THE MAKING OF A MARINE
Calie at 17 months
It was 3 a.m. and the bus finally stopped. She was groggy, but the apprehension shooting through her veins put her on high alert.
The girl stumbled down the steps of the bus and obediently positioned herself on the yellow footprints while someone she didn’t know screamed at her.
Panic and terror accompanied her every thought.
After 30 minutes on the footprints, she and other petrified girls were ushered inside the “silver hatches,” better known as ‘literally the depths of hell.’
Welcome to Parris Island
Terrifying chaos ensued with papers flying, intimidating men barking orders, and dazed female recruits running around crying.
The next 36 hours consisted of endless paperwork, 2-3 minutes per chow time, and NO sleep!
This is what my 18-year old daughter, Calie, freshly graduated from high school just 3 weeks prior, experienced in the summer of 2011.
She had joined the Marines.
Gulp!
THAT was a tough summer! If I had known what she was going through at the time she was going through it, I would have been in perpetual agony!
I wrote a letter to her every single day for the 3 months she was in boot camp. Those letters helped both of us get through.
Panic and Terror
She got over the panic and terror and became the leader of her squad at boot camp.
On graduation day, Calie won the prestigious Honor Grad Award for her platoon.
Her original job in the Marines was aviation mechanic, but has since taken more classes and now works as a non-destructive inspection (NDI) technician.
Calie earned sergeant at age 22 and along the way racked up numerous awards.
Two of her latest are winner of the HITT competition (high-intensity tactical training) for all females in the Marine Corps and noncommissioned officer of the year for the 3rd Wing (this is a HUGE deal!):
“The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is made up of a headquarters squadron, four flying groups, an aviation command and control group and an aviation engineering group.”
Whew! 😀
She has called Okinawa and San Diego home, which were nice, but she is now stationed on Oahu, Hawaii. (Where LOST was shot.) 😀
Colorful Calie on beach
Calie in Okinawa
Calie “on” her new home, Oahu!
But, let’s go back to the beginning. Our fourth child, third daughter, Calie Claire, made her appearance in February 1993. She joined Lacey, Luke, and Chelsea to complete our family.
Sweet little Calie Claire (Chelsea called her Calie Clairely)
Calie is here! Look at Luke’s expression 🙂
This is one of my favs! The blanket has Paddington Bear on it. We did not do this on purpose!
I homeschooled Calie (pronounced with a long “a”) from 2nd grade through 9th grade. She then went and made her presence known at a private high school.
She cheered with the spirit squad, defended the ball as a member of the “beast line” on her soccer team, and sang, danced, and acted in school plays. All while staying on the honor roll.
Click the pics for larger views.
The “beast” in action 🙂
Spirit squad, with Alli Day
Hello Dolly was the play of choice Calie’s senior year
We had a blast sharing all the fun with Calie her senior year. She experienced so many awesome things! Along with spirit squad, soccer, and Hello Dolly, add in prom at the famous Henry Doorly Zoo’s aquarium and a trip to Australia!
Have you ever seen anyone jump on a trampoline in a prom dress?!
Mr. fish wanted his picture taken, too!
Some students took a trip to Australia and New Zealand!
Calie loves her food!
Do you know what this is?
Calie’s famous gravy moat!
♥ Sibling Love ♥
Calie and Lace
Calie and Chels
Calie and Luke
Fun memories
This little guy climbed all over Calie, up into her hair, around her legs
Enjoying G & G Jordan’s acreage
Classic Calie and Dave, her brother-in-law
Such beauty! Taken in Australia
Cool Calie, San Diego
Friends!
Kierstyn!
Alli!
Kayla!
Funny Book highlights continued…this time courtesy of Calie
As I did in the posts about Lacey and Chelsea, I will share some of the highlights of Calie’s funnies.
Calie was in bed. She got out, came downstairs, and said, “Dad, I feel pale.” Hahaha. She was 4.
Calie, age 4, and I were talking about our church’s Christmas pageant, and I asked her if she wanted to be in the choir when she grew up. She said no, I want to be a dog. Me: You can’t be a dog when you grow up! Calie: A dog seller, then! Me: Why don’t you want to be a dog doctor? Calie: I don’t like to dig in dogs!
When she was 5, she said, “I’m so happy I could lose a tooth!” When asked why she was so happy, she responded, “Cuz I’m so pretty!”
Calie said, “I saw a terrier and it was so close it almost petted me.” ~age 5 1/2
When Calie was 6, she sat at the table pondering something very seriously. She finally asked, “Mom, which side am I on?” I asked what she meant. She said, “Dad’s side or your side?”!!!!
While stationed in San Diego, Calie volunteered at REINS, a non-profit Therapeutic Riding Program for children and adults with disabilities, and loved it! There’s a REINS on Oahu, so Calie continues to share her love with the horses and kids. 🙂
More records!
Besides the 100-lb Club, Calie is also on the wall for the 500-lb Club with 170 bench, 295 squat, and 225 deadlift combined.
Calie has a kind and generous friend in Kayla.
Calie reported to Kaneohe Bay Base on Oahu January 1, while Kayla was stationed in Okinawa.
Kayla contacted Chelsea and Jacob and said she wanted to send them to Hawaii to surprise Calie for her birthday (February 8).
Kayla informed Calie that her cousin Burney was coming to Hawaii and wondered if she would pick up him up from the airport (and take a week of vacation to show him around the island)?
So, late one night, Calie proceeded to the airport to pick up this nerd cousin of Kayla’s (none too excited).
But she was soon to have the surprise of her life!
Surpriiiiise!! They got her good!
Silly Hawaiian “tourists”
Can’t ask for better than this
Rough Life…
An excellent and happy Marine
Awesome old gun!
Calie and her faces!!
Payback, Calie, for all the times I’ve tried to get a nice family picture!
Did you notice in all 5 photos everyone else was smiling and posing like nice people the whole time?
About 3 weeks before she left for boot camp.
Fun times with my “twin” 🙂
We proudly fly this flag
There you have it, the evolution of a U.S. Marine. She may have joined the Marines, but she is still the same fun and crazy Calie.
Won’t you join me in honoring her? A heartfelt thanks for Sergeant Jacobsen’s service, in whatever form works best for you, would be awesome. ♥
It’s been fun and until next time,
Blessings and blooms,
Pam
Author: Pam
Glad you’re here!
Calie:
I’m so proud to know you and am so grateful of how your honor your country and protect us! Thank you so much for your selflessness and bravery. You are a true warrior! Love you and miss you!!!
Love this post, Pam and all of your pictures! My favorite part (that made me literally laugh out loud,) was the silly faces! Love how everyone else is smiling at the camera and Calie is so expressional! HA!
I think we ALL need to take a vacay in HI to visit her! Looks AMAZING 😉