thedrifter
08-09-07, 01:53 PM
Local recruits on way to becoming Marines
Aug 8, 2007 10:43 PM
But getting there is anything but easy
By Deanne Goodman, KTVZ.COM
http://ktvz.images.worldnow.com/images/6906157_BG1.jpg
Fast haircut is only the start of 13 grueling weeks for Marine recruits
All last week, I was on assignment in Southern California with the Marine Corps, watching young men from Central Oregon go through boot camp.
The transformation from civilian to Marine is physically and mentally grueling. While there, I met with local recruits past the halfway point of their 13-week training in San Diego.
For Michael Carlin, becoming a Marine has been a weighty issue. The Klamath Falls recruit spent eight months losing 60 pounds just to get into boot camp and has since lost another thirty plus. The experience has changed him: "Much more mature now, more confidence in myself."
Confidence is a key part of training. Recruits are constantly pushed to the limits.
At MCRD San Dieg,o they go through confidence courses, and at Camp Pendleton they endure "The Crucible." It's a 54-hour test where recruits cover more than 40 miles terrain on four hours of sleep a night and one meal a day.
Recruits carry their M-16 everywhere - in the pool and on land. Every Marine is a rifleman and must be able to successfully shoot a target from 500 yards. Recruits who either have skills lacking or perhaps they are beginners at using a gun, train on a simulator. It's cost-efficient because you don't waste money on real ammunition.
During boot camp, recruits can not wear contacts and must wear issued glasses. Bend-area recruit Matthew Clark was wearing the glasses when I caught up with him during his 10th week of boot camp.
Here's why he joined the Marines: "This recruit wasn't going anywhere in life, just wanted change and to take responsibility. Decided the Marine Corps was the best way to do that. "
About 92 percent of the recruits make it to graduation. The ones who don't typically get injured during training.
Erik Merklin, a recruit from Portland, smiled as he said boot camp "is better than I thought it would be. "
Watching the recruits go through boot camp was better than I thought it would be, too. But then again, I didn't have to do any of the physically and mentally grueling challenges.
Ellie
Aug 8, 2007 10:43 PM
But getting there is anything but easy
By Deanne Goodman, KTVZ.COM
http://ktvz.images.worldnow.com/images/6906157_BG1.jpg
Fast haircut is only the start of 13 grueling weeks for Marine recruits
All last week, I was on assignment in Southern California with the Marine Corps, watching young men from Central Oregon go through boot camp.
The transformation from civilian to Marine is physically and mentally grueling. While there, I met with local recruits past the halfway point of their 13-week training in San Diego.
For Michael Carlin, becoming a Marine has been a weighty issue. The Klamath Falls recruit spent eight months losing 60 pounds just to get into boot camp and has since lost another thirty plus. The experience has changed him: "Much more mature now, more confidence in myself."
Confidence is a key part of training. Recruits are constantly pushed to the limits.
At MCRD San Dieg,o they go through confidence courses, and at Camp Pendleton they endure "The Crucible." It's a 54-hour test where recruits cover more than 40 miles terrain on four hours of sleep a night and one meal a day.
Recruits carry their M-16 everywhere - in the pool and on land. Every Marine is a rifleman and must be able to successfully shoot a target from 500 yards. Recruits who either have skills lacking or perhaps they are beginners at using a gun, train on a simulator. It's cost-efficient because you don't waste money on real ammunition.
During boot camp, recruits can not wear contacts and must wear issued glasses. Bend-area recruit Matthew Clark was wearing the glasses when I caught up with him during his 10th week of boot camp.
Here's why he joined the Marines: "This recruit wasn't going anywhere in life, just wanted change and to take responsibility. Decided the Marine Corps was the best way to do that. "
About 92 percent of the recruits make it to graduation. The ones who don't typically get injured during training.
Erik Merklin, a recruit from Portland, smiled as he said boot camp "is better than I thought it would be. "
Watching the recruits go through boot camp was better than I thought it would be, too. But then again, I didn't have to do any of the physically and mentally grueling challenges.
Ellie