All Marine basic training graduates get 10 days of leave immediately after basic training graduation. Enjoy your 10 days off because after your R&R, you have to report to one of the Marine Corps schools of infantry. The Marines have two such schools: one located on the East Coast and one on the West Coast. If you attended Marine Corps basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, you'll probably attend the school of infantry at Camp Geiger in North Carolina, while those who attended basic training in San Diego probably will attend the school of infantry at Camp Pendleton in California.
It's often said that all Marines are infantrymen first, and whatever Marine Corps job they happen to hold is a distant second. The Marine Corps certainly believes this philosophy, because all Marines attend one of the schools of infantry, even if their Marine Corps job is not as an infantryman.
Attending a school of infantry doesn't leave much time for grabbing a quick beer after work or spending the evening playing video games. Think of this training as one long practice war game.
Those who are assigned to a Marine Corps infantry job attend a 51-day course after they return from graduation leave, and this course is actually their Marine Corps job training. Upon graduation from the school of infantry, they will proceed to their first permanent duty assignment.
Marines who are not assigned to infantry jobs also attend the Marine Corps school of infantry for 22 days, where they learn basic battle skills. Upon graduation, they proceed to their normal Marine Corps job training. After job training, these Marines proceed to their first permanent duty assignment.
From Basic Training for Dummies, copyright © 2011 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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