Welcome to Hell: Three and a Half Months of Marine Corps Boot Camp

I loved this book!'Welcome to Hell' describes, in sometimes painful detail, the author's first-hand USMC boot camp experience. He joined the Marines the day after the September 11th attacks as a very detached and carefree youth and finished 3 ½ months later as a man and a Marine.The journey that the author takes us on is significantly more than a "boot camp story". Though it does have a vivid explanation of the gritty details of what a Marine-in-training has to endure, it also includes incredibly touching flashbacks through his pre-service life and letters (oftentimes heart-wrenchingly tender) to and from home. While reading this book, I found myself laughing out loud quite frequently, and being brought to tears more than once. Since I was never in the military, it was interesting and humbling to see what our service men and women go through during their initial training - it's incredible what daily comforts and routines that I didn't realize I take for granted.Patrick Turley describes his experiences with language and visualization that allows even someone quite removed from the military life to understand and the story unfolds and takes shape right from the beginning. I was immediately drawn in and emotionally attached to the story and I found it hard to put down to go to sleep. Turley's writing is so honest and introspective, that you find yourself growing with him as he unravels who he truly is (even during the times you don't want to like him) so much that you physically flinch from his pain! There appears to be no filler or fluff - this is the real thing.Reading 'Welcome to Hell' has helped me appreciate (even more) what our amazingly brave Marines sacrifice to ensure we get to continue with our assumptions of basic safety that are inherently just accepted as truth. It's funny, it's touching, it's harsh at times, It's entirely genuine, It's extraordinary!

The making of Marines intrigues me, this one gave more details of the individual trainining (gas chamber , crucible). Another book “Rhis Recruit” have greater detail on The DI experiences (IT & Quarterdeck treatment

In the book, "Welcome To Hell", Patrick Turley writes about his personal transformation from an "every day Joe" into a United States Marine. Unlike many other books about Marine Boot Camp, this book offers insight into the mind of the recruit as he endures the grinding and difficult process that transforms young American civilians into members of the the worlds finest military organization.His story is based on his experiences during his time as a recruit at the Marine Corp Recruit Depot in San Diego California in 2001. The book offers any parent of a young Marine at MCRD San Diego an understanding to commonly held questions like "Why doesn't my son write every day?" or "What do recruits do if they are in boot camp over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year?" and most importantly how important those "letters from home" really are to the recruit.As a father of a recruit who is currently at MCRD, I found the book to be both deeply emotional and honest about the world that is experienced by the recruit.To anyone who has ever wondered how someone becomes a Marine, this book gives insight to that process in a way that few books ever do. To anyone who has ever wondered why someone would ever want to become a Marine, this book also gives you one mans deeply moving and emotional answer.

That was a WONDERFUL read! The writing style is incredibly fluid, with just the right amount of engaging speed that makes it slide along comfortably. The layout was clear and concise, and not once did I feel like I had to go back and reread for fear that I missed something. The flashbacks were used to perfection. The author has a literary gift....descriptions weren't overly saturated with adjectives, dialogue was easy to understand, the progression was spot on...I really enjoyed it from start to finish. I could almost FEEL the spittle from the instructors' shouts peppering my face haha.Overall, I really enjoyed it. I laughed, I cried (i was on an airplane, so I'm blaming the recirculated air of course), I gained a new appreciation for the type of brave men and women our Government has shaped to protect our nation. Seriously, you guys are BADA**! I had NO idea the types of conditions you train in, the insane regiment, the discipline...I'm truly thankful for you and your fellow Marine Corps brothers and the dedication/love that you all share for our great country. It was a fun read that I really got into, and could easily visualize throughout, thanks to the author's writing style.10/10, and I hope there are more books to come!Sincerely, Cory

If anyone wondered how the younger generation would respond after 9/11, this book assures us that we are in "good" hands. The average person lives in their bubble (going to work, taking care of their family, etc.) without giving much thought to those who dedicate their lives so we can live in our bubble. This is a gripping read about one individual who decided to join the Marine Corp after 9/11. You watch him go through the physical and mental challenges, while wondering about the life he left behind and if he had made the right decision. Fate then hands him the ultimate test when his father passes away while he's in boot camp and you witness the heartbreaking treatment by some of the drill instructors. In spite of his doubts, he's determined to finish what he started and in the end, triumphs. It's an eye opener to what our young men and women go through to attain their goal of becoming Marines. Patrick went on to serve in Iraq and was honorably discharged five years later at the rank of Sgt. One can only imagine what his experiences were in Iraq. Definitely a good read! So proud of all of our military -- they deserve our gratitude and thanks.

This book is about the US Marines in training but it could be any recruit training of top class troops