Making The Corps Essay Research Paper MAKING

Making The Corps Essay, Research Paper

MAKING THE CORPS

As a Wall Street Journal Pentagon correspondent, Thomas E. Ricks is one of America’s elite military journalists. He has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and awarded a Society of Professional Journalists Award for his writings based on the Marines. Thomas E. Ricks lectures to military officers and was a member of Harvard University’s Senior Advisory Council on the project on U.S. Civil-Military Relations. As a Pentagon correspondent, he can access information where no other civilian can step foot—traveling with soldiers abroad, his eyes tell the tale of the life of a Marine.

On December of 1992, U.S. troops landed in Somalia. It was Thomas E. Ricks’ first deployment as a Pentagon Reporter. Opening the beginning chapter, he speaks of his first-hand experience he encountered while traveling with a squad from Alpha Company of the 1st battalion of the 7th Marines. Exceptionally qualified, his work on Making The Corps was cited by Thomas E. Ricks himself. Few events were videotaped, and some related by several participants and observers. Thoughts of Platoon 3086 and military documentations, such as “Recruit Incident Reports” and “Recruit Evaluation Cards”, were used as well to get an inside feel of the way recruits and Drill Instructors see Boot Camp.

Why did he pick the Marines as his topic? Attracted to the Corps perception and morale, Thomas E. Ricks expresses the Marines as the only service still upholding its honor and tradition. Due to society changing into a commercial society with a “me” attitude, civilians focus on how they can splendor themselves with material items—never looking big picture at all that we can accomplish as a team if we give our heart and soul in life. Team meaning everyone on earth, for we are the people that provide for one another with peace and prosperity. As a Marine, it is imperative to have leadership skills along with being capable to work with others. This book was written to enhance the reader’s mentality of how the Marines operate. It informs those who are looking into the service, and provides an in depth look into the trials and tribulations it has been through—as well as conquered.

This book substantially explains the vigorous training platoon 3086 went through in order to earn the title of being a Marine. Not all made it; some moved into other platoons due to their lack of effort, while others were “washed out” because of improper conduct (some intentionally threw it upon themselves because the nature of Marine Basic Training was too unbearable). There were several key recruits who had stood out to their Drill Instructors, as well as to Thomas E. Ricks.

Andrew Lee was promoted to Private First Class when he graduated, for his committed efforts and excellence towards all aspects and adversities boot camp had thrown in his face. Charles Lees III was an unprecedented Marine as well. His bulky Samoan body trimmed fit after boot camp was over. These two men had the intelligence, skill, and agility to conquer Basic Training that led them to be the head of platoon 3086. In this segment, 3086 had racial tension that carried through most of the eleven weeks. One man, because of his color, accused the Drill Instructors of being racist—that is, until another African-American gave him flak. He couldn’t realize his weaknesses were his attitude and immoral judgments on how he perceived Boot Camp. That’s what happened to 1/3 of the platoon. There were some changes to those men, like the skinhead who came into Parris Island with a Swastika tattoo. The DI’s felt it was necessary for him and an African-American to share a tent; yet, ironically, they became friends during the rest of the time.

Thomas E. Ricks then covers the fundamentals of the eleven-week process, and reviews what had happened to Platoon 3086 after graduating. For some reason, Marines who had just graduated out of 3086 didn’t expect life in the Corps the way it turned out. Some Sergeants set a bad example and didn’t uphold the Marine Corps standards—therefore, the fresh Marines acted more Marine-like than some of their officers. This doesn’t apply to all that are in the service; there are always those other few who set a bad example. Some from 3086 went MIA (which caught up to them in the long run), and failed to go to their assigned areas.

In the later chapters, it explicates how the government tried to obliterate the Marine Corps because, as they put it, we had enough services already and there was no need for another branch of the Armed Forces. Democratic presidents in the past tried to shut them down; this is why the Corps works so hard to maintain its standards. The book also refers to the Clinton Administration back stepping on most military issues, as well. It also provides some depth into the past of what the Marine Corps beheld; when it was stuffed on its back by government, adversaries, (and surprisingly) itself.

By the government, we speak of congressmen leaving the Marines out to dry in its own flesh; other services cannot help because it is too dangerous to save those Marines who are the front-line of defense (who clear the path for the Army). This book explains how the Marines lost more lives during the Vietnam War than in World War II. Second- Lieutenants deploying more troops to die to cover up their mistakes they had made. Adversaries sending surp