USNAviator
04-28-10, 08:08 PM
Marines
Recently came across a book published in 2006 re. an oral history of the D.I.'s. This may be old news to you but if not I wanted so share. The title is "The Few and the Proud" author, Larry Smith. Review below is from Amazon, I believe
Dan
"The Few and the Proud" focuses on drill instructors, past and present. It begins with members of the "Old Corps" from the WWII period, and moves up through the Korea and Vietnam eras to current Marines. Legends such as "Iron Mike" Mervosh are profiled, along with the infamous SSgt. McKeon, who instigated the so-called "Ribbon Creek" incident that almost destroyed the Corps. It's fascinating to compare the older men and women with their younger counterparts. But regardless of era, these Marines had a profound impact on their recruits, and are never forgotten by them. There are also sections featuring black and female Marines, in order to highlight the barriers that they had to conquer.
The changes in boot camp training over the years were also discussed. For example, I was surprised to see that the Phase stages and range flags were done away with for a period of time. I'm glad they were reinstated (especially since I have fond memories of doing my part for our platoon's range flag). Finally, it was cool to see the career path of Marines who entered the Corps around the same time I did. They never left, and are now Sergeants Major or officers (on a side note, it was also interesting to get more information about the operational role of a Sergeant Major).
I had my struggles with some aspects of the Marine Corps, and it certainly had issues with me. But besides the Church, the Corps is the greatest earthly thing I've had the privilege to be a part of. Indeed, if the present-day Marines profiled in this book are any indication, it's in better shape than ever before. I'm thankful for the good memories that "The Few and the Proud" brought back. Semper Fi!"
Recently came across a book published in 2006 re. an oral history of the D.I.'s. This may be old news to you but if not I wanted so share. The title is "The Few and the Proud" author, Larry Smith. Review below is from Amazon, I believe
Dan
"The Few and the Proud" focuses on drill instructors, past and present. It begins with members of the "Old Corps" from the WWII period, and moves up through the Korea and Vietnam eras to current Marines. Legends such as "Iron Mike" Mervosh are profiled, along with the infamous SSgt. McKeon, who instigated the so-called "Ribbon Creek" incident that almost destroyed the Corps. It's fascinating to compare the older men and women with their younger counterparts. But regardless of era, these Marines had a profound impact on their recruits, and are never forgotten by them. There are also sections featuring black and female Marines, in order to highlight the barriers that they had to conquer.
The changes in boot camp training over the years were also discussed. For example, I was surprised to see that the Phase stages and range flags were done away with for a period of time. I'm glad they were reinstated (especially since I have fond memories of doing my part for our platoon's range flag). Finally, it was cool to see the career path of Marines who entered the Corps around the same time I did. They never left, and are now Sergeants Major or officers (on a side note, it was also interesting to get more information about the operational role of a Sergeant Major).
I had my struggles with some aspects of the Marine Corps, and it certainly had issues with me. But besides the Church, the Corps is the greatest earthly thing I've had the privilege to be a part of. Indeed, if the present-day Marines profiled in this book are any indication, it's in better shape than ever before. I'm thankful for the good memories that "The Few and the Proud" brought back. Semper Fi!"