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Thomas E. Ricks

Making the Corps: 10th Anniversary Edition with a New Afterword by the Author Paperback – July 31, 2007

by Thomas E. Ricks (Author)

326 ratings

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The bestselling, compelling insider’s account of the Marine Corps from the lives of the men of Platoon 3086—their training at Parris Island, their fierce camaraderie, and the unique code of honor that defines them.

The United States Marine Corps, with its proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals, and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth. Making the Corps visits the front lines of boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina. Here, old values are stripped away and new Marine Corps values are forged. Bestselling author Thomas E. Ricks follows these men from their hometowns, through boot camp, and into their first year as Marines. As three fierce drill instructors fight a battle for the hearts and minds of this unforgettable group of young men, a larger picture emerges, brilliantly painted, of the growing gulf that divides the military from the rest of America.

Included in this edition is an all-new afterword from the author that examines the war in Iraq through the lens of the Marines from Platoon 3086, giving readers an on-the-ground view of the conflict from those who know it best.

Print length

336 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Scribner
Publication date

July 31, 2007
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.9 x 8.44 inches
ISBN-10

141654450X
ISBN-13

978-1416544500
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A thousand years from now, a historian looking at the U.S. military will do well to cite Ricks's book." -- USA Today

"An important book...essential reading for anyone who cares about the role of the military in America." -- The Washington Post Book World

"Anyone reading this book cannot help but think that America has many lessons to learn from the Marines." -- Chicago Tribune

About the Author

Thomas E. Ricks is The Washington Post's senior Pentagon correspondent. A member of two Pulitzer Prize-winning teams for national reporting, he has reported on U.S. military activities in Somalia, Haiti, Korea, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Kuwait, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq and A Soldier's Duty.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner; 10th Anniversary ed. edition (July 31, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 141654450X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1416544500
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.7 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.44 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #279,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #145 in Iraq History (Books)
- #372 in Iraq War History (Books)
- #587 in National & International Security (Books)

Customer Reviews:
326 ratings

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gunny

Simper Fi

Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2020

Verified Purchase

As a retired Marine I understand the feelingof those young men in PI. The corps has changed to more of a job than about a warrior. We need to go back to being wArriors and less nice guys that worry about what people think. We are the forceto meetand destroythe enemy not hold his hand. Simper Fi. GYSGT USMC

5 people found this helpful

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RoamingDoc

Review of Ricks

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2014

Verified Purchase

I (like at least one other reviewer) read this book as an afterward to finishing Ricks' "The Generals." I wanted to validate 'him' and what he wrote by reading his words about the Corps. I am not a Marine but have been close friends with many, many. So i thought I might be able to see if Ricks' perspectives might be revealed by reading another work.

Certainly the content is aged and Ricks makes no bones about that fact. Just the 'Crucible' in and of itself. But he does continually (and properly IMHO) point out the concept of 'values', those of the Marines, Marines in making and civilians (society - something I'm very aware of having been in law enforcement and public service for a lengthy period). My own experiences with 'society' mirrors what Ricks states continually thru the book, that poor values, unstable values, "me-ism" values are at the core of current societal problems and that the Marine's effort is to install instead a 'service' based, brotherhood concept of honor, courage and commitment. A lofty goal.

Ricks' writings point to political failures in efforts to manage conflicts (he brings this up regularly in "The Generals" as it should be but is also strongly opposed to recent leadership during conservative presidencies - to be fair, he castigates Johnson during Vietnam as well) and such is the case in Iraq. Properly noted is the methods used to "win" in early Afghanistan (forms of counterinsurgency and embedding of smaller units seeking partnership with the oppressed, etc) and then the sudden (wrong in his opinion) shift to invading Iraq. Part of the book is a platform for his position on that subject (as was "The Generals" about WMD in Iraq) but overall he portrays the 'period' Parris Island experience ('period', as exampled by today's commander being a women and senior Sgt Major being black - a future alluded to in Making The Corps) politically neutral but with some strong admiration for the efforts made by the USMC.

In the 'recent' afterward it seems clear that he is saddened by the mentioned failures individually of those he covered in the early writings and happy at those who succeeded. Something, while intangible and hard to describe, that I "think" is present is the slight attitude of "it is what it is" about much of the outcome. That is also a common theme in today's social outlook with few "seeming" to comprehend that "what it is" is exactly what the majority 'allow' it to be... but perhaps I'm reading in.

One portion of the book, that which discusses the 'new' professional military, speaks of a civilian, military clash in the future due 'value' conflict or political decay (Constitutional departures, breakdown of the three tiered checks and balances system, financial calamity, so forth) and how the professional Marine Corps would (or would not) participate. Having lived thru the L.A riots of '92 (and knowing what sat down at El Toro awaiting 'the call.') it would seem that such is not farfetched! Given the current separations within America's electorate one might ascribe a bit of clairvoyance to Ricks.

This is a good read with much validity presented. Ricks' personal viewpoints are veiled but he has great insight into the military industry. Nothing is set in stone but the Corps Spirit is roundly applauded as are the 'good' results. One can only wish that such values where more common in society... Honor, Courage and Commitment!

8 people found this helpful

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AXN JXN

I got me mentally stronger for bootcamp.

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2017

Verified Purchase

When I first started working towards getting ready for Marine bootcamp I read this for a bit of insight. And insightful it was. I really learned just how much teamwork and comradery is valued in the corps. What I enjoyed most, was learning about key historical facts involving the marines and it's existence. Learning this and everything else felt like I was listening to an actual person tell a story. Overall a great read, a great story.

7 people found this helpful

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Sheryl L. Phillips

Very helpful to this mother of a new recruit

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2010

Verified Purchase

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.

5 people found this helpful

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J Hun

Outstanding Book on Marine Corps Basic Training

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2014

Verified Purchase

Extremely compelling! The Corps is doing what no other institution in America seems to be doing. They're taking a "Beavis" and "Butthead" out of high school on a Monday and 11 weeks later turning them into someone who tries to achieve excellence in tying his/her shoe strings. This book explains how the Corps does this at their basic training camp at Parris Island (The west coast camp is in San Diego). You'll follow a platoon of recruits through basic training. You'll feel the extreme pressure put on the instructors to not only build Marines but to set examples for them. Their extreme fitness is a given but you'll also see how the recruits are immersed in Corps history, culture, ethics, pride, and togetherness in order to produce America's Marines. I bought this book for my grandson who's interested in becoming a Marine. This should clear his sinuses on what to expect!

8 people found this helpful

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RickB

Great research and well written but gets into some broad subjects

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2016

Verified Purchase

Well written book that remains easy to read. Formatting on Kindle is sometimes a problem, often requiring you to return to your library and then re- open the book. This is well worth a read despite these detractors.

Very deep research was clearly performed during and after the writing of this book. It does get into some broad subject matter at times which detracts from the enjoyment of the core tale; unnecessarily in my opinion. If you've been there and own an EGA, it will certainly stir up your own personal memories of PI.

One person found this helpful

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Pete

In my top 3 favourite military books ever

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2014

Verified Purchase

He is a journalist writer. I thought the excellent story was going to trail off midway in one chapter which turned out to be the most insightful part. It is brilliant well worth a read, captures the essence of drill school and what it is to become a United States Marine. Read it.

Kindle Customer

Insightful

Reviewed in Canada on October 2, 2017

Verified Purchase

As a kid, after reading Battle Cry, I wanted to be a Marine it wasn't until I realized that Canada doesn't have a Marine Corps that this dream died. I was curious about the Marines and while this book satisfied that, I wasn't prepared for the insight into my own place of work. So much of what Ricks writes about resonates on an organizational level: how loyalty ought to run downhill, speaking truth to power creates innovation. All of this exists in the Marine Corps. Only drawback is that the book is dated.

Parsec

Lesenswert und erstaunlich differenziert

Reviewed in Germany on August 20, 2011

Verified Purchase

Die berühmte Grundausbildung des United State Marine Corps auf Parris Island ist ein Thema, über das viele Legenden und Mythen kursieren und das schon Thema vieler Filme und Bücher war - letztlich dürfte es vor allem diese Ausbildung sein, die das Image des USMC in der Öffentlichkeit prägt.

Viele der Bücher und Filme zum Thema haben ein Problem: sie sind häufig ideologisch sehr vorbelastet - entweder stellt das jeweilige Werk die Grundausbildung die sadistische Hölle, welche nur zum Kadavergehorsam erzieht, oder aber es handelt sich um ein patriotisches Machwerk, welches letztlich alles hochjubelt, was auf Parris ISland (oder in San Diego) passiert.

MAKING THE CORPS ist dem gegenüber erstaunlich differenziert: der Autor begleitet ein Platoon der Marines von den berühmten gelben Fußabdrücken in der ersten Sekunde des Trainings bis hin zur Graduation. Der Autor schildert chronologisch die 13 Wochen der Rekruten, unterteilt in die einzelnen Phasen; hierbei zeigt er auch, welche Grundgedanken und Trainingsinhalte den einzelnen Phasen zugrundeliegen und welche Probleme dabei auftreten. Hierbei werden einzelne Rekruten mit ihrem Background beleuchtet, ebenso wie geschildert wird, was nachher aus ihnen bei den Marines oder im Zivilleben wurde. Gleichzeitig wird auch das Leben und die Einstellung der einzelnen Drill Instructors dokumentiert.

Der Autor stellt die einzelnen Marines oder das USMC dabei weder auf ein Podest, noch das er es verdammen würde - ziemlich unverblühmt erörtert der Autor daher bei aller grundsätzlichen Bewunderung vor den Marines und bei aller Aufzählung von Positivem auch, was seiner Ansicht nach an der Grundausbildung falsch, schlecht oder schlichtweg undurchdacht ist, aber auch, weswegen es nicht geändert werden soll oder kann. Hinzu kommt, dass er einen Blick hinter die Kulissen des USMC auf Parris Island ermöglicht und zeigt, dass dies eben auch ein Arbeitsfeld ist, welches von verschiedenen Ansichten und Konflikten geprägt ist - und er vergisst auch nicht zu erläutern, dass die Marines eben in der Realität nicht unbedingt so sind, wie die Rekruten es auf Parris Island nach ihrer Graduation erwarten.

Alles in allem ein für den geneigten Leser unbedingt empfehlenswertes Buch, welches die Mechanismen und die Grundgedanken der Grundausbildung der Marines eindringlich, plastisch und sehr menschlich schildert, und dabei immer differenziert bleibt. Der Autor schildert relativ unverblümt pro und contra, und ermöglicht auch einen gründlichen Blick hinter die Kulissen. Insgesamt eine interessante Lektüre.

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Ivan Podkolzin

Every recruit has the ability to become a United States Marine...

Reviewed in Germany on September 17, 2015

Verified Purchase

First I watched Thomas E. Ricks on the John Stuart Daily Show presenting "The Gamble" and knew from this moment that I would adore his narrative style. Since then I read all his books. I also have a friend who was a Marine, a very fine man - It was a additional impulse to understand the culture of the Corps.

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