Veteran's Voice Visits MMDRC San Diego

Veteran’s Voice Visits MMDRC San Diego

By Clairice Still

Recently, Marnie Mowles (who volunteers and honors veterans for us) and I were favored with an invitation to visit the USMC Recruiting Depot in San Diego, CA to take part in their Educator’s Workshop.   This week long program is designed to, "educate the educators" about the Marine Corp and  dispel misguided images of recruiters being predators on campus.  It also introduces educators, counselors and others who work with young adults to the life of a recruit, and just what it means to become a Marine. You soon find out it means a whole lot, and it ain’t for sissies either!

On the first morning, as we lined up in formation, we were given the option of chickening out, or getting the full induction treatment, yellow footprints, yelling and all. Everyone was a good sport and went for the recruiting special.

We boarded the bus and our DI explained that recruits are brought in from the airport when it is dark, and are told to put their head down and be silent as they go to their destination. Then, upon arrival at the depot they are ordered to, "GET OFF MY BUS" and onto the famous yellow footprints with heels together and feet set at a 45 degree angle…and so the transformation begins for the recruits, as it did for the educators, with this event etched in their memory. The recruits go from boys to  Marines, the educators, from skeptics to believers.

After our frantic introduction to the yellow footprints there was a Q & A session with General Salinas, a petite Marine,with a quick wit , who fielded questions on the many benefits of being a Marine. She shared her own story of how joining the Marines had changed her life and given her a purpose and direction that she lacked in her youth. She emphasized the common goals of educators and the Marine Corps: that of turning young men and women into capable, responsible citizens who have confidence in their own ability; equipped with the skills and discipline needed to work as a team and be productive members of society.

Over the next few days we were given a full tour of the depot and visited Camp Pendleton. We got a glimpse of all the challenges the recruits are faced with over their 12 weeks in boot camp, from the obstacle course to the swimming pool and rifle range. We saw firsthand just what causes a teenager who is not aware of where his waist is, and what a belt is for, to become a young man, whose own parents have a hard time recognizing him.

The most convincing testimony came from the recruits themselves. To hear these young men tell their stories of how they made the choice to join, how much it meant to them and how good they felt about what they were accomplishing was very inspiring. For many, being a Marine includes going to college, although instead of debt when they left the service, they have life experience, which is of great value in the real world.

We were given the opportunity to sit down to lunch with a recruit, Justin R. Robinette, from Circle, Montana, who was 3 weeks away from graduation. We were the first outside contact that he had since entering. He was clearly enjoying the meal, and the change of pace we represented. When we asked him why he’d joined the Marines, we weren’t the least bit surprised to hear the 2 fold explanation: to get out of Montana, and to "one up" his brother who had been in the Navy. He said he didn’t think boot camp was as bad as he had expected, but he was looking forward to going home on leave!

Another young man I interviewed and shared a meal with was C.C. Mantooth, of TX. He was 25, and had a wonderful demeanor about him. He decided to join because his girlfriend did. She was at Parris Island boot camp for women, and they planned to meet up when they were on leave. He had the option of going to college, but after thinking it over decided the Marines would be the best choice. He wanted the opportunity to travel that he wouldn’t have otherwise. He had been raised by his grandparents, and they were proud of him. It was clearly evident that he was happy with his choice and gratified to soon be wearing the title of Marine.

I felt such pride watching these young men and women, as did the teachers. To see the obvious pride they were developing as a result of persevering and overcoming the obstacles of boot camp. They were earning something that they will take with them throughout their life- self-respect. The knowledge that they can overcome and handle whatever life throws their way. After all, they made it through the Crucible…

I watched as it dawned on  many of the teachers that the Marine Corp may be an excellent option for some. I asked Adam Smith, a youth group leader from Jordan, Utah what affect the workshop had on him. He said before, he wouldn’t have considered military service favorably at all because of his political views, but that now he wouldn’t discourage anyone who was thinking of joining. Stephanie Trebesch, a teacher from Washington, said she had always thought of Marines as being sort of "Neanderthal like," and she was surprised to find that they were intelligent and well spoken. Another said that she was a "bleeding heart liberal," but that she had changed her mind about the military service and its value. Many said if they were younger, they’d join!

If you know of any teachers or counselors who you think would benefit from the Educator’s Workshop, contact your local recruiter for more information. It is an eye-opening experience that I highly recommend for any who may question the worth of military service

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Clarice Still is Editor of Veterans Voice, "THE VETERANS’ VOICE" is an independent, grassroots publication founded in 1998 as a quarterly publication dedicated to all Veterans past and present. Since that time they have grown.  They are now a monthly newspaper distributed nationally to VA facilities, outpatient clinics, Vet centers,VSO’s, elected officials and individual subscribers.   Please visit their web site at http://www.theveteransvoice.com

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