Resources for Marine Moms & Dads

My son is now out of the Corps but once a Marine Corps Mom, always a Marine Corps Mom. I've been on an extended internet vacation but still get occasional e-mails from new Marine parents. I've found the following books to be extremely helpful in understanding what your son or daughter (and you!) will encounter during the years ahead.

Into the Crucible is one of the best books out there in describing what your recruit will encounter during boot camp, including the Crucible. If you buy just one book, buy this one:

I've met Frank Schaeffer a number of times and his painfully honest recounting of coming to terms with his son's decision to enlist in the Corps following high school is compelling reading - especially for parents who had other plans for a beloved child.

If you're curious about the Marines who will transform your son or daughter into a Marine in the space of 13 weeks, here's an excellent introduction:

Thomas Ricks has written an excellent view of the culture of the Corps. I ordered a second copy to read the post-Iraq war update:

An excellent view of Officer Candidate School from Nathaniel Fick who left Dartmouth to become a Marine:

Bing West's account of the Battle of Fallujah - it is a matter-of-fact relating of what happened in Fallujah while Marine families at home held their collective breath and prayed:

A Marine parent himself (his son, Charles Krulak, grew up to become Commandant of the Marine Corps), Lt.Gen Victor Krulak wrote an excellent biographical history of his beloved Corps. This book is also required reading for all Marines - it would make an excellent stocking stuffer for your recruit:

A Message to Garcia has long been required reading for new Marine Privates and PFCs, but should be read by anyone who works for a living:

If you want to make a deployed Marine happy, send him or her this coffeemaker. It's so easy to use and clean . . . and it makes excellent coffee, one cup at a time.

And, just because someone asked:

Purchases made through these link pay the hosting fees for this site. Anything left over goes to a number of troop support programs.

Posted by Deb at 04:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack