Chapter 2: Welcome to Parris Island, South Carolina

PHASE 1, RECEIVING WEEK

As they entered the portals, the Drill Instructors sat them down making sure that everyone is in an appropriate attire and nothing is out of regulations. After they inspected them, they led them into the contraband room, from there they were ordered to pick a red box and drop the items that are considered contraband and are banned from being kept by a Recruit, after that was done they went to the phones to call their family, to let them know that they safely arrived at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot for their Recruit Training.

Jamie picked a phone that was in the middle, and called his father's phone. Frank picked up.

"Yes?" Frank asked into the phone..

"I have arrived safely at Parris Island. Please do not send any food or bulky items. I will contact you in 7 to 10 days via postcard with my new mailing address. Thank you for your support, goodbye now." Jamie read the script that's right next to the phone.

"Godspeed, son. Be safe." Frank answered.

"You too, Dad." Jamie said as he hung up and closed the booth.

After the first phone call, Jamie and his Recruit Platoon were led to the barber to get their heads shaved and then they went to their bunks and changed into Woodland MCCUU's (Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform). Then the Drill Instructors came and they sat down on the floor as their Senior Drill Instructor and his fellow Drill Instructors introduced themselves, then the Company Leader came in to perform the Drill Instructor's creed to the Drill Instructors and then the fun begun.

As for Jamie, he picked 5811, Military Police for MOS. He picked MP for his MOS cause he wants to become a dog handler like his Dad was when he was in the NYPD K9 unit and he always wanted a dog.

After the receiving was done, they got assigned to their bunks and went to sleep as a new day is upon them.

WEEK 1

They were awaken by the bright lights in the barracks, and the yelling came. Jamie got up as fast as he could, making his bed as they were taught to do so and then putting on his MCCUU's. After he done all that, he stood on the yellow line at attention.

Week 1 was rough for Jamie and the other Recruits, it began with intense physical training and psychological warfare from the Drill Instructors. If someone did something wrong, the whole Platoon would get punished for one's mistake, so it was a tiring day for everyone.

After the first day. Things got worse as they were exhausted from the rigorous Physical Training and also the yelling from their Drill Instructors so yeah, that's the end of Week 1.

WEEK 2

Bright lights woke them up and the yelling started again. The Recruits started to get used to the yelling and being waken up by the bright lights in their barracks, once again they made their beds, put on their MCCUU's and stood on the yellow line.

A Drill Instructor spotted something and went to check it. A Recruit didn't made his bed properly.

"RECRUIT GOMEZ." The Drill Instructor yelled infront of his face.

"YES, SIR?" Gomez answered.

"HAVE YOU LEARNED HOW TO MAKE YOUR BED APPROPRIATELY OR NOT?" The Drill Instructor yelled and maximum volume.

"YES, SIR!" Gomez yelled.

"THEN WHY ISN'T IT APPROPRIATELY MADE?" The Drill Instructor asked.

"IT WAS, SIR." Gomez answered.

"ARE YOU SAYING THAT I AM A LIAR?" The Drill Instructor asked.

"NO, SIR." Gomez yelled.

"Tell me something, did your Mom made your bed for you? Is that why you're such an idiot who can't make his own bed?" The Drill Instructor asked calmly.

"YES, SIR." Gomez answered

Jamie wanted to laugh and a chuckle slipped from his mouth. As he did that, he knew he was screwed cause the Drill Instructor came.

"AM I A FUNNYMAN, REAGAN?" The DI asked.

"NO, SIR." Jamie responded.

"THEN WHY THE CHUCKLE?" The DI yelled.

"BECAUSE THIS RECRUIT THOUGHT THE QUESTION THAT THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR ASKED TO THE OTHER RECRUIT WAS FUNNY, SIR." Jamie responded.

"ALRIGHT EVERYONE. SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE PAYING FOR TWO MISTAKES IN THE PRICE OF ONE. SO DROP DOWN AND START TO PUSH, PUSHHH!" The Drill Instructor yelled and everyone got down and started push-ups.

After the roasting from the DI's was done, they went on to the classroom to learn Marine Corps material crucial to becoming a United States Marine. They learned the history of the Marine Corps, the UCMJ amongst other things. After that, they went on to perform Drills, learn formations and basic drill orders.

WEEK 3

This week marks the end of Phase 1, and it started off like every other day. Waking up to yelling and bright lights to putting on your uniform and making your bed in time and then going to formation, typical Recruit Training stuff.

After, that they went on to get familiarized with their rifles, learn the basic rules of firearm safety, how to clean their rifle and how to use it during close order drill.

Then, they went through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program so they can defend themselves during combat situations. As PT becomes more and more intense, periodic PT tests become harder for the Recruits cause they are exhausted from all the physical training and some Recruits who fail to pass them are in the danger to be sent to the PCP which is something that helps Recruits to maintain/build their physical strength. PCP has been nicknamed as the Pork Chop Platoon by the USMC.

After the MCMAP, the Recruits fought eachother with Pugil stick bouts which helped them to let go of the anger that they held inside of them towards the Drill Instructors. Continuing, they learned first aid and combat care so they can tend to injured individuals in a combat scenario.

The Senior Drill Instructor's inspection came. Everyone was prepared to answer any questions that the SDI had and also made sure that they got their boots shined, and the uniforms cleaned.

It was a stressful situation, but thankfully everyone got through the Inspections with some minor infractions.

Thank you guys for reading this story. Since the irl USMC has 4 RT phases, we are gonna divide it into 4 chapters because I don't want to make 13 chapters on the RT. Also, lemme know how you think about Jamie's decision on becoming a working dog handler and how it's gonna go.

I hope you all have a fantastic day and be safe out there, bye.