Parris Island - Where Marines Are Made
Situated on Parris Island in South Carolina, is the ‘Marine Corps Training depot’ – where all women who dream of becoming marines – must go. They also train half of America’s male marines – with the training itself being identical for both sexes. In total 19,000 recruits pass through each year.
Hidden from the Atlantic by a tangle of sparkling rivers, islands and palm trees - it looks like the perfect holiday spot. But what happens on Parris Island is far from serene
Many of the recruits see joining up - as not so much a job but more a duty to serve their country - before continuing on their chosen career path.
There’s also the financial incentive that serving 4 years means their university fees and some living costs will be paid for them.
The proportion of the population who serve in the US military is 45% higher than in the UK and its clear just how much civilians value the efforts of their servicemen and women.
The US marines are a powerful brand and that goes for both men and women since the corps has accepted women into its ranks since 1918. But it was only this year that for the first time, female marines have been allowed to serve in combat.
It’s not easy to make a marine. It requires pushing the young men and women who apply to their limits. But a line must be drawn and a court case is currently underway investigating some instructors for ‘hazing’ – the US equivalent of beasting.
But for both the men and women who pass out successfully from Parris Island, it’s an emotional day. For many it marks the end of the hardest three months of their lives.
And as America’s first 3 infantrywomen are assigned to their ground combat unit this month – history in the marine corps continues to be made.
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