United States Marines Birthplace Memorial

Click here

Goodbye to Another Amazing U.S. Marine

Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you... I loved you so-- 'twas Heaven here with you.

CPL Samuel L. Johnson passed away at the young age of 20 on September 24, 2011.

Click here: Samuel L. Johnson

Medal of Honor Recipient Recalls Ambush

Dakota Meyer appears on 60 Minutes

What happened in the Ganjgal Valley in Eastern Afghanistan earned Dakota Meyer the Medal of Honor, but an investigation into the incident that killed four U.S. Marines and eight Afghan soldiers ended the careers of two army officers in charge that day.

View here: Dakota Meyer appears on 60 Minutes

Highest Military Honor Awarded to Marine, Dakota Meyer

Dakota Meyer saved 36 lives from an ambush in Afghanistan and was awarded the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, on September 15.

Former Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyers, from Greensburg, Ky., was in Afghanistan's Ganjgal Village, Kunar province in Sept. 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 23-year-old Marine scout sniper repeatedly ran through enemy fire to recover the bodies of fellow American troops. He has since left the Marine Corps, but will become the first living Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

America's Elite Fighting Force

There are two locations which turn men into Marines: the Recruit Training Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina, and the Recruit Training Depot at San Diego, California. Where you go depends largely upon where you enlist. Those who enlist west of the Mississippi will likely go through boot camp in San Diego, while those in the East will attend at Parris Island. There is only one boot camp to turn women into Marines -- Parris Island.

Other than geographical differences, such as the lack of sand fleas and better outdoor exercise weather for "Hollywood Marines," the training is virtually identical at both locations.

Parris Island graduates more than 17,000 Marines per year. The average daily male recruit population is 3,786. The average daily female recruit population is 600.San Diego graduates more than 21,000 Marines per year. The average age of male recruits is 19.1, and female recruits is 19.3.

Without doubt, Marine boot camp is more challenging -- both physically and mentally -- than the basic training programs of any of the other military services. Not only are the physical requirements much higher, but recruits are required to learn and memorize a startling amount of information. There are more than 70 "training days" in a period a little longer than 12 weeks (but don't let that fool you). There is lots of "training" going on during the "non-training days," such as the time in Reception, the time spent in "forming," and on Sundays and Holidays. It has been said time and time again by former Marines that Marine Corps recruit training was the most difficult thing they ever had to do in their entire lives.

The more you can prepare in advance, the better off you will be.

It's important that you get into some semblance of physical shape. Concentrate on running three miles and long marches (up to 10 miles). Sit-ups and pull-ups are also important. If you are unable to perform basic exercises, you may spend a significant amount of time in PCP (the Physical Conditioning Platoon). PCP is tough: PCP's objective is physical fitness, and that's what you'll be concentrating on while in the program. You don't get out until you can do 3 pull ups, 40 sit ups in 2 minutes, and run 3 miles in 28:00 minutes.


Alpha Company, Platoon 1009 Taking Their Last Run
July 2007

War Stories with Oliver North

War Stories is a military history program on the Fox News Channel. Hosted by Oliver North (former US Marine Corps officer, who had been convicted of three felonies during the Iran-Contra scandal and subsequently pardoned), the program covers a number of different stories relating to war and national defense, featuring individuals who were directly involved with the topic covered in the episode.


Inside Special Ops


Running the Gauntlet: The Merchant Marine


Iraq: The Homefront to the Frontlines


Battle for the Frozen Chosen


High Tech Warriors on the Battlefield


The Remarkable Life and Mysterious Death of General Patton

Andy Leaving for Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan

Andy will be leaving for Camp Leatherneck on Saturday, May 7. His grandfather, who is a retired vet himself, will fly his flag that day for Andy. BE SAFE!!!

Camp Leatherneck is a 1,600 acre United States Marine Corps base located in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

The forward element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force as Regional Command Southwest is currently based there. It is also home to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), 1st Marine Division (Command Element) or Task Force Leatherneck, 1st Marine Logistics Group and, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group.