Marines

Stories

Archive: 2006

DIs prepare poolees for boot camp

Poolees and their families from Marine Corps Recruiting Substations Saginaw and Flint recently received a sample of recruit training from two of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego’s legendary drill instructors. “(Family Night) was great,” said Markevin Wilson, poolee. “One important thing that I wanted to get out of this is my mom to understand

OCS Prep weekend reduces the initial shock of drill instructors

One-hundred eighty-six of the Marine Corps’ future leaders left their protected collegiate lifestyles for a three-day, sleep-deprived, physically-exhausting introduction to the Marine Corps. The candidates arrived at Fort McCoy, Wis.— their commitment to the Corps still untested—dressed in business-casual civilian attire. Their large suitcases, of

San Diego Marine Band assists in recruiting

St. Louis was alive with the sound of music as Marine Band San Diego toured high schools and concert venues April 24 – 27. According to Gunnery Sgt. William R. Howe, music programs coordinator, 9th Marine Corps District, the 50-member band was happy to leave their usual schedule at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to work closely with high

Hockey bootcamp scores teamwork, camaraderie

The Marines of Recruiting Substation Dupage South in Chicago’s western suburbs bring “hockey bootcamp” to the Thursday off-ice practices of the Naperville North junior varsity hockey team. Nicknamed “hockey bootcamp” by the parents who observe the practices, the training session integrates Marine-style training and motivation with hockey-specific

Bootcamp preparation is paramount

Few things are as frustrating on recruiting duty as a feeling that one has wasted time and energy. A recruiter’s demanding schedule usually means that their liberty must be as managed and calculated as their prospecting activities are in thier Scheduling and Results Book. In the recruiting world time is currency and it cannot be squandered

Strong relationships with high schools equals success

Even though the shipping mission is generally more important than the contract mission, almost any Marine Corps recruiting expert would agree a strong HS/CC Program is paramount, he said. “If you completely pulled out of your high school programs you may not see the effects right away,” Allen said. “But in six months or less you’ll be hurting for

Recruiting duty hones social skills

Many consider recruiting duty the most challenging assignment in the Marine Corps. However, with this difficult duty come many rewarding experiences and new skills that benefit Marines for the rest of their lives. According to Gunnery Sgt. William Yables, military justice chief, Joint Legal Center, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station

What not to bring to bootcamp

During processing, the deck of the receiving barracks at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is littered with a variety of personal items recruits should not bring to recruit training. “Just about everything you could think of, I’ve seen come through the yellow footprints,” said Gunnery Sgt. Timothy G. Walker, chief drill instructor for night

District recruiting reaches new highs

Intimidation is defined as being frightened into submission; inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another where all spirit is broken and courage is lost. Standing in front of a 30-foot high, plywood and steel beam monster, with “rock like” texture, most men would be intimidated. But Marines learn to adapt and overcome in every climb and

Reserve recruiting's tide aids recruiting effort

It’s been said that, “Good things come to those who wait.” While that maxim may hold true with many things, Reserve contracting and shipping is not one of them. Conventional wisdom at 9th Marine Corps District holds that Reserve contracting and shipping are best emphasized early in the fiscal year. In order to avoid end-of-the-fiscal year crunches