dime, zooming by me like Jeff Gordon on the last lap at Daytona. Idiots! Of course, I was driving wisely (Carolyn, stop snickering!).

At the height of the storm, with the wind whipping snow across the road, spray coming up from the trucks and Jeff Gordon wannabes, and the windshield icing up from the freezing rain, the passenger side-windshield wiper failed. Wiper came off the arm mount and slid down the arm. Had to shut the wipers down. Discovered, though that the snow had slacked off and the roads were dry on that section of the road. Finally pulled into Loves' truck stop (somewhere between Huntington and Gas City) to purchase new wipers. Wise choice.

Short ways down the road the storm returned, This time it was sleet and freezing rain. Had to stop twice just to scrape the ice build up off the windshield—even though the defroster was going full blast at 85F. The road were slushy. Snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain does not give the best traction. Finally arrived safely at our hotel at 21:30. The normal two hour trip lasted three hours. The room was ready; the beds were soft and warm; sleep was welcomed.

Saturday: Leadership Seminar

The schedule for the day kept changing because of the weather. Capt. Kline had scheduled time with potential recruits as well as with the candidates leaving for OCS. All were to participate in the leadership seminar and drill, but while the OCS candidates were doing paper work, the recruits were to do physical tests. Everything was changed when it became clear folks would have a hard time getting to Indy. Capt. Kline wisely advised his people that the day would be devoted to the Leadership Seminar, starting at 09:30. If the weather improved the recruits could run their three-miles after the seminar. So we dropped Caleb off at Capt. Kline's office and left of our own exciting day in Indy.

After two hours at Kohls on 82nd Street (Carolyn says it was only one hour, I declare it sure seemed like two!) we went off in search of military surplus stores. Carolyn used Siri, the iPhone search tool, to find them. We visited three. None were to be found. The address was non-existent in two cases. We finally gave up and decided to have lunch.

We managed to find Patties of Jamaica on Allison Road. Authentic Jamaican beef patties, served with a smile and a Jamaica accent. Nice! Very nice! A cold bottle of Ting would have made it perfect, but we were happy to savor such authentic patties even without the Ting. 

We returned to Capt. Kline's office just in time to see the recruits come out to the parking lot for their run. It was amazing to see the variety of attire. Some had full winter attire. Some had typical knee-length shorts with sweat shirts. One guy had a body shirt with sweat pants. Yes, a beater and sweat pants! Another guy had green Larry Bird shorts. Yes, shorts cut to the top of the thigh like the NBA used in the 1980s! Strange. Running in low 20F weather with Daisy Duke short shorts—worn by a guy. 

Shortly after the runners returned Caleb emerged, informing us that Capt. Kline had scheduled an orientation meeting with the recruits and their parents. 

Orientation Meeting

This was the first time I was able to meet the men who are going to OCS from Indiana with Caleb. Good men from good families. One colleague want to be a fighter pilot. The other wants to enter Naval Intelligence. Caleb wants to be a Navigation Officer for fighter pilots, essentially flying second seat on a fighter plane. All three men came from traditional families. Father and mother raised their boys to be men of honor, courage and commitment. Good candidates for Marine officers.

This was also the first time I was able to meet Capt. Kline. He did a superlative job preparing Caleb for OCS. As we listed the overview he now presented, I was impressed with the degree to which we all had been prepared. We all know what is coming. Caleb knows what to expect. The next four weeks will be the worst weeks of his life. No joke and no overstatement. It will be weeks designed to test his determination, courage, strength, and endurance. There is no second chance, He either makes the cut or he goes home. The Marine Corps requires OCS candidates to sign a contract for four weeks. They are not allowed to quit during these four weeks. If they were, everyone would quit—it is that bad! However, once through it, the demands change. The focus switches to their academic ability and their ability to lead. So, very few actually quit after four weeks. If they can make it through these weeks, they can make it through the remaining six weeks. 

After the orientation meeting, we said our good-byes and returned to Fort Wayne. Caleb with to dinner with his colleague who wants to go into Naval Intelligence. 

The Mailing Address

For the duration of OCS, Caleb is limited in what he can receive. Send only cards and letters. Do not send photos, cookies, gifts —anything! Send cards and letters of encouragement. Do not send any bad news. Save the bad news until OCS is over. Here is his address:

Candidate Allen, Caleb W.

Charlie Company

OCS, 2189 Elrod Avenue

Quantico, VA 22134

Caleb's Platoon number will be added following "Charley Company" later, once his platoon number has been assigned. For now, no platoon number is needed.

Last Word: "It's Starting"

We received a few texts from Caleb this afternoon. He had to wait over four hours at Reagan International Airport before the Marines pieced him up. He had time to send a last message and post a final blog. He posted it as "It's Starting!" Check it out below.