Rating: 
Summary: To be a Civilian or to be a Soldier
Review: I have a burning desire to be a United States Marine, so I bought Making the Corps. The book is a great read and a MUST for anyone interested in joining the Corps. I was excited and optimistic when I put the book down for the first time (at the end of Chapter 6, Graduation). And then the book turned my emotions around (although not necessarily my decision on becoming a Marine) when the Marines who went through Parris Island together as Platoon 3086 gave their reviews of the Marine life. I give one friggin empathatic thank-you to the author for his unbiased accounts of the recruits and later Marines. I would suggest handing this book to anyone who is considering the Marines so that they have a clearer picture of what their life will be like. So, protective mother's - don't try to hold the door shut on your son(and in this PC mainstream society, daughter) when he/she is trying to leave, give him/her this book and let them make up their own mind.
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Summary: JUST LIKE BEING THERE.....ALMOST
Review: While words could not fully explain both the fear of entering and the pride of leaving Parris Island South Carolina, first as a recruit and then as a Marine, Thomas Ricks comes as close as possible to putting the reader into boot camp.Having been a Marine and graduating from Parris Island In January of 1990, I was given an amazing case of deja-vous from reading this account. Ricks follows a group of recruits in 1995 that would be platoon 3086. He focuses on some of the differences among the recruits while effectively relaying the boot camp experience, detailing everything from close order drill to the pesky sand fleas. His account is true to form and gives even the nonmilitary reader a true window into the daily events on Parris Island. Ricks also opens up new territory by detailing the philosophies and daily lives of the drill instructors. Having never been a drill instructor I particulary enjoyed these moments of the book. Every recruit would catch himself wondering, "Are these guys like this all the time". Ricks also follows both drill instructors and recruits after graduation and details some of the success stories and failures. More than a diary, this book also is a tribute to Marine Corps pride. Ricks' interviews and detailing of Marines past and present sheds some light on just what makes the Marine Corps a cut above the rest. Almost every inch of this book will make a Marine stick his chest out and those who are not look at Marines with a bit more awe. Ricks does stray from time to time, especially in the later chapters when he waxes philosophic about the politicization of the Corps. However he offers some true and poignant insight, it just doesnt seem to go with the flow of the book. This tale of platoon 3086 is a great read for Devil Dogs and everyone else. A solid five star piece of literature. HOO-RAH !!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book that reads easily and gives you much info
Review: Don't let the military theme of this book cause you to miss it. It goes beyond simple military writing and into deep value statements. As a former naval officer during the Vietnam era, I confess that we joked about "jarheads". I worked opposite the brig and lived near MCRD San Diego. My wife's father was a marine colonel and I only wish I could have talked with him about this book. This book gave me new respect for the corps and told me a great deal I had not known. Visiting Parris Island and watching a group of recruits on the day they became recruits made this book come alive. This book is excellent for marines but also for those of us who were not. Especially important for those with no military background. The author makes some very important points about marine values, realistic followups on those he followed through boot camp, and some dramatic points about our government and the Marine Corps. I never understood the spirit of the Corps but starting with this book I intend to try to understand. Gave me new respect for "the few, the proud"
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Summary: This book is about my platoon!
Review: I am a proud graduate of platoon 3086. I was an average recruit, (now a reserve Sgt). Mr Ricks book was good but it stressed too much on the recruits with the troubled background. Not all Marines were gangsters, losers, or delinquents before joining. I feel that Ssgt. Rowland, Sgt. Carey, and Sgt. Zawyer deserve more credit than they get. They made everything happen. You will enjoy the read. If you are thinking of joining this is good insight. Semper Fi Sgt. Peters,JM
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: As a student fresh out of high school, this book really inspired me to join the corps. It's very informative and you get a sense of actually being there.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I'm as civilian as they come and I really enjoyed this book. It is great insight into a world a businessman like myself would otherwise never see. It dispels some of the 'Full Metal Jacket' type of myths while validating others. Ricks is one of those fluid, smooth type of writers that would make the study of grass growing sound interesting. With such a fascinating topic matter like this one, he really excels. The last chapter is an excellent overview of the future role of the US military. Its no flaw that it doesn't 'fit' with the rest of the narrative ( as some have said here) as its highly informative and most importantly - balanced. If you're a Marine reading this, allow me to say "THANKS" for all you do for our country (and if you haven't already done so, read this book).
Rating:
Summary: Must read if you're in DEP
Review: If your in DEP, planning to enlist, or just curious about the Corps, this book is for you. Ricks does a wonderful job of taking you alongside a platoon of recruits as they endure the hell that is boot camp. He also explains why the Corps still upholds its beloved core values of honor, courage and committment, while the country she protects is rapidly drifting away from those same values. Also check out "Boot" by Daniel Da Cruz, and "Into the Crucible" by James Woulfe. Highly recommended!!
Rating:
Summary: Good Book, and Some Important Questions
Review: Boot camp is no breeze. Never has been. Wasn't when I went through it. Wasn't when this book was written. Hopefully it never will be. Books about the experience are always good to read. There is something very special that goes into the making of a Marine, and this book is one of the best at covering that story. If you want to understand what a marine 'Boot' goes through, what his drill instructors go through, and why they are so proud to have made it, read this book. Larger questions are asked later on in the book, and are more important. After you've gone through this experience through the eyes of the recruit, and the drill instructor, and The Corps, and have gathered some understanding of what we were taught, take some time to think about the longer lasting effect. Think about a truly volunteer, full time, professional military in our society. What does it mean to all us to have a military believe that the 'outside' world is basically evil? What will it mean as we allow the military to get more and more involved in fighting crime? What does it mean to have, for the first time in our history, a military that is isolated from the 'civilian' world? The book makes it clear that the Marine Corps is special, and shows many of the reasons why. It lets the rest of the world know why we are so proud to be Marines, even decades after our active service. It also takes the time, if you read through the end, to ask some very important questions about what it all means.
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Summary: I lost weight just reading about it!
Review: This is what you call a high adrenaline book! It will make you feel guilty for sitting in a comfy chair reading about the ardous physical and mental training. I loved this book -- I've always had a great respect for military training, but I was particulary interested in reading about the mental games. Most people focus on the physical, but Ricks shows how the mental games are just as important for surviving. This is a no-nonsense, journalist, first hand account of marine boot camp. The detail and insider perspective make it a great read!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Would-Be Marine Recruits
Review: I bought this book for motivation...and boy, did I ever get what I paid for. This is the newest full-coverage boot camp book that I've been able to find, and it covers the whole deal - from the successes to the wash-outs. The author tells the whole truth. The reader gets to see the daily details of boot camp by following platoon 3086 from day one all the way into their first year in the Corps. My only disappointment was that the book was written before the Crucible was added to USMC Recruit Training...so this book covers BWT, which no longer exists in quite the same format that platoon 3086 went through, and has only a mere mention or two of the Crucible. There is another book for sale on Amazon.com called Into the Crucible: Making Marines for the 21st Century. I would recommend that one for those who want to read up on The Crucible. The writing style used in Making the Corps was unbelievably easy to read. I read the entire book in one sitting the day that it arrived. I couldn't put it down. I actually felt the frustration and anger from some of the recruits and it made me cry in sections. The author makes the members of Platoon 3086 so real for the reader, that I almost felt like I was there. If you're contemplating joining the Marine Corps...you just have to read this book.
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