 "Photo: Emre Kelly")
When a Marine Corps recruit steps off the Blue Bird bus in Parris Island, S.C., they are told, “I, me, or my, are no longer part of your vocabulary.”
As more than 40 Central Florida educators stepped off of the same Blue Bird, they were told these exact words. They stood in front of the massive silver doors that display a golden eagle, globe and anchor with a wall that reads, “Through these portals pass prospects for America’s finest fighting force: United States Marines.”
The teachers were offered the opportunity to attend a workshop designed to provide high school teachers and administrative staff with knowledge on the Marine Corps’ training process.
The teachers were put under similar conditions to what early recruits face including a certified drill instructor who led the group through marching, formation and accounting exercises.
While Central Florida educators were the ones chosen to attend, the Marine Corps kept its connections open to universities and explained some of its involvement at UCF.
“We have a great recruiting program at UCF, and we get lots of great students and graduates from there,” said Col. Paul Timoney, the recruiting commander of the Southeastern U.S.
Timoney said Central Florida educators, regardless of whether they teach high school or university classes, are the foundation for young students to develop their ability to make long-term decisions.
“Educators mold young kids to realize their potential,” Timoney said. “If they see it, then they’re the kids that we’re looking for.”
During the initial two-hour briefing presented by Brig. Gen. Frederick Padilla, many of what the Corps considered to be stereotypes were discussed.
The widely held conception that the Marine Corps relies upon power and sheer force rather than intelligence and strategic concepts was his main point of contention.
“I’d like to get people away from that,” Padilla said. “Some of the smartest and most well-educated people I know are Marines. These individuals have to be highly educated and work well under pressure, which is what our leadership demands every single day.”
While the Corps boasts a steady 202,000 active Marines, the demand by college students and high school graduates has led to congestion in the recruitment process. The average wait time for recruits has risen to roughly seven months after signing.
Col. Mike Bowersox, the recruiting director of the east coast, mentioned many of the difficulties facing the Corps and students, namely the physical challenges.
He said 75 percent of 17- to 21-year-olds are not qualified to be Marines because they are overweight.
“Also, tattoos are killing us,” Bowersox said. “The recent, stricter policy makes it more difficult to become a Marine if you have certain types of tattoos.”
Bowersox said 70 percent of the Corps are under 25 years of age.
“We’re a very young force, so high school and college grads are extremely important to us,” he said.
After the briefing, the educators had the opportunity to have lunch with recruits from local cities including Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach. From there, they fired mock M-16 A1 rifles in a simulated environment, followed by an opportunity to fire the actual rifle with live rounds.
On the third day, the educators visited a barracks, the Corps Museum and watched recruits as they attempted to complete the Crucible.
The Crucible is a 54-hour-long test in which Marines face physical, mental and operational tests without any type of substantial rest.
The educators also had the opportunity to fight martial arts instructors with pugil sticks and the required protective gear.
On the final day, they had the opportunity to watch more than 700 recruits graduate and reunite with their families.
After graduation, recruits are given four hours to spend with their families.
“It was all much more difficult than I thought it was going to be,” said Mary Timm, a teacher from Timber Creek High School.
“Our drill instructor made it extremely realistic,” she said. “Also, the M16 had a lot more recoil than I imagined.”
Timm said she felt that the Corps can really change both high school and college graduates.
“This is a lifelong decision and I think it would help those that really want it,” she said.
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