36 hours straight?!?

I found a great family guide to recruit training which explains in detail nearly everything my son is experiencing.

As a mom, I am here worrying about how he is holding up, whether he is getting enough to eat, getting enough sleep, etc....

I learned in this guide that the new recruits DO NOT SLEEP for the first 36 hours!!! Add that to the sleepless night before shipping out and Brandon has probably not slept in 3 days!

According to the Training Matrix Interactive Schedule, he is still in receiving and Orientation today. On Thursday/Friday he will begin the IST (intial strength training, for you civilians).

Brandon has prepared well for this. He was running and doing his pull-ups, swimming and other exercises for his training. The last time he was clocked, he ran the 1.5 miles in 12:20 minutes, a whole minute under the minimum! Except this time, he will be completely fatigued. Please pray for him to pass this test!!

Here's what he must do for the IST:

Initial Strength Test - Male Recruit

The Initial Strength Test (IST) is a physical test recruits are required to take upon arrival to Parris Island and consists of: pull-ups, crunches, and a 1.5 mile timed run. IST results assist in determining weather or not a recruit is at the level of fitness adequate to begin training, and also sets a fitness baseline for measuring progress. The more you can prepare in advance of your arrival to MCRD Parris Island, the better off you will be. It's important that you get into physical shape. Concentrate on running, walking, stair climbing, crunches, core training, upper body strength, and pull-ups. This will help prepare you for the Combat Conditioning program and long marches (up to 10 miles). Also, if you don't know how to swim, try to learn before you leave for recruit training. Before you graduate, you'll have to demonstrate basic water survival skills. Recruits who do not meet adequate fitness standards are reassigned to the Physical Conditioning Platoon (PCP), where they are given individual attention and exercises to develop their physical abilities.

Minimum requirements for male recruits:

2 Pull ups
44 Crunches
1.5 mile run in 13:30 min (Timed)

WHEW!