Boot Camp, Mikey comes to find out, is divided into three four-week phases. Phase One, that first four week block, focuses on physical conditioning, self-defense, and close-order drilling.

The first week in, and Mikey is feeling it. It's not so much the physical aspects that are messing with him. Mikey is in great shape and he knows it. It's the mental things that are messing him up a bit. Marines are all about being an individual, but only after they knock all the individuality out of you long enough to teach you to be a Marine. It…is something Mikey struggles with, but that stubborn streak in him is huge and so Mikey takes it and goes forward.

The very first week involves learning general military skills, beginning the Marine Corps martial arts programs, taking that first 1.5mile run, learning bayonet techniques, customs and courtesies, classes on USMC core values and history, and the introduction to the Marines best friend: the M16A2 rifle.

The rest of it is learning more general military skills, first aid (Mikey is thrilled to learn this, he had worried more than once about Donnie being the only real 'on site' medic they had) pugil-stick training which is basically combat training with a foam covered rifle replacement meant to prepare them for actual rifle combat, physical training, weapons handling, throws and falls, a few different Courses including what is known as the Confidence Course- an 11 piece obstacle course meant to overcome fear and instill confidence which gets more difficult when the Team Drills are added in and the obstacles get larger so teamwork is essential to manage it- Counters to the skills they learn, inoculations, the 3mile conditioning march, lots of inspections and evaluations and more.

Only the steel will his father had instilled in him and his very large stubborn streak get him through it. Mikey refuses to go home without earning the title of Marine. He had left without a word to his family. He refuses to let it be for nothing. As the weeks progress Mikey finds it getting easier and harder all at the same time.

He takes to writing his family when he can, between all the things he's being taught.

Hey guys.

I know you're all kinds of angry right now. I don't blame you.

I needed this though, I needed to do this, and I didn't want you to stop me from going.

I love you all, I promise I'll make it home to you, even if you aren't very happy with me when I get there. I'm sorry I left without saying anything to any of you. I'm sorry I only left a note. I'm sorry I made you all panic before you found the other note. I'm sorry this probably really hurt all of you. I'm sorry for all of that, but I'm not sorry that I needed to do this for me.

I'm learning a lot out here though.

Leo, Raph. You guys are gonna love some of this stuff. I'm learning some things to expand on my shell-kicking skills for hand to hand and weapons, I've got a lot of stuff to show you, and I'll have even more when I'm done.

Donnie, I didn't forget about you bro! I thought you'd appreciate the fact that I'm learning some awesome first aid stuff out here more than anything I had to say about my fighting. I've always worried about you being the only one with any medical know-how for any of our spectacular accidents on hand, and now I'm learning some here so you won't be the only one! I'll make sure to teach you this stuff too okay? We can trade!

Sensei…Father. I'll make sure to share everything I learn with you when I come home okay? I know you're probably not happy with my choice to leave without any word or hint to where I am or where I was going, but I really did feel like I needed this.

Tell Casey and April I'm sorry I left without saying anything and that I'll come back okay? I'll have some stories for them too.

I love you all, and I'm sorry I didn't leave you any way to get ahold of me here. I'll contact you guys whenever I can. I'll see you all again. Ninja Promise.

Love you.

Mikey.

PS. You guys better be taking care of Klunk and my Comics!