Practical guides, glossaries, and support for parents and families of Marines.
Stripes, bars, oak leaves, and stars can be confusing when you are new to military life. Once your son or daughter becomes a Marine, you will see rank on uniforms, hear it in conversation, and read it on mail and graduation programs. This guide explains Marine Corps ranks in plain English, from the newest Private … Read more
The first letter from boot camp can feel like it was written in a foreign language. Your recruit might mention getting yelled at for gear adrift, sweeping the deck, or counting the days until the Crucible. At graduation you will hear even more new words, and once your son or daughter becomes a Marine, the … Read more
The day your son or daughter leaves for Marine boot camp is one you will remember for a long time. One minute you are hugging them goodbye, and the next you are driving home to a quiet house and an empty bedroom. If you feel proud and heartbroken at the same time, you are not … Read more