OCS-Week 1 pics

Here are a few pics from the OCS website of Kellen. In the first one I'm pretty sure he's set to run in the front line about 2/3 to the right (shorts, t-shirt and gloves), and the bottom 2 are of him getting his hair cut, or shaved!

There are lots more pics on the site, but I couldn't spot him in any.

Thanks for your continued prayers. After week 4 the "hard part" is over, but I know it won't be easy.

I'm still anticipating seeing him this weekend. Looks like the worst case scenario is we just talk on the phone Sat pm and then hangout on base Sunday-- which as far as I'm concerned is FANTASTIC since I've not seen him or spoken to him in three weeks! Now the easy part starts for me. Living from letter to letter stinks, but weekend visit to weekend visit is a bit more doable!

Mail Call!

Well, finally my letters got to him. And with another letter from him today, it now seems like I may not have to wait "forever" between letters, and even if I do it's less discouraging since I know I should get to see him on the weekends from now on. Here's what he writes...

Letter 10- Wednesday, Jan 21

I have finally gotten your letters!! I am so happy, happy!! I love you so much. You may not get some letters because I addressed them all 3309. Oops... it's pretty stressful here.

I was on fire watch but some people got busted for sleeping in class, so they have to do it!! HAHA... I get to write you again.

There are so many things I want to tell you when they happen, but when I sit down to write I go blank.

It looks like liberty is on Saturday the 31st. But I'll be on duty, so I'll have to run back and forth and won't be able to leave base.

We did the O-course yesterday and I kicked major butt. The physical stuff at OCS is going to be easy. I'm the most well rounded guy strength/endurance. I'm soooo glad I did that Navy Seal exercise program. The guy who played in the NFL is in my 3am study group. His name is Tate. He's a giant. He played offense tackle, same as I. I don't know if he's a Christian, but he goes to all the church services and talks like one.

He, along with Moore and Lefever are my best friends. Moore and Lefever are both former Marines trying to become officers. Moore was a staff sgt and Lefever was a sgt. They're both married and families are all on the west coast. I feel bad for them.

I'm hungry! The food is great though. I eat so many vegetables! I'm running out of gear. When you come up next Sat/Sun we'll have to go shopping. The only good thing about having duty is that the next Sat/Sun I'll be FREE!! I need a break to sleep and eat slow and not have to walk over a bridge to get there.

Letter 11- Thursday, Jan 22

Happy B-day to you!!

Aren't you lucky? You get letters back to back. They gave us more time to study today so I'm set for tomorrow. Things are going to be crazy.

What we're doing now is basically all the OCS Candidates are "running" to USMC at OCS. But when things don't go perfect- BAM! Anyway, they put all the guys they want sent home in the toughest Billet. Stinks for them. I'm still only a pre war, but I have friends in high places. This is kinda like survivor.

Today we did PT again and at the end I had bad cramps in my calves. They say, "Drink water!", but if you do you never know if you'll get to pee.

I got Mom & Dad's letters today, which was super. Only 9 days left till we can see each other, or at least talk on the phone Sat night. As soon as I figure out details, AKA they tell us what's going on, I'll tell you. The good thing is once we've had duty we never have to do it again. So for our anniversary we'll be able to rock out! I'm soooo hungry all the time... But I'm looking pretty good! For only being here 2 1/2 weeks or something.

There's so much pressure here! But I feel pretty good about it. I'll try my best and if I make it give God the glory and if not, give God the glory. My shoulder was pretty sore after PT. I'm a little nervous about that.

Well, tonight I have fire watch from 1-2am. Puke! We have soooo many tests and stuff to do. And it's all like if you fail, you go home. Which to do honest wouldn't hurt that bad. But I need to do what God wants.

Tell Dad & Mom thanks for the letters and info. I love you and miss you so much. The only way I've been making it is thinking of you and the next meal.

More Letters, and Great News!!

I mailed Kellen as soon as I got his address, but the MLK jr holiday really threw off the mail delivery making both of us wait and wait for each others' letters. I was SO bummed going a whole week without any word from Kellen. Then, on Saturday, I went to the mailbox and found THREE envelopes from him! I was thrilled- but the best part is what one of the letters said.
He has liberty starting Jan 31st- that's less than a week away people! I am on cloud 9, especially compared to how low I was on Friday afternoon.

I'll try my best to sum up his letters, by typing up the meatiest parts.

Thanks for your continued prayers for Kellen and me- we really appreciate it and if you've been writing him THANK YOU! He really can use the midweek pick-me-ups that your encouraging letters offer. I'll put his address below for those who'd like to write him.

Candidate Lake, Kellen, K. 1252
OCS, C Company, 2nd Platoon
2189 Elrod Ave
Quantico, VA 22134-5033

Also- if you want more info you can check out the Marines OCS website. You may eventually be able to see pics of Kellen by clicking on the links on the left hand side of the site below. Just look for him in C Company, 2nd platoon.
http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/

Letter 3- Monday Jan 12

"The good news is I passed the MEPS (medical)stuff. So that was a nice "Thank You" to the Big Man Upstairs. Academically I am ahead of the game, so I get to write more, but after this letter, don't expect a ton as often. I only have X amount of stamps. When they had the photo guy taking pics of us getting stuff 60% of all his photos were of me. I must have "The Look" (lol)

I am ready to take the PFT and start doing some of the physical stuff.Colonel Marine (British guy) has two huge arm tattoos of dragons. Like I said, he looks the part. But you can tell he isn't going to be as hard like some of the other Sgts.

At MEPS I only had to get 4 shots! Most guys had to get 9+. Pull ups are going to suck for them.

My body feels great. This down time is going a long way. I'm not sore for the first time in I don't know how long.

I have made about 16 name tape stamp labels. SO hopefully that won't slow me down. I can tell already that I should have practiced taking my clothes on and off really fast.

We got our boots and uniform today. Remember when I said I hope I got Danner lights? Well, I did! So I'm thankful for that. Plus, I look pretty good in a uniform (But you knew that already, didn't you?)"

Letter 4- Tuesday Jan 13

We did the PFT today. I scored a 283! It would have been 288, but I didn't perform the last pull-up. I didn't go all the way according to the monitor. I got 19 pull ups, 100 crunches and a 19:55 three mile run. So I am pretty proud of that.

Right now I am waiting in line to see the Colonel about my weight. I feel pretty confident I have to say, "Good afternoon, sir. Candidate Lake reporting to Commanding officer of OCS as ordered" Then I get grilled.

Well, that's over with. I passed with flying colors! I am so happy, God made me sound like a genius. I was in there for a while with a ton of officers and the colonel. He asked me some questions, I answered. I told him I was college football, etc etc. Then I told him my parents were missionaries, which led to a religious conversation. I told him of why I wanted to be a marine and how you had said "anything but a marine" And how when we went to get military info you said "Go with the Marines" All the officers and the colonel tried not to laugh at that statement. He said "that's a very moving story Lake." And after a Master Gun Sgt said as I was going out the door, "Great job, Lake." Pray that I lose the weight!

I prayed with another candidate because he was in the same boat as I was and God came through for him as well. So please keep praying and spreading the word to others.

Letter 6- Friday, Jan 16
Well, the crap has hit the fan. It is starting to get old. It is now the end of day 3 and everyone has a 300 words essay to write as well as some homework. The worst part is in the last three days I might have gotten a total of 8-9 hrs of sleep. Last night I got 2. They had mail call today and I didn't get anything. I almost cried. It is very tough when you are just hoping to hear from the person who means everything to you. So, please write me. It would mean A LOT! It is easy to be here, but it is also Very Very stressful. So little sleep, so so much to do.
But, that being said, the instructors like me. I do what they say when they say it. I need to do a ton of other stuff. It's 10pm now, so maybe I'll be in bed early around 12 or 1am.

Letter 7- Sunday, Jan 18
Things were wonderful today. I went to church. We played on the obstacle course. It wasn't near as horrible as things have been. I made it. There's a guy in my platoon who used to play in the NFL. It's like a who's who. I can't believe I made it. Tomorrow we run OCS. Lucky for me I didn't get a billet. I should be studying and I am definitely buying a head lamp. Things until today were crazy tough. We were all operating on 2-3 hours of interrupted sleep a night. Some none. I don't know if I've lost weight, but my abs are looking good. Today was first I had time to look at myself in the mirror. Please have people write me. I need the encouragement.

Letter 8- Tuesday, Jan 20
My liberty weekend kind of is on the 31st of Jan. It starts at 4pm I believe, but my company has duty, so that sucks. But I will be able to leave at some point. And I really really want and need to see you.
I'm standing in line to get a hair cut. Things have been ok. I get like 3-4 hours of sleep if I'm lucky. They give us so much crap to do like mark gear. We had prayer & praise last night. There are a lot of good guys here and I am making some good friends.
I am now at my bunk and they have given us "free time". I can't believe it. I have a test on Friday and an essay due Sunday at 5am, so if this isn't love I don't know what is.

Letter 9- Wednesday, Jan 21
Well tomorrow is your big day (birthday). I hope you have something wonderful in mind and trust me I wish I could be there. I love you so much. I can't wait to see you the 31st.
It's been crazy. The highs are high and the lows are low. I love PT time. That's when I never get yelled at because I'm always one of the top performers.
My favorite Sergent Instructor is Gunnery Sgt Keith. He thinks he is big and buff (he is), but he tries to make it bigger than it really is. He really likes me, I can tell. I can't stand Staff Sgt Walters. He always makes us play 'games' like "rip up your sheets and throw them in a pile and then make your bed up in 30 secs". The worst part is the chow hall is about 3/4 mile away. So we have to get dressed. Which, depending on the amount of "games" are played can take for ever! About 300 yards from the chow hall is this huge bridge. Which we have to march over 6 times a day. If I graduate and become CO of this place I'm going to bomb it.
Please keep praying for me. The schedule is very busy and demanding. We start at 4am and don't get free time until 9pm. But we have to stay in our racks for an hour before we can get up and do things in the dark.
I need you to buy me a head lamp with a red lens! Very important! If I had that I could study much easier. It must be pretty hard for you right now. At least I am busy, but whenever I have time all I want is to spend it with you.
I love chapel. It's the highlight of my time here. The chaplain is so/so, but it's still nice to be able to get energized. It's hard though, because if you don't go you get time to do homework.
My company has duty on our liberty weekend, so that might mean that I will only be able to go to Quantico base. But you will be able to come one I'm sure, or Tony or Melody could get you on. I can't wait. It's only 10 days away. Jan 31st.
I believe we get mail call tonight. We've only had it once! There was a long holiday, so I'm hoping I get some!! Well, I need to write an essay and study.
Love you so much!
Your husband!
Kellen

Letters

Kellen left for OCS in Quantico, VA on Jan 9. I received 2 letters the following Thursday and Friday, but nothing this week. In an effort to keep folks up to date I've started this blog. I thought I'd start by typing up the bulk of his last letters. That way you're as much up to date as I am. I believe they were written on that first weekend he was there, before the madness had really started. Capt Bernstein (who works at the Raleigh recruiting office) called last Friday and said he'd scored 283 out of 300 on the PFT (physical fitness test), so they were impressed with him. I'll keep you posted as he keeps me posted. In the meantime...

Letter 1:"Well guess what, I have some "free time". (Not really) If this ends quickly that's why. I love you and miss you.Things for now are building up to a head. We already had one guy go AWOL. The food is good- too good. Our PT Sergent is British and acts kind. I feel very fortunate to be with the guys I am with. There are numerous priors an those who are trying again. I won't lie, it's a lot more intense than I thought it was going to be.When we stand in formation before breakfast and dinner I pray and thank God for this opportunity. Please pray that I don't get hurt or beaten down.On a lighter note we all got our gear today and had to mark it. So there re like 250 guys with loads of crap in a tiny college style room all trying to make name tag stencils with scissors that broke if you looked at them wrong. But to my surprise everything went fairly smooth. We all had to write a 300 word autobiography. So for me that was pretty easy to do, just work from birth to present. Shoot I could write a book (hope yours is coming along)Anyway I think"

Letter 2:"Things are going well- kind of. I didn't make weight and my measurements were poor. Mainly because they measured me in a poor manner. I however prayed about it and feel confident that whatever happens is for the best. I will probably have to talk with Colonel about this issue. By the time you get this it will most likely be resolved. But pray anyway. Thank Him for directionThere is actually another MK here. He is from part of Africa. I am hoping that I can make a very solid Christian impression on my company and platoon. The above MK said he is so/so committed, so pray for him and maybe we can make a real difference.I would also like for you to call/write Capt Bernstein and tell her what an OUTSTANDING JOB she and all the members of the office have done. My packet is by far the most complete and has made my life a little easier. Please restate the above numerous times in a colorful manner.Things are getting tense. It is about 1 day to pick up. This is where they dump everything and really start yelling at you. Pray that I don't spaz. The MEPS check is today and we are waiting around to do that. I have SOOOOO much stuff to mark. It's a real pain!! Everything has to be regulation.So far on average we've gotten about 4-5 hours of sleep at most. Unless you have fire watch. Then it's even less. I had fire watch last night. I cleaned the head for about 30 mins and then walked around in my gear while everyone else was sleeping.Tomorrow is the PFT. So that's my time to show that I deserve to be here! Pray and give thanks for success!The food here is GREAT!! Everything is loaded (??) with calories, protein,,, and all healthy stuff. So if I do stay (God willing) I will be lean and mean.I don't know how many times I will be able to write. So if you don't hear anything by Friday, I've made it thru that issue.Other items to remember is pray that I'm focused due to sleep deprivation, don't get hurt, write essays efficiently and remember how to talk right and remember the rank structure.If ever my letters are cut short it is because things are going on and I didn't have time. I figure at this point quantity is better than quality.I miss you and think of you often. I can't wait to see you and hang out and stuff. But this is easier for me I'm sure because I always need to be doing something. I love you soo much!! xxxooo"