Well, for those who followed the Jr. Joester injury saga....I got the call
It was a variation of call #1. He was diagnosed with a grade 3 stress reaction, and shut down for 6 weeks. Sadly, he will not be able to march on the Parade Deck next Saturday with his peers. But has HAS successfully completed OCS. The Marines, with all due expediency have arranged for his care, and cut his orders. He ships home today. The grand celebration we had planned will have to wait untill his commissioning in May. We'll be sure to celebrate him here at home with friends. I'm disappointed for him, that he won't have his day on Brown Field, but mostly really proud.
** Edited by JoesterVT at 7/23/2026, 2:03:14 PM
2 Replies
Those calluses tell the story...
My son had two large blisters, one on each hand the size of Morgan silver dollars, first day of training doing bear crawls around the pool deck. Chief saw them and said "maybe we've done enough of those today." SOBW still told me "I'm having the most fun I've ever had" after that.
He worked hard to earn that anchor and globe, and nobody can take that away from him now. Celebrations can come later, but that is forever a part of him now. He'll be a different man the next time you see him. You should be proud that you helped mold him into what he is today.
Congratulations to your Marine and entering the brotherhood!
** Edited by Burruss Writer at 7/24/2026, 8:47:43 AM
(In response to this post by JoesterVT)
