Parris Island Instructors Mold Recruits Into Marines (SEMPER FI)

American Forces Press Service ^ | Nov. 8, 2004 | Gerry J. Gilmore

[Dubya]

Drill Instructor Walquiria Tamm asks recruits to recite their general orders Nov. 3 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. Tamm said some recruits arrive at Parris Island with a positive attitude. Others, she noted, require more work to instill a "passion and love for the Marine Corps." Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore

[ErnBatavia]

More than a few of my buddies had no memory of the first couple of days of Boot Camp....I, however, remember every damn second of the 'shock treatment' back in July of 1966.

[Max Combined]

I am working on getting my daughter to enlist in the Marines. I taped the show on the History Channel that follows a group of Marines as they go through basic training.

[kezekiel]

Our daughter married a Marine, which is the next best thing. We took him under our wing, and he voted for the first time this year. For his CIC, of course.

[Dubya]

Drill Instructor Staff Sgt. Matthew M. James encourages Marine Recruit Joseph D. Contois to do a better job of lining up footgear placed under barracks "racks," or bunk beds, Nov. 3 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. James is one of the 500 or so drill instructors that introduce about 18,000 recruits a year to their new lives at Parris Island. Recruits from west of the Mississippi River go to San Diego for boot camp; those who enlist east of the Mississippi go to Parris Island. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore

[Max Combined]

"Our daughter married a Marine"

One of my selling points to her is that there are more male Marines than females.

[gljones]

Tamm said she strives to show recruits "that being a Marine is not only about wearing a uniform, it's about beliefs (and) a way of life."

and one that never leaves ya....Praise the Lord!

[TomB]

James recalled that he'd asked the recruiter what the Marine Corps could do for him. The recruiter, he said, was taken aback, and then asked James what he could do for the Marine Corps.

Well, that explains how they separate out the Democrats...

[Vision]

[dansangel]

Becoming a successful Marine, James explained, requires "a deep sense of pride in what you're doing" and "in just being a Marine."

May God Bless all of our Military Members and their families abundantly for all that they selflessly sacrifice to ensure our freedom.

Thank you for a great article ((((((Dubya))))))

[Dubya]

PARRIS ISLAND

[Dubya]

Your welcome. All of Troops are great. Thanks for your prayers.

[Rockiesrider]

As a Hollywood Marine, I remember polishing my sunglasses daily. Was it the same in P.I.? Our motto was 194 years of tradition, unhampered by not once ounce of progress. Relax its a joke only Marines are allowed to joke about the Corps...got it!

[Rockiesrider]

Oh yes I almost forgot...Happy Birthday brothers, Semper Fi.

[fatrat]

happy birthday, USMC. Semper Fi.
Parris Island is right next to Beaufort, SC. Beaufort is a beautiful town with large sprawling oaks and the Beaufort river which joins the atlantic just a couple of miles to the south. I spent the last 3 years of my Navy career there at Naval Hospital, Beaufort. This hospital is there to support the marine corps recruit depot at Parris Island and the Marine Corps Air Station just North of Beaufort.
I had a good friend there who was a retired marine corps "mustang officer". He had served 3 tours as a drill instructor, very tough duty and he was tough as nails. I watched him fight a nest of bumble bees once and it was amazing. the more they stung him, the madder he got and the more he kicked their nest. a group of us finally went and grabbed him and drug him away from the nest as we were afraid he was going to get stung to death. He had huge knots on his head for several days afterwards. as tough as he was , he was also very compassionate. he was always the first to identify and help anyone in need.
Although the town of Beaufort is beautiful, it is a horrible place to undergo boot camp. they have 6 different species of gnats "sand fleas" there that hatch in the salt water marshes. these grats are so small that they can go thru the average window screen but they have huge mouths and their bite stings much worse than a mosquito and leaves a welt. about the time one species dies out, another hatches and so just about anytime you go outside these little rascals will be up your nose and in your eyes and ears and will make your life miserable. the most effective means for fighting them is with a lotion like Skin So Soft. It doesn't repel them but it does gum up their jaws so they can't bite. It has to be very tough to stand on the drill field at attention or parade rest for long periods and not be allowed to swat at these things that are biting the hell out of you.

[Malleus Dei]

Semper Fi. Watch out for those @#$%^&* sand fleas.

[squirt]

Look at those mattresses, this must be Pleasure Island not the real BOOT CAMP.

[Dubya]

"The Passing of Colors"

Powerful picture.

Turn up you sound.

[dansangel]

*Very* moving, very beautiful.

Thank you for sharing.

[opbuzz]

When I was a kid around 1960, living on Camp Pendleton, one of my Dad's buddies was a guy named Rocky Acosta.

I know your callsign has nothing to do with that, but dammit, THE birthday is around the corner and I remember all Marines, young and old.

Semper Fidelis

OAMAAM