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jinelson
12-14-06, 07:33 PM
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The Transformation Begins Here!

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Their stomachs twist and turn as the bus rolls to a halt in front of the yellow footprints. They are dead silent. The recruits are just moments away from the inevitable collision of civilian and drill instructor.

The turbulent transformation begins when they step onto the yellow footprints, and a drill instructor begins his speech with a simple greeting, "Congratulations on your decision to become a United States Marine. It is a decision you will never regret."

They make their way through a one-way door adorned with the infamous eagle, globe and anchor. That is where the recruits take their first steps of the training they signed up for.

Their minds are blank as they turn on auto pilot. When told to do something, they seem to do it without thinking.

The hard-learned lessons of the Corps are beginning to soak into their minds.

As their time at receiving begins to slowly creep into the early morning hours, they have already had a haircut, been given nearly all of their gear and are beginning to show signs of sleep deprivation. This is when they will be given the chance to put on their Marine Pattern camouflage utility uniforms for the first time.

Finally, their second day on Parris Island is here. However, the week-long process is not complete, they still have medical in-processing and field gear issue to undergo before their training cycle begins.


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Receiving Drill Instructor Staff Sgt. Kendall Jones appears from the darkness as he prepares to welcome the Corps newest recruits to the Depot's Recruit Processing Center March 13.

jinelson
12-14-06, 07:36 PM
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Nicholaus Tiger, Big Cypress Reservation, Fla., looks at the phone in front of him as he receives instructions to call home.


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A group of new recruits stare blankly at Receiving Barber Tootie Whitehead as they wait for the inevitable - their first Marine haircuts.


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Recruit receives his first "High and Tight".

jinelson
12-14-06, 07:38 PM
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After a long night at the Recruit Processing Center, Recruit Lebron Massey, Ringgold, Ga., checks the fit of his new cover.


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Recruits stand at attention as they are welcomed aboard the Depot. This is the first of many steps they will go through on the road to becoming a United States Marine.


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Receiving Drill Instructor Staff Sgt. Kendall Jones orders a new recruit to open the silver hatches at the Recruit Processing Center. The hatches are a 'one way trip,' which symbolize the beginning of the transformation from civilian to United States Marine. Once the receiving process has begun, recruits will spend the rest of their night finalizing paperwork, getting haircuts, turning in all civilian clothing and belongings and are issued their first Marine Corps uniforms.

Accord
12-14-06, 08:47 PM
Tootie Whitehead looks like a badass... was he a Marine? I've always wondered where they got the barbers from.

WJason777
12-15-06, 01:53 PM
There is a DI by the name of Whitehead

CJA
12-15-06, 03:27 PM
This is awesome, thanks a lot.

Any more pictures with captions?

christine_06
12-15-06, 08:02 PM
That's outstanding SSgt, i remember when i stepped on the yellow footprints, i remember it like it was yesterday and i'll never forget.... the change is forever.

Marine84
12-15-06, 08:17 PM
I never saw yellow footprints - it was waaaayyy after lights out when I went in. They had to wake the DI up to let me in - talking about a straggler pi$$ing somebody off! I hit the rack wide awake and thinking "what in the HELL have I done?"

That was cool SSGT!

And, for all you poolees, it IS a transformation.............you'll surprise yourselves with the things that you change about yourself afterwards. It's also something that NOBODY on God's green earth can take away from you and you'll be one for LIFE! Get ready for the best time of your lives!

kilomikealphau2
12-15-06, 08:37 PM
Now I Remember Those Days. Paris Island Was The First Place I Was Scared To Death. I Couldn't Believe I Made It Thru. I Was Always A Loner Til The Corps. It Prepared Me For A Worse Place And How To Servive. I Remember My D.i.'s, They Were Already Nam Vets.

Sgt Leprechaun
12-16-06, 07:34 AM
Thanks for the photos!

If I could start all over again......LOL...

kilomikealphau2
12-17-06, 02:11 AM
You're Right, Fear Can Make You Do Anything. With That Fear I Learned Respect And Pride. That Was The Begining Of My Fear.vietnam Was Another Level And I Survived That. You're Right
When That Round Went By My Ear, I Ran Like Hell.

Master Sephiroth
12-17-06, 04:51 PM
So elloquently put. I could almost feel the fear sitting here at my desk.

babymarine2010
12-17-06, 08:56 PM
I can't wait until I go to Parris Island. It's my ultimate dream to become a Marine.