Basic training
Marine Corps. Pfc. Martin J. Ziebarth, son of Mary A. Ziebarth of Morgan Hill and Mark N. Ziebarth of Morgan Hill recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Ziebarth and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a.m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Ziebarth spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.
Ziebarth and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps’ core values – honor, courage, and commitment, and what the words mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.
Ziebarth and fellow recruits ended the training phrase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as “Marines” for the first time in their careers.
Ziebarth is a 1992 graduate of Live Oak High School of Morgan Hill.
Marine Corps Pvt. Alejandro Franco, son of Evelia and Marino Franco of Morgan Hill, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Franco and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a. m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Franco spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.
Franco and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps’ core values–honor, courage and commitment, and what the words mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.
Franco and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as “Marines” for the first time in their careers.
Franco is a 2003 graduate of Central High School of Morgan Hill.
Back from Middle East
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Santiago C. Fierro, son of Wendy E. Fierro of Morgan Hill, and Cruz J. Fierro of Los Banos, recently returned from an eight-month deployment embarked onboard the USS Iwo Jima, while assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Fierro was one of more than 4,00 Atlantic Fleet Sailors and Marines who were deployed aboard the ships of the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group.
The deployment included training and real-world operations in Iraq and Liberia.
Fierro’s unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. MEUs are composed of more than 2,000 personnel and are divided into an infantry battalion, aircraft squadron, support group and command element. With this combination, Fierro’s unit supplies and sustains itself for either quick mission accomplishment or clearing the way for follow-on forces.
Fierro is a 2000 graduate of Gilroy High School of Gilroy and joined the Marine Corps in May 2001.
