MCAS Cherry Point, NC

Well the journey to becoming a fleet Marine has ended. Every Marine with a non-infantry MOS (Military Occupational Speciality) must complete three things in order to be a fleet marine. Bootcamp, MCT (Marine Combat Training), and MOS School. It was not very long ago when I was borded a plane and then a bus to begin the journey of becoming a United States Marine. A lot has happened since then and everything that I have been taught and trained to do has culminated into me being stationed in Cherry Point, North Carolina.

After leaving Twenty-nine Palms, CA I was able to go home for less then a week. It was a good time being home even if it was just for awhile. I picked up some things, packed up my SUV and drove two days to North Carolina. While the drive was long it was a very scenic drive. The hills and the leaves changing provided a nice atmosphere compared to the blandness that was in Twentynine Palms.

I arrived at MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station), at 11:15pm on Oct. 7. I checked in at the TEQ or Temporary Enlisted Quarters, bought McDonalds, and called home letting them know I had arrived safe. I ate my food and went to bed. The next day would be early and long...and uncomfortable. I had to keep my Service Alphas on until about 1500 that day so I could report to the Sgt. Major and First Sargent. On top of that the AC where my shop was had just broke.

I was given a list of places that I needed to stop by and check in at. To this day, I have yet to finish it, but the majority of it has been compleated. I am with a communication/data squadron and enjoy the shop and people that I will be working with, though it will take a while to get completly comfortable with what I will be doing as there is much that I still need to learn.

The base here is really nice apart from the constant sounds of jets and planes taking off. Things are somwhat spread out so I am fortunate to have my vehicle here.

I miss the people that were in my class in Twentynine Palms and I wish them all the best. There are a few from my class that are here as well, yet we are in separate shops and I don't see any of them very often.

The Marine Corps birthday is on November 10, and this year we will be celebrating it on November 4th. There is a ceremony that takes place as well, and not to long after arriving I found out I would be in that ceremony. I am not sure what exactly I will be doing but I will find out this coming week when practice starts.

I don't have any pictures of the base yet but I'll try and post some soon. My address has changed as well and if you wish to write feel free!

PFC Cuestas, Joseph
MWCS-28 Data
PSC Box 8071
Cherry Point, NC 28533-8071

School Has Started!

Upon arriving in Twenty-nine Palms, CA I was placed in SRC or Student Receiving Center for about a week. After that I was put in BMAT or Bravo Marines Awaiting Training. For about three or four weeks, I forget. My last week there I was assigned to work with MCTOG, Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group. There I helped fix the computer communications system used by Officers and High Enlisted Marines for there training and simulation exercises. It was a lot of fun and gave me a glimpse of what life in the fleet will be like. Long hours and lots of computers!

After MCTOG I started classes for 0651, Information Systems Specialist. We are using the Cisco Curriculum for all of our studies. We finished "IT Essentials" a 16 Chapter book in a week and two days! It was a lot in a little amount of time. I was able to finish that course at the top of my class. Me and three others in our class of twenty-eight will be able to take the A+ Certification test as a result of our high scores. We are currently studying for CCNA and are on Module 1. CCNA deals with networks and how they work. There is a lot of conceptual ideas that need to be grasped in order to understand how a network works, and lots of Acronyms that need to be memorized. This is new territory for me but we are taking it a chapter a day or a chapter every two days which makes it a little easier.

I have also been promoted from Private to Private First Class. July 4th, 2009 was my six month anniversary of being in the Marine Corps. So far up to this point I have enjoyed it. There have been moments when things were really tough but when its all said and done you realize that we are a lot more capable then we think we are. My goal right now is to excel in my classes and finish first. To do this will not be easy as there are a lot of smart people in my class. Even then I'd rather have this goal then be one of the many in my class who are content with simply getting by. If I can achieve this goal and am found to be in good standing with my Instructors, I may receive a Meritorious Promotion to Lance Corporal. My second goal is to be able to receive as many certifications as I can while I'm here.

As stated earlier, I'll have a chance to get my A+ certification soon. I think we will have the chance to get our CCNA certification and our Microsoft Exchange certification as well. To simply pass a course Cisco requires a 70% or higher. The Marine Corps requires 85% or higher to try and receive a certification. This goal seems more attainable but is still going to require a lot of work.

Graduation is set for October 1st, 2009 and after that I will receive orders for my first duty station. I have requested to remain on the West Coast but as with any request the needs of the Marine Corps comes first.

The days are long here and almost every hour is filled. If I don't write much know I'm studying! To all who read...Semper Fi

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!

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!

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.

The Journey Begins!

The thought of joining the United States Military first crossed my mind during my sophomore year of college during a labor day activity. I saw some men recruiting for the National Guard and me and a friend approached them to simply get the free perks we knew they would be offering. T-Shirts, key chains, a video game, and some literature. At that point in my life Military service was the farthest thing from my mind.

I was attending a Christian college preparing to go into the Ministry. Bible classes, ministries, homework, a part time job, friends and fun were all that concerned me at that point. Unfortunately, I have yet to finish my degree for ministry work. In the eyes of many it did seem unfortunate. I was so close to finishing, it seemed as if all that time and money has been wasted. But God knows best. I was not ready to graduate. Spiritually, I was in no position to hold a degree in Pastoral Theology and that became very evident when I left a year early.

I went home ashamed that I had failed to live up to the expectations of family, friends, pastors, and church members. It was sudden, it was unexpected, and it was a big eye opener in my life. Up to that point I lived to please others. I lived as I thought I was supposed to live, rather then in obedience to God. I looked like a “good Christian” yet inside I was vain.

I did my best to establish that real relationship with God once again, I quit pretending to be something that I wasn’t. I realized that I am nothing without God and will fail every time apart from Him. My sudden end to college humbled and shamed me like nothing else before or since. I took that experience of humbleness and shame, that life lesson that God was trying to teach me and I used it in my ministries back at home. I did my best to instill in the life of the teens I worked with to just “be real.” I pleaded with the children to continue coming to Sunday School and I did my best to entertain them and teach them as we rode in together on that great big bus. In my heart I knew that if they could solidify that true relationship with Christ now, then they would not have to go through the shame and guilt that I felt at that time in my life. It took a few months, but I came to realize that though I had fallen, I did not have to stay down. God was more then capable of removing the shame and guilt and restoring me unto Himself….and He did.

It was expected of me to go back to college as soon as possible. It was asked of me several times by friends and family when I was planning on going back. I wanted to go back myself and if I had simply done what everyone wanted me to do then I’d probably be there now. But I learned to quit living for others. Instead, I sought Almighty God Himself and once again I laid my life at His feet and simply asked, “Lord, what next?”

I was reminded of those recruiters that I met a few years earlier, but quickly brushed the thought out of my mind. In my head I knew the Military was a tough place full of rough people. Certainly no place for a Christian preparing for the Ministry. As I read my Bible the words of Paul admonishing Epaphroditus (Php 2:25), Timothy (II Tim. 2:3-4), and Archippus (Phm. 1:2), as “fellow soldiers” seemed to resonate in my mind and heart more then ever. I reasoned in my mind that this was simply a comparison of what a good Christian should be. A soldier is tough, so Christians should be tough; a soldier wars despite fear, a good Christian should do the same spiritually; a soldier never gives up so long as he has breath, a Christian likewise should be faithful until he’s home in heaven. It was all metaphorical, none of these good Christians were actual soldiers, just like soldiers. I was certain that these thoughts and feelings of joining the Military were not for me. Yet, the prompting of His Holy Spirit continued and I steadily rejected the idea.

Not obeying God and doing what others expected of me is what got me in trouble the first time. So I prayed hard that if this is what is to be for my life at this time then God would need to make it very clear to me. So I prayed and continued reading my Bible. I talked with my parents and to my surprise they were not against it. I talked to my Pastor and though he seemed shocked that I was considering it, he too was not against it. I talked with other Christians who had prior military service and they too gave great advice and related to me first hand the blessings and obstacles a practicing Christian would face. In the midst of all this I came across Acts chapter ten as I was reading in God’s Word and found a man name Cornelius.

Cornelius was a fine example of a Christian. The Bible describes him as a devout man, one who feared God, gave to the poor, and prayed to God always. His walk with God was such that it warranted a visit of His Holy angels. The message of the angels from God gave clear instructions to Cornelius and he promptly obeyed. This man of God, this devout Christian, who seeks God’s face and gives to his fellow man, who drops all to obey His voice was in fact a Centurion. A soldier in the literalistic sense of the word. He was not like a soldier, he did not just have the qualities of a soldier, he was in fact a soldier and a Christian at the same time. He must have been a good Soldier as he commanded a hundred others below him; and indeed he was a good Christian as we can clearly tell from the description in Acts. It was indeed possible for a Christian to be in God’s perfect will and be in the Armed Services.

Upon reading this portion of Scripture it became clear to me what God wanted for my life. After several visits with a recruiter, hours researching on the internet, and three visits to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station), I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I remember very clearly and distinctly that precise moment when after several visits with my recruiter I finally confirmed my decision to join I breathed a sigh of relief. My struggle and resistance to God’s leading had ended after months of pushing Him away.

I told very few people of my decision to join. It seems that those who know me best think I am making a mistake. As word began to spread of my decision people have said, “Oh, that’s interesting”, or “Why would you do that?” Some have even been as bold to say, “I just don’t think that is God’s will for your life.” Others by their silence condemn me. A few years ago the approval of all those around me was all I was seeking, and living in such a way caused me to fall. I seek no ones approval now other then God’s. I know that this is what God has for me now and I am excited about what He wants to do through me and for me in these next five years of service to Him and Country.

Not everyone that has learned of my decision to join have condemned me. Some have thanked me, others have congratulated me, some have said they are proud of me, almost all have offered their prayers for me. Whether praised or condemned I will obey God.

My journey as a Christian Marine will officially began on April 3, 2009 when I graduate from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. I will be leaving for Recruit Training on January 5, 2009. I know I have not earned the title “Marine”, but the purpose of this Blog is Chronicle that journey from beginning to end. Let the journey begin!