Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Marine infantry recruit drops 186 pounds to make it to boot camp

I wonder if Audie Murphy woulda cleared MEPS.

Mucho props to that kid Might be he has relatives who are Marines or former Marines.


Used to be a strong tradition around here of Hispanic kids joining the Marines. Doesn't seem to be so much anymore.

A lot still go in, but seems like Army/Navy/Air Force all sign up more than the Marines.

The kids are looking at career skills rather than the straight-up warrior ethos, especially those that go Navy/Air Force.

I know the Marines offer career skills too, bit ya don't see the 'few good men" billboards around so much anymore. Maybe they have realized that no longer attracts as many as it once did.

No he wouldn't, and he didn't get into the military the first time he tried.

That was because he was too young and small. He was only 16, below the minimum age requirements. His sister helped him falsify his enlistment papers to change his birth date. The army, navy, and Marines all turned him down for being too small. A year or so later he tried again and got in. He 1st saw combat in '43.

WOW, that's dedication. I'm glad he's on our side. Congratulations Gabriel!

I'd like to think that even a school teacher could figure out why that recruiting slogan is no longer in use.

Today?

Yes.

I've seen a lot of 40 year old guys who have gained 186 pounds after leaving the Marine Corps... at least according to their hat on their head, claiming they were once a Marine...so he'll gain it all back once he leaves the Corps...

Marine Corps boot camp has dropped more pounds on people than all diet plans, diet meals in the world combined.

I have seen parents barely recognize their child at boot camp graduation.

The Marine Corps has changed many, many lives for the better. Today, many young recruits don’t understand the word “No” until they go to recruit training. They soon realize that their feelings are not the center of the universe. It’s really cool to watch the transformation. There are a few bad apples, but the vast, vast majority of stories are very positive.

Because the warrior ethos, the heart and soul of the Military, don’t sell like it did?

Stick to Peace Corps stuff.

Seems more your speed.

I have to wonder how the kid got to nearly 400lb in the first place. He's to be commended for losing it but what was going on his life to gain that much to start with?

Gotta respect that.

Congrats...Good for him!!!

We here stories of kids going in the Military, gets them off the streets, straightens out their life, and I know this happens.

I just wish the Marines could take 17yo recruits with no HS Diploma, a lot of young men that age looking to be men, gonna find an outlet for that somewhere, constructive or destructive.

I dunno tho if this would bring the Marines more problem recruits than its worth.

Vidja games, pizza, cheetos, monster energy drink, staying up all night, never having mow grass, living in an apt building, afraid of bees, won’t go outside

If that's the case, this boy is going to get fully eddycated the next couple of months.

Or as the fat kids on the bus used to say “leee muh a lone...I gotta gland problem”

The Marine Corps is not a reform school. Neither are the other branches. We have enough problems without going out courting others.

Speaking as a 30+ year high school teacher, before a kid gets "reached" as this one did, ya can never tell for sure what's gonna do it or if a kid is gonna get "reached" at all.


Could be that Marine Corps recruiter made that fat and sluggish young man believe he could be a Marine, and somehow it took hold. That same recruiter coulda talked to 100 similar young men, and on just one or two, for whatever reason, it took,