8th & I Trip

Motivation

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

- Mahatma Gandhi

My Path

Friday night was a pretty cool experience. A Marine in my platoon spent the majority of his prior enlisted time in the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps, also known as the "Commandant's Own," playing the soprano bugle. His prior service provided our platoon with the opportunity to see the second to last performance of the Evening Parade at Marine Corps Barracks 8th & I. The platoon dressed up in our Dress Blue "D" uniforms and made our way to Washington, D.C. for the parade.

I have see the Marine Corps Band, also known as the "President's Own," along with the Silent Drill Platoon twice at the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial for the sunset parade twice. This is a very cool experience with the monument and nation's capital in the background, but there was a stronger historical presence at 8th and I. We sat on the south end of the parade deck, directly across from the Commandant's house. Like I said, the Iwo Jima memorial is cool as a background, but not as cool as the oldest building in our nation's capital. The sun had already set before the parade began, providing a near pitch black entrance for the 8th & I Battalion.

The history that was shared by the Marines of the 8th & I Barracks was interesting to hear and gave me a new appreciation for the landmark. We heard stories from the Revolutionary War, to the different Generals' houses, to the six Body Bearers that that are members of Bravo Company. All of the information was reiterated by the different performances throughout the parade. At one point the Marine Corps Band put down their instruments and sang. The night was closed with the playing of taps by a soprano bugler from the roof of the barracks. It was a pretty moving performance.

At the end I had the privilege of meeting a few Marines that participated in the parade, such as the Drum and Bugle Corps Drum Major. I was also introduced to the Arlington Cemetery Funeral Director, whom the Marine in my platoon worked with closely during his enlisted service. The evening was amazing and a great opportunity to be exposed to a great tradition in the Marine Corps. I'm thankful to have had the pleasure of witnessing one of the last performances of the summer. It's something I won't forget.

WOD

20120825

Wendler 5-3-1 Strength: Week 3 (75%x5, 85%x3, 95%x1 or More)

Deadlift: 295#, 335#, 375# (5 Reps)

3 Rounds for Time - 8:41
 5 Reps 135# Push-Press
5 Strict Pullups
 4 Reps 135# Push-Press
4 Strict Pullups

 3 Reps 135# Push-Press
3 Strict Pullups

 2 Reps 135# Push-Press
2 Strict Pullups

 1 Reps 135# Push-Press
1 Strict Pullups

Camp Barrett Fartlek Run - 16:27
Total Distance Ran: 1.5 Miles
Every 1-2 Minutes I would stop to perform an Exercise
15 Strict Pullups
15 Dips
15 Air Squats
15 Pushups
15 Situps
15 Tire Jumps (18")
15 Burpees
15 Mountain Climbers (Per Leg)
15 Hanging Leg Raises