thedrifter
11-14-07, 10:44 AM
Marine Training, Part 2
Parris Island, S. Carolina
Posted: 5:10 PM Nov 13, 2007
Last Updated: 5:10 PM Nov 13, 2007
Reporter: Jon Kalahar
Email Address: jkalahar@wlbt.net
From the time they leave the bus and step on the yellow footprints, the recruits are no longer independent. He or she is now a part of a team; their guidance is from the drill instructor.
And once again, they are all volunteers. They wanted to be here.
"The young Americans that are showing up for recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, today are among the most committed youngsters that I have ever seen," said Col. Andy Solgere.
Not much has changed at boot camp. The living quarters are pretty much the same, as they have been for years. Each recruit must learn to handle an M-16, and they all have to survive in the water, whether they know how to swim or not when they get here.
Because the Marines is an expeditionary force, enlistees have to be prepared to go anywhere whether on land or on sea. And all these recruits have to survive in the water in full gear. That means jumping off towers into a pool."
The Marine Corps says it believes it's possible to transform every recruit mentally, physically and morally into a United States Marine.
Recruit Louis J. Beasley of McComb, Miss., said after a few years of college, he decided to join the Marine Corps.
"This recruit was lacking a little bit of direction in life, felt he needed to develop a little more self discipline," Beasley said.
Beasley says he should be a Marine before Christmas. Now compare Recruit Beasley to recent graduate of Parris Island, Private First Class Richard Kendrick of Moss Point, Miss., and you can see what they mean by transformation.
"I said I always wanted to do the best at whatever I did," said Kendrick. "So if I was going to join a branch of the service it was going to have to be the Marine Corps."
One part of boot camp that has changed is the last obstacle a recruit must pass. "The Crucible" is a 54-hour endurance test of everything a recruit has learned to this point. And the challenges are just physical, but mental tests in which each group has to work as a team. Overall they'll cover several miles with minimal sleep and food.
If a recruit makes it through "The Crucible", "The Eagle", "Globe", and "Anchor" await on the other side.
In part three Wednesday, you'll see the elation and celebration of recruit graduation. And a senior non-commissioned officer talks about what the Marine Corps is looking for in a recruit.
Ellie
Parris Island, S. Carolina
Posted: 5:10 PM Nov 13, 2007
Last Updated: 5:10 PM Nov 13, 2007
Reporter: Jon Kalahar
Email Address: jkalahar@wlbt.net
From the time they leave the bus and step on the yellow footprints, the recruits are no longer independent. He or she is now a part of a team; their guidance is from the drill instructor.
And once again, they are all volunteers. They wanted to be here.
"The young Americans that are showing up for recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, today are among the most committed youngsters that I have ever seen," said Col. Andy Solgere.
Not much has changed at boot camp. The living quarters are pretty much the same, as they have been for years. Each recruit must learn to handle an M-16, and they all have to survive in the water, whether they know how to swim or not when they get here.
Because the Marines is an expeditionary force, enlistees have to be prepared to go anywhere whether on land or on sea. And all these recruits have to survive in the water in full gear. That means jumping off towers into a pool."
The Marine Corps says it believes it's possible to transform every recruit mentally, physically and morally into a United States Marine.
Recruit Louis J. Beasley of McComb, Miss., said after a few years of college, he decided to join the Marine Corps.
"This recruit was lacking a little bit of direction in life, felt he needed to develop a little more self discipline," Beasley said.
Beasley says he should be a Marine before Christmas. Now compare Recruit Beasley to recent graduate of Parris Island, Private First Class Richard Kendrick of Moss Point, Miss., and you can see what they mean by transformation.
"I said I always wanted to do the best at whatever I did," said Kendrick. "So if I was going to join a branch of the service it was going to have to be the Marine Corps."
One part of boot camp that has changed is the last obstacle a recruit must pass. "The Crucible" is a 54-hour endurance test of everything a recruit has learned to this point. And the challenges are just physical, but mental tests in which each group has to work as a team. Overall they'll cover several miles with minimal sleep and food.
If a recruit makes it through "The Crucible", "The Eagle", "Globe", and "Anchor" await on the other side.
In part three Wednesday, you'll see the elation and celebration of recruit graduation. And a senior non-commissioned officer talks about what the Marine Corps is looking for in a recruit.
Ellie