Tyler Becker's (my oldest grandson) Graduation
from Marines Boot Camp
Tyler is ready to leave base after graduation with paperwork and bag.
Wed., Feb. 3, 2016
Don, Kim and Alex Becker (parents and brother) along with Richard and Melody Becker (grandparents) arrived at the Comfort Inn & Suites Motel in San Diego, Cali. We were here for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot graduation of Tyler Becker. From 5 - 6 PM we attended a social hour with other Marine parents, family and friends. Then from 6 - 8 PM we attend a lovely dinner also with family and friends. These events were held at the Bay View Restaurant on the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD). We also had a chance to meet some of the Drill Instructors. The event was held on the beautiful bay on (MCRD).
Thurs., Feb. 4, 2016
Back to the base 8:30 - 9:00 AM to hear the Marine's Company Commander tell about what the recruit has experienced the last 13 weeks. Then 9:00 - 9:30 AM we learned the do's and don'ts for the day from MCRD's Drill Instructors. Between 9:30 - 10:00 AM was our first chance to see the Marines from a distance during their motivational run. The Marines made two passes in front of us. A lot of photos were taken along with many cheers. They all look the same, so it was hard to pick out your Marine. (Grandpa Becker doesn't see Tyler, as he stands in front row) At around 12:15 PM the Marines lined up in Liberty Formation in front of the Depot Theater. Now we got to give our Marine a hand shake, hug and a kiss. We had from 12:30 - 5:00 PM with our new Marine. First Tyler took us to the Museum for a walk through. Soon after that he choose the lunch buffet at the Bay View Restaurant for a meal with his family. The first meal of this type in 13 weeks. And he could take his time eating. At 5:00 PM we said good bye to him, as he needed to be back on duty. We continued to walk around the shops on base purchasing souvenirs.
Fri., Feb. 5, 2016
Today we were up early and packed and ready to leave the motel by 7:00 AM heading to the base for the graduation ceremonies. Around 7:30 AM we found our seats in the metal bleachers under the shade ready for the 10:00 AM graduation. It was cold enough that a jacket felt good alone with a blanket to keep our butts warm on these metal seats. Graduation marks the end of a Marine's time in boot camp. It is his first dismissal and the culmination of his Recruit training. The graduation ceremony included the graduating Marines, their Drill Instructors and other key training personnel. The marching band also performed. This was an amazing ceremony to be a part of on such a beautiful sunny day. Around 12:30 PM Tyler loaded his belongings into our (rented) 2016 Suburban and we headed back to Las Vegas, NV. A few miles down the road we stopped for lunch and Tyler changed out of his Marine uniform. We arrived back in Vegas around 7 PM. Tyler had 10 days off to spend with his family and friends before reporting back to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton for twenty-eight days, then off to start school in July out East.
We are proud of you Tyler!!! God Bless you.
Below are a few of the 200 plus pictures I took over the three days on base.
Click on any photo to view that photo.
Don, Kim and Alex Becker (parents and brother) along with Richard and Melody Becker (grandparents) arrived at the Comfort Inn & Suites Motel in San Diego, Cali. We were here for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot graduation of Tyler Becker. From 5 - 6 PM we attended a social hour with other Marine parents, family and friends. Then from 6 - 8 PM we attend a lovely dinner also with family and friends. These events were held at the Bay View Restaurant on the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD). We also had a chance to meet some of the Drill Instructors. The event was held on the beautiful bay on (MCRD).
Thurs., Feb. 4, 2016
Back to the base 8:30 - 9:00 AM to hear the Marine's Company Commander tell about what the recruit has experienced the last 13 weeks. Then 9:00 - 9:30 AM we learned the do's and don'ts for the day from MCRD's Drill Instructors. Between 9:30 - 10:00 AM was our first chance to see the Marines from a distance during their motivational run. The Marines made two passes in front of us. A lot of photos were taken along with many cheers. They all look the same, so it was hard to pick out your Marine. (Grandpa Becker doesn't see Tyler, as he stands in front row) At around 12:15 PM the Marines lined up in Liberty Formation in front of the Depot Theater. Now we got to give our Marine a hand shake, hug and a kiss. We had from 12:30 - 5:00 PM with our new Marine. First Tyler took us to the Museum for a walk through. Soon after that he choose the lunch buffet at the Bay View Restaurant for a meal with his family. The first meal of this type in 13 weeks. And he could take his time eating. At 5:00 PM we said good bye to him, as he needed to be back on duty. We continued to walk around the shops on base purchasing souvenirs.
Fri., Feb. 5, 2016
Today we were up early and packed and ready to leave the motel by 7:00 AM heading to the base for the graduation ceremonies. Around 7:30 AM we found our seats in the metal bleachers under the shade ready for the 10:00 AM graduation. It was cold enough that a jacket felt good alone with a blanket to keep our butts warm on these metal seats. Graduation marks the end of a Marine's time in boot camp. It is his first dismissal and the culmination of his Recruit training. The graduation ceremony included the graduating Marines, their Drill Instructors and other key training personnel. The marching band also performed. This was an amazing ceremony to be a part of on such a beautiful sunny day. Around 12:30 PM Tyler loaded his belongings into our (rented) 2016 Suburban and we headed back to Las Vegas, NV. A few miles down the road we stopped for lunch and Tyler changed out of his Marine uniform. We arrived back in Vegas around 7 PM. Tyler had 10 days off to spend with his family and friends before reporting back to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton for twenty-eight days, then off to start school in July out East.
We are proud of you Tyler!!! God Bless you.
Below are a few of the 200 plus pictures I took over the three days on base.
Click on any photo to view that photo.
