Boot Camp

[pumpkin]

Tapping into the collective wisdom of so many Board members who are Veterans:

I have a young friend (19 yrs old) who is beginning boot camp at Parris Island. Fractured home life means she will not be receiving much support from family. I have already written two letters, with upbeat and encouraging words. I thought I would ask this group: when you were in basic training, what do you wish someone would have said to you in a letter?

[seaside]

Jun 18, 2021 4:33:33 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Tapping into the collective wisdom of so many Board members who are Veterans:

I have a young friend (19 yrs old) who is beginning boot camp at Parris Island. Fractured home life means she will not be receiving much support from family. I have already written two letters, with upbeat and encouraging words. I thought I would ask this group: when you were in basic training, what do you wish someone would have said to you in a letter?

When my father joined the Marines, it was because he’d flunked out of Boston College and was afraid to go home and face his stepfather. He never quite satisfied his parents’ expectations and felt like a failure. His time at Parris Island changed his life AND his self-esteem for the better. I’m not sure there are any magic words to buoy a young person in that situation but just knowing someone stands behind them and is rooting for them would probably mean the world. I know in my Dad’s case, the Marine Corps filled that void. But it could never hurt to know that someone on the outside is cheering them on!

[icemaster]

I am going to give you WAY more info than you asked.

As someone who went to basic training in the Army at the age of 17, here are some things that really helped me make it through and some things I wish would have occurred:

1) Letters - Many and OFTEN!  When you are in Boot Camp, you are literally disconnected from the outside world.  Any letters are welcomed.  I’m not sure if they still do this but there was a time when you were in boot camp where the drill sergeant at the end of the day would distribute mail.  You don’t know how POWERFUL it is to hear your name called.    It doesn’t matter if it is a one sentence letter, those connection to the outside world matter.

2) Life back home letters - words of encouragement are great but letters talking about LIFE back home are AWESOME.   Anything from a next door neighborhood getting a new pet or a family friend finishing refurbishing her car, knowing you are connected is great.

3) Care packages, care packages, care packages.  Did I mention care packages?   Pictures.  Treats.  Little tidbits.   Typically you are not going to be able to keep those things in boot camp but they usually will let you share food with your fellow marines.   Again, when you are being fed food from a mess hall, those home made chocolate chips are like winning the lottery.

I know I didn’t focus a lot on content but when you are in boot camp, you truly feel like you’re in a different world and any connection to the outside world makes the time go by faster.

[redsox1]

Great advice from all. Every one is different and has a different story as to how they ended up in the military. Having been at PI, many years ago, I would recommend telling your friend to keep her eye on the prize that when she gets through this she will be a Marine for life and no one can ever take that from her.


BTW - if you need inspiration for motivation letters, I recommend you google General Kelly Speech. Yes that Gen Kelly but the speech really nails why people join the military and is very USMC heavy.
SF

[recoveringalj]

Having been on that island and in a similar position at 18, I can second the suggestion to send letters (and find others willing to write as well). Care packages not so much—the marines didn’t let you eat anything that came via mail and any such “treats” actually were…let’s just say counterproductive. Things could have changed but I would ask her first.

If her family life is as unstable as you say, the military is a great chance to change the trajectory of her life if she can stick it out. Semper Fi.

[superalj]

I hated getting letters at PISC. My drill instructor and I shared the same given name so when someone wrote my first name instead of Recruit … he would go baths..t crazy. He would take me out to the sand pit for PT until I dry heaved or was about to pass out. My DIs “logic” was that I was too lowly to rate the same first name as him. Looking back, it toughened me up and made me an even better Marine (0311 after boot camp).

But times have changed LOL. Just write a positive letter once or twice a month telling how proud you are and that should suffice. No care packages and NO first name on the envelope!

Oh, Marines go through “boot camp” -basic training is for those other branches and doesn’t “rate” to be called bootcamp. Lol

[Ace Midnight]

You are so right. Marines are absolutely awesome. Just ask them.

And, as a gentle reminder - the USMC makes headlines. The US Army makes history.

[pumpkin]

Thanks all for the suggestions. We were specifically instructed “no care packages” during boot camp - so I guess the homemade chocolate chip cookies will have to wait until her first assignment. 🍪. I really like the suggestion to remind her that once she makes it through she is a Marine for life and no one can ever take that away from her. I am absolutely stealing that and putting it in the next letter.

[ba]

Jun 19, 2021 7:07:47 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Thanks all for the suggestions. We were specifically instructed “no care packages” during boot camp - so I guess the homemade chocolate chip cookies will have to wait until her first assignment. 🍪. I really like the suggestion to remind her that once she makes it through she is a Marine for life and no one can ever take that away from her. I am absolutely stealing that and putting it in the next letter.

If you made them and need to offload them, feel free to send them to me.

[hopefalj]

You don’t send marines cookies. You send them a Crayola 64 pack if you want to give them treats.

[Pixie]

Jun 19, 2021 14:44:45 GMT -5 hopefalj said:

You don’t send marines cookies. You send them a Crayola 64 pack if you want to give them treats.

Man, that's low! As former Army, I have an idea of what Marines go through, both in boot camp and in the real world, but only an idea. The thought of having to sleep in a tent, or worse yet, on the ground out in the open, is simply appalling to me. I mean, where do they get the hot water for their showers? For me, camping out means a Holiday Inn Express. That's as close to the dirt as I want to be. Plus, I can pack my Crayolas in one of my suitcases. Pixie

[pumpkin]

Thank you for all of your suggestions and input. I am happy to report that I received my first letter from the Marine Recruit today. In closing, she stated, “I really did love the letter you sent and I won’t mind receiving more.” She stated things were, “going good so far” but it has been “new and surprising being here.”

No mention of crayons. 🖍

[recoveringalj]

Man…the service rivalry here is strong. Don’t pay those Army guys any mind…they’re just jealous of the Marine dress blues. Care packages…smh

[Pixie]

Marines have the best looking dress uniform ever. Pixie

[pumpkin]

I spent a year TDY’d to HQ in DC and lived in NW. I walked to/from work. The first time I saw members of the military in the very formal evening dress uniforms my jaw dropped. I would see them from time to time, Army and Marines, and it was something to behold. Very impressive.

[Pixie]

Jun 20, 2021 15:18:11 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

I spent a year TDY’d to HQ in DC and lived in NW. I walked to/from work. The first time I saw members of the military in the very formal evening dress uniforms my jaw dropped. I would see them from time to time, Army and Marines, and it was something to behold. Very impressive.

The evening formal attire (mess dress) is significantly different from the Marine dress uniform (informal), which I mentioned above and are pictured below.

The Marine on the left is a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) and the Marine on the right is a First Sergeant (E-8). These uniforms are referred to as the Marine Corps dress uniform, but would not be suitable for formal occasions at night. That would require what you saw while you were in DC. There are different formal uniforms, depending on the level of formality of the occasion. If I remember correctly, the Navy has more levels of formality, and more formal uniforms, than the other branches.

The formal uniforms are purchased by the officer or the NCO, and are not supplied by the service. I can't imagine an enlisted man or woman would ever purchase or even have need of one of the formal mess dress uniforms. Those events would be way above their pay grade. Pixie

[pumpkin]

Those ARE very nice formal uniforms.

What I saw were short jackets that ended at the waist. Many had lots of gold embroidery on the sleeves and gold “cords” around the right arm/shoulder. I googled “mess dress” uniforms - exactly what I used to see.

Once again, Pixie, you are correct! 😀

[Pixie]

Sort of something like this, I would expect. This is the lowest level of formal wear for Army Officers. Naval Officers go way beyond this.

[barkley]

Air Force mess dress is much more subdued.

[seaside]

Jun 18, 2021 20:35:38 GMT -5 Ace Midnight said:

You are so right. Marines are absolutely awesome. Just ask them.

And, as a gentle reminder - the USMC makes headlines. The US Army makes history.

Wow.