Making the Corps: 10th Anniversary Edition with a New Afterword by the Author (Bestselling Military History)

Thomas Ricks' "Making the Corps" is a fascinating but also frustrating book.On the fascinating side, it's a human interest exploration of what it means to make it through book camp. Ricks follows the recruits of Platoon 3086 through their basic training ordeal, recounting the daily routine in the life of the average grunt recruit. That part of the story is pretty familiar to most everyone--to those of us who went through basic training ourselves, and also to those who've never been in the military but who have seen the million-and-one Hollywood movies with boot camp scenes in them. Familiar as the story is, however, Ricks telling of it is gripping. He's a good writer, and knows how to capture a reader's interest.The frustrating aspect of the book is the fact that Ricks never asks, much less answers, any of the very obvious and crucial questions his account naturally suggests. Had he done so, his book would've been more than merely a journalist's story about boot camp. It would've been a real contribution to our understanding of American culture. For make no mistake about it: the very existence of the Corps is a prism through which to observe and learn things about America that go far beyond just the military.Let me cite just two examples of where Ricks fails to reflect on what he's witnessing.On pp. 116-119, Ricks describes a typical Sunday morning chapel call. All of us remember them; they were routine. Some of us took them seriously, most of us probably didn't. We were just relieved for the break. Now, in the Parris Island chapel, there's a stained glass window, described by Ricks, which depicts "a Marine flamethrower, his weapon's flames billowing out in a red, organce, and yellow mass." This, to say the least, is disconcerting: in chapel, a place of worship, peace, and meditation, you've got a scene of horrible carnage (a flame-thrower, for God's sake!) enshrined. This passage in Ricks' book is a symbol for the strange dilemma that any religious military person has to face: how can the demands of the job be reconciled with faith? It's a dilemma that ripples across the entire country, especially these day now that we're in a new shooting war, and it needs to be explored. But Ricks neither reflects on it himself nor invites any of the boots he's following to do so. It's as if he doesn't even catch the incongruity.Second example. Starting on page 200, Ricks argues that the Corps, anxious to create traditions that will build loyalty (semper fi, guys) and morale, along the way creates a strong sense of anti-Americanism in its recruits. Marines, Ricks says, are being trained as "American samurai in the way they think of themselves and in the way they relate to their nation. Like the Japanese, the ... Marines, when looking at America see a society weakened by selfishness, indiscipline, and fragmentation." (201) The upshot (as Ricks himself acknowledges) is that the Corps, dedicated to the protection of American culture, is instilling in its recruits a deep contempt for American culture. How weird is that? But instead of exploring this weirdness by asking the predictable questions--What is there about American culture that the Corps finds so offensive? How protected are we if the protectors we train disdain us? How is it that military values (or at least the Corps') are so out of step with civilian ones?--Ricks moves blithely on. It's as if his loyalty to the Corps prevents him from criticizing it in any way. But why would criticism be disloyal? Has there ever been a jarhead who hasn't criticized the Corps?So read Ricks' book, but ask the questions he doesn't. They're important, and past and current Marines are the ones best qualified to ask them. "Semper fi" doesn't mean dumbing down.

I (like at least one other reviewer) read this book as an afterward to finishing Ricks' "The Generals." I wanted to validate 'him' and what he wrote by reading his words about the Corps. I am not a Marine but have been close friends with many, many. So i thought I might be able to see if Ricks' perspectives might be revealed by reading another work.Certainly the content is aged and Ricks makes no bones about that fact. Just the 'Crucible' in and of itself. But he does continually (and properly IMHO) point out the concept of 'values', those of the Marines, Marines in making and civilians (society - something I'm very aware of having been in law enforcement and public service for a lengthy period). My own experiences with 'society' mirrors what Ricks states continually thru the book, that poor values, unstable values, "me-ism" values are at the core of current societal problems and that the Marine's effort is to install instead a 'service' based, brotherhood concept of honor, courage and commitment. A lofty goal.Ricks' writings point to political failures in efforts to manage conflicts (he brings this up regularly in "The Generals" as it should be but is also strongly opposed to recent leadership during conservative presidencies - to be fair, he castigates Johnson during Vietnam as well) and such is the case in Iraq. Properly noted is the methods used to "win" in early Afghanistan (forms of counterinsurgency and embedding of smaller units seeking partnership with the oppressed, etc) and then the sudden (wrong in his opinion) shift to invading Iraq. Part of the book is a platform for his position on that subject (as was "The Generals" about WMD in Iraq) but overall he portrays the 'period' Parris Island experience ('period', as exampled by today's commander being a women and senior Sgt Major being black - a future alluded to in Making The Corps) politically neutral but with some strong admiration for the efforts made by the USMC.In the 'recent' afterward it seems clear that he is saddened by the mentioned failures individually of those he covered in the early writings and happy at those who succeeded. Something, while intangible and hard to describe, that I "think" is present is the slight attitude of "it is what it is" about much of the outcome. That is also a common theme in today's social outlook with few "seeming" to comprehend that "what it is" is exactly what the majority 'allow' it to be... but perhaps I'm reading in.One portion of the book, that which discusses the 'new' professional military, speaks of a civilian, military clash in the future due 'value' conflict or political decay (Constitutional departures, breakdown of the three tiered checks and balances system, financial calamity, so forth) and how the professional Marine Corps would (or would not) participate. Having lived thru the L.A riots of '92 (and knowing what sat down at El Toro awaiting 'the call.') it would seem that such is not farfetched! Given the current separations within America's electorate one might ascribe a bit of clairvoyance to Ricks.This is a good read with much validity presented. Ricks' personal viewpoints are veiled but he has great insight into the military industry. Nothing is set in stone but the Corps Spirit is roundly applauded as are the 'good' results. One can only wish that such values where more common in society... Honor, Courage and Commitment!

I am very grateful for Thomas Ricks's research and his clear and interesting writing style. Mr. Ricks provided me with the window into the Marine Corps that I longed for, ever since my young son announced his decision to become a Marine.Not knowing anything about the inner workings of the military, I can't vouch for the accuracy of the information in this book. However, assuming that Ricks provides an accurate picture, Making the Corps gives the newcomer an excellent introduction to both positive and negative aspects of the USMC boot camp and MOS school experiences.One caveat: many of the changes in training which were being considered by the Corps at the time of publication have now been implemented, which makes Making the Corps outdated in a few areas. However, great benefit still exists for the reader who wants to better understand the Corps, its purpose and its values. I now feel greater peace with my son's decision and believe he will be in good hands.For a more recent and excellent description of Marine Corps basic training and MOS school through the eyes of one recruit, read Keeping Faith by the father-son team of Frank and John Schaeffer. It's very moving, insightful and more personal than Making the Corps, but doesn't make any attempt to evaluate the Corps as a whole entity. Both books, taken together, give a well-rounded picture.

He is a journalist writer. I thought the excellent story was going to trail off midway in one chapter which turned out to be the most insightful part. It is brilliant well worth a read, captures the essence of drill school and what it is to become a United States Marine. Read it.

Die berühmte Grundausbildung des United State Marine Corps auf Parris Island ist ein Thema, über das viele Legenden und Mythen kursieren und das schon Thema vieler Filme und Bücher war - letztlich dürfte es vor allem diese Ausbildung sein, die das Image des USMC in der Öffentlichkeit prägt.Viele der Bücher und Filme zum Thema haben ein Problem: sie sind häufig ideologisch sehr vorbelastet - entweder stellt das jeweilige Werk die Grundausbildung die sadistische Hölle, welche nur zum Kadavergehorsam erzieht, oder aber es handelt sich um ein patriotisches Machwerk, welches letztlich alles hochjubelt, was auf Parris ISland (oder in San Diego) passiert.MAKING THE CORPS ist dem gegenüber erstaunlich differenziert: der Autor begleitet ein Platoon der Marines von den berühmten gelben Fußabdrücken in der ersten Sekunde des Trainings bis hin zur Graduation. Der Autor schildert chronologisch die 13 Wochen der Rekruten, unterteilt in die einzelnen Phasen; hierbei zeigt er auch, welche Grundgedanken und Trainingsinhalte den einzelnen Phasen zugrundeliegen und welche Probleme dabei auftreten. Hierbei werden einzelne Rekruten mit ihrem Background beleuchtet, ebenso wie geschildert wird, was nachher aus ihnen bei den Marines oder im Zivilleben wurde. Gleichzeitig wird auch das Leben und die Einstellung der einzelnen Drill Instructors dokumentiert.Der Autor stellt die einzelnen Marines oder das USMC dabei weder auf ein Podest, noch das er es verdammen würde - ziemlich unverblühmt erörtert der Autor daher bei aller grundsätzlichen Bewunderung vor den Marines und bei aller Aufzählung von Positivem auch, was seiner Ansicht nach an der Grundausbildung falsch, schlecht oder schlichtweg undurchdacht ist, aber auch, weswegen es nicht geändert werden soll oder kann. Hinzu kommt, dass er einen Blick hinter die Kulissen des USMC auf Parris Island ermöglicht und zeigt, dass dies eben auch ein Arbeitsfeld ist, welches von verschiedenen Ansichten und Konflikten geprägt ist - und er vergisst auch nicht zu erläutern, dass die Marines eben in der Realität nicht unbedingt so sind, wie die Rekruten es auf Parris Island nach ihrer Graduation erwarten.Alles in allem ein für den geneigten Leser unbedingt empfehlenswertes Buch, welches die Mechanismen und die Grundgedanken der Grundausbildung der Marines eindringlich, plastisch und sehr menschlich schildert, und dabei immer differenziert bleibt. Der Autor schildert relativ unverblümt pro und contra, und ermöglicht auch einen gründlichen Blick hinter die Kulissen. Insgesamt eine interessante Lektüre.

As a kid, after reading Battle Cry, I wanted to be a Marine it wasn't until I realized that Canada doesn't have a Marine Corps that this dream died. I was curious about the Marines and while this book satisfied that, I wasn't prepared for the insight into my own place of work. So much of what Ricks writes about resonates on an organizational level: how loyalty ought to run downhill, speaking truth to power creates innovation. All of this exists in the Marine Corps. Only drawback is that the book is dated.

First I watched Thomas E. Ricks on the John Stuart Daily Show presenting "The Gamble" and knew from this moment that I would adore his narrative style. Since then I read all his books. I also have a friend who was a Marine, a very fine man - It was a additional impulse to understand the culture of the Corps.