Quote Originally Posted by RockSteady85 View Post
I read all of these replies to what happened to me on PI and I am really so touched! Seriously more than half of my letters that I got on the Island were from you all here on Leatherneck, and I could not say how much I appreciate it because it would never equal to how I really feel. You all really kept me going when things looked down and bleak, and that means a lot, esp. on that Island! I just got back literally an hour ago. I had my bus drop me in midtown Manhattan so I could get some quality time with NYC with my boot camp buddy, Santos. I have so much to tell all of you! I had to jump on here and let you know that I am back Like I said, I have so much to say, but I don't want to make people gouge their eyes out, so ask away if you have any questions at all.

I am actually really sad and depressed I left the Island - the most obvious reason being that I did not leave as a Marine. But I intend to alter that sometime in the near future (at least 6 months down the road, since I am home COG, not PEB...they give out PEB very scarcely now, due to some big incident that happened in FRP...more on that later...). I fought like all hell to stay, 4 times total, finally taking it to the Regimental Commander, Col. Solgere, and even having him say no just because of some other chick having kind of the same situation happen. Both my sports med doc and my ortho doc thought it was unfair to judge how I would do based upon the experience of someone else. I was going to go to FRP, then I was staying in FRSP...then I was going to FRP...ooooh, nope, sorry, still FRSP. But, over that whole time on the Island, I have never made so many close friends in my entire life, honestly. To prove this, I remember leaving for PI with only 33 addresses in my addy book; now, I have nearly 90 addresses from people all over the country, including some male recruits (save it! LOL) and even some DIs who must have thought I was fantastic for some odd reason or another. I had my 24 hour bus ride back from PI with the 7 other girls and 8 guys who were getting discharged and I honestly never had such a good time in my life on a road trip and I bonded with all them crazy people. They are my family. I already have plans to hang out with so many of them, and one other recruit and I are getting an apartment here in NJ and will be roomies. Parris Island, as much as people love to knock it, is also a beautiful place for less than blatantly obvious reasons. I WILL go back as a recruit, and MAKE it next time. Having the family I met there behind me already (and some whom plan to head back with me), and probably a whole new family to meet there whenever I hopefully can go, is such a motivator, it really is. To all those poolees out there reading this - don't be afraid of what Parris Island is going to do to you...embrace what it is going to do for you.

GoodAfternoon Recruit :P
My name was RCT Raggady Ann at Parris Island lol but my real name is Angela Blessard. I shipped to the island Jan. 3 and came home one month later-also without the title I went for.
I was in the DEP for a year. At first I sucked at all the PT and knowledge and was quit the terrible poolee and really didnt know what i was getting myself into. My recruiter was so convinced that I had the heart to do this Marine thing, he convienced the rest of the RSS and me!

Anyway about halfway through my DEP time, my recruiter was transferred to another state. This was when I experienced my first tast of the USMC brother/sister-hood they all talk about. So here I was 6 months in..improving a LOT..and my recruiter is gone. Another recruiter Sgt.Sawyers and my SNCO Gunney Lewis stepped up to the plate and took me under their wings. I went for a couple months with no official "recruiter" but during this time I feel like I was lucky enought to taste a bit of the commrodory of the USMC. Sgt. Sawyers drove 2+ hours every other weekend to come PT with me in my home town and called, texted, did all that great stuff to keep me motivated. He really went above and beyond, going out of his way to help me. It was so awsome and knowing that these guys had no obligation to me but still showed me dedication...it made me "dig deep" and I really went for it. I also went to college while waiting for my ship date to come.

My SNCO called me all the time to see how things were going since I was so far away and couldnt meet with my RSS every week like I had been. Gunney Lewis became my friend as well as my RSS commanding officer. When times got tough or the stress of college and training began wearing me down, I would call him and he would always reassure me things were gonna work out. He pushed me and helped me find strength within me that I would have never known I had. My new recruiter came along and this and that. He was pretty cool but we didnt connect too well. He was a grunt marine and if you dont know any grunts...you wouldnt understand lol ! They are a breed of their own, even in the Marine Corp they are>.over the top.< But by the time I shipped we had also become pretty tight and he helped me by just giving me that extra push, sending me off to Parris Island ready to KiLl em!

Long story short. I made it to TD 11 and was sent to FRSP. I was discharged and it broke my heart. FRSP was a ****ty place to be as well, i felt like I was in an insane asylum everymorning, afternoon and evening. I missed Training and remember pressing my face against the windows in FRSP just staring at my platoon (4009) as they marched by and I could see them getting better day be day. I was so ****ed and bitter throughout the majority of my stay in FRSP which made it a HORRIFIC experience. Thank God Feb. is the month that all the important people come to the island to honor the female Marines so FRSP was mostly sent home, making my stay in FRSP only 12 days instead of the estimated 14-21 days! Your right about making good friends in FRSP though. The kids I meet and I have started a Facebook Group for RSP/FRSP and we still talk almost daily.

The point Im trying to make is, eventhought I didnt make it to become a Marine I am grateful for my experience in the DEP and my time on the Island. Marines are amazing people and they have my utmost respect so for all you out there...thnx guys and gals...