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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Question #2

Question:

My son is at MCT as I write this. When will he know where he is going next? 

Answer: 

MCT lasts for a little less then a month. After MCT is over he will probably be going to his MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) school. Depending on what his MOS is (0651 in my case) will determine where he goes to school. All Marines who are 0651's go to Twentynine Palms, CA. His recruiter might have a good idea on where the school house is if you wanted to find out ahead of time. Otherwise he will get orders probably the last few days that he is there that will specify exactly where he will be going next.

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Question # 1

Question:

Can you use your phone during 0651 mos training? Do you get libo and can you leave base? What are the barracks like and how long is the school? 

Answer: 

Yes you can have a phone during MOS School...you just can't bring it to the school house. Once classes start you usually get released around 1600-1700 every day and the rest of the day is yours to do w/e with. The weekends are yours as well and you can go where you want as long as you let your chain of command know and depending on your instructor you may have to submit it in writing. You can't bring your own vehicle so if you plan on going far off base I'd recommend a bus, a taxi once you get where you're going, and some friends to help split the cost of everything. The barracks are not to bad, expect to have 3-4 roommates though. Once class starts school last about 3 mo, although you may wait in a MAT (Marines Awaiting Training) platoon for a few months before class starts.

Do you have a question too??  Ask me anything by clicking the link or using the box under my picture!

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.

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

A New Platoon and Lots of Shells!

I have been moved from the Data Platoon within MWCS-28 to the Satellite Platoon within MWCS-28. It is a much smaller shop compared to Data and for that fact alone I am glad. I will also have the opportunity to learn new equipment which will make me that much more useful to the Marine Corps. I was told this was only a temporary move, lasting only about six months, but I hope to learn much within that time.

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.

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!

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

A Brief Update

Well....we're down to the last mile on the journey in Twentynine Palms. Graduation is less then two weeks away and then off to home for just a few days. We're closing alot of loose ends here and making alot of final preparations before graduation. We'll be taking a few class photos which should be very memorable as well. We've finished all testabe courses and overall I ended up with the second highest GPA. Overall, I am happy with how I did, but I know I could have done better.

This coming week we have a final Personal Fitness Test, which includes max crunches in two minutes, max pull ups, and a three mile run. The score for this is the deciding factor for who gets the top spot in the class. We also have a Charlie and Alpha Inspection this week too.

Graduation is set for Oct. 1st and we will all be leaving Oct. 2nd. I plan on being home for only about three or four days before heading to Cherry Point, NC where I will be stationed for the next few years. I will be part of the Marine Wing Communication Squadron. I'm not sure if being part of the air wing means I have to like flying...I hope not! While I requested to stay on the West Coast I am happy with where I am going. It is closer to home and a change of scenery from the brownness that is Twentynine Palms. I wish I could visit home longer, but I suppose thats what holidays are for.

As bad as Twentynine Palms is...I will miss it Not so much the place, but rather the people. I wish you all well...may God keep us safe and happy!

Class 26.5

Class 26.5 has been my family for the past few months. I remember very distinctly when it was finally time for class to start. I had grown accustomed to the routine that I had already fallen in and like anything new that may come into a person’s life, I felt a little apprehensive. Since that time I am thankful for the class that I am in and for the instructors that have been put in charge of us. We have been through a lot as a class. Some hard times, and some really good times. Either way we each pushed each other to continue pressing on.

Physically I am doing well and am seeing progress, although I have a long way to go. The pictures are from a five mile run that we did along the ridge line of some of the hills/mountains that surround our base. The terrain and the sand really make it hard. Believe me when I say I surely wasn’t leading the pack.

Academically I am doing well too. Since my last posting I have become fully A+ Certified. It is an entry level certification that shows the Marine Corps and the Civilian world I am skilled in computer repair and troubleshooting. We have also finished the CCNA courses which introduce us to networking fundamentals and the beginnings of understanding and setting up a network. It was split into 4 parts called Modules, with the 4^th module being voluntary if you qualified based on your class average. Each module was at most 11 chapters long. It was very tough to study like I knew I should because it is just so time consuming. Nevertheless, I was able to do fairly well in it.

I am still number one in my class, but I say that in humbleness knowing that at anytime I could become prideful and arrogant and lose my spot. I still need to study hard to keep that intact and if my instructors see fit, they may reward me with a meritorious promotion to Lance Corporal.

Currently we are studying Microsoft Server and after that we will be studying Microsoft Exchange. Once again we will be graduating October 1^st, 2009 and after that it will be off to my first duty station. I hope and pray that I get stationed at Camp Pendleton, but I suppose wherever I go I can make the best of it.

I have learned a lot while being here in Twenty-nine Palms. Both inside and outside of the classroom. Things in the Marine Corps can be really tough. Physically, mentally, and emotionally we are challenged. I suppose it would be the same for anybody who is living. Life is tough! So many decisions, so many choices. Thank God for the Light that lights our path! Though life is tough I am so thankful for it. August 26, 2009 will begin my 25^th year of life. If only it didn’t have to begin in the middle of the desert!! Then again, some of God’s greatest leaders were shaped and formed on the backside of a desert where the only place worth looking, was up! May I continue to look up.