tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post5249025557443766108..comments2024-02-23T00:22:10.700-08:00Comments on Patrick Tillett: “End of Boot Camp” USMC Boot Camp -- Part 15Pat Tilletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post-10124031590583637482014-12-12T18:07:14.046-08:002014-12-12T18:07:14.046-08:00GL Hunter - Thanks for positive comment and nice w...GL Hunter - Thanks for positive comment and nice words. I appreciate it. I was amazed that some guys were so unprepared (both physically and mentally) when they got to boot camp.Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post-22372880383104653432014-12-10T15:31:18.496-08:002014-12-10T15:31:18.496-08:00Mr. Tillett - Thanks for posting your blog and it ...Mr. Tillett - Thanks for posting your blog and it makes for very interesting reading. I too was a recruit at Diego in May 1969 (Platoon 1093) and took my fair share of abuse as well and I remember seeing some ganging up by the DI's occasionally but nothing like you mention in your blog. Still I hated everyone of my Drill Instructors but later felt that if I could endure what they dished out, I could endure anything. Like you I hardened up determined not to let them win. It was a defense mechanism we all learned to survive I guess.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16000896214611575782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post-73357846500005637282010-07-13T09:55:02.507-07:002010-07-13T09:55:02.507-07:00Rosemary - Thanks so much for reading and commenti...Rosemary - Thanks so much for reading and commenting. When people sign up for marine corps bootcamp, many of them are giving themselves a challange. Some make it and some don't. It's a life changing thing. Almost every challange in life isn't as hard if you've already been through it...<br />If you like these, you might really like the next series on Vietnam (very little blood and gore). It' up top under the "Vietnam" tab. Thanks again!Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post-24332824161654400452010-07-13T09:46:28.041-07:002010-07-13T09:46:28.041-07:00Pat, I read every word. This writing is so good I...Pat, I read every word. This writing is so good I can visualize it all. I read alot. In my humble opinion, you could make this life story into a book easily. Of course, it would be as tough going as boot camp seems to have been, but probably safer. How people made it thru that torture without killing the DIs or themselves is beyond me. Great job! RosemaryAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06121172465022137270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post-25322654525916753482010-07-11T08:25:55.880-07:002010-07-11T08:25:55.880-07:00SQ - It felt great. At that point I was wishing he...SQ - It felt great. At that point I was wishing he'd still try to pick a fight with me. Thanks!Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post-35834248670372135112010-07-10T23:45:45.955-07:002010-07-10T23:45:45.955-07:00It had to feel a little good to turn and walk away...It had to feel a little good to turn and walk away from Valdez on graduation day.<br /><br />I read the comments above, your writings would make a great book.SquirrelQueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00634513897599275287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post-74530740993319160292010-07-10T16:18:09.839-07:002010-07-10T16:18:09.839-07:00Warren - I would like to do that, but I don't ...Warren - I would like to do that, but I don't know if I could pull it off. Once I get most of it out of my head and out of my notes, maybe I will. I'll need a pro to help me though. Thanks for reading and commenting on all this Warren!Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post-43984162631436143722010-07-10T12:59:57.832-07:002010-07-10T12:59:57.832-07:00Yep these stories of yours from your childhood on ...Yep these stories of yours from your childhood on should be revamped and compiled into a book. You certainly have enough material. I wouldn't do so much to make money (though that would be nice) but rather to make your mark. A type of immortality if you will. A way of saying "I was Here".-Warren Zoellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12662160471738573334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post-39823178160362660502010-06-01T10:32:30.759-07:002010-06-01T10:32:30.759-07:00Penny - Thanks for the nice words.
When it was all...Penny - Thanks for the nice words.<br />When it was all said and done, I don't think Valdez had any positive impact on me at all. Usually the target of abuse in USMC bootcamp is a slackard, a goof off, or someone who wasn't <br />"squared away." I was none of those things...I was in great shape when I got there, I was already very self disciplined.<br />He was just crazy... But, it did make me stronger....so maybe a little bit, it helped me. <br />thanks again!Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342874076830001076.post-6149888581237928112010-06-01T09:01:19.053-07:002010-06-01T09:01:19.053-07:00Just read all of your USMC Boot Camp posts.
They ...Just read all of your USMC Boot Camp posts. <br />They are very vivid and straight forward. I love your writing. Thank you for pointing me in the direction of reading these.<br /><br />I have a question about Valdez. Based on these posts it's obvious your feelings on this man..BUT do you think that by recieving this treatment it made you a better Marine? Or helped you later in your time served?<br /><br />I have not read the Vietnam stuff yet so I don't know if you address this later. My grandfather was an Army man who fought and had his own "Valdez" and although there were angry feelings later there was almost an odd peace with how strong it ended up making him.<br /><br />Just curious :) You are a wonderful writer and I look forward to reading your Vietnam account as well. <br /><br />Thank you.Pennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09178833067912940139noreply@blogger.com