Training Day 4 of 69 – Posted by Mom

This is what Rachel is doing today according to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island.

Combat Conditioning / Marine Corps History 1775 to 1883 / Core Values Discussions


Marine Corps History – The basis for being a Marine and contributing to its rich tradition is understanding how the Marine Corps came to be, what it has done, and why our history is so important to us.
Recruits learn that since 1775, the United States Marine Corps has served honorably and proudly whenever and wherever our Nation has called, and today's Marine Corps stands ready to continue in the proud tradition of those who so valiantly fought and died at Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, and Khe Sanh. They learn that our history is replete with accounts of Marines who have shown exceptional bravery and made extraordinary sacrifices, and that almost without exception, those accounts of heroism and service can be described by the words "Honor, Courage, andCommitment," our Marine Corps core values. Those three words succinctly describe the reason Marines have always been looked upon as a fighting force without equal, capable of exceptional accomplishment in the face of insurmountable odds.



Marine Corps History 1775 to 1883 – Recruits are taught the history and traditions of the Marine Corps, imparting a sense of pride, esprit de corps, and tradition. The instructor will do this by covering the following significant events: (1) Creation of the U.S. Marine Corps on November 10th, 1775 Captain (later Major) Samuel Nicholas, (2) Operations against the Barbary pirates along the "Shores of Tripoli", (3) The war of 1812, (4) The Mexican War (1846-1848) and the "Halls of Montezuma," Mexico City, (5) Battles ashore and afloat in the Civil War (1861-1865), (6) Numerous landings throughout the world, especially in the Orient and in the Caribbean.



Core Values Discussions – During recruit training recruits are taught about Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and numerous others subjects that frame the values of the Marine Corps, to include leadership, Law of Land Warfare, the articles of the Code of Conduct, just to name a few. Instructors and recruit training officers teach the specific classes, but it is the Senior Drill Instructor who reinforces each core values topic during “Foot Locker” discussions with his or her platoon. Using scenarios, they talk one-on-one with their platoons highlight specific topics, to see what values were learned, and to answer any questions. To be a Marine is to do what is right, and it is during these discussions that Senior Drill Instructors start to evaluate each recruit, and to make a determination if they are taking a personal ownership of core values.