Marine Corps Boot Camp i
My Experience in the Marine Corps
Suzanne Fernandes
Writing 100
Professor Palumbo
October 4, 2009
1
Marine Corps Boot Camp
My day of departure was such an emotional day for my family and I. It was a cold December morning at 4 am when I had to say my goodbyes. I was at the Hilton Hotel with my family and my recruiter. We were putting the few things I could bring to Parris Island in a small backpack. The backpack contained a pen, a 3 subject notebook, address book and $20. I looked up at my mother and she had tears welling up in her eyes. Turned to my dad and sister and they also had tears in theireyes. I held back my tears to try and make it easier for them, this was the last time they were going to talk to their daughter for at least 3 weeks and they wouldn’t see me for at least 4 months. My recruiter let them drive me from the hotel to Boston MEPS center. We walked in the building, went up the elevator to the 1st floor and they had to sit in a waiting room until they could watch me be sworn in. It was what seemed to be the longest 4 hours of my life. I had to go be examined by the nurse. Speak to a counselor;take my physical exams and also a written exam. The next time I saw my parents I was standing up in front of them with my right hand raised giving my oath to The United States of America. As I was repeating after the officer, I looked at my mother and I couldn’t hold back my tears. My eyes started welling with water as I looked at her both joyful and sad tears in her eyes. She was proud and sad at the same time. After the oath was complete, I gave my family the last hug and kiss goodbye for a while. They handed me letters they had written me telling me how proud they were and I walked into the elevator to the bus that would be taking me to Logan Airport. As I was walking through the airport I had thoughts running through my head trying to picture what exactly it was going to be like when I arrived. Nothing...