MAKING MARINES: The Change is Forever

[Music] our mission here is to train each one of you to become a united states marine a marine is characterized as one who says the highest of military furnaces keep going [Applause] the highest the highest the highest this is paris island south carolina training ground for united states marines it's here that young men from states east of the mississippi and women from across the nation will be instilled with self-discipline confidence and respect for core and country for 12 unforgettable weeks they'll undergo the most intense physical mental and emotional demands of their lives the training will be tough and uncompromising nevertheless they've accepted the course challenge to see if they have what it takes to make it all the way through not all who come here will succeed but for those who can muster the metal to complete this trial by fire they'll be rewarded with a title that's theirs forever they will be called marines although the marines first landed on paris island in the mid-1800s it would be 1891 before a marine detachment would be permanently stationed here the marines served as guards while a large wooden dry dock was under construction designated as marine barracks u.s naval station port royal south carolina in 1886 it would be 1893 before the first barracks was built in 1911 the navy redesignated paris island as the u.s naval disciplinary barracks port royal marines worked as guards under the command of the navy but as the united states drew closer to entering world war one the country saw a dramatic rise in patriotism to keep pace with recruitment and the need to standardize the marine training the navy turned paris island over to the core in 1915. in october of that year the uss prairie steamed into the beaufort river with the first 750 men for the newly established training base just two years later the first paris island trained marines would see battle in the bloody trenches of france more than 46 thousand marines were trained for duty in world war one between the years 1922 to the mid-1930s recruit training slowed with only about 300 recruits reporting each month after the united states entered world war ii in 1941 the training pace intensified with more than 6 800 new recruits reporting every month in total more than 204 000 marines were trained for service in world war ii with as many as 20 000 being trained at one time in 1946 marine corps leaders reorganized the post at paris island and decided to give it a designation that would reflect its primary mission the training of marine recruits thus becoming the world famous marine corps recruit depot paris island south carolina women marines are also a part of paris island's history the first women marines arrived in 1943 as reservists and in 1949 the year following the passing of the women's armed services integration act a separate battalion exclusively for the training of female recruits was permanently established today the primary mission of paris island continues to be the producing of highly disciplined basically trained marines soon after arriving at the international airport in charleston south carolina let's go hurry up get down that way these new recruits learn that life as they have known it is about to change hurry up let's go you're now officially united states marine corps recruit that's official united states marine corps recruiting possible under the uniform code of military justice sir recruit countercam request to make a head call set go is all that information right there correct thanks put that in your pocket stand behind her thanks get y'all balls off of me i need after card brief orientation and a meal hurry up get on out they'll board the bus for a 90-minute trip to paris island listen up advise you to get some sleep because that's going to be your last opportunity for the next couple of days i understood now you will keep your mouth shut while you riding on this bus is that understood yes sir sit up straight right now put your heels together and look straight ahead that's what i told you you're gonna grab everything you brought on this bus with you including the trash you made you're gonna get up you're gonna exit the bus you're gonna get all the footprints out there by females you're going to feel at the front footprints then the male's behind them you're going to stand around the floor do you want to say that get up get out now like the generations before them the journey to becoming marines begins on these famed yellow footprints starting now you will train as a team you will live eat sleep and train as a team the word is no longer part of your vocabulary do you understand yes sir let's go let's go now hurry up no space between your body sweetie hurry up let's go now you do right here you're gonna open my hats open it up right now okay get back get back right now get back down right now get out of there you stay awesome right there open the ass right now let's go get him out the transformation has begun you're gonna call your next kid that means your mother father brother or sister or someone else in your bloodline not your boyfriend or your girlfriend you understand me [Music] in time these recruits will learn that their success and training will rely greatly on their ability to work together as a cohesive unit there's no room for individuality they must look and feel like a team as a civilian back home you may have property that is not illegal but is forbidden here at paris island these items are called contraband gradually all outward signs of their civilian lives are removed by now they are dazed confused and exhausted it will in fact be about 36 hours before they sleep there's still much to be done on this first day at paris island stop i get out there let's go let's go with the initial uniform issue the last signs of civilian life are removed did you ever call you you understand me yes sir yes sir let's tell you poor boys took stats on pizza you understand that yes sir now what do you want what do you want question use the restroom please sir 29 28 27 26. 21 20. the initial processing into the core will take about three to four days part of this early introduction and processing includes taking the initial strength test the first of many physical challenges to be confronted during their basic training those found to be sufficiently fit to begin training will now be turned over to their permanent team of drill instructors soon they will learn that what they've experienced so far was merely the calm before the storm they are the cornerstone in the transformation process the master craftsman moulders of marines my name is for every minute of every day from now until they leave this island these dis will work to instill in their recruits the qualities of selflessness discipline and confidence through their own example they will demonstrate the highest standards of personal conduct morality and professional skills and they will accept nothing less from their recruits no recruit who is trained here will ever forget their tougher than nails in your face drill instructors [Music] oh don't talk to me i didn't ask you a question i told you to open it open it for the next three to five days the platoons will learn the basics of military life how about write it legibly so everybody can read it or whoever you're sending to can read it sir yes sir this period is known as forming they will need these days of indoctrination to adjust to the marine corps way of doing things before training begins lock them up let's go i told you this morning didn't i there you go i said you're gonna do that didn't i didn't know i knew you would and what you do made a face like i'm wrong like i'm wrong get over it right now everybody recruit training offers a progressive building block approach that breaks the training down into three distinct phases during phase one the training emphasizes strengthening the body through rigorous resistance and endurance exercises while running helps to build cardiovascular fitness and body tone events such as the circuit course will help develop the muscle strength and stamina for the rigorous weeks ahead close order drill no recruit escapes paris island without undergoing nearly 60 hours of learning to move hands body feet and mind as one this event is more than just a means for orderly movement from one place to the next it's a carefully crafted training technique designed to instill discipline pride and teamwork heel striking rifles popping and the melodic cadence of the drill instructor are a familiar daily sound that will ring in the ears of these young recruits for as long as they have a memory of their time on paris island [Music] academic instruction also begins early in the training process subjects such as marine corps history customs and courtesies and battlefield first aid among many others will be tough during phase one recruits are also introduced to the marine corps martial arts program it's designed to produce a physical and mental toughness in young warriors that translates to effective engagement in unarmed combat taught to fight with principles and discretion this program fosters the development of the whole marine one capable of exercising sound judgment under difficult situations with the confidence that they can triumph over any adversary the confidence course where recruits are faced with various obstacles designed to test their conditioning and stamina this is a chance to confront their physical weakness and to face their fears of heights of water and of the unknown hand-to-hand combat and bayonet fighting techniques are essential survival skills that have always been part of a recruit's basic training with thick pads on each end the pugil stick is designed to simulate a rifle with a fixed bayonet here recruits can tap into their inner resolve and aggressiveness as they learn to fight up close and personal twin is dead ready deep breath with the start of phase two recruits are introduced to combat survival swimming all recruits will perform a variety of water survival and swimming techniques designed to build confidence in their aquatic abilities it's a graduation requirement that each recruit meet the minimum established water survival level at weapons and field training battalion recruits begin intensive rifle training the marine corps marksmanship program is a comprehensive three-phase program high firm pistol grip during the first phase emphasis is placed on firing procedures firing positions and safety requirements snapping in marine terminology for practice begins with the first day at the rifle range during firing week recruits fire live ammunition at targets from set distances of 200 300 and 500 yards they know that in order to graduate they have to qualify with the rifle finally after a week of practice firing it's qualification day near the end of phase two recruits are assigned to a week of maintenance duties it's known as team week and it's a break from the rigors of training for both the recruits and their drill instructors a chance to recharge the batteries and get ready for the last phase of training on sundays recruits are afforded the opportunity to attend worship services at the recruit chapel it's the time for spiritual replenishment and reflection one of the most anticipated events in the day of a recruit is chow time carefully planned and balanced meals are essential to keeping recruits well nourished and energy levels at their peak basic warrior training it's gut check time there may come a time when a marine finds that the only way down from a hovering helicopter or steep cliff is by rope it's called repelling and it's one of the most anticipated training events [Music] at the gas chamber recruits will learn the basics of preparing for a nuclear biological or chemical attack after receiving instructions in assembling maintaining and using a gas mask they must then test it in a gas-filled room to build confidence in equipment reliability they've trained to act as one precision pride and discipline they're all evident during final drill competition every move is watched and graded the hours of practice have paid off they've done their best it's 54 long grueling virtually non-stop hours they have only two and a half meals to sustain them and they'll perform with little sleep they'll march nearly 40 miles and they'll be tested to the threshold of their physical mental and moral limits it will be unit before self shared hardships group achievement and core values are emphasized this is the crucible it begins at 0 200. recruits are quickly out of the racks packed and ready to go this will be their most difficult task stepping off into the early morning darkness they appear ready for the challenges awaiting them [Music] during the crucible they'll be challenged with several warrior stations each named for a marine corps hero who epitomized the core values of honor courage and commitment platoons are broken down into 12 to 16 member teams in each event the recruits are presented with situations requiring stamina ingenuity and patience it's now been more than 18 hours since the crucible began in the coming hours recruits will continue to push themselves they've solved a multitude of problems and overcome numerous physical challenges but this was only day one day two also begins in the early morning darkness with only about four hours of sleep the recruits must now confront hunger and exhaustion nerves are afraid you gotta understand something who ain't got all day dissent is emerging there are signs of turmoil in the ranks this is just the test the marine corps leaders had hoped for start over they must somehow regroup work through it they now have to call upon all their reserves of strength and mental toughness they sense that the end of this trial by fire is near teamwork camaraderie and pride have gotten them this far but they must continue to push and encourage each other [Music] the toughest part is behind them now working through the aches pains and blisters there's nothing that can stop these young warriors in just nine more miles they'll be back where they started this event a long two and a half days ago they chant with pride and a sense of accomplishment [Music] following this culminating event of the crucible the tired and hungry but exhilarated recruits are rewarded with a well-deserved warriors feast during the 12th and final week of training the recruits must receive one last seal of approval during the battalion commander's inspection it's the eve of graduation and time for the five mile motivation run led by those who trained them these recruits now exude a new confidence in bearing they know that they're less than a day away from being awarded the title of marine the struggles and hardships of recruit training are behind them now through it all these young men and women learned they were capable of much more than they ever thought possible hard work perseverance and boldness of spirit and willpower got them to this point they have successfully met the corps challenge and are now ready to stand alongside the generations of marines who preceded them [Music] as their drill instructor hands them their eagle globe and anchor they sense a change a feeling only those who have earned the title could ever understand their proudest moment is now frozen in time it's the moment when they will be called for the first time marine finally the reunion they've waited for they're greeted by families and friends they haven't seen since training began [Music] paris island it has been called the cradle of the core marines are made here and today the newest crop of fighting leathernecks will be unveiled it's graduation day you

Channel: Capt Ron

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Length: 27min 26sec (1646 seconds)

Published: Sun Jul 26 2020