On June 26, 2001 I made the decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps under the delayed entry program. After 1 year of being in the delayed entry program I was finally shipped out for boot camp and arrived on June 25, 2002. The trip began the same way it did for the many before me. Late at night, somewhere around 2300-2400 (11:00-12:00PM) the bus finally pulled up to a brick building and as the bus door opeed, on came a Dril Instructor to welcome us to the island in the way only a Drill Instructor could do. After being welcomed the bus was cleared and we all found our positions on the famous yello footprints, known by every Marine. After reciev a 20 second phone call to tell my parents I had arrived on the island we were taken to have our hair cut, right down to the skin. After haircuts, came time to fill out paperwork and revieve our intial issue, utility uniforms, and to shed ourselves of all civilian belongings. Following initial issue was the moment of truth, a last minute chance to confess anything that you forgot to mention or lied about in order to enlist. Next off was the rest of the 2 days of recieving, with no sleep, which consisted of dental checks and medical checks as well as recieving vaccinations and bucket issue and rifle issue (the issuing of rifles and war gear). Next was time to find our new home in our platoon barracks, which I was shocked to find out that I was with 3rd battalion India Company Platoon 3076, which was the same battalion, company and platoon that my father had gone through exactly 25 years ago. All was going well up until 1 week away from graduation, I was bitten by a Brown Recluse (a poisonous spider) and ended up in the hospital finding out if I waited any longer to go I probably would have died. After 1 week in the hospital I was dropped into MRP (medical rehabilitation platoon) where I stayed for 1 long and boring month. After being cleared for training again, I picked up with 2nd Battalion Golf Company Platoon 2093 where I finished my training to graduate and become a United States Marine, graduating with the National Defense Ribbon.