How to Make a Real Warrior

摘要

In the wake of shannon faulkner's curtailed career at The Citadel, the country is suddenly thinking about military training. But the making of a soldier is more complicated than you'd think by watching "hell week"-with its one-minute showers and 3 a.m. inspections. I recently visited the San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot to learn how the nation's toughest entry-level military program works. For more than 50 years, I've been impressed with the spirit and skills of the U.S. Marines. I tried to join up three times in the 1940s, but the recruiting sergeant kept saying, "Come back next year when you're bigger." By the age of 15, I couldn't wait any longer and joined the army. I always thought it was the Marine Corps's loss. But after a week of watching couch potatoes being hammered into warriors, I consider it my loss-and that's one hell of a confession for an ex-Army Doggie. There are some parallels between marine boot camp and The Citadel. Both put their recruits through fire, shocking them in pressure-filled situations so they learn to react to every possible challenge. A grunt needs blind obedience on the battlefield. But the Marine Corps-which I believe has the most efficient, rigorous training in the country-produces this without the sopho-moric hazing that seems common at The Citadel. That's because marine training is conducted by seasoned drill instructors (D.I.s). At The Citadel, it's the upperclass-men who put the "knobs" through their paces. There is also a difference in purpose. Everyone who enlists in the Marine Corps intends to become a warrior. The Citadel, a training ground for the Southern male elite, is not so single-minded. Only 36 percent of last year's graduates entered the military as commissioned officers.