Does anyone with experience in the Marine Corps have any idea what they're talking about here? The reporter's training seems mild compared to say Full Metal Jacket. I know that's Hollywood, after all, but it's the only impression the average person has of what Marine Corps basic training is like
Marine Corps DI's must operate under very strict rules as to what they can and cannot do to the boots. My recollection of those rules is faulty at best, however from reading the article it appears that there may have been some slight technical violations of the rules.
On a personal note, I too attempeted to become a graduate of the University of Science, Music and Culture, Graduate division, almost 30 years ago, got knocked out on a physical problem. In my platoon was an enlisted man who was in the OCS program with us. In the one brief conversation I had with him before I moved on he told ne that the DI's would be on him like flies on poop because of his EM status.
I suspect that something similar was at work here, after all it is the DI's job to weed out the weak recruits and here you have a recruit that is about 5 years over the age limit. And a reporter to boot :-)
Maybe we can get some more info from some current active duty Marines.
Also there was a book that came aout a couple of years ago where a reporter followed a platoon through boot camp, alas the name escapes me. If I find it I will post back to you.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Ah, found it, all hail google, eh.
Making the Corps by Thomas E. Ricks
If you can get a copy of it you will get a pretty good insight on how the Corps trains its members. Mr. Ricks alternates between following the boots and what life was like where they came from and what life will be like after boot camp.
All in all a pretty good read.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
You are not allowed to swear at the recruits or touch them unless you are doing it for instructional purposes. But, although these look like violations of SOP, the fact that the author states he doesn't feel he was hazed or abused may lessen the blow for the offending DI's
To be honest with you, Army vs. Marine basic training is not that much different. They are both hell and even suffering thru alzheimers and your old age you will never, ever forget the name of your senior NCO........ SFC Miguel Negrone! The shortest, meanest Puerto Rican prick you will ever meet! LOL!
WHACK! Helmit liner upside my head for not marching in step.......... ROFLMAO!!!