Into the Crucible

Rating:
Summary: Whoa
Review: (...)
I thought that the last book i read was sad, but this is sad. These people went through so much, it just inspires me to be a marine more and more. I still have years to wait though before i can even enlist, and im wanna get into the naval academy.

Rating:
Summary: I'll watch the movie.
Review: After an excellent foreword by retired Gen. Victor Krulak, the book reads like a training manual written by a sixth-grader. For books about USMC recruit training, I'd suggest "Boot" or "Making the Corps".

Rating:
Summary: I'll watch the movie.
Review: After an excellent foreword by retired Gen. Victor Krulak, the book reads like a training manual written by a sixth-grader. For books about USMC recruit training, I'd suggest "Boot" or "Making the Corps".

Rating:
Summary: A great book written by a great man
Review: As a 17 year old who is in the USMC delayed entry program and waiting to ship for boot camp, I was excited to get my hands on a book that is written about the most grueling 54 hours of recruit training. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. I read the entire book in one weekend, and the next day sent Captain Woulfe and e-mail praising this sensational book and to ask him a few questions about the Corps. This was in August, and for the past 6 months I have been in contact with him, constantly bombarding him with questions, which he has answered with surprising speed and has done his best to help me out as best he can. This book is definatly worth a look for everyone even remotely interested in the military, or for anyone who has just ever wondered exactly what it is that creates the elite men who defend our great country!

Rating:
Summary: Semper Fi!
Review: As an active duty Marine Corps infantry officer who started in the enlisted ranks, I know that boot camp is important. However, I also understand that what was successful yesterday may not work today or prepare us for tomorrow. As the youth we receive from society changes and America prepares to enter the 21st Century as the only true superpower, the United States Marine Corps faces the challenge of taking today's teenagers and preparing them for the stress and chaos of the modern battlefield. Our answer to this challenge is the Crucible, a fifty-four hour endurance course featuring little food and sleep during thirty-two combat exercises over a forty mile course. Several of the exercises are named after Marine heroes from past conflicts, and the recruits are led through the Crucible in small groups by one of their drill instructors. This combination of Marines from the past, present, and future in an arduous and stressful environment -- one where teamwork is essential and honor, courage, and commitment are continuously reinforced -- creates a defining moment for the transformation of a young American into a United States Marine. This book is the first inside look at the Corps' latest methods for making Marines, but it encapsulates, as well, both the history and ethos of a great American institution. I hope you enjoy it and look forward to reading your comments.

Rating:
Summary: Accurate portrayal of the mystical process of making Marines
Review: As an active duty Marine with experience in both recruiting and recruit training, I can attest to both the accuracy and import of Capt Woulfe's book. He has synthesized the near-mystical process of making United States Marines using the experience of the final graduation event as a template for all of the lessons of Marine boot camp. In particular he focuses on the Corps' core values of honor, courage, and commitment and how they pertain to the ethos of the warrior. Past, present, and future Marines (and their parents and loved ones!) will benefit from this contemporary canvas of the longest and arguably the finest recruit training of any arm of the U.S. military. If I were truly interested in the development of the basic Marine, I would read Thomas Ricks' book first, followed by Jim Woulfe's book for the most accurate and descriptive account of the current process of minting America's Finest warriors.

Rating:
Summary: Into The Crucible: Making Marines For the 21st Century
Review: First off - to the reviewer dated October 12, 2000 - sure you completed The Crucible in '97 and supervised it in '99 - A Marine wannabe, for sure. This is an EXCELLENT book that outlines The Crucible, the culmination of Marine Corps boot camp. Provides a detailed history of events that gives rational to the specific events or stations of the design of the Crucible. Also allows us to appreciate more the recruits who have earned the title "Marine." A must read for anyone who has a loved one in boot camp, earned the title of Marine, or future recruits. Easy reading, factual and very informative. Gives confirmation to the quote above the Welcome Doors of Parris Island: "Through These Portals Pass Prospect's For America's Finest Fighting Force - United States Marines." In light of the conflict going on in Iraq, people who review and make ridiculous comments (those who probably never even read the book!) should be thankful that men and women of the USMC and other prestigious branches of the military are laying their lives down everyday, so that they can sit in the comfort of their home and express their opinions freely, and without consequence. This is a great book for those interested in this particular phase of boot camp and with a brief overview, the (in an indroductive sense) history of the USMC. I highly recommend this!

Rating:
Summary: OOH RAH!!!
Review: First, let me say that this was one, if not THE best, book that I have read about my beloved Corps!!! I felt this book was EXTREMELY informative and should be read by any parent who may have questions or reservations about their son's or daughter's elistment. For the young man or woman who is about to learn what it is like to "born of fire", more commonly known as Boot Camp, pick this book up and let it soak into your minds and let it penetrate into your souls!!!

Rating:
Summary: I'm not even a marine -- never been either!
Review: Great book! I have a new view on what it means to be a marine. I'm very impressed with how the marines are turning youth into better people.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: Having graduated boot camp in 1986 I am glad to see the direction the Corps is heading regarding boot camp. The Crucible seems to be a smart way to achieve our training goals in the short amount of time we have to train our young devil dogs. Reading of the citations and naming each obstacle after a MOH recipient is a great way for our recruits to relate to the past and bring that honor forward and into their future careers. The Crucible is a great team building and motivator.

The book is well written and inspirational. I recommend this book to any young man or woman interested in joining my beloved Corps.

Semper Fi