Marine Corps boot camp is specially designed to mentally break down recruits before allowing them to earn the prestigious title of U.S. Marine. When Marine hopefuls step on those famous yellow footprints during the receiving process, they need to be ready to have tons of information hurled at them. Throughout their 13 weeks of training, recruits can expect to hear all manner of orders, insults, and jokes screamed at them by drill instructors.
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However, it’s doubtful they will ever hear these words:
1. “Whenever you’re ready, gentlemen.”
Drill instructors aren’t patient or gentle with their recruits because they don’t have to be. In fact, if a recruit isn’t moving at “double-time” — they’re freakin’ wrong.
2. “If we are too mean, let us know and we’ll tone it down for you.” That’s not what the Marines are for?
That’s just not going to happen, really.
3. “If you can’t run three miles, it’s okay to quit after just one.”
Marines pride themselves on finishing every job. Instilling that no-fail mindset into young recruits is critical.
4. “You are outstanding! I can’t wait to serve with you one day in a grunt unit.”
The U.S. Marine Corps is known for being the smallest branch. It’s rare that you’ll run into your senior drill instructor years down the line, but it happens. That being said, the recruit you are now isn’t the Marine they’ll want to serve beside later.
5. “I will never show you my knife-hand.” Marines learn love knife hands. Or Embrace them, at least.
You will see your DI’s knife-hand frequently and often.
6. “Slow down. The war will wait for you.”
The war doesn’t wait and you should never slow down. If that’s not common sense to you now, it will be.
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7. “Don’t worry about learning your general orders because they’re useless.” Not in Marine hell.
General orders are a pain in the ass to memorize, but they’re burnt into your memory because they can save lives.
Can you think of any others?