Pvt. Jose R. CASTELAN, 2003

CASTELAN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 8/15/2012 at 20:43:48

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, October 03, 2003

SERVICE NEWS ~ JOSE R. CASTELAN

Marine Corps Pvt. Jose R. CASTELAN, a 2002 graduate of Diagonal high school, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.

CASTELAN and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a.m. by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, CASTELAN spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first ait, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.

CASTELAN and other recruits also received instruction on Marine Corps' core values -- honor, courage and commitment, and what the words mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.

CASTELAN and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblems and addressed as "Marines" for the first time in their careers.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2012