The Waiting Game

Josh mentioned to me before he even left for boot camp the mantra of "Hurry Up and Wait", which is often used jokingly by Marines. The life of a Marine is dictated and run by a strict schedule and plan, but it often leads to waiting for long periods of time. For example, when Josh signed up for the USMC initially in Maui, we thought he would be sent to boot camp soon after (which would have been July 2015). We later found out he would not begin boot camp until December 7th. Now he experienced another delay in starting his next phase of training, School of Infantry (SOI). He was supposed to begin 10 days after boot camp ended, which would have been March 15th, but he started yesterday- April 19th. I feel like this has already become a common theme in our lives, and we have only been part of the military officially for 4 months. 

The waiting game has greatly affected me as well. I feel as though much of my life is on hold currently, waiting for the next chapter to begin. Every decision banks on another, and yet I can't make any further decisions until we know where we will be living. It is a frustrating cycle for me, and one I am having to continually surrender control in and give control to the Lord. As of now, we are scheduled to find out where we will be living after SOI sometime in the first two weeks of June. But, even in my limited experience, I am preparing myself for that date to be extended. The main USMC bases we could be stationed at are Camp Pendleton (in Oceanside, CA- where Josh is currently), 29 Palms (the middle of no where in the Mohave Desert), Camp Lejeune (North Carolina), Okinawa (Japan), and Kanehoe Bay (Oahu, Hawaii). From what we have been told, we will be allowed to give a preference of either West Coast, East Coast or Overseas. Ultimately, though, the decision lies in the hands of the Marine Corps and where the greatest need is at the time of Josh's stationing. Another aspect of Josh's current training is his ability to choose a Military Occupational Specialty (or MOS). This is basically the specialty within the infantry division where Josh receives additional training. Common infantry MOS's include rifleman, sniper, reconnoissance, machine gunner, mortarman, and many more. Since Josh scored extremely high on the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test during boot camp, he should be able to have his pick of MOS. Once again, we will see if that actually happens. We are learning to be both patient and flexible! Too bad those are two of the hardest attributes for me to live out on a daily basis. 

Josh has been down at Pendleton since March 28th, which was the date he was assigned to report. Since his start date for SOI was delayed, he was assigned to a waiting barracks, which meant he was placed on different working parties to perform menial tasks, chores, maintenance, and whatever else was needed on the base. He was not happy to be assigned there, but not starting his next round of training. He is chomping at the bit, as much as I am, to find out where we will be stationed. However, he was able to spend more time with many of the other new Marines who were in the same situation as him. Many of these men were the same ones he had been with at boot camp, although he knew nothing about the details of their life. He was able to talk and get to know them, and share about his life, our marriage and his faith. It was great to hear how many questions about marriage he was receiving and answering from all of the 18 and 19 year olds surrounding him! I am happy he can pass on the wisdom we have gained during our first four years of marriage. I am praying God will continue to place particular men in his path who need to hear words of encouragement or hope from Josh. I am also praying Josh will have the energy and the motivation to take those opportunities! 

I went down to visit Josh at Camp Pendleton the second weekend he was there (April 8th and 9th). He had called me the previous weekend and explained his "liberty", or freedom, situation to me. Since he had not officially started SOI, there was a much greater chance he would be granted the highest level of liberty ("alpha") which meant he could leave the base for the weekend. I jumped at the opportunity to see him for the weekend, and drove all the way down to Oceanside, thankfully accompanied by my mother in law. We would not know officially what level of liberty Josh had received from his staff sergeants, but made the drive anyways- hopeful we would get to spend time with him. He had told me the second best case scenario would be "bravo" liberty, which meant he would be allowed off base for both Saturday and Sunday, but have to return to sleep in the barracks both nights. I found out around 1:00 PM that afternoon, as we were arriving in Oceanside, he had received "bravo". I was disappointed somewhat, wanting him to have freedom from the base for the weekend, but was thrilled I hadn't driven all that way in vain. I was able to enter onto the base Friday early evening and have dinner with Josh. That was quite an experience in itself. He only had about 2 hours of freedom that evening, but I had wanted to spend as much time with him while I was in the area as possible. We ended up being confined to the area immediately surrounding his barracks, which limited our dinner options to the mini mart (with frozen foods and a microwave) and Domino's. We decided to go with the pizza. Walking in to the Domino's, I quickly realized I was the only female surrounded by about 40 Marines (most in uniform, some in civilian clothing). All heads turned towards me, which made me very self conscious. The worst part was the moment of panic I experienced when exiting the bathroom. I scanned the crowd for Josh, but couldn't pinpoint which one was him- since they were all dressed the same. Thankfully he soon walked towards me, which helped! We were able to spend two full days together after that. We played disc golf, walked on the Oceanside Pier, ate delicious Mexican food, and spent time with his Mom. It was nice to be together, especially with the uncertainty looming in front of us of when we would next get to see each other. 

Since then, we have been able to talk on the weekends. Josh has to turn in his cell phone during the week, but has been getting it back for the weekends. I am praying this continues as the intensity of SOI training increases. I am hoping to go visit him sometime soon, but am waiting to hear how his new instructors are in SOI, and what kind of weekend liberty he will most likely be receiving. I am also planning on living down in that area for most of June. I want to be close enough to the base to be able to go see him on short notice. Having to make a 8+ hour drive to get to him is not ideal, although it does have its benefits currently. Chico is amazingly beautiful, and I am trying my best to soak up all of this warmth and sunshine we have been having. I have been loving riding my bike, hiking and sitting by the creek. What a beautiful place to be living during spring!