Marine Corps: Re-socialization of Young Men into a Warrior Society

In a film we saw recently, one of the speakers, Dr. John Houghton was speaking on socialization. One remark he made, to the effect that what we, as individuals, become is based on what chances we are given and what we learn (Research Methods, 1996), was considered so important that it was repeated again at the end of the film. His statement fits perfectly with the topic of this study: the re-socialization of young men into the warrior society of the United States Marine Corps. Unlike the recruiting efforts of the other services, which seem to focus on what you have to gain by serving with them, the Marine Corps’ recruiting philosophy has always been one of challenging; giving young men the chance to prove that they have what it takes to be U.S. Marines. “We Never Promised You a Rose Garden,” “Take up the Challenge,” and “The Marine are Looking for a Few Good Men” are all recruiting slogans aimed at inviting prospective Marines to prove they have what it takes to be a Marine. This philosophy seems to work because the Marine Corps is the one branch of service that consistently meets its recruiting goals year after year. The question here is whether or not the re-socialization process is necessary and does it serve a useful purpose. If it does, what is that purpose?

To the best of my knowledge there has never been a sociological study of the effects of Marine recruit training, and only one or two non-fiction books have been written about the training of male Marine recruits, most by someone who never served in the Corps. This paper will make reference to those works, but for the most part will rely on the experiences of the author, a Marine for more than 30 years; five of those as a drill instructor whose primary...

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...all themselves United States Marines, forever a member of the warrior society. Still a part of American society, yet forever changed: re-socialized for a higher purpose.

Sources

Alvarez, E. (1984). Where It All Began: A History of the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Blountstown, FL: Gayle.

Banning, L. (Producer), Milos, F. (Director) (1996). Research Methods for the Social Sciences. [Film]. (Available from Horizon Film and Video, Austin, TX)

Duncan, H. G., & Moore, W. T. (1980). Green Side Out: Marine Corps Sea Stories. Blountstown, FL: Gayle.

Moore, H. (1983). Rows of Corns: A True Account of a Parris Island Recruit. Orangeburg, SC: Sandlapper.

Regimental Order P1510.37G (1980). Close Order Drill Manual. San Diego: Recruit Training Depot.

Ricks, T. E. (1997) Making the Corps. New York: Scribner.