Customer Reviews

Making the Corps: 10th Anniversary Edition with a New Afterword by the Author

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I learned that a family member was about to become a Marine recruit, I could not have been more ignorant. The Marine Corps? What does that mean?

This book gives you an idea of how new recruits become Marines and how the Corps is different from the other services. If you love a Marine, or a young person who wants to become one, this is an excellent introduction. In addition to the bootcamp stories, you learn about the culture of the Marines. I know that I was fascinated by the authors comments on how much more relaxed Marines are with the press, how innovative they can be, and how much harder it is to get a promotion.

The book is not all complimentary. There are interesting issues raised about the conflict between Marine and civilian culture. The book was originally published in peace time, and that also made a difference in the attitudes of the people portrayed in the book.

As someone who has entertained an interest in military culture her entire life, I picked up this book expecting a day to day account of the rigors of boot camp. What I got was a well-written explanatory account of Marine culture. As someone who knows many, many Marines, I always attributed their fierce loyalty to a family environment, but never knew that it was born out of basic training. Thinking about comments I have heard in the past ("Don't go into the corps if you aren't planning on taking care of my Marines"-a police officer who hasn't been in the Corps in 20 years to his son who wants to be an officer) this book not only reenforces where they came from, but also corroborates them. I recommend this book to anyone who is curious, anyone thinking about joining, anyone with close friends or family in the Marines.

All I ever wanted to be in this world was a Marine, from the age of six my super heroes wore dress blues and kicked ass in the pacific, vietnam, korea, or the gulf wars of today. While I grew up and the hero worship went away as I grew smarter (and hopefully a wee bit wiser) I was still left with the passion and drive to become an United States Marine. In middle school and high school this book was my constant companion, I must have read it at least 50 times in between pestering my recruiter and preparing myself for boot camp. Now I am the Marine and an Honorably Discharged Veteran of my beloved Corps and this book still remains one of the best books you can read if your going to boot, graduated boot (prepare for a nostalgia trip), or just want to understand these Marine nutcases you've seen around now and then.


Oohrah

Awsome book. Shows humor that many don't see. I guess you have to have a sick humor to see some of it though.

I am very grateful for Thomas Ricks's research and his clear and interesting writing style. Mr. Ricks provided me with the window into the Marine Corps that I longed for, ever since my young son announced his decision to become a Marine.

Not knowing anything about the inner workings of the military, I can't vouch for the accuracy of the information in this book. However, assuming that Ricks provides an accurate picture, Making the Corps gives the newcomer an excellent introduction to both positive and negative aspects of the USMC boot camp and MOS school experiences.

One caveat: many of the changes in training which were being considered by the Corps at the time of publication have now been implemented, which makes Making the Corps outdated in a few areas. However, great benefit still exists for the reader who wants to better understand the Corps, its purpose and its values. I now feel greater peace with my son's decision and believe he will be in good hands.

For a more recent and excellent description of Marine Corps basic training and MOS school through the eyes of one recruit, read Keeping Faith by the father-son team of Frank and John Schaeffer. It's very moving, insightful and more personal than Making the Corps, but doesn't make any attempt to evaluate the Corps as a whole entity. Both books, taken together, give a well-rounded picture.

As someone from another country's military (New Zealand/Australia) who's been on exercises as the "enemy" for the US Marines all to many years ago (thinking about just how long ago makes me feel rather old....), and who've known one or two ex-Marines personally, I've always been interested in the US Marines as a military unit. This book really did satisfy my curiosity as to Marine basic training and to a great extent, how the Marines form and maintain their unique "culture." Very interesting discussion at the end of the book on the challenges facing the Marines and their relationship with the civilian world. All I can say is, a great read and very informative.

Making the Corps is a well written and informed documentry on recruits fighting for recognition through the trials that their drill instructors throw at them. It talks from the perspective of the author who got the insight on not only the recruits and D.I.s, but on the Marine Corps as a whole. He talks about prior history, the changes, officers, commandants, and several experiences on which the marines were part of. For anyone joining the Marine Corps, I highly encourage it. Though some parts are slow and hard to read, the wealth of info provided is worth it.

This book was written in 1997. Still it is the best modern book on Marine Corps training and culture. It shows why the Marines are one of the best fighting forces in the world and the proudest and why the Marines know how to make men (and a few good Woman Marines as well)

Highly recomended for motivators of people,leaders of man and woman,studiers of human nature and wannabe Marines.Rick's see's with the eyes of a scribbler verus those of a pissed off grunt or someone that passed through Parris Island 40 years ago.A great record of Marine Corps methods and training.Did Gunny Hartman read this?

Semper Fi,
Kevin

This is like getting real-time reports from the front, before the fronts are developed.

I originally got this because I know someone who will probably be going to boot camp this year. I was interested in what it's like, although I'd heard bits and pieces from previous recruits.

The detail of the tasks and day-to-day and week-to-week was really good. I felt like it was my personal diary in the making. The chapters are divided along the various stages, which almost is a week-to-week thing.

There's some historical information thrown in, which adds spice without making it into a history lesson. The later edition did add some new information. More geared toward the state of the Corps than any real changes in the boot camp portion.

Definitely recommended for any recruit trying to get into the Corps, highly recommended for anyone that knows someone attempting the feat, and still recommended for others wondering what boot camp is like.