A week at sea

One week has already come and gone. As our Marines and sailors begin to settle in to the ship-life routine, we couldn’t be more excited about beginning our seven month journey at sea.

And at sea we are… over the past several days, USS Boxer and company have been beating through some treacherous weather. Ocean swells have been at times between 12-14 feet high, forcing those with lighter stomachs down and out of the fight.

Though weather has been a constant battle, we have been successful in conducting sustainment training for several of the units. Charlie Co., 1/1, executed a helicopter insert on the Big Island of Hawaii, followed by platoon live fire attacks on the 16th and 17th and a 10k hike on the 18th. Highlights from training earlier in the week include the Force Reconnaissance platoon’s open water training, scout snipers’ stalking, tracking and immediate action drills, and the 81mm mortorman’s multiple live fire shoots.

Though HMM-163 (Rein.) experienced the most issues when the weather went south, they were able to complete their deck landing re-qualifications and shoot a few rounds of live fire close air support with the Cobras and Hueys.

So what do we do when we’re not training or fighting? We’re preparing. On any given day Marines and sailors are hitting the gym, participating in Brazilian Jiu Jitzu, boxing, or martial arts classes, or taking a break and singing karaoke with the Fun Boss on the mess decks. Needless to say, they find ways to keep themselves occupied.

What’s next for the 13th MEU? Sorry, can’t say. What we can say is that everyone is looking forward to it, wherever and whatever “it” may be. Until next time…