MAKING THE CORPS

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: Being a great fan of military books both fiction and non fiction I found this a great book. I have read numerous stories about Marine boot camp from many Marines, but I have found this to be the best. I loved th way it described the emotions and feelings of all the people. I enjoyed reading this book tremendously and was sorry when it was over. I would recomend this book to anyone interested in reading about Marine boot camp.

Rating:
Summary: A very good preparation for a future USMC recruit.
Review: From the moment I began this book, I couldn't put it down. Gave such an inspiration for this future recruit. A definate read for anyone thinking of joining the military.

Rating:
Summary: Biased, Disorganized, But Readable
Review: After several false starts, I finally got through Ricks' book. I can't help feeling that it would be a much better book with more to say about military and civilian life if the author or editor had deleted chapter five, the second half of chapter eight, and chapter nine. As an Army veteran, naturally I take exception to chapter five and the bashing of the Army. Ricks should cite Michael Herr's "Dispatches" for the line "I hate this movie!" on page 168. I went through BT in 1984 at Fort Leonard Wood, and it was nothing like what Ricks describes on page 173. Chapter nine has no place in a book about "Making The Corps." Let's hear more about how other Marines did in their duty stations, especially the "quiet middle" that the DIs always refer to. That's the real story that Ricks should follow; he breaks my heart writing about the guys who couldn't hack it and ended up back at the Pizza Hut or wherever. Ricks might also do well to look at the reports filed by P.J. O'Rourke from Somalia, etc. In the end, I still prefer Timberg's "The Nightingale's Song." Had Ricks applied the up-close-and-personal approach to enlisted men which Timberg uses for Annapolis grads, "Making The Corps" could truly be outstanding.

Rating:
Summary: Good book about the toughest military training there is.
Review: This is the best book I have read about the toughest military training this country, and most the world, has to offer. A great informational book about boot camp of the United States Marine Corps in Parris Island.

Rating:
Summary: Fine book about a fine organization
Review: On 12 and 13 March 1998, my wife and I attended our son's graduation from Marine Recruit Training at Parris Island, SC (Plt 1018, 1st BN, C Co). We had all read Making the Corps before Bill left for PI in mid-December, and in our correspondence would refer back-and-forth to various incidents and lessons related by the author, Tom Ricks, in his nicely detailed account of the 13-week recruit training program. While differences were noted in emphasis and technique among the three male recruit training battalions (Bill's Plt 1018 was 1st BN; Ricks' Plt 3086, 3rd BN), the main difference in the actual and written experience was the post-publication addition of the Crucible, which Ricks refers to but does not describe. We carried the book with us on base, and drew some positive comments about it from people we met, including our son's DIs, all three of whom autographed our copy. One thing even as keen an observer as Ricks is couldn't fully capture--perhaps only a parent can feel it--is the pride of seeing the graduating platoons swing into view and march on to the Parade Deck just before the start of Recruit Liberty (on Thursday, the day before the graduation ceremony), and hear the Marine Hymn played just for them the next morning. At the same time, one also has to be there to appreciate fully the firm handshakes and hard-earned elan and confidence of the Marines, newly-minted or otherwise (the pain is temporary, they say, the pride lasts forever). What Ricks gets exactly right, however, is the integrity of this organization--one of the last innately honorable institutions in our country. To anyone who loses faith in America and Americans--and wants it back--go to one of these graduations at Parris Island. Or read Ricks.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent documentary on basic Marine Corps training.
Review: I found Mr. Ricks book to be enlightening and excellent. As a recently commissioned second lieutenant in the Corps, I empathized with the recruits from Platoon 3086. Although I went through Officer Candidates School instead of Parris Island, the regimen of training is essentially the same, with the noted difference being that OCS adds extensive leadership evaluation to the mix. I would also have to agree with Mr. Ricks evaluation of the beliefs held by many in the officer corps with regard to social and political issues. Maybe Mr. Ricks will next take on a platoon at Officer Candidates School.

Rating:
Summary: " Best book I've read in a long time."
Review: I'm very interested in the joining the Corps when I'm old enough and this book has a new perspective about boot camp I haven't seen in any other book. Honestly I would read it again.

Rating:
Summary: Best book ever on recruit training!
Review: Far better than "Boot" by Daniel DaCruz. The negative comments by ex-Army soldiers seems to be an inferiority complex. Only criticism: the use of "sergeant" to refer to anyone E-5 and above. We address NCOs and Staff NCOs by their proper rank. Excellent work!

Rating:
Summary: Very good book, but a tad biased
Review: Very good book from Mr. Ricks, a definite page-turner, but it seems to imply that the only branch of military service that is well-trained is the USMC. I'd love to see him do a series about training in each service, also analyzing the rights and wrongs in each particular case. As a prospective U.S. Army member, I really don't appreciate the bashing he dishes out, and I would have rated the book a 10 if it weren't for that. However, I do recommend the book strongly.

Rating:
Summary: Made me want to join the Marines
Review: As a college student in a world were the job market is never constant I had been wieghing what I wanted to due after graduation. I saw this book and at the time was thinking about jioning the military so I read the book. After finishing the book. I went down to my officer selection station at my college and am now waiting for my commition into the United States Marine Corp. I saw a chnge in the recruits that went through basic on Parris Island and I can't wait to work with such great men!