Keeping Faith: A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps

Rating:
Summary: Vital resource to all USMC Poole's.
Review: Yes, I'm sure this book is very usefull to parents and friends of Marines and future Marine alike; but I can see no greater value in 'Keeping Faith', then when it's in the hands of a poole. I beleive so because I am one such person, who was fortunate enough to have come across this work of art. Corporal Schaeffer recounts the experiences that surrounded his training at Parris Island. His cander and skill allow for a future recruit's to get an inside look on the journey they are about to undertake

Through the eye's of Recruit Schaeffer, MCRD P.I. comes alive for those who have only dared to dream about it. The reader can feel the anxiety as he steps onto the infamous yellow footprints; the fear as he encounters his unmerciful and menacing DI's. You almost begin to sweat as Recruit Schaeffer battles through seemingly inexorable PT in the hot South Carolina sun. With each step he takes, the reader goes along with him. Experiencing what he experiences, learning what he learnes. Slowly realizing what it means to be a Recruit, how to survive each day and forge ahead towards the ultimate goal; how to succeed and deal with the impossible-to-satisfy DI's. You feel his failures and his triumphs, almost as if they were your own. And on that glorious day when the title of Marine is finally earned, the reader can feel the pride, the joy, the sense of accomplishment. And finally, as Recruit Schaeffer crosses the parade deck to complete his journey and transformation, the reader can imagine themselves doing so as well (which is something, for a poole, may have been previously impossible to do).

For Poole's, I could recommend nothing that would be more motivating and informative than this book. Being one myself, I can understand the frustration and confusion felt towards boot camp. It is very difficult to get an accurate picture of the experience, let alone be able to identify with it. The island is a very difficult place to imagine. But thanks to "Keeping Faith", Parris Island ceases to become a legend or fantasy, and becomes reality.

Any hopeful Marine will find this book to be a tremendous source of confidence, information, and will be infinatley satisfied with having taken the time to read it.