Private Jonathan K. Beevers graduated Marine Corps boot camp on Jan. 9. The 12-week recruit training program included many classroom hours of learning everything military – from uniform requirements to first aid. Marines are held to a high moral and ethical standard. The Marine Corps values of honor, commitment and courage are the way Marines live. These values guide their every action.
While at Parris Island, S.C., Marine recruits follow a strict training matrix that includes ethical, mental and physical training. They learn martial arts, enter a gas chamber and become combat water survival qualified. The Marine recruits are well trained and transformed from civilians to Marines by the Marine Corps' finest, the drill instructors.
Private Beevers did much physical training and received first class on his physical fitness test. Physical conditioning prepares the Marine for the high level of fitness that Marines are held to. While at boot camp, Marine recruits do many obvious exercises, such as push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups. The recruits also run obstacle courses that are team building exercises, and they go on several marches ranging from three to 10 miles. They also do combat conditioning in preparation for possible combat.
Private Beevers was thoroughly trained with the M-16 rifle and obtained the expert level at the rifle range. Marine recruits learn their weapons inside and out. They are trained how to fire, clean and perform close-order drill with the weapons.
Private Beevers will enjoy a 10-day boot leave in Pembroke. After leave, he will return to Camp Geiger, N.C., for more combat training. He will then go to a training facility for MOS training in the data systems field. Only after Private Beevers is trained to perform his job well and to the high Marine Corps standard will he join the fleet at a permanent duty station.
Cyndi Beevers
Jonathan's proud mom
