Recruits receive warm welcome

[Vulture6]

Recruits receive warm welcome, new 'do'
Story by Pvt. Charlie Chavez


Staff Sgt. Jason Spears receives recruits, fresh from the United Services Organization, off the bus in an orderly fashion. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Dorian Gardner


MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (Feb. 3, 2006) -- One hundred recruits anxiously stood in four lines waiting for the arrival of 20 others before receiving passage to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to begin their training.

The new recruits began their journey at the San Diego International Airport at Lindberg Field in the United Services Organization, where they waited for a bus to boot camp.

Upon arrival at the yellow footprints, drill instructors rushed the recruits off the buses and lined them up for briefing on proper etiquette during recruit training and important articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

“Most of the recruits are pretty locked on to what they need to do by their recruiters,” said Gunnery Sgt. Timothy G. Walker, chief drill instructor, night operations. “But they always have stuff they’re not supposed to. That’s why they are searched.”

After a motivating introduction at the yellow footprints, the recruits rushed into Martini Hall, where drill instructors searched for contraband such as cell phones and non-religious jewelry or books.

The contraband search took about 45 minutes, and it ensured that all prohibited items were either discarded or put into envelopes with the recruits’ name on them, according to Walker.

Many of the recruits’ deepest fears and concerns became a reality by the actions of the surly drill instructors.

“The recruiter who put me in said it was going to be tough and to do exactly what is told,” said John M. Williams from Chicago as he stopped after sprinting down the hall.

“He also said running would be a really big part, especially for heavy-set people,” said Williams.

Recruits began to feel the mixed emotions of excitement, confusion and nervousness from the adrenaline-filled voices of the drill instructors.

“I’m really nervous,” said new recruit John R. Hicks as he stood directing recruits to their next stop. “I can only think that it is going to get a little bit harder a little bit later, but I hope I’m ready.”

The recruits continued the evening by getting dressed into combat utility bottoms and military issued clothing. They stayed awake, fighting off fatigue, throughout the night as they checked in through the Recruit Administration Branch.

“The Marine Corps is the best, so the intense training is only making me realize my good choice,” said recruit Jacob L. Meyers.

The next few days of recruit training were reserved for medical, dental and administrative processing until the infamous first Friday – when recruits meet their company drill instructors, and the real training begins.


Pvt. Josiah Gulke from Marysville, Wash., was one of the first new recruits from Platoon 2070 to get his head shaved by barber Frank Sardina here. Recruits get their heads shaved in training to ensure cleanliness. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Dorian Gardner