Evaluations Are Complete!
Winding Down.
The candidates were instructed to "buy a couple of books" for their use during this final week.
Yes, he is very, very close now. So close, infact, that those still standing (about 170 of the original 220) have ordered their "uniforms" and all that goes with them. I am not sure all that goes with them, but the price tag came to almost $3000! I told Caleb it was a good thing he got paid while at OCS so that he would have money to buy his "uniforms"! The candidates still have at least three PT events to complete this week, along with some classroom discussions. They must also plan their graduation parade and practice, practice, practice. (Caleb is in the third platoon and will be in the first line of that platoon nearest the bleachers.)
There is still time to decide to attend graduation (starts exactly at 9 am on 31 March) and commissioning (starts 1 PM, the same day). We are a group of 17 now, including family and friends, who will be a witness to this historic event.
We have traveled with him for quite some time now. His dad always told him that he could do anything that he put his mind to. I always told him that I didn't think he would achieve this dream. You see, way back when, I would occasionally ask him if he had filled out his application. His answer would be, not yet. But, I am his mom. Mom's like to keep their kids out of harms way, if at all possible. What I told Caleb was, I support you and I will help you achieve this dream. If you believe that this is what God wants you to do, then I am all for it! We have always taught our children that God can not lead a stationary object. Move towards what you want to do and what you believe God wants you to do and He will open and close doors. This door continues to be open. God has used many to guide Caleb. He idolized his National Guard brother, Josh. Many years later, his OSO, Capt. Kline, saw potential in Caleb and worked with him guiding him through the selection process. Caleb has worked with great diligence to complete this course of study, which, by the way is just the beginning.
Caleb will assist his OSO in the Indy office until he enters The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, VA for six months beginning 5 June 2012. After successful completion of this course, he will head to Pensacola for three years of flight school.
Many thanks for your thoughts and prayers during the past 9 weeks. God and the Marines are not finished with him yet!
What a delightful post! So good to hear that Caleb has come to this point. One is never safer than in the place God wants him, and never in such danger as when not.
ReplyDeleteBill Shaneyfelt
Great to read about your son, and your blog has been a godsend for us parents who were looking for more information than they could glean from liberty phone calls with their candidates the past 10 weeks. My son Ryan from the 4th will be joining Caleb on Browns field this Saturday. It has been a long 10 weeks for us parents.....I'm sure even longer for our boys. Congratulations to Caleb and all of his family and friends who have supported him.
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