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thedrifter
05-23-03, 08:28 PM
1. Get used to not having control over your life. You are at the complete whim of the Drill Instructors and you must do what they say.

2. During your free time at the end of the day, you will be told to place your cammies for the next day on your footlocker. Feed your belt through the loops then. This will save time when you get dressed in the morning.

3. After lacing the boots, tie the tips of each lace in a knot. This way, they will not get unlaced when you untie them in a hurry.

4. When you didn’t hear what the Drill Instructor said, ask them "Sir (Ma'am)

5. Please remember that no one is out to get you. Everything is for a purpose. It might be just to get you stronger.

6. Don’t try to contact other recruits you come into contact with, especially the opposite sex. Too much trouble to be worth it.

7. The platoon scribe is the Drill Instructors secretary. Find out who the platoon scribe is. He has the daily schedule and can tell you what is coming up in the next couple of days.

8. Do not have anybody send you porn, food, tobacco, etc. You will open all mail in front of the Drill Instructors. Anything found will be taking immediately and you will be punished for it.

9. Eat everything you can. You WILL feel sick after word, and sometimes will bring it up, but you will get used to it.

10. And eat quickly. I once had the amount of time that it took my Drill Instructor to drink his glass of water to eat. Boot camp is non-stop activity and you will need every calorie you can get.

11. Never take anything from the chow hall. Remember Full Medal Jacket? It’s for real, only worse.

12. Don’t eat heavy foods (cream beef, milk, etc) on mornings you PT. It sits heavy in your stomach and is more likely to make you sick while running.

13. Don’t take illness/injury too lightly. A little infection can become serious very quickly and will cause you to be dropped. At the same time, don’t ask to see a corpsman for chapped lips.

14. Men-shave every day, no matter if you need it or not.

15. Women-keep your hair very tight.

16. Study everything you can before going to boot camp. Know your general orders and rank structure as a minimum.

17. Get down in the best shape you can. Everyone struggles eventually. But if you are ok physically, you can concentrate on other areas you need help in.

18. Lose all fears when you get off the bus in boot camp. Fear of heights, bugs, etc must become a thing of the past. They are now your best friends.

19. Never quit. The quickest way off the island is to graduate. If you quit, you will spend about 3 or 4 extra months on the base while paperwork is completed.

20. Go to church.

21. Drink lots of water. It is too easy to dehydrate. Always keep your canteens full.

22. Do not take anything said to you personally.\

23. Get used to not saying "I", "we", "us", "you", etc. You will be a nobody and you don’t deserve those words. Never refer to yourself or anyone else in the first person. You are now "This recruit" and all of you are "this platoon".

24. Leave a list of the following items with someone who can send them to you once you reach boot camp: flavored toothpaste, a good toothbrush, a real razor, good shaving cream, chapstick, decent deodorant,stamps, and stationary.

25. Unless you REALLY want them, do not bring any necklaces or jewelry. You are allowed religious jewelry and wedding rings, but they just get in the way and get broken. Best to leave them at home.

26. Don’t bring much money.

27. Don’t tie your boots too tight. Keeping it comfortably loose is easier on your feet. The key is too find out what is too tight and what is too loose.

28. Last, just remember that no matter what, it’s only 3 months. You will be in bed at 2000 (8 p.m.) every night (usually). Don’t count days, count Sundays. It seems to go faster. Soon you will graduate and will be one of us: The Few, The Proud, The Marines.


The Drifter

thedrifter
05-23-03, 08:53 PM
by Ron Kurtus



Marines do a better job

The Marines can mold ordinary young people into effective leaders. The Marines seem to be doing a better job of teaching teenagers the right way to live than does the average American high school.

The Marines give Americans youth the self-confidence needed to make decisions while under the stress of battle, police action, or other engagement. Our society seems to have trouble transmitting healthy values to young people.

Set absolute standards

The Marines set some absolute standards for their people to follow:

Tell the truth.
Don't give up.
Don't whine or make excuses.
Do your best, no matter how trivial the task.
Choose a difficult right over the easy wrong.
Look out for the group before you look out for yourself.
Judge others by their actions, not their words or their race.

Have a Fulfilling Life

Marine drill instructors transmitted the lesson taught centuries ago by an ancient Greek philosopher: "Don't pursue happiness; pursue excellence. Make a habit of that, and you can have a fulfilling life."

Another belief they instill is: "Knowledge is power. And power is victory! "

Being Pushed Hard

One thing the Marines do in basic training is to try to push the members harder than they've ever been pushed, and to make them go beyond their self-imposed limits.

Such experience during basic training creates a and esprit de corps or camaraderie among the platoon members. They subordinate their needs to those of the group, and all emerge with a stronger sense of self

The drill instructors tell their recruits, "Pain is good. Extreme pain is extremely good."

Emphasis

The Marines emphasized honor, courage and commitment. This is a powerful alternative to the looming this and distrust that seems so widespread among society. They also emphasize integrity.

Marine Corps discipline stresses brotherhood. It stresses that people of different backgrounds can learn to work together for a common cause.

The Marines approach to leadership is: "Concentrate on doing a single task is simply as you can, execute it flawlessly, take care of your people and go home." Those steps are an efficient way to run any organization.

Pursuit of Excellence

Young people want values but they are rightly suspicious of talk without action words are meaningless unless you live them, as well of all things that can motivate people. The pursuit of excellence is one of the most effective and one of the least used in our society.

The Marines believe that you can do anything if you have the right can-do attitude.

In conclusion
The training Marine's receive not only prepares recruits for battle, but it also shapes them into self-reliant, hard-working and honorable members of a team. These are traits that should have been learned while growing up, but for some reason they have never been emphasized in the educational process.



Be proud of what you stand for


http://www.school-for-champions.com/excellence/marines.htm



The Drifter

thedrifter
06-11-03, 10:00 PM
Q: What can and can't I send recruits in the mail?

A: According to the rules governing recruit training, the following items are considered to be "contraband" and are prohibited to be sent to recruits:

Weapons and ammunition, to include knives

Combustibles, including matches

Pornography

Gambling devices, to include playing cards and dice

Alcoholic Beverages

Drugs

Tobacco products

Athletic equipment

Cameras and radios

Civilian clothing

Electrical appliances (except irons)

Photographs larger than wallet size

Birth control devices

Because of the long list of contraband items, the drill instructors who issue the mail are constantly on the lookout for packages or bulky envelopes. These items are generally opened by the recruit in the presence of the DI and are checked for contraband. If food items are sent, the recruit may eat as much of it as he wishes and share it with other recruits during the daily hour of free time, but the remainder will be disposed of prior to the end of free time. The recruits hygienic needs are taken care of.

Q: How often do recruits get their mail delivered?

A: All mail is delivered to recruits daily except on Sundays and holidays.

Q: Can recruits receive e-mail?

A: No, there is not a system currently in place for recruits to receive e-mail.

Q: How much free time do recruits get each day?

A: Recruits receive one hour of uninterrupted free time in their barracks every evening and an additional four hours on Sunday mornings and holidays. The purpose of free time is to allow recruits time to read mail, to write letters and to take care of additional hygiene needs.

Q: How do I locate the address of a recruit currently in training at Parris Island?

A: Shortly after new recruits arrive at Parris Island (within 1-2 days at most), they will mail one post card stating they have arrived safely at Parris Island. On this card, recruits will write what their address will be while at recruit training. If you have not received this post card or any other correspondence from your recruit within 2 weeks (14 days) and you have checked with other friends and relatives that may have gotten his/her address, contact his/her recruiter, with the recruit's full name to help you locate his/her address.

Q: Are recruits allowed to make phone calls?

A: Recruits are permitted one phone call once they arrive at Parris Island. After that no official time is set aside for recruits to make or receive personal phone calls. Recruits will, of course, be allowed to make phone calls in the event of an emergency. It is not uncommon, however, for company commanders to allow the recruits to make at least one phone call during training.

Q: How can foreigners (non-United States citizens) join the Marine Corps?

A: Here is the criteria for an alien to join the U.S. Marine Corps:
They must have entered the U.S. on either:
a permanent residence visa;
or an Alien Registration Receipt Card (INS Form 1-551/I-551 green card or stamped I-94)

They must have established a bona fide residence in the United states, and

They must have established a home of record in the United States.

Once in the United States and once all of the criteria is met, interested men and women can go see a United States Marine Corps recruiter who can help them enlist in the Marines or call 1-800-MARINES.

The Drifter

thedrifter
06-11-03, 10:27 PM
Q: Can I get some info on MOS XXXX?
A:
Enlisted:

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineenjobs/blmarineenjobs.htm


Officer:

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineofficerjobs/blmarineofficerjobs.htm


The Drifter