San Diego Blog Stories
Within this blog you will find everything from Funeral planning for Veterans to Newborn photography. While we capture many events and share as much information as possible, our main goal is to serve others. We currently do that by providing information and curating things that are needed, primarily for our Military community in Southern California.
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From Tattoos to Training: How Recent Changes Policy are Reshaping the Marine Corps | MCRD San Diego, CA | Staff Sergeant Mary Phaly
2 huge changes for the Corps: Female Recruits allowed at MCRD San Diego and tattoo Full Sleeve policy changes have shaped where Staff Sergeant Mary Phaly is today! Enjoy some policy history and get excited about how this Drill Instructor is trailblazing away! E6 in 6, getting a bachelors degree, martial arts, and more.
Navy Hospital Corpsman (HM) HCB A School Graduation | Fort Sam Huston | San Antonio, TX
Navy Hospital Corpsman Basic (HCB) Graduation Class 200 October 27, 2022
Hospital Corpsman Basic (HCB) program courses are group lockstep. The program provides Navy enlisted personnel with a basic medical knowledge of pre-hospital, inpatient and outpatient medical care within the scope of the Hospital Corpsman. Subjects include Basic Life Support (BLS), medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, pre-hospital care, and inpatient and outpatient aspects of each body system. Outcome-based practice and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the program. The program consists of lectures, group activities, demonstrations, hands-on instruction and clinical practice.
I saw a Facebook post on Monday night - and it changed the rest of my week! My little sister wasn’t going to have anyone at her A School Graduation … Just like when she graduated from Navy Boot Camp in Great Lakes. You may not know but, a decade ago, no one came to my Navy Bootcamp Graduation or A School and I STILL hold bitterness over it - I could NOT let her feel the same way. So, I got a cheap flight and made the trek out to San Antonio to the Fort Sam Huston joint base and got to spend 24 hours with her. I am currently typing this post as I sit in the Denver airport’s USO on their free Wifi to share this amazing memory.
First Reservist Marine to EVER Hold This Title
First Reservist Marine to EVER Hold This Title
Drill Master DI Ribbon Hat Ceremony | MCRD San Diego, CA
Staff Sgt Andrew Brand has been stationed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego with Golf Company for some time. He started off as a regular Drill Instructor, and finished off his time as Drill Master September of 2022.
This was no easy feat; Staff Sgt needed to extend his orders as a reservist and promise his time -far- beyond what was originally expected.
Reenlistment of Drill Instructor | MCRD San Diego, CA | 2020
Just sharing some images from a Marine Reenlistment while he was stationed at MCRD San Diego, CA. How many people do you know who reenlisted while a drill instructor?!
First Marine to ever hold these two titles!!
When a Marine needs to pick their “B” Billet, they usually pick between Drill Instructor and Recruiter Duty. Of course, there are pros and cons to both… Few pick BOTH. That’s the case for Gunnery Sergeant Jose Flores. He has served as both a recruiter on the east coast and Drill Instructor on the west coast. Where the real anomaly lies is he has received BOTH Recruiter of the Year (2014) AND Drill Instructor of the Year (2021).
Jose Flores enlisted at the age of 17 in 2008 and has had an incredible career. He is currently service as the the Recruit Training Regiment drill master, (prior Fox Company DI) and also received his Doctorate Degree from Grand Canyon University in Organizational Leadership.