How We Make Marines(Great Read!)

parade,com ^ | June 4, 2006 Issue | Larry Smith

[kellynla]

How does the Marine Corps take 17-year-old civilians and, in 13 short weeks, transform them into Marines? How do they motivate these young men and women to become members of a group that needs to function at the highest level under enormous stress? PARADE Contributing Editor Larry Smith spent two years researching his new book, “The Few and the Proud: Marine Corps Drill Instructors in Their Own Words.” He discovered that drill instructors are the key to making a Marine—and that there are lessons all of us can learn from them.

They arrive by bus, usually after dark, when they are more likely to be disoriented. A drill instructor wearing a “Smokey” hat comes in yelling that he will give them only seconds to get off “his” bus and line up on the yellow footprints painted on the street outside or face unmentionable peril.

Thus begins what many former Marines call the most difficult period of their lives. “In the beginning, we cried,” recalls Staff Sgt. Christine Henning, 29. “We didn’t know what they were saying. We didn’t know what they wanted us to do.”

They have joined the Marine Corps for different reasons. “I’d say that half come to escape from something,” notes Sergeant Henning, who eventually became a D.I.—drill instructor—herself. “It may be family, limited prospects, a small town, no jobs, drugs, alcohol, abuse. They want to fix things in their lives. Some just come for education. Some come for travel.”

[kellynla]

"The few, the proud!"

Semper Fi, Kelly

[kellynla]

ping

[Leatherneck_MT]

I joined because of a Movie I had watched as a youngster. Iwo Jima, John Wayne was to me, the quintessential Marine Corps SGT.

But then I met my Drill Instructors (still can't call them DI's lol) and I realized the Duke was a wimp in comparison.

Semper Fi

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

this sounds like an interesting read!

[Coop]

DEFEAT EX-MARINE JACK MURTHA!

[Coop]

Ping

[Lurker]

You got that right, bro.

My Drill Instructors would have disassembled the Duke and rebuilt him from the ground up.

That being said, one of the best memories of Basic I have is the evening we were allowed to watch "Sands of Iwo Jima".

Semper Fi.

L

[PISANO]

GREAT ARTICLE a MUST READ!!!

It’s learning to be part of something larger than yourself.”

That is why the US MILITARY stands out from the rest of society!!!

[Coop]

Oops. Sincere apologies to my ping list. Although it's related, this isn't an Irey/Murtha article.

[stylin19a]

I joined because...oh wait...I got drafted !
I still can't believe the Marines wanted a guy who was 5 foot nothin and weighed a hundred and nothin.

[NYleatherneck]

One of my best memories is recreating Mt. Suribachi in the squad bay. the contents of every footlocker in the squad bay, arranged in one large pile, and a bunch of recruits hoisting the platoon guidon on top.

[StarCMC]

He he he -- still an excellent read! LOL

[Cobra64]

PING to you and Josh who may enjoy this article. My point about the military is learning self respect, discipline, determiniation, motivation, and respect for others. I have yet to meet a current or retired military man or woman whom did not exhibit these traits. I mentioned some of these military guys and gals when you visited us last week.

GO NAVY!

Cheers

[kellynla]

Lee Marvin, a favorite actor of mine, was a PH decorated Marine; who is buried at Arlinton where I plan to be buried also.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[bannie]

There is NOTHING like a Marine!

(And I'm an Army veteran.)

[Cobra64]

DEFEAT EX-MARINE JACK MURTHA!

I'm surprised the bastard hasn't had a necessary visit to the hospital.

[milford421]

I disagree. How can the finest be made in 13 weeks? Many contributing factors to the finesse to be sure, but these exceptional soldiers possess exceptional qualities.

Risking life and limb for strangers. Demonstrating extraordinary courage and will. Fighting the basic human instinct to preserve ones own life in order to save another.

Something they're born with.

[fso301]

I still can't believe the Marines wanted a guy who was 5 foot nothin and weighed a hundred and nothin.

It's not sword fighting. A small target profile equals higher probability of survival.

[Lurker]

Another one of mine is the sand flea we buried with full military honors including a 21 gun salute with empty weapons. The coffin was a match box, the bugle was an empty fist, and the 'flag' draping the 'coffin' was a square of toilet paper.

I can't even remember the guy who slapped the damned thing, but boy were we ever mad at him.

L

[Coop]

One of my best memories is recreating Mt. Suribachi in the squad bay. the contents of every footlocker in the squad bay, arranged in one large pile, and a bunch of recruits hoisting the platoon guidon on top.

Ahhhh, yes, a little game of Iwo Jima. Fun, but kinda tough on the personal gear inventory. And it sucked if it was your canteen or cover (hat) the guidon pierced! :-)