Sergeant Tony's Blog

I arrived at Marine Corps Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC as an 18 year old recruit on a crowded bus at 2 AM. The Greyhound was full of recruits like me, all headed to the same place.

Hours earlier we’d converged on the airport in Charleston, SC from all over the country.
All of us were terrified young men from all walks of life and from every imaginable background. There were farm boys from “the middle of nowhere” Alabama and “Southies,” Irish lads from south Boston. There were some pseudo-tough “gangstas” from Detroit and New York City. There was even a guy from New Hampshire who’dflunked out of an Ivy League college. One blond haired dude was a surfing champion from Miami.

The only thing that we all had in common that night was our desire to become Marines. Not soldiers, not seamen, not airmen, but Marines!

We’d made the two hour bus ride in the middle of the night, arriving in the dark on this legendary island. When the bus stopped, a Drill Instructor stepped onboard and
the bus fell eerily silent. Then this larger than life Marine opened his mouth for about 30 seconds. Within those 30 seconds he yelled at us, calling us every foul thing I’d ever heard in my short life, putting to shame every coach I’d ever had. And somewhere within that diatribe this Marine informed us that we had 60 seconds to get our nasty pathetic bodies off “his” bus and to stand on the yellow foot prints painted on the deck outside.

My life was about to change forever.

Pandemonium broke out when he yelled “MOVE!” and we all raced to the front trying to get off “his” bus.

Seconds later I was standing on those yellow footprints attempting to appear manly and calm. The place was hot and humid, CRAWLING with ANGRY Drill Instructors and bugs of every imagination! Drill Instructors were everywhere, swarming like the mosquitoes and sand fleas who had also shown up to welcome us. In the darkness over 20 Drill Instructors were yelling, cussing, and abusing every one of us, looking for signs of weakness, strength, or belligerence. They seemed insulted that we were on “their island.”

The bugs were the only ones happy to see us. And they began feasting immediately. We were ordered not to scratch, swat at the bugs, or move. We were ordered not to kill one of “their bugs.” I’m pretty sure that I fed a whole sand flea village that night.

All of this yelling and bug biting went on for about an hour until a Drill Instructor filed us into a barren looking barracks building.

There I was, standing in that barracks along with 80 other terrified Marine-wanna-be-civilians. We were being issued orders and some rudimentary gear. But for much of the time we were simply standing at attention. We made no sound, waiting for what only God knew would follow, trying to take in this new world, this new culture, this new set of expectations.

On the walls of this barracks and on the stanchions and support columns were painted our first lessons in what it meant to be a Marine. There were portraits of valiant Marines throughout Marine Corps history. There were combat murals of Marine Corps victories. And there were words and slogans painted there as well, words that hadn’t meant much to me up until then:
Determination
Motivation
Dedication
Honor
Courage
Commitment
Discipline
Confidence
Excellence

Now … fast forward three months.

There were only 32 of us left.

Only 32 of the 80 who had stood there that night wanting to be Marines actually became Marines.

What made the difference?

The things that were written on the walls of that barracks had become realities in our own life. The words had become a part of the fabric of who we had become.

When new recruits join USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, I often wonder if they’ll be one of the 32 or one of the 48. I look for signs that lead to success.

Who succeeds and who fails to reach their BOOT CAMP goals?

Those who embrace the same things I learned in Marine Corps Boot Camp: determination, motivation, dedication, commitment, and discipline will be successful. For them, for you, USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP will be a life changing experience.

Who fails?

That’s easy. Those quick to make excuses. Those quick to give up. Those quick to say “I can’t.” Those who’ve indulged themselves in a lifetime of quitting and who stick

to very little. Those quick to whine and complain.

Whatever you are, BOOT CAMP recruit or veteran, recommit yourself to the same things that led you to BOOT CAMP to begin with. Embrace success and the values that lead to success:

Determination
Motivation
Dedication
Honor
Courage
Commitment
Discipline
Confidence
Excellence

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP: more than an exercise class.

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JULY 4 REPORT
We had a HUGE crowd at the workout Wednesday morning! I’m pretty sure it was one of the biggest holiday workouts yet! Thanks to everyone who came and thanks to all of you who joined me for breakfast!

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TRIATHLON BIKE FOR SALE
I’ve still got a used Trek tri-bike for sale. It’s a small-ish frame bike and would be ideal for a woman under 5′7″ or a man under 5′8″. This is an awesome bike and in great condition, aerodynamic and fast. It had a $2,000 price tag when it was new a few years ago. The reason I’m selling it for a fraction of that price is mainly because I’m 5′10″ and the bike is just a bit too small for me. You can see a picture of the bike on the blog page of our website: http://www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/index.php

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PAYING THE PIED PIPER — UPDATE!!
Back in the day you could only pay for Boot Camp with cash or check. You still can!! I enjoy taking your “love notes” and telling you thank you, face to face.

STARTING TODAY YOU CAN ALSO PAY ONLINE!

Just go to the website (www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com) and click on the banner at the top right of the homepage. You can pay by credit card, PayPal account, or bank

transfer. It’s simple and easier than mountain climbers!

By the way, if you pay with cash, may I ask you to put said cash in an envelope with your name and the months that you’re paying for on the outside of the envelope.

If you pay by check, you’re also asked to write on the check, in the memo section, the months you’re paying for. This way both of us know what’s what.

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WHITEWATER RAFTING!
It’s that time! On August 11th, you could be a part of the mighty BOOT CAMP FLOAT going down the famous Ocoee River, near Chattanooga! This is part of our BOOT CAMP ANNIVERSARY MONTH CELEBRATION!

We’ll be going down the same river that was used for the Olympic Kayaking event during the Atlanta Summer Olympics!

Make plans to attend!

Boot Camper’s friends and family are also welcome. Minimum age is 12 years old by August 11. The cost is less than $100 per person for the all day rafting. The price includes all gear, equipment, lunch, and the river guide. Learn more by going to www.ocoee-outdoors.com

Sign up is going on NOW! The deadline for signing up is Friday, July 27. Space is limited, so sign up ASAP! A $50 non-refundable deposit will be needed to secure your spot on the river!

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TRIATHLON TRAINING THIS SATURDAY — NEW LOCATION & TIME!
Saturday morning, July 7 at 0745. We’ll meet in the parking lot of the Pizza Hut located at Austin Peay and Singleton Parkway (Covington Pike). The Pizza Hut is just behind the Walgreens west of Methodist North Hospital.

Bring your bike and helmet, along with your running shoes!

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TONY, DO I OWE YOU MONEY?
You can check your reenlistment status as of Thursday, July 5, 2007 on the blog: www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/

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HATS & VISORS
If you’d be interested in a BOOT CAMP hat or visor for workouts and running, let me know ASAP! The white hats would cost about $25 and the white visors would be about $20. Email me right NOW and let me know what you’d be interested in! Do it! Do it NOW!

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THE 0645 CLASS HAS RETURNED FOR THE SUMMER!!!
The 0645, 0830, and 5:45 PM classes follow a Monday/Wednesday/Friday “WEIGHT DAY,” and Tu/Thu “CARDIO DAY” workout schedule.

The 0830 class will continue for July!

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“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.”
— Thomas Payne, December 1776

To your continued good health and fitness!!

Sergeant Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow
USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
4888 Southern Cove
Memphis, TN 38117
901-644-0145
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com
http://shaklee.net/tonyludlow/main