MEMORANDUM
TO: PUP CANDIDATES AND PARENTS
FROM: SGT. BILLION
DATE: June 25, 2023
RE: The Cut Ceremony
We have had great success and improvement so far during our Summer Training Camp, and I am very impressed, happy, and proud that so many kids have stuck it out. Soon it will be time for The Cut Ceremony. So please support your kids and show up at 7 a.m. on Saturday the 2nd. We will meet at 0545 and work out until 0700. The pups will be doing some fun and unusual exercises for those parents who will be staying to watch until 7 a.m. We have some fun relay races and team workouts planned for your viewing enjoyment. After the workout, at 7 a.m. we will commence The Ceremony. At this time, my quota is 7 boys and 5 girls, but it has been hinted to me by Headquarters that my quota may be substantially increased so most, if not all, pups will be considered alternates and will prepare with the others in case they are chosen, even if it's at the last minute, like what happened last year.
As always, there will be elation and disappointment in the choosing, which myself and my team of assistants will have discussed at length. This is by far, the hardest part of all of the three months or so we work with your youth. For those who don't make the cut, they will receive a Certificate of Appreciation, a Marine Corps League Challenge Coin, and an invitation to return next year. For those who make the cut and for the alternates, we will help them start preparing for Camp. We will focus more on Drill, Guidon movements, and Boots and Jeans training such as hiking and rucksacking. There will also, of course, be tons of forms and a packing list we will assist them with.
Also, for those who are chosen, $900 of the $1000 cost of camp is covered by some very special donors who love this program. We do, however, ask the pups who are going to camp to come up with $100 to show good faith and have some "skin in the game." We suggest the pups earn that from either their jobs, or we have some folks who like to hire the pups for a day and put them to work to help them earn the $100.
For those who don't make the cut, there may be questions as to why not. Our decision is always based on who we think will thrive at camp while also representing Southern Utah. We take pride in our history of never having a pup fail or not complete the program. In addition, we must live up to the reputation we have built as the most prepared, most motivated, most fit, and most disciplined group out of the 60 or so groups that attend the camp.
I would like to say that I would prefer not to answer any questions or address specifically why we did or did not choose a certain individual. I can tell you that the criteria are PFT Scores, participation, attendance, leadership, discipline, motivation, attitude, determination, and all of the other JJDIDTIEBUCKLE traits. (Ask your pup what that means). If someone was not chosen, and they really wanted to go, the best advice I can give is try again, harder, next year.
I promised that at the end of Summer Training they would be stronger, faster and leaner. I think that due to their efforts they have attained that goal. It is my hope that they continue that path. All who are not chosen on The Cut day are encouraged to continue with us, as alternates, until training ends when camp starts. Workouts will resume on Tuesday the 5th. Chosen pups will depart here at 0500 on the 16th. Graduation will be at Camp Pendleton on the 23rd. More info about camp will be supplied soon. Thank you,
Sgt Billion
