Back in 91, on my way down to take the ASVAB, I asked my recruiter about the Marines and how "elite" they are compared to the Rangers. He said "well, we don't brainwash our recruits". I replied "Brainwash? What do you mean?" He said "Yes. You get out of Marine boot camp and you'll do anything they tell you to do. Anything.".
Your recruiter was and most likely still is an idiot.
The recruiter is the last Marine NCO you want to ask a question.
As he's a little older than I am, I've always wondered how a little glorp like Shields got into - much less survived - the old Old Corps.
The difference is that Marines are Americans trained by Americans - you can take Marines out of America, but you can never take America out of Marines.
Add in the fact that the Corps cleanses you of fear and weakness (what bootcamp is all about)..... something you'll never get out of those raised under the Thief of Baghdad.
Slaves make lousy soldiers.