Question: When you received your orders did you get them on MOL first? I keep trying to access web orders but it says I don't have permission. Do they come in a message? Thanks :D
Answer: Every time that I have received orders I was issued a paper copy. The orders given to me from boot camp stated that I would have seven days of leave followed by seven days of recruiters assistance to help my local recruiter after which time I was to report for Marine Combat Training in California. Then I was issued orders for Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School in Twentynine Palms, CA for training as an 0651. After completion of school I was issued Web Orders (this is the first time I receive a printed copy of Web Orders, all previous orders were not web orders) for my present duty station in NC. I never have accessed or even know where to look up my web orders. If you need a copy of your orders you can visit S-1 or Ipac. They may be able to access the information you need.
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October 15, 2010
Question # 12
Question # 11
Question: How long do you go to training for 0651 Data Specialist?
Answer: Training for an 0651 during the time that I went lasted about three months. I was in Twentynine Palms for about six months because I had to wait for class to start. It starts with Network Fundamentals, then CCNA Modules 1-3 (4 is optional if you excel), and ends with Microsoft Server and Exchange.
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September 26, 2010
Comment Posting Fixed...
I wasn't aware it was even a problem until a reader pointed it out to me! Thank You!! You know who you are! Read past posts...tell me what you think!! Seriously...now...go read...and then POST A COMMENT!! Like now...RIGHT NOW!!
September 25, 2010
Update
To all who may be following or happen to wander over this way, HI!! Its been awhile since I gave a personal status update so here it is! I have since taken the networking course for the SWAN-D Satellite System as well as the DMVPN (Dynamic Multipoint Virtual Private Network) course which will be phasing out the legacy way of implementing the SWAN-D.
After the course was done I had the opportunity to finally take leave and visit home for a couple of weeks. I drove the sixteen hours with great enthusiasm and excitement...for about the first four hours! After that I was just ready to get home. Although, the drive through the mountains is awesome and I do look forward to that portion of it. It was great being home and having the chance to visit family and friends and see how everyone is doing. I celebrated my 26th year of life while on leave and was once again reminded of how important it is to make every single moment with family and friends count! Many times we are to tired or distracted by other things when those close to us in our lives are seeking our attention. It is easy to brush them away, but when all is said and done, the time that we could have had with them is lost and we wish we could get it back.
After driving back to Cherry Point it was time to get back to work. We were preparing for WTI training (Weapons and Tactics Instructor course) at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, AZ. Considering we are in Cherry Point, NC we had a long trip ahead of us. There was gear to be checked for operability, things to be packed, gear to be staged, loaded, offloaded, reloaded, and shipped off ahead of time in preparation for our arrival. I was selected along with others to leave a week early to help set up the main side site in preparation for the main body of Marines to arrive. On September 19, 2009 I awoke at 0200 to get ready for the accountability formation at 0300. We would be leaving on a commercial flight to Yuma, AZ later that morning. Once the planes arrived on the Air Station in Cherry Point we (the Marines) actually had to load our own gear into the hull of the planes. So many different things you get to do being a Marine...ha!
Throughout our whole preparation leading to our departure to WTI I kept thinking to myself, "Wow, this is really costing a lot of money!" We loaded several tractor trailers with Seven Tons, HMMWV's, and metal containers, we order tons of gear and supplies in preparation to go, as well as the commercial flights for hundreds of Marines! And I'm sure I have not even scraped the surface as to all the other cost related factors. All of this time, effort, and man hours in preparation for our deployment in the beginning of 2011.
We are scheduled to arrive in Afghanistan in the first quarter of 2011, although exact dates have not yet been given to us. There is a chance that I may or may not go as it has been stated by our First Sargent and CO that everyone from Alpha Company will not be going. The rosters for the deployment are being trimmed. I would hope that I am able to go and work along side the Marines that I have worked with since I arrived here almost a year ago. There is something to be said about an individual who is happy idling by while his brothers and sisters are in the fight. I hope to be right there along side them.
Well, as of now the first week of WTI is over. Main side is set up and Marines from Cherry Point start arriving tomorrow. Several other sites remain to be set up and gear still needs to be delivered to those sites. I have a feeling I'm going to be driving a lot of seven tons! I hope I learn and retain much experience from the training I receive here. I want to be useful to the Corps in service to my Country. I'm sure I'll have lots more to say about WTI once it's all said and over. One week down, six weeks left! Here we go!!
Question # 10
QUESTION
My name is Alex S. and I will be leaving to boot camp in February. I will also be a 0651 and was curious of what I can do in the civilian world with my mos?
ANSWER
The Data Network Specialist MOS is comparable to an IT job in the civilian world. There are several courses and certifications that you can receive that will be useful to you in your civilian life. If you work REALLY hard in MOS school you can leave with two certifications right away. Your Comptia A+ Certification and your CCNA certification. You will have the opportunity to receive more certifications throughout your enlistment. Take every course and get every cert they offer you. It's literally thousands of dollars worth of classes and testing fees. A job seeking a CCNA cert with experience starts out at about 35-40 dollars/hour. Not bad and it gets better with each higher level cert you get.
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July 26, 2010
Be Prepared...Physically and Spiritually
MMA Can Be A Great Self Defense Training Method
These situations are unexpected to say the least. They usually involve you minding your own business when the anger of someone comes out of nowhere to challenge you both physically and sometimes even emotionally. This is why it's best to know how to protect yourself because these situations are—as I said—unexpected. When an unexpected intention to fight presents itself it's best to be ready to defend yourself if need be. This is where a healthy dose of MMA fight training can do wonders. MMA (mixed martial arts) is a full contact sport that teaches how to fight in a variety of situations. This is because MMA teaches different fighting styles, some of which are new and some of which that are as old as fighting itself. Grappling and submission moves all have their place in the training and can teach someone how to bring someone down without using an overuse of violence. This is not to mention that most altercations that occur in public end up with two people on the ground and if one is versed in MMA submissions holds (like for example the arm bar) then it's most likely that person is going to walk away from that fight unscathed or at-least the victor.
There are other various moves and techniques in MMA that would allow you to both subdue your attacker and protect yourself. For example, after a takedown a fight style called "ground and pound" is initiated in which you would throw hard hitting punches to your opponent once they are on their back and on the ground. If aggressive violence isn't what you're looking for, MMA offers submission grappling, which is also a great way to bring an end to the fight and to your opponent. When I speak of submission grappling I'm talking about being able to put your opponent in a chokehold or any of the following: joint locks, arm locks, leg locks, or pinning. Doing this submission style of fighting will allow you to end the fight more peacefully if that's the route you want to take. MMA can also go down the avenue of fast fighting style in which kicking boxing and other techniques are used to keep you quick and hopefully end the fight even faster. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, catch wrestling, Judo, Sambo, Shootwrestling, Pankration, and others can also be taught via MMA fighting methods. Each of these fighting styles are much faster than most and can easily bring an opponent down in most situations. If you're following the teaching of MMA then not only are you learning the styles of a growing popular sport but you're also learning how to protect and defend yourself in any unexpected situation.
By: Brent Jacobs of MMA Industries, distributor of extreme MMA Gear and MMA T-shirts.
http://www.mmaindustries.com/MMA_TShirts_s/29.htm
___________________________________________________________________________________
It is no surprise that an individual would want to know how to protect themselves physically. Considering the world in which we live it is not unwise to actively learn how to keep yourself and your family safe. More important than being prepared physically for attacks that may come our way, is being prepared spiritually for the attacks that will come our way.
“For For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12).” We are commanded to, “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).” It is no secret that the devil and his minions seek to destroy, in the most literalistic sense of the word, every faction of our lives. And it all starts on the spiritual front. The unuttered thoughts that we harbor and fester on; the root of bitterness springing up in our heart; the lack of faith that discourages us from obeying the will of God or the self absorbed attitude which seeks to gain and never to give are all weapons used against us. It is easy to recognize an attack when it is waged from a distance and the enemy is clearly approaching. It is far less easy to see that attack, let alone fight against it, when it is an attack from within. The thoughts of our mind and the desires of our heart if unchecked will ultimately lead us away from God and his will for our lives. Therefore we must not only be prepared for the physical battle but the spiritual as well. MMA is a good tool to know and use when fighting the physical battles. There may be other fighting styles which can accomplish the tasks as well. Let it be known though, that in order to win the spiritual battles in our lives the weapons are few but entirely necessary.
The only offensive tool that we as Christians are armed with is the Sword of God’s Word. It must be used to effectively deter the attacks on our minds and hearts. It must be used both actively and passively in our lives. There’s an old saying that says, “You are what you eat.” Spiritually this is true. The Bible teaches “that as he thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).” This may be a simple statement but its truth has yet to be learned by many people. If you are constantly thinking and dwelling on that which is corrupt then you will become corrupt. Yet if you are thinking and meditating on the Truth of God’s Word and what He is trying to teach you through It faithfully, then you are passively using God’s Word to fight off attacks by building up your moral wall to defend against attacks.
We must also prepare ourselves to be able to actively engage the enemy when spiritual attacks occurs. When confronted with a temptation to steal or cheat we must poses within our arsenal the Truth and scripture that directly applies to that sin in order to defeat it. The Lord Jesus when tempted by the devil offered nothing more than God’s Word to deter his attacks and send him fleeing. If the very Son of God avails Himself to such methods, we must learn from His example and do the same. I do not cheat and steal because one, God is Truth (the principle or truth that applies), and two we are commanded not to bare false witness (lie, or the scripture directly applying to the topic). We are told to hide God’s Word in our heart that we may not sin. To live a life of sin is to be destroyed and to lose the fight. The spiritual battle must be won or else the physical life which we live will also be destroyed. Be prepared…not just physically but spiritually as well “for bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come (I Tim. 4:8).
July 17, 2010
Question #9
Question:
Thanks for the Q/A section!- Were you able to get your CCNA certification at MOS? if not do you have a chance now in the field to get it?
Answer:
No problem...I'm surprised how many questions I get! You will have the opportunity to get your CCNA Cert. in MOS school if you excel in the first three modules. There are four Modules to CCNA and after going through all 4 you have the opportunity to take the certification test. When I was at the school house the class for Module 4 ran during Microsoft Server and Exchange. So you were basically taking two very accelerated classes at the same time which makes it very difficult. If you do not get it in the school house that is fine, you will have the opporunity to take additional classes through the CTC (Communications Training Center) and recieve your certification through them. You will take these courses either on base or at another base close by. Since I have been in the fleet I have since recieve by Network+ Cert (Recieved A+ Cert. in MOS School) and am now working on my SWAN-D Cert (USMC Satellite System) and am slated for a Security+ course later this year. I'm hoping to take CCNA Module 4 and recieve that Cert as well but my plate is pretty full right now.
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July 8, 2010
Question #8
Question:
Do you call yourself a Christian because you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior?
Answer:
The short answer to your question is yes. Based on the authority of God's Word I am a Christian because I have, "called upon the name of the Lord," and am now, "saved" from having to pay the penalty for my sin which is death in hell. I am, by no merit of myself guaranteed a home in heaven only because of the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection three days later.
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June 13, 2010
Question # 7!!
Question:
I heard it is illegal for four or five Marines to walk down the street together. Is this true and if so why?
Answer:
In all of the training and education I have gleaned from the United States Marine Corps regarding rules and regulations, customs and courtesies, and appropriate and inappropriate behavior, this is not a rule or regulation I am familiar with. I have on more the one occasion walked with several fellow Marines on both public streets and sidewalks and private on base streets and sidewalks. The only exception I can thing of was when I was in a student status (MCT or Comm. School). When walking with a group of Marines during the work day we had to march to and from wherever we were going. This did not restrict the number of Marines though, just the way we arrived at our destination.
Do you have a question ? Ask me at www.formspring.me/josephcue or use the box under my profile picture!
June 5, 2010
Question # 6
Question: Hello!! My husband is graduating next week as an 0651. He will be stationed in Camp Pendlton and they have told him that he might deploy in August :'( How long do data guys usually deploy for being in a support unit?
Answer: I myself have not personally deployed (we are scheduled to deploy in 2011), but I know quite a few 0651 Marines who have deployed. I know some who have deployed for as little as 4 months, others 6 months, and yet others out as long as a year to a 1 1/2 years. There is no set time frame that I have seen that is a standard for deployment time for 0651 Marines. It is all based on what the Marine Corps needs and the rotation schedule that they have implemented. Although, if your husband is to recieve orders to deploy it should state the length of the deployment. And do realize that if your husband will be serving his deployment as an 0651 Marine he will be relativley safe considering the enviroment he will be in.
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Question # 5
Question: Are Marines allowed to be in a relationship with other Marines while in MOS school in Twentynine palms CA?
Answer: Yes, as far I know there is nothing prohibiting the dating of another Marine while in MOS school, provided that it does not violate the guidlines set forth by the Marine Corps fraternization policy.
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April 25, 2010
Life at Cherry Point!
Well...I have been here since October and I guess I am no longer the "New Guy" in my shop. Although there is still so much to learn, know, and do I often times still feel like the new guy. As I posted earlier (way earlier) I have been moved for the time being to Satellite platoon. I have not formally been trained to use the equipment (which is basically a variety of satellites varying in size used for network connectivity) so I am still trying to get a grasp of how things work.
I am the "assistant hazmat/safety NCO (Non Commissioned Officer)" for my shop so there was a lot of things to get straitened out and put together to get things where they should be. It is still a work in progress. Overall it's not a hard billet but there are a few minor things that I think could be made better.
Since my last posting I have taken three driving courses. I am now licesed to drive a Humvee, a Sevon Ton, and a bus. It took 2 1/2 weeks to get my humvee license with a first time instructor and the expierence was not plesant at all. Things could have been a lot better organized and quite frankley there was a lot of time wasted. But as all things it did end. After the humvee course I went back to my shop for one week. I then returned back to Wing Driver School to learn to drive a bus. It was only a week long course and was rather easy and much better organized so it was no where near as painful as the humvee course. The next week was the start of my Seven Ton training which is a huge vehicle with tires almost as tall as I am. The turning radius makes it a little more difficult to drive but in the end I got my license and passed all the requirments.
This past weekend I also volunteered to help with the Boy Scouts Jamboree in Kinston, NC. It was an all day event on a huge field with several booths and activities for them to do. We were there to help with two of the activities they had. One was an obstacle course and the other was a circut course testing the scouts in various subjects including scout knowledge, first aid, knot tying, ect. It was a very long day waking up at 0530 and making it back to my room at 2030.
After leaving the Jamboree me and a few fellow Marines went to a restruraunt to eat. As we were finishing our dessert the couple sitting next to us rose to leave. Before leaving the wife (I'm assuming they were married), somehow figured out we were Marines (do we stick out that much...really?) thanked us for our service to our country. Never really knowing what to say we all said thank you (for the recognition I guess) and you're welcome. As we were getting ready to leave our server informed us that the couple had left $80 towards our bill which pretty much took care of it. It was a surprise and really unexpected to us all. I understand why people are so kind and generous at times but considering how little I have actually done in my Marine Corps career I wonder how deserving I really am. There's a lot to said by a title such as Marine and I guess that alone prompts people to act in generousity as this nice couple did. Yet, another reminder that as we live with the various titles befitting who we are... we have a lot to live up to!
Question # 4
QUESTION:
If your MOS is 0651 do you still get to do duties like the infantry or volunteer for floats?
ANSWER:
The short answer to your question is, Yes. There are always opportunities to do things outside of your MOS as an 0651. I have friends who have deployed as 0651's and have done security patrols, provided security from helicoptors, worked at the checkpoints, ect. There is another friend I know who is an instructor at the Wing Driver School (where you train for Humvee, Seven Ton, Bus, MRAP, ect.) who is also an 0651. As far as "Floats" I'm assuming that you mean a Ship. Data Marines (0651) get to go on MEU's (Marine Expiditionary Unit) all the time. I know of several people in my shop who have gone. I would like to go myself but as of yet have not. These MEU's go all over the place ranging from the east coast of the USA to Austrailia, and South America.
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March 25, 2010
Question #3
Question: When during MOS school did you find out your first duty station? My fiance is currently at MCT in Pendleton,and I'm a bit axious to know when he will know where we will end up living! Thank you sooo much for your service, and God Bless. :)
Answer: MCT lasts for a little less then a month and after that he will be going to his MOS school. Depending on what his MOS is will determine where he goes and how long he is there for. Typically during any type of training environment (boot camp, MCT, or MOS School), you are not authorized a vehicle or to move your spouse to that location. If schooling is expected to last more then a year he may be authorized a vehicle only. As far as finding out when he will receive orders for his first duty station, that usually happens the last week or two of MOS school. The instructors want to be fairly confident that the students will pass that course before orders are issued. Considering that you are married it is unlikely that he would be sent to an oversees duty station at first such as Okinawa, Japan or even Hawaii. It will more then likely be in CONUS. To get an idea of where he may be going you can:
1. Find out his MOS #: Four digit number (0651 in my case)
2. Contact his recruiter and ask where the school house is for MOS XXXX. Then you'll know where he's going after Pendleton.
3. After MOS school he could go any where, but more then likely will stay in the USA and once again will typically find out the last week or two while there.
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March 14, 2010
Question #2
March 12, 2010
Question # 1
February 28, 2010
Questions about Anything??
I have noticed through my log history that many people have found my page looking for information regarding MCT, boot camp, and MOS School. Feel free to ask me anything @ http://formspring.me/josephcue and I'll be sure to answer! You can also use the box under my profile picture to submit your questions.
February 11, 2010
My Piano Arrangments
This is a playlist of favorite hymns I have arranged for the piano. I enjoy playing the piano but have not had much time to play since I joined the Marine Corps. I have a few other arrangments as well but I have yet to record them. The "I Will Follow Medley" is a live recording of me and a friend on two grand pianos, which is why it sounds different. I apologize for the inconsistencies on the volume levels between songs but these were recorded at different times on different keyboards. Just click on the link and select either, "Open" to just listen to it or "Download/Save" to save it on your computer.
Traditional Hymns
God's Leading - Piano Duet on Two Grand Pianos
*Medley of Follow On, Where He Leads Me I Will Follow, and Lead on O King Eternal
It Is Well
Nearer, Still Near
Jesus Loves Me w/Oh, How I Love Jesus
Christmas Songs
Silent Night
The First Noel
February 9, 2010
A New Platoon and Lots of Shells!
Shortly after arriving to my new platoon I went to the rifle range for a couple of weeks. There we shot hundreds and hundreds of rounds on our M16-A4 rifles. We shot the known distance course (Or Table 1) from distances ranging from 200 Yrds. to 500 Yrds. There are several positions you shoot from and these include the prone (flat on your stomach), the sitting, the kneeling, and the standing. Each target is white with a black center area and has various point values for different parts of the target. The score for Table 1 and Table 2 are combined to give the actual score and designation as either a Rifle Marksman, Rifle Sharpshooter, or Rifle Expert.
Table 2 consists of firing at 25 Yrds. and 100 Yrds. and is focused on firing in combat. There are a few drills that are learned which include the "Controlled Pair" which is two well aimed shots to the chest, the "Failure to Stop" drill, which is two well aimed shots to the chest and one shot to either the head or the pelvis. There are also multiple target engagements and moving target engagements. Table three is very similar to table two but includes a few more drills. Table three is not used in the scoring process. I received a combined score of 313 which is classified as a Rifle Expert. The highest score possible is 350. In addition to improving my rifle score I'm pretty sure I'll be moving up to the rank of Lance Corporal in March. I can't wait! Currently we are on another field op and after this I will be taking courses to learn to drive a Humvee. The training opportunities are endless but I am grateful to be learning new things and improving on things I am already familiar with.
January 5, 2010
One Year Later
It has been exactly one year since I joined the United States Marine Corps. On this day last year I was in the processing phase of recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. I remember the fear of uncertainty as I began that journey. The biggest fear in any new situation seems to be that of uncertainty.
Many of the friends that I went to school with are now being deployed to Afghanistan. People that I work with have left for Afghanistan and more are on their way. I am not wondering if I will go but rather when I will go. I know that the day is coming; if it were today I would gladly accept my orders and begin preparation to go. Yet, that fear of uncertainty would no doubt be there. In friends that I have talked to I have detected a hint of uneasiness as well.
On the flip side, I have talked to a few people who have come back from Iraq. They enjoyed it and have often stated that they wouldn't mind going back. I'm sure there were times when things were tough, but overall the experience was good for them.
Many times in life we let fear hold us back and rob us of experiences that although are tough for awhile, ultimately mold and shape us into better people. We have nothing to fear at all if we know we are in God's will. The uncertainty that we feel is not a feeling that God is familiar with. Though we have no control over what may come our way, we can rest in knowing that there is One who is in control of it all.
Quite frankly the job is a little mundane and the hours are long. But there is a truth that I am experiencing and developing in my life. That of a self sacrificing love for others. As I work with my fellow Marines and those who are above me and I learn of them, grow with them, and labor with them. I on more then one occasion have found myself thinking as I interact with these people, "I would die for them." Not in a way of pride or arrogance and not in the plural sense of the Marine Corps as a whole, but rather the individual Marine. In my young life I have not been in a profession or job where that thought would ever enter one's mind. You don't normally have to think of dieing for your Co-worker selling life insurance. You don't envision an attack at the counter of Geek Squad as you troubleshoot computers. But in this line of work, although minute, the chances of being placed in those situations is real.
I love what I do and I love the people that I work with. I hope that this next coming year will bring new experiences that I can embrace without that fear of uncertainty, but rather a dependence on the One in control of it all. I also hope that the lessons that I am being taught continue and that I recognize God's hand in them all.
To all reading,
Good Day!
