FOR RECRUIT GENE

Bloggreatgranddaughter Sticks of From Chaos to Serendipity is asking for material that she can print out to mail to her nephew, the Marine recruit, to help boost his morale as he suffers the tortures of boot camp.

Since I went to Navy boot camp, I really can't say much. I'll leave it up to the guys who went through actual military training to post boot camp stories.

However, I *did* find this in the Letterman Top 10 archives that he might enjoy:

10. I always loved jumping off landing craft and hitting the beach under heavy fire.
(Staff Sergeant Barbrina Chandler)

9. Couldn't stand one more day of waking up later than 5am.
(Lance Corporal Mike Gregga)

8. My mama was a Marine.
(First Lieutenant Phillip Walter)

7. I'd always heard great things about Afghanistan.
(Lance Corporal Phillip Simmons)

6. It was either this or beauty school.
(Captain Stan Holland)

5. I happen to look great in camouflage.
(Corporal Alan Stowers)

4. Army movie star: Pauly Shore, Marine movie star: Jack Nicholson.
(Lance Corporal Jeremiah Maddox)

3. To serve my country and fulfill patriotic duty, and shoot some big-ass weapons.
(Sergeant Julie Matthews)

2. Every Spring we go to Daytona to establish a beachhead.
(Lance Corporal Michael Renuard)

1. Give me that eagle, globe and anchor.
(Corporal Sean Holcomb)

10. "Instead of the usual cadence, we sing Johnny Mathis"
(Sergeant Greg Popejoy)

9. "Show someone you like her by helping her load her M-16"
(Sergeant Darryl Contee)

8. "For one day, minesweepers are referred to as 'Be mine' sweepers"
(Lance Corporal Andrew Olson)

7. "Going AWOL to see my girlfriend in Georgia...wait, disregard that"
(Corporal Shane Eversole)

6. "Eating candy message hearts that read 'I love you, maggot'"
(Sergeant Donald Garland)

5. "Forget to send flowers? Borrow a Harrier jet and deliver them yourself"
(Lance Corporal Michael Harris)

4. "Chocolate-covered strawberries"
(Corporal David Wheeler)

3. "Every unit gets special-issue red, white and pink camouflage"
(Corporal Barry Gomez)

2. "Using high-tech surveillance and intelligence-gathering methods to identify secret admirers"
(Lance Corporal Thomas Dunne)

1. "Chocolates? Hell, we eat ammo"
(Lieutenant Jim Bergeron)