Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, February 27, 2003

Marine Corps Pvt. Wade D. ENGLAND, son of Priscilla A. and Douglas K. ENGLAND of Clearfield, recently completed basic training with Headquarters and Service Batallion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA.

ENGLAND successfully completed 12 weeks of training desingated to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.

ENGLAND and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a.m. by running three miles and performing calistenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, ENGLAND 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.

ENGLAND 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.

ENGLAND and fellow recruits ended the traning phase with the Crucible, a 54-hour team effort, problem solving evolution which culminated with an emotional ceremony in which the recruits were presented the Marine Corps emblem and were addressed as "Marines" for the first time since boot camp began.

ENGLAND is a 2002 graduate of Lenox Community high school of Lenox.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2012