While slowly making my way through The Ghost by Marc Olden, I came
across this paragraph on page 28:

"Emilio Albert had never served in the Marines. Of this the Watcher
was sure, having been a jar-head himself. He could, in fact, spot one
before the guy so much as opened his mouth. That’s why he knew Emilio
Albert was nothing more than a Marine wannabe. A trash-talking
loudmouth trying to impress the girls. He didn’t look strong enough to
lick a postage stamp, let alone survive twelve weeks of boot-camp
hell."

This got me to wonder:

How could the Watcher spot one before the guy so much as opened his
mouth?

What does twelve weeks of boot-camp hell consist of?

---

Clarification of Question by markabe-ga on 23 Apr 2003 02:14 PDT

tutuzdad,

The computer won't allow me to access the URL:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/jacket1.html

Could you perhaps give me the title of the film?

hi markabe-ga,

Having been an employer for 17 years, I can always spot those that
have been in the military, but they usually have to open their mouth
first.  ;-)

I can't find anything to back up my personal experience in "How to
spot a Marine" --so I'm posting this as a comment...

The behavior I noticed is an excellent work ethic. Marines (and
retired Marines) say what they mean and mean what they say. They are
on time. They are respectful and honest. They don't interrupt. They
listen well. They follow instructions perfectly. They have good body
posture. They never, ever slack while working. They always say
"please" and "thank you" and always say "Yes Ma'am" and "No Ma'am",
even when I tell them it's not necessary, it's so ingrained they do it
anyway.

As an employer, there is no better employee to have than a retired,
meaning did not re-enlist --Marine. They make GREAT employees.

Basic Training and military service, especially in the Marine Corp.,
is not an experience that one can shed like clothing. The lessons
learned and "drilled into you" are so intense and enduring that even
after many years of civilian life the marks of military training are
easily spotted.

This is especially true with Marines. The Marines are the best and the
brightest in the Nation. They are also the most trained in the 3
service branches, except for the special forces like the Navy Seals
and the Green Beret.

The Marines posses uncompromising values:

Corps Values
http://www.thefontman.com/fundamental_beliefs.htm.
..."Honor: Honor requires each Marine to exemplify the ultimate
standard in ethical and moral conduct. Honor is many things; honor
requires many things. A U.S. Marine must never lie, never cheat, never
steal, but that is not enough. Much more is required. Each Marine must
cling to an uncompromising code of personal integrity, accountable for
his actions and holding others accountable for theirs. And, above all,
honor mandates that a Marine never sully the reputation of his Corps.

Courage: Simply stated, courage is honor in action -- and more.
Courage is moral strength, the will to heed the inner voice of
conscience, the will to do what is right regardless of the conduct of
others. It is mental discipline, an adherence to a higher standard.
Courage means willingness to take a stand for what is right in spite
of adverse consequences. This courage, throughout the history of the
Corps, has sustained Marines during the chaos, perils, and hardships
of combat. And each day, it enables each Marine to look in the mirror
-- and smile.

Commitment: Total dedication to Corps and Country. Gung-ho Marine
teamwork. All for one, one for all. By whatever name or cliché,
commitment is a combination of (1) selfless determination and (2) a
relentless dedication to excellence. Marines never give up, never give
in, never willingly accept second best. Excellence is always the goal.
And, when their active duty days are over, Marines remain reserve
Marines, retired Marines, or Marine veterans. There is no such thing
as an ex-Marine or former-Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine. 
Commitment never dies..."

An Analysis Of Organizational Socialization In The Marine Corps
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/MRB.htm
THESIS by Major R. B. McKittrick, United States Marine Corps, April 6,
1984

User's Guide to Marine Corps Values
http://www.mcu.usmc.mil/mcu/reading/core/Chap03.PDF

Surviving Military Boot Camp - The Marines Boot Camp (6 page
description)
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/aa060400a.htm

Boot Camp Challenge 
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/joe/bljoemenu.htm

CHARACTER DISCIPLINE
https://www.tbs.usmc.mil/Pages/Martial_Arts/Program_Philosophy/Character_Discipline/character.htm

The 14 Leadership Traits (from the Marines Handbook)
http://kaltezar.furvect.com/marine_leadership.html

1. Integrity 
2. Knowledge 
3. Courage 
4. Decisiveness 
5. Dependability 
6. Initiative 
7. Tact 
8. Justice 
9. Enthusiasm 
10. Bearing 
11. Endurance 
12. Unselfishness 
13. Loyalty 
14. Judgment 

This poem by a Marine say it well:
http://www.grunt.com/newsletters/June21_2002news.htm
by Keith Partney - U.S. Marine 1989 - Present (89-97 active duty)

 ..."I STILL GUARD MY HOME
 
 No World Wars or a Vietnam
 No Korean War but I fought Saddam
 
 No jungle rot or a fierce beach head
 No Frozen Chosin but there were dead
 
 I’ve walked my post from flank to flank
 Not for money, medals or even rank
 
 Not for seeking glory or front page news
 Not for barber shop gossip or political views
 
 I fought for the freedom that others don’t
 And faced the chaos so my children won’t
 
 It’s been some years since I left the Corps
 I still have the traits of a Marine forever more
 
 I still guard my home front at night
 Pacing the floor till early light
 
 11pm, midnight, and one o’clock
 I check and double-check every window and door lock
 
 With my wife and son nestled down in bed
 And war torn dreams racing through my head
 
 I recon the perimeter for movement or sound
 I keep seeking and searching till nothing is found
 
 A stray cat crosses the street with care
 As I watch the street light glisten and glare
 
 No shadows moving out the window I stare
 No sound heard from the night’s calm air
 
The black night warms to a yellowish glow
 The sun peeks through its ray start to flow
 
 With daylight upon us and all worries away
 Its time to get ready for dawns new day
 
 My post is now through with the rising of the sun
 All dangers and worries are now all done
 
 Another night of protecting my love ones so pure
 This Marine’s duty is up…it’s all-secure.
 
 Semper Fi Brothers,
 Keith Partney
 U.S. Marine 1989 - Present (89-97 active duty)..."

--Cynthia

Being a conflict veteran myself (which I will not go into here) I can
only say this: search ono the term "thousand yard stare". You find all
you are seeking.

tutuzdad-ga

Wow, no kidding, check this out:

Two Thousand Yard Stare
http://www.milhist.net/global/2000yard.shtml
Click on the image for a haunting look.

I realize that this is from a movie, but I can testify that this is
about as authentic as any example you will find of what kind of thing
went on in boot camp (when I was in anyway) 24 hours a day, virtually
non-stop, the whole time I was there. You can easily see what it might
do to one's mind over time. This, I assure you, constitutes 12 weeks
of hell (unless of course you actually go into a combat situation
later on, in which case it actually begins to seem quite mild upon
reflection):

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/jacket1.html

(Warning - there is some vulgar language found here. If you are easily
offended do not bother with this link.)

Regards;
Tutuzdad-ga

Sorry I missed your request before you question expired.

If you want to see what went on in boot camp the best example that
hollywood ever produced was depicted in the movie FULL METAL JACKET.
Rent it and you'll see what I mean. Nothing in this movie was
imbellished to any degree. The movie is about as close to the real
thing (as it was in my time) as has ever been produced. You can search
for the kind of sound files (which can be found all over the internet)
by searching with the phrase SOUND FILES "FULL METAL JACKET". This
will return examples similar to the one I showed you that you
apparently had difficulty accessing.

tutuzdad-ga