As a retired U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class/Platoon Sergeant (same rank as the Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corp), I know what Basic Training/Boot Camp can be to a new wet behind the ear Private Recruit. The military tear the recruits down, along with all the other recruits, and then builds them up again. They will learn quickly that there are only three things you say to a Drill Sergeant/DI, "Yes Sir, No Sir, No Excuse Sir".
Getting up at O'Dark Hundred (Oh 5 hundred), and having only 5 minutes to fall out of the barracks and into formation in the Company Street, and starting a 4 mile run....boy that souns like a great way to start the day. Then back to the barracks to clean up, change into the uniform of the day, and report to the Mess Hall for breakfast, then back to the barracks to clean up the barracks to pass inspection before you fall backout into the Company Street for Morning Formation, where every recruit is accounted as being present and ready for duty, and open rack inspection of the uniform, then the company commander receives the report that all are present, otherwise it is two men missing and the response is who are they and where are they!
Then off in platoon formation double-timing to the first training of the day, they will be double-timing every where they go.....This is the schedule each and every day..... Back for the noon meal, then off to more training again, then back fro evening meal, then back to the barracks and lights out at 21 hundred when "Taps" are played. Same routine each day until everyone in the platoon, work in unison.
What on day one, was a bunch of young boys, wet behind the ears, after all the training and disapline,they will graduate as men serving their country, obey all lawful order of those appointed over them, and defending the Constitution of the United States of America from all Enemies, Foriegn and Domestic! From that day on, they will be soldiers/marines. For the rest of their lives in the Armed Forces of the United States, and later when they return to civilain life they remain soldiers/marines. They are due honors for their service to our Nation, for the remainer of their lives! For the rest of their lives they can say that they were/are/always will be a soldier/marine!
SFC/Platoon Sergeant Steven H. McGarthwaite (RA68044546)
U.S. Army, Retired, 1968-1995)
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