Thanks to everyone who has emailed me or sent packages since being deployed to TQ.

Friends from CA, DE, FL, GA, MD, NJ, NC, NY, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA, Washington DC, and even Montréal Canada have reached out.

As well a number of military, political, non-profit groups have sent packages too.  Groups like the American Sheepdogs, Chester County Young Republicans, Marine Corps League of Chester County, Republican Committee of Chester County to name just a few from back home.

Some of the greatest gifts have been reading the cards made by school kids.  Very funny some of the things they write.  Some, especially, have no problem telling you their fears or questions.  Been interesting and very much welcomed distraction.

While here by myself, I do share a workspace with 3 junior Marines who have shared in your generosity.  They (Cupcake, Sgt Slaughter, and the Lance-Coconut) especially appreciate your donations.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Support me and the fight against Autism as I run my 6th Marine Corps Marathon (http://www.firstgiving.com/runningwithscissors).

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Last year I was part of a team running the Marine Corps marathon that rose over $8,300 for two magnificent organizations specializing with Autism;  The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) and Mission for Educating Children with Autism (MECA).  Both are not-for-profits and each makes a tremendous difference in the lives of many people.

Located in Arlington, VA, OAR is a nationally recognized organization that educates and combats Autism.  Personally knowing many of the senior staff, I can say unequivocally that they are sincere and determined folks.  OAR is the one autism organization that focuses solely on applied research.  Please know that one-half of your generous donations will do directly to this great institution.

Receiving the other half of the donations is MECA.  Located in Chester County, Pennsylvania this great organization works solely to provide life-skills to young adults so that they may have a productive life.  Often as autistic children become legal adults they are often placed in institutions.  MECA works to provide skills that these young people need to live and work in the community.  Like OAR, I also know these folks personally and can vouch for their passion and desire to help.

Once again we will be running the Marine Corps marathon in Washington DC on the last Sunday in October.  However, this year our goal is to raise $10,000 so please be sure to donate what you can to this great cause.  From $5 or hundreds of dollars, your donation will make a positive impact on your community.

Some creative ways to give include:

Click here to learn more http://www.firstgiving.com/runningwithscissors.

Lastly, don’t forget to send this link or blog entry link to all your friends and family.

Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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As I didn’t stop working until 1AM last night I thought it best to get up at 6AM vice 4AM.  Yes that’s sleeping in for me.  I know you’re probably jealous.  After all how many of you are lucky enough to enjoy sleeping in until 6?

Because of a daily Intel briefing I attend I wasn’t able lift until 9AM and didn’t start running till 10:30.  The flag was green which basically meant was already in the 90s but about 10 minutes in the flag went to yellow (low 100s).  Afterwards I found out it was 109 degrees.  With a total disregard for common sense I thought it best to keep running.

Running is never fun for me.  I just loathe it but today really sucked.  Still have no idea why I choose to pay good money to run a half marathon and full marathon each year.

Anyway… I think I was sipping from my camelback every 3 or so minutes and when I finally stopped my once green shirt and shorts now had large streaks of whites and gray.  Amazing how much salt you can sweat out in such a short time.

Sometimes it gets so hot that as you sweat it evaporates nearly immediately.  Your shirt may be moist but not appear or even feel wet.  Today was just that case.  I barely had any noticeable sweat until a few minutes after I stopped running.  Odd, I know.

So did I learn anything today running in 109 degree heat?  Yes run faster to get it over with.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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As I wrote the other day, there is almost no plant life on TQ.  Other then desert plants we need to grow something we would expect to see growing in Pennsylvania.

We have a shaded area and can water them daily but still needs to endure temperatures up to 125 degrees.

So if anyone has any cool ideas of what to grow please write.  We would like you to tell us what plant(s) you think would work as well as links to order seeds and how to grow them.

So please forward this to your “plant” nerds friends.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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Cheryl Titcher is 40 29 years old today.

For those of you who have yet to meet her she is one of my best friends.  So much so she actually made my will in case I don’t come back.  LOL  That’s ok as I conned her into letting me keep my BMW at her house and managing my banking while I am playing in the sand.

When I come home I am sure I will have something at my house on a weekend so you will have an opportunity to meet her.

Cheryl used to live in Chester County (Oxford) but like so many others moved just over the border (Delaware) to escape from the excessive and unethical taxation Pennsylvania governments thrust upon us.  Move a few minutes away and save a couple thousand dollars a year.  Thanks PA!

Ok sorry about the tangential rant.

Cheryl is also a cruel woman.  She wussed out on the Marine Corps marathon last year and made me run limp it by myself.  I had no one to whine and cry to for 26.2 miles.  This year she thinks she will be able to run it again.

Be sure to click on http://www.firstgiving.com/runningwithscissors to see what this extremely old lady looks like and the Autism groups we are running for.

Anyway… Happy B-Day Cheryl.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jonathan

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I just wanted to once again thank everyone for their generosity by writing and sending care packages.

Birthday cards, books, food, letters from kids, stationary supplies, hygiene gear, the list goes on.

And of course socks, socks, and more socks. Because of the socks my little piggies are now good enough to start running again. I only ran for 30 minutes today as I want to ease into it but plan on being up to 45 within a couple weeks and an hour in a couple weeks.  Of course another reason why I am easing into it is because of the crazy heat.  Despite running at 530AM the mid to high 80s still isnt ideal but oh well.

Speaking of running, my friend Cheryl and I usually run a half and full marathon every year. Last year we helped raised money for Autism and would welcome your help again. The money we raise is for the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) and Mission for Educating Children with Autism (MECA). OAR is probably the leading nationally recognized group for advancing research and proving information on this infliction and MECA is a phenomenal organization located in my backyard (Chester County, PA) that provides life skills to young adults with Autism.

Please click http://www.firstgiving.com/runningwithscissors and donate whatever you can to this great cause.

Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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Looks like we didn’t have to wait few more days as we got our first Black Flag of the year today.  The high is going to be about 116 degrees today (about 42 Celsius).

I am still thinking about what to grow out here before I leave.  This lack of green is just fundamentally wrong.

If anyone has suggestions for what we can grow other then traditional desert plants please write me.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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OMG it gets so stinking hot out here.  Right now it’s a red flag.

We have weather forecasters who continually monitor the weather and run up a colored flag depicting the head index.  From lowest to OMG its no flag, green, yellow, red, and finally black.  Its forecasted that the black flags should be here in just a couple more days.  So woo hoo!.

I get emails from back in the states of yahoos complaining about the heat.  Today its gettign up to 117 degrees.  What color is your flag? 

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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Tonight we had another Walking Blood Bank but this time for B+ blood.  Just like the other day Marines and Sailors were turned away because so many showed up.

Unfortunately, this time it was an Iraqi Policeman (IP) whose vehicle was struck by an IED.  Both of the IPs survived, one had just minor wounds and was released but the other sadly had to have both legs and some fingers amputated.

Iraqis wounding and killing Iraqis just make the jihadist all that much worse in the eyes of the general populace.  It’s a shame that it has taken so many tragedies t get the populace to start having the courage to stand up for themselves.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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Here on TQ, with 1st MLG, we conduct what is known as a Corporals Course about once a month.  It is a voluntary two-week course completely ran by Marines and mainly composed of Marines yet we do have a few junior enlisted (E-4s) from the Navy and Army too.  Unfortunately, we don’t have the number of females in the course as many of us would like.

The mission at the Corporals Course is to provide the Marine Corporal with the education and leadership skills necessary to lead Marines. The Program of Instruction places emphasis on leadership foundations and a working knowledge of general military subjects.

The Marines are the most dedicated branch to learning and knowing history and that is why we are so much more successful then the other branches.  Built for constant change and adaptation, we don’t train to exact scenarios like the others.

Because of our greater flexibility we roger up to take missions that others won’t obligate to, cant, or fail.  And I won’t go into specifics but in just two months I have seen this more then a few times.

The course covers everything from drill (ceremonies, sword usage, etc…) to physical fitness to warrior skills to being more intelligent on personal matters like pay, leave, finance, medical, etc….

From corporal all the way up to Sergeant Major the Marines offer these voluntary schools every year.  In fact I am looking forward to attending the Gunnery Sergeants course next year (unless I get my way to go to Afghanistan).

I don’t have much time so could only volunteer to give a few classes but I am very much looking forward to it.  We started the course on Monday but today is my first day instructing.  I have the last class today which goes from 1600-1800 and will be teaching them about Personal Finance.

If you are wondering why Personal Finance is important well just look at our own situation.  When you are in control of your debts and income life gets easier and so much less stress.  If we can have Marines deploy with less stress it helps the entire family and the Marine Corps.

As much as Personal Finance is important I really look forward to my next class which will be on the Physical Dimensions of War.  It’s also a class I teach in the civilian world to organizations that wish to better understand themselves as well as their competition.  If you have never heard of it please email me (Jonathan@ConservativeBOG.org) so I can send you some information.

Anyway… I will let you know what the younger generation knows of finances later tonight or tomorrow.

Semper Fi

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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