WISE journal 3

   Okay, so last night had almost nothing to do with the Marines whatsoever; however, this is about our experience. Last night I went to the races in miami off route 27 countyline drag racing. I went with my little brother and my sister's boyfriend. Anyway, I ended up losing the first race, and the host trying to make the races fun decides to interview me. My brother told him to take it easy on me because I am a Marine. yes, he lied mostly I am not a Marine- yet. So he pulls me over and tells me to get out of the car. Then he continues to say, "although George here is a terrible driver, he is our very own United States Marine," and the crowd begins to clap and cheer. The amount of pride I felt at that very moment was immense. People, strangers at that, clapping for me for doing something many people can't do. For doing something that is bigger than myself. I just thought it would make a good journal.

WISE journal 2

    On thursday, I went to the recruiters office in plantation to start on my WISE project. There were two Marines that just came back from bootcamp which I love to talk to. Daniela Jimenez and I interviewed almost every Marine in the office including two of the recruiters. Major Bruce Morales of the Marine Corps was there, but he did not have time to interview; however, we got to interview one of my favorite recruiters, Staff Sergeant Jose Uribe. I enjoyed the interview mostly because he gave us some insight of when he was in the position we are in to where he is now. Also, I was able to learn a little more about him. For example, I had no idea he was ever in Iraq. I believe he said he went once or twice, and would go again if he could. That he enjoyed being over there, which for me was interesting given the stories I have heard from other Marines. Staff Sergeant Uribe told us the only thing he really enjoys about recruiting is being able to connect to people that remind him of himself when he was a poolee and giving other people the same opportunity and benefits he was given. Other than that, recruiting is mostly paperwork and getting their poolees ready to take on the challenges they will face at bootcamp.

WISE journal 1

             Even before we started the WISE program I was already well into my topic. I am enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as of Novemember and scheduled to leave in July. I've been working really hard in getting prepared, as I said, long before I was in the WISE program. Monday through Wednesday we have "pt" in plantation by the recruiting office on broward blvd. Which stands for physical training. Not too long ago I was named squad leader which is a pretty big deal for me. The most important part about that is that I earned it. I've come to realize that everything in the Marines is earned. Even the title "Marine" is earned through the completion of bootcamp. Not only do I learn things of my topic, but I also am learning things about myself. Tomorrow I have physical training, which I actually enjoy going to. I enjoy the motivational atomsphere. Most of the times we are not accompanined by any Marines but more recently we are running along side a Marine that just came back from bootcamp or on recruiters assistance. I enjoy that more because we get to meet new Marines besides our recruiters and hear their stories of bootcamp.