The Transformation | Making United States Marines

A friend of mine joined the Marine Corps at the end of my sophomore year in HS. When ha came back from Parris Island, he was so different. Before he had long hair, slouched a bit, we played video games and never really had serious chat, just a couple of very relaxed friends. When he came back, he was sharp. He stood tall, looking like he grew 6 inches, his hair was cut to nothing, he walked, talked and acted like he meant business wherever he went. The best part was he was also still the chill,down to Earth video game playing friend I first met. Chris is my friend and he is a Marine.

Anyone who puts themselves through this when there are easier paths to take in life have my respect

Im in tears. My son is in boot camp, I miss him dearly but he growing up without a father he needs to be around these strong men. I am proud of the man he will become.

I never knew my dad or my mom. I spent 18 years in 19 different foster homes. I went to 13 different schools before 12th grade and barely graduated high school because I couldn’t focus on anything but how wrecked my life was. As a kid, I never spent long enough in one place to have any close relationships with anyone. When I was 16, I learned that my mom and dad gave me up at birth because they didn’t want to be burdened with raising a child. At the same time, my biological mother told me that I was “just a mistake.” I had no real reason to be on earth and I had accepted that I would never really be anything in life because my first 17 years was one failure after another. 2 weeks before turning 18, I saw a Marine walking into a barbershop at a shopping center near my boys home. To this day, I will never forget how sharp and disciplined he appeared to me. I never talked to him and I never knew his name. What I most remember about him, is how confident he was without saying a word. In 1999, I stood on those yellow footprints at Paris Island and from that day; I gave the USMC everything that life hadn’t given me before that day. 24 years later, I am still a Marine and as long as they’ll have me; I’ll stay a Marine. Marines are my family. Unlike my parents, the USMC raised me and made me the man that I am today. They did in 13 weeks what my parents refused to do. The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor that I earned proved to me that I was not a mistake. Looking back on it all, if I hadn’t lived the life I lived; I’m not sure if I would have ever gone to Paris Island. As horrible as my childhood was, I’m glad it was the way it was. I’d do it all again if I knew where it would eventually lead me.

Row row row your boat, sneak up in a stream, lock and load I. Tactical mode, UNITED STATES MARINES.

As a obese 26 year old male who was dropped 200lbs and still has 40lbs to go... I so want this... Soon. Edit: on the day of February 18th, 2024, 7 years later it is with great shame I did not achieve my goal. I battled with depression and suicidal thoughts since making this post. I've also gained a lot of weight since then but I am in the process of re-losing that. On the bright side I got my shit almost together and I have gotten a college degree within this time frame. Working on my bachelors now. I do not qualify for the Marine Corps anymore due to my age being beyond the limit. Life has had its ups and downs these last 7 years but I am still alive and striving for a better day than yesterday. Not the kind of update yall probably had in mind but it's an update either way .

I am a retired Marine. My son is a. Marine. My grandson will be a Marine.

Girls locker room: I hated the running today, my legs are soo sore Boys locker room: 12:07

it's been 42 years since i left parris island. i only hope they haven't changed it. it was the toughest thing i had ever experienced. i had played football and baseball in school and thought i was in shape. they tore us down mentally and physically. we thought we were going to die. the training was 18 to 24 hrs a day. no weekends off. 1 phone call home in the 12 weeks we were there. were we abused? hell yes, and thank God for it. i was trained to survive in combat. the training i received kept me alive and got me home. Semper Fi.

I'm sad, ever since I was a kid I wanted to join The Marines, but I can't. The reason why is because I'm blind in my right eye, I hate it. I can do things just as well as everybody else, I can shoot well (I'm one of the best shots in my family). I can drive, I played sports just like all the other guys.. I'm normal except for the fact that I am blind in one eye. All you people who are considering joining The Marines, do it. There are guys like me who can only dream.

Former Marine here, went through Parris Island in May 1976, platoon 3042. You never, ever, ever forget your time at PI, no matter the number of years. If it wasn’t for the Marine Corp, I wouldn’t be the person I am today in 2023.

Don't you viewers forget the swimming part.

am I the only one that got choked up when they earned that pin? Jesus.. I want to join

that eagle globe and anchor is what I want to earn the most in my life.

As tough as this looks on the screen, I'm sure it's at least 10 times worse in reality. I know one of my brothers would always tell my mother how the training sucked to do while my other brother embraced and possibly enjoyed the suck factor it has on people. Knowing what my brothers had to go through, what one continues to do, and hearing horror stories from my siblings, father, and close friends, I would still do anything in my power to earn the prestigious rank of Marine.

MY SON IS A MARINE I REMEMBER 2 YRS AGO WHEN HE LEFT FOR PARRIS ISLAND AND 3 MONTHS LATER I WENT TO HIS GRADUATION .. SEMPR FI TO MY SON AND ALL MARINES U R THE FEW THE PROUD U R MARINES TY FOR UR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE GOD BLESS U ALL GOD BLESS AMERICA USA ❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️

I'm heading to Parris Island this Tuesday. Echo Company, 2nd Rct Training Battalion. This is so motivating.

When the Drill Instructor sheathes his sword at 17:35... He must be thinking "Finally this shit is over." XD Go Marines!

I’m in the delayed entry program leaving for bootcamp in august and this video gives me chills, this is the moment I’ve looked forward to my whole life.

I served 10 yrs in the Army..I have the utmost respect for Marines. They stood proud shoulder to shoulder with us over seas. No finer friends I've found.