Twentynine Palms, CA

Now I have left Camp Pendleton and have arrived in beautiful Twentynine Palms, California, home of…Sand!! I am literally in the middle of a desert! The lows are around seventy and highs so far in the high nineties to low hundreds. From what I hear it’s only going to get hotter!

I’ll be here for a few months at the Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School (MCCES). I will be studying to be a Systems Information Specialist (MOS 0651/0656), and from what I was told earlier today from our Sergeant Major is the toughest course at the school currently. I have overcome many obstacles in the past and with help from on high I can overcome this one too! I have yet to learn when classes will actually start and depending on when they do start will determine how long I am in Twentynine Palms.

I am looking forward to school and am excited about everything I will be learning. We will have lots of PT or Physical Training every morning and will also be doing a lot of MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program). Before I leave here I hope to advance to a gray belt!

My Address here is:

Cuestas, Joseph

Loc. #609 MCCES

Twentynine Palms, CA 92278

Feel free to write or email...I have more time now, so I'll be glad to respond!

Hiking

Hiking is my least favorite thing to do. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just a nice leisurely walk through the forest or something, but of course there's the added element of hills, mud, rocks, sand, sore muscles, heat, sweat, fatigue, and everything else. I noticed how sometimes when hiking the smallest little thing can become such an annoying nuisance. The sound of your trousers brushing up against each other as you walk, that left boot that's slightly tighter then the right, that strap from your pack that keeps hitting your arm as you walk; all of these make you wanna go...AHHHHHH!!! Yet, you keep silence and walk on.

On every single hike the words to the Hymn Each Step I Take motivated me to keep on going. Psalms 37:23-24 were also key in getting me through the hills, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD; and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.

I was thrilled to learn that MCT would include three hikes...ug...and the last one was a graduation requirement! The first Friday we were there we had a 5k hike up to the grenade range where we practiced throwing “blue bodies”, or practice grenades. Then we were ready for the real deal. The next hike was one week later and was a 10k hike. These first two hikes really wore me down, and although I completed both my body was really hurting.

The final hike was not going to be for another eleven days; it was a 15k hike and was one of the graduation requirements. There are scheduled breaks for these hikes. When the platoon you are in stops to take a break you have to be with the rest of the platoon within two minutes. If you don’t catch up to the platoon within the time given two times, then you failed the hike. If you failed the 15k hike then you had to redo the hike all over again the following Saturday while everyone else was on liberty! I did well starting off and stayed with my platoon until…we started going up…and up…and UP UP UP UP UP!!! If the land was flat I could hike all day, but the hills wear me out like no other. Well my platoon was way up ahead of me and I knew I wasn’t going to catch up so I mentally prepared myself for Strike 1 (Two Strikes and you’re out!). I caught up with my platoon and they marked my name showing I didn’t make it in time for the first break. I don’t remember what happened after we started hiking again, but somehow I had fallen back again. The hard part was over with the big long hill, we had rolling hills now which I used to my advantage. I would pace myself going up and on every downhill I would run. If had not been for me running (with 60lbs+ on my back), I would not have made that hike. The best part about it was that at the end of the hike I felt good! I could have kept going, but I’m glad we didn’t. Now after we rested for awhile I was as sore as ever.

I really pushed myself hard on that hike and prayed to God that He would give me the strength to complete it strong. He answered my prayer. It still boggles my mind that God would care enough to listen to me, and not only that, but to help me. No matter what our needs, no matter what our concern or burden take it to the Lord and He can help you. It’s really easy to pray when we know things are hard and tough, but just now I realize I need God’s help every moment of every day!

As we hike the roads of life let us remember first of all not to get annoyed at all the little things that may be bugging us. Hold your peace and keep on trudgin'! Second, realize we can't make it apart from God, and finally...don't give up!

Marine Combat Training - Camp Pendleton

Marine Combat training has come and gone. And if I would have had it my way, I would have posted these pictures of Camp Pendleton a while ago, but time and resources aren’t always available. It’s amazing how much you can cram into a day of training when you wake up at 4:30 am!

The first week there it was a little rough getting back into the swing of things after being home for about three weeks, but it doesn’t take long to adjust especially when you have no choice. Being new Marines fresh out of boot camp we didn’t

quite know what to expect. We were all hoping and praying that it was NOT like boot camp, and thankfully it wasn’t. The living conditions were better, the instructors were more relaxed, the food was better, what more could you ask for!

Training was varied from day to day and there was a lot of it. We learned everything from how to throw a live grenade, operate a communications radio, work in a FOB (Forward Operating Base),

dig a fighting hole (I lived in it for two days…I would look up at the vast dark sky and see all the beautiful stars and think to myself, “Self…You’re sitting in a dirt hole!”), and the operation of the AT4 rocket launcher and several automatic weapons.

MCT was actually quite fun apart from the hikes and I learned a

lot of new things. It's amazing

how much you really learn without even knowing that you learned it. To all the instructors thank you and to all reading.... OooRah!!

Here's Whats Goin' on Now!!

Well, boot camp is now over, and after taking a break for ten days, I was given the opportunity to help my recruiter (while staying home!) for an additional seven days. A lot of the time was spent not doing to much, and outside of that we would visit "hot spots" for new potential Marines. It was great being home for an extra week, and it would have been better if I was able to do more for my recruiters.

Now that my leave and Recruiters Assistance is over I am back in California at Camp Pendleton for MCT or Marine Combat Training, (not Mortal Combat Training as some people have confused it). Since being here for only four days we have learned how to use a Field Radio, thrown live hand grenades, hiked for 5K, ran for 5 miles, performed several tactical carries (carrying a wounded comrade in a combat environment), and refreshed ourselves on field first aid...and we're barely getting started!

The days are long and make for sore bodies, but all in all its not bad. We are treated with a lot more respect, and are able to see more and more what military life is really going to be like. We are able to get liberty or free time on the weekends where we can do basically anything we want. I'm in 2nd Platoon, Kilo Company which seems a little different after being in Hotel Company for the past three months, but I assume it will change every time I get a new duty station, I'm not sure though.

When I arrived off the bus on base, we were dropped off in the middle of two squad bays so I didn't really have a chance to see my surroundings. When I first stepped out and saw the scenery my jaw dropped! The scenery on this portion of the base is amazing. There are rolling hills all around us. Covered in green grass, bushes, and trees it looks amazing. Coming from Michigan (which is flat and bland) to this place makes it hard to not stare and think, 'Wow!" I plan on taking some pictures of the area tomorrow and hopefully will post them next week.

After seeing this beautiful terrain and listening to our instructors talk about how amazing the human body is during our first aid classes, you can't help but think how awesome our God is. Such beauty and magnificence in the hills and mountains and the complexity of the human body should point us all to Him. One of our instructors commented that the bodies healing capabilities was, "pretty awesome." I thought to myself, "He's (God) pretty awesome!" I challenge you all to read Isaiah chapter 40 and see for yourself how big and great our God is!

Marine Combat Training is only 29 days long, and I have a graduation date of May 19. If you happen to be near Camp Pendleton on that date, consider this your personal Invitation! After graduation I will be attending my MOS school (Military Occupational Speciality) in 29 Palms, Ca. I'm not exactly sure how long school will be, but from what I hear it is L-O-N-G!

Feel free to email me joecusmc@gmail.com and I will be glad to respond on the weekends when we have liberty. It's a lot easier then snail mail! As always remain, Semper Fidelis!

Pictures!

It took awhile to organize everything, but here are some pictures of some of the highlights of recruit training including the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Ceremony, the Moto Run, and Family Day. The picture above is after graduation in our hotel room. I hope to post more pictures of Graduation and our trip to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo at a later time. Enjoy My Pictures!

Platoon 2170 - Picture and Video

Platoon 2170 was my home for the last three months (I'm in the first row in the middle). It is amazing how you can take 70+ individual men and form them all to work as one team. One of the main things that was emphasized while in training was that one persons actions affect the whole platoon. Something as simple as one man chewing while walking could land the whole platoon face down in the dirt doing push ups, among other things as well. Time and time again we as a platoon were disciplined and corrected for one persons doing. Sometimes it was my fault! We all had to learn one way or another to work together as a team.

It was often frustrating bearing the punishment for someone else's mistakes, especially if it was the same person over and over.....and OVER AND OVER AGAIN (you know who you are!). Even then, the lesson must be learned. When I am tired, I cannot quit for there are those who may fail, fall, or at the worst, die as a result. When I want to quit and go rest, I cannot because the success or failure of someone else is resting on my burdened shoulders. This lesson must be learned now and it must be learned well. You see, the stresses and burdens of boot camp are nothing compared to the stresses and burdens of war. As an individual we will most certainly fail; as a team we can accomplish anything.

Platoon 2170 learned this and many many other lessons. We went through a lot together and came out on the other end physically, mentally, and spiritually stronger. I wish all of you well and pray for your safety as you continue in training.

As Christians we must realize too, that we are but one member in the body of Christ, the church. We must all work together to do our part in what Christ has commissioned. When tired do we go soul winning, when rushed do we witness, when broke do we tithe? Though it may not be as apparent as it was in boot camp, our individual actions affect the whole body of our local church. And not only the body of believers, but also the countless souls of the unsaved who more then they know, need Christ! There were several times throughout boot camp when I thought to myself, "I don't want to do this", yet I literally had no choice in the matter. If we as Christians would only treat our church attendance, soul winning, and tithing as such. In all honesty we don't always want to go soul winning, or go to church, or help in some particular ministry; yet in our hearts we should say, "I have no choice", for we have been bought, redeemed, and sanctified by His precious Blood.

Fellow Marines and fellow Christians in all we do remember that there are those who are depending on us both physically and spiritually. If we fail we must realize the chances of their success are diminished. Therefore we must succeed in every mission given by our King of kings. To all reading...Stay Semper Fidelis!

Ok, So I Lied

I guess this will be my last post before I finally head out. I'm sitting in a Lansing hotel and who would of known...they have internet access. A lot of people have been asking me if I feel nervous, excited, or scared and truthfully right now I'm not feeling to much. I have an idea of what to expect, I know this is going to be hard, I'm expecting to get yelled at a whole lot! It's somewhat easier to go into something knowing kind of what to expect. At the same time it may just be that I'm so ignorant of what to expect that in reality I should be scared out of my mind.

Whatever the case me be, I know that I am excited about whats coming up soon in the future. Mostly the part of the future that excludes boot camp...haha! I'm going to have to tons of stories to tell I'm sure and I hope that once graduation is done, I'll be able to post some pictures of it

Mom, stop crying, I'm gonna be fine, you'll hear from me later tonight, and I'll be sure to write you often. Thanks so much for your help in taking care of things while I'm gone. I'm gonna miss you lots but it'll go by really fast I'm sure. Take care of yourself and don't get all stressed out. If the computer breaks well...umm...ok just don't break the computer. :)

From what I was told, I'll be at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) for awhile tomorrow morning again. Apparently I'll be taking another physical, questions, and then taking the Oath of Enlistment again. I know I'll end up in Chicago for about six hours before it leaves for San Diego. I'm not sure if we're driving to Chicago or flying, I would assume we'd be flying if they expect us in California by night time. So as of now the majority of my time will be spent waiting and waiting and waiting. We're told often here to just, "hurry up and wait!" So that's what I'm planning on doing.

For those of you who are wondering the current ten day forecast of San Diego includes sunny skies with lows of 49 degrees and highs of 70 degrees. Nothing to be jelous about at all! I don't think there would be a better time to be in California then this time right now. Weather wise, it's going to be great.

Well, unless there's a computer in the Chicago airport tomorrow I don't plan on writing again until somtime after April 3rd. To all who read, please pray for me as it is greatly needed. I look forward to what God has in store for me in the next few years. I encourage you all to follow God's plan for your life wherever it may lead you. In Christ...Joe C.

Time to Go

Well folks, the time to go has finally arrived. The next time I write, God helping me, I will be a United States Marine. I spent the day cleaning up my room, washing clothes, and spending time with family and friends. I will miss everybody so much and I covet the prayers of all of you to help me stay strong both physically and spiritually.

January 4, 2009 at 12:30 pm, I will be leaving to go to Lansing, MI where I will spend the night in a hotel courtesy of Uncle Sam. I will wake up Monday morning at 5 am where, for the last time, I will go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). Here, I will undergo basic questions ensuring I haven't disqualified myself since my initial enlistment, I will review my contract, and take the Oath of Enlistment again. Then it's off to the airport to await my flight to San Diego, California. From what I understand I will be arriving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot at night and processing will continue through the night and into the next day. I will not sleep at all Monday night. So if you're wondering what I'll be doing on the plane...take a guess!

Basic Training will be thirteen weeks long, including one week of initial processing. If all goes well I will be graduating on April 3, 2009. I will not know my mailing address until I arrive in California and I will have no way of posting it while I am there. If you wish to send me a letter you can contact my church at the link posted on my blog. Otherwise, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email (my email is listed on my profile), and I'll be sure to answer back when I am able.

I am looking forward to this next step in my life and I am glad to be able to serve both my God and my Country. Until I write again....Joseph Cuestas.

Lots of Lasts

The time is approaching for me to leave for boot camp on January 5th. It is a bitter sweet time as I enter into this next chapter of my life. I have grown used to where I am. I have a decent job, I am active in my ministries, and I am overall doing well. But the time is fast approaching when I will be leaving all of this behind.

I have now spent the last Sunday on my bus route. I have grown to love the children that were on that route and thoroughly enjoyed playing games, singing songs, and just plain being a goofball with them. I pray that they continue to be faithful and that they one day will grow out of the bus ministry and end up in "the big church" as they sometimes call it.

My last Sunday in church is now complete as well. I can never fully express what this church has done in the lives of me and my family. I would love to stay and serve as much as they would allow me to, but the time has come for me to move on. I look forward to the next church where God will allow me to serve and witness for Him.

My last week of work in the civilian world is also upon me. My job at Best Buy (#405 is the best!!) has been the most enjoyable paying job that I ever had. The atmosphere was great, the people, quirky sometimes, were lots of fun. I will miss the friends, coworkers, and bosses that I had the privilege of working with. You guys are all awesome and I will miss you.

While this week may be a week of "lasts" it is certain that the next week will open the horizon to many new beginnings. I look forward to what God has in store for me as He continues to mold and make me into the Christian that He wants me to be.

I Am WIlling

The United States Armed Forces is composed of individuals who have willingly volunteered to serve. There are thousands of young men and women all across this country who like me who have decided to commit years out of their lives in service to this great country of ours. I cannot speak on behalf of those thousands, but I know that within my own heart I have weighed the benefits of service against the dangers.

It is no secret that the United States Military exists for the sole purpose of defending this country. There is an element of danger in protecting what we as Americans hold so dear. As we watch the news and read the articles of young men and women who have died in service to this country, we are saddened and sometimes angered that they had to die.

I have enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I was not forced or coerced. I have chosen this for myself. Knowing that we as a country are engaged in two wars, knowing the dangers that I may have to face, knowing that I may be put on the front lines of a battlefield, and knowing that I may ultimately die serving my Country....I enlist!

Before I committed to enlisting in the Armed Services there were two questions I asked myself. First, is this Gods will for my life right now; I believe with all my heart that it is. Second, am I willing to die in service to my country.

That was not an easy question for me to answer within myself. No one likes to think of themselves dying, especially in some foreign country in the middle of a war zone. I imagined all of the things that I would miss out on if I was chosen to make such a great sacrifice. I envisioned the sadness and grief that friends and loved ones would have to endure. I pictured the rage that may be kindled in those I leave behind towards the military for sending me to such a dangerous place. I do not want any of those things to happen in the lives of the people I care so much about.

Nevertheless, if it should be me that suffers that fatal blow, then so be it. I do not wish it upon myself or any of our countries troops. But the simple fact is that in war people will die. I cannot imagine that anyone joining our military has not given some thought to the fact that they could perish. Whether outwardly expressed or inwardly confirmed it seems like we must all say, "I'm Willing."

Dear countrymen, friend, and family, do not grieve to long if I should be one of the fallen, do not become bitter at our Country or its leaders, and do not cast blame to those whom blame is not due. If you must blame anyone...blame me. I know there are risks, I understand there are dangers, I have counted the costs, and if I must die...I Am Willing.