Rich Hill, our young Marine member of NxNE Rotary, scheduled to speak about Marine Boot Camp today, was detained by a training session for his work as a lifeguard. In hisabsence, his father Tink, also a Marine, stepped up and delivered a most informative description of Marine training. He began with reading the first letter Rich wrote home, and then described the process of basic training. First point made was that Marine basic training in boot camp is comparable to that of Army Green Berets or Navy Seals training. And only after 13 week of book camp does a recruit have the right to say he is a Marine who has “earned the title.” At the beginning, the administration sends a letter to parents saying their child has arrived safely and defines what may or may not be sent to the recruit. Acclimation, the first phase of training, consists of learning the rules, traditions, and being engaged in almost continual painful physical exercise. Free time is limited to 30 minutes a day. Why so strenuous? Because of what Marines are called upon to do: respond to emergencies and win battles. Swim week consists of long, hard swims in uniform, then with gear, and also how to get our of gear and uniform in the water. There is also practice in jumping from heights to learn howto enter water without injury. Two weeks of marksmanship training turns every Marine into a rifleman, no matter what his job. Finally there is more exercise and spit and polish activity to put the final touches to the classic Marine. Then the end is in sight—once the recruit makes a grueling trip to scale a “mountain” with full gear. Then comes the emblem ceremony and graduation! Without a doubt, those present were amazed at the nature of boot camp training and hold an entirely new and enhanced respect for any Marine.