thedrifter
06-13-08, 08:01 AM
Cape's 'Band of Brothers'
By EMILY CANAL
emilycanal@gmail.com
June 13, 2008 6:00 AM
SOUTH YARMOUTH- On leave after graduating from Marine Corps boot camp on June 6, three members of the 2037 platoon joked about cruising the Cape Cod Mall in uniform for the first time.
Vincent Mendes, 18, of Yarmouth, Dale Little-Parks, 21, of Bourne and Jason Decosta, 20, of South Yarmouth, were strangers upon their arrival at Parris Island, S.C. in March. Now, the trio can finish each other's sentences.
"If you were going through rough times, you could always think about going home and what you were going back to," Decosta said. "We could always talk about home with each other," Little-Parks said. "Because we all knew what each other was talking about," Mendes added.
The group met en route to the base, and found about 20 others who were from the Boston and Cape Cod area. After arriving, trainees were split into platoons of 62, and Mendes, Little-Parks and Decosta were placed on the same team.
"This was the first time you were separated from everything you knew," Decosta said. "You really had to rely on the people you were with to go through the challenges and problem solving."
The recruits endured 13 weeks of training, divided into three phases to emphasize both physical and mental training. The final test was the Crucible, a 54-hour, 42-mile course with 29 problem-solving exercises. All three cited the Crucible as the most difficult part of the three months.
"The physical stuff is hard, but you have to be mentally strong to push through the miles," Decosta said. "Its getting used to the Marine Corps way of not getting to do what you want, when you want."
Mendes agreed that the emotional aspect outweighed the cardiovascular demands, but noted that teamwork was necessary to finish the course. "The challenges they give you are impossible to do by yourself. They teach you not to worry about yourself, but worry about the guys next to you," Mendes said, looking to his friends on his side.
"We are all a band of brothers," Decosta said. "The men on your left and right are what your life is riding on in combat."
At the conclusion of the course, the trainees were whisked to the Eagle, Globe and Anchor ceremony where they were recognized as Marines.
"You are filled with an overwhelming sense of pride when you get to salute the flag for the first time," Mendes said. "After going through what we went through, it's great to know you are part of the Marine family and each member has your back."
Linda Morin, 41, Mendes' mother, said she and her son had discussed the possibility of working up to officer standing later in his career.
"He told me privates are just as important as officers and no matter what he does he is going to be important," she said. "He really takes to heart that he is one of the few and one of the best."
This week, the men returned to the Cape, visiting friends, attending social events and cruising their old neighborhoods in uniform. Little-Parks described the first time they put on their deltas, a tan shirt with blue trousers and a white cap, for a baseball game at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School.
"We posted the colors in the middle of the field for people to salute," he said. "It felt good to bring out the state and U.S. flags with two other retired Marines."
The next stage of training will focus on automatic weapons, grenades and intense combat. In the fall, Little-Parks plans on continuing his education at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, in criminal justice. Mendes and Decosta also plan on studying criminal justice.
They will return for combat training in Jacksonville, N.C., on Monday. They answered "yes ma'am" in unison when asked whether they wanted to fight overseas. They could be sent abroad three months after training is complete.
The group chuckled and glanced at one another before stating why they joined the Marines. "They are the first to go and the last to leave," Decosta said. "It is taking pride in anything you do," added Little-Parks."No matter how small or how big," concluded Mendes.
Ellie
By EMILY CANAL
emilycanal@gmail.com
June 13, 2008 6:00 AM
SOUTH YARMOUTH- On leave after graduating from Marine Corps boot camp on June 6, three members of the 2037 platoon joked about cruising the Cape Cod Mall in uniform for the first time.
Vincent Mendes, 18, of Yarmouth, Dale Little-Parks, 21, of Bourne and Jason Decosta, 20, of South Yarmouth, were strangers upon their arrival at Parris Island, S.C. in March. Now, the trio can finish each other's sentences.
"If you were going through rough times, you could always think about going home and what you were going back to," Decosta said. "We could always talk about home with each other," Little-Parks said. "Because we all knew what each other was talking about," Mendes added.
The group met en route to the base, and found about 20 others who were from the Boston and Cape Cod area. After arriving, trainees were split into platoons of 62, and Mendes, Little-Parks and Decosta were placed on the same team.
"This was the first time you were separated from everything you knew," Decosta said. "You really had to rely on the people you were with to go through the challenges and problem solving."
The recruits endured 13 weeks of training, divided into three phases to emphasize both physical and mental training. The final test was the Crucible, a 54-hour, 42-mile course with 29 problem-solving exercises. All three cited the Crucible as the most difficult part of the three months.
"The physical stuff is hard, but you have to be mentally strong to push through the miles," Decosta said. "Its getting used to the Marine Corps way of not getting to do what you want, when you want."
Mendes agreed that the emotional aspect outweighed the cardiovascular demands, but noted that teamwork was necessary to finish the course. "The challenges they give you are impossible to do by yourself. They teach you not to worry about yourself, but worry about the guys next to you," Mendes said, looking to his friends on his side.
"We are all a band of brothers," Decosta said. "The men on your left and right are what your life is riding on in combat."
At the conclusion of the course, the trainees were whisked to the Eagle, Globe and Anchor ceremony where they were recognized as Marines.
"You are filled with an overwhelming sense of pride when you get to salute the flag for the first time," Mendes said. "After going through what we went through, it's great to know you are part of the Marine family and each member has your back."
Linda Morin, 41, Mendes' mother, said she and her son had discussed the possibility of working up to officer standing later in his career.
"He told me privates are just as important as officers and no matter what he does he is going to be important," she said. "He really takes to heart that he is one of the few and one of the best."
This week, the men returned to the Cape, visiting friends, attending social events and cruising their old neighborhoods in uniform. Little-Parks described the first time they put on their deltas, a tan shirt with blue trousers and a white cap, for a baseball game at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School.
"We posted the colors in the middle of the field for people to salute," he said. "It felt good to bring out the state and U.S. flags with two other retired Marines."
The next stage of training will focus on automatic weapons, grenades and intense combat. In the fall, Little-Parks plans on continuing his education at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, in criminal justice. Mendes and Decosta also plan on studying criminal justice.
They will return for combat training in Jacksonville, N.C., on Monday. They answered "yes ma'am" in unison when asked whether they wanted to fight overseas. They could be sent abroad three months after training is complete.
The group chuckled and glanced at one another before stating why they joined the Marines. "They are the first to go and the last to leave," Decosta said. "It is taking pride in anything you do," added Little-Parks."No matter how small or how big," concluded Mendes.
Ellie