As written on 12 Nov 2008
Get Off My Bus Now!
... It was about one in the morning on a cold January night, almost nine years ago, 50 other kids and I who had been up since six in the morning the day before, anticipated our arrival to MCRD Parris Island, SC. I was exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep. I was too excited, or maybe I was nervous, to tell you the truth, I don’t know what I was feeling. I knew that when the door to that bus opened, my life would change forever.
Females are sitting in the first five rows of the bus, while the males are occupying the rear. We aren’t allowed to speak to one another; so naturally, we pass each other notes without the bus driver knowing, “Where are you from?” and “What’s your name?” were among some questions asked. What do you expect from a bunch of teenagers straight out of High School? We know that this is the last time we will sit next to, speak to, or even fathom the idea of being in the same space with the opposite sex for the next 12 weeks. So we take the chance of getting yelled at by the driver.
As I sit on the bus in my own little world, I see my life flash before my eyes. I see myself getting up in the morning to get ready for school, I see my mom getting my little brother and sisters something to eat, and I hear my friends, Judy and Artemise, asking “How was you weekend Denise?” This is scary to me, not only because I saw what my past was like, but because I couldn’t see what my future held. I am 18 years old, and don’t know anything outside of New York City. I grew up there, and it is where all my friends and family are. My whole life was over 500 miles away but, I keep telling myself that this was the first step to becoming a grown up. I needed to break free, like a baby bird leaving the nest and learning how to fly. At least, that is what I keep repeating over and over again in my head, so as not to freak out.
I look up, from my self-induced trance, at the digital clock on the dashboard of the bus, and find out that only five minutes have passed. The bus driver shifts his weight on his chair, and looks at his watch. I see his eyes in the rear view mirror, watching our every move as to see who he would tell on to the Drill Instructor who will greet us at arrival.
Another five minutes pass by, and by this time I am really antsy. I shift in my seat, fiddling with my thumbs, and tapping my feet in an un-rhythmic tap tap tap on the floor. “I hope I’m not upsetting the girl sitting next to me”, I think to myself. So, I decide to stop my fidgeting to make sure I am not disturbing anyone around me.
I look up again, but this time the entire bus explodes into movement. I find out that we are almost there. I can see the entrance to my “new home” about a quarter of a mile away. As the MCRD Parris Island sign comes closer into view, my heart feels like it’s about to pop out of my chest. My breathing feels heavy and my palms get really sweaty. I know that the end of my old life is near and a fresh new one is about to start. Did I make the right choice? Do I really want to do this? Is it to late to turn back? All of these questions rush into my head, I thought I was prepared for what is about to come, but I realize that you can’t be prepared for the unknown.
The bus comes to a sudden stop, the door opens, and nothing happens. For a minute we sit. It feels like an eternity, you can hear a pin drop. Suddenly, a woman climbs on to the bus and stands in front of us. She has on a khaki shirt, a pair of green trousers, a black shiny belt, and a hat that looks like the one Smokey Bear wears. She was intimidating to look at, especially since I can’t see her eyes. She opens her mouth and her voice is like a volcano eruption. “Get Off my Bus Now! And step on my yellow foot prints! Quickly! Quickly!” We don’t want to upset her, so we obey as quickly as possible. She stands in front of us like she was some kind of superhero and says these words:
“You are now aboard Marine Recruiting Depot Parris Island, SC. You have taken the first step to becoming a member of the world’s finest fighting force, the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps success depends upon team work. Therefore, team work will be a central part of your training here at Parris Island. You will live, breathe, sleep and train as a team. The words: I, Me, or My will no longer be a part of your vocabulary. You will use words such as: This recruit, that recruit, these recruits. Do you understand?”
We all answered in unison “Yes ma’am!”
“Tens of thousands of Marines have begun outstanding service to our country on these very foot prints in which you stand today. You will carry on that proud tradition. Do you understand?” We as a newly formed family, answer again “Yes ma’am!”
Life did change, and for the better. I have grown into a more confidant, independent, strong willed woman. If it wasn’t for me getting on that bus that night, I don’t know what my present day life would be like. I didn’t realize it right then and there, but “Get off My Bus Now!” meant welcome to your new life.
Get Off My Bus Now!
... It was about one in the morning on a cold January night, almost nine years ago, 50 other kids and I who had been up since six in the morning the day before, anticipated our arrival to MCRD Parris Island, SC. I was exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep. I was too excited, or maybe I was nervous, to tell you the truth, I don’t know what I was feeling. I knew that when the door to that bus opened, my life would change forever.
Females are sitting in the first five rows of the bus, while the males are occupying the rear. We aren’t allowed to speak to one another; so naturally, we pass each other notes without the bus driver knowing, “Where are you from?” and “What’s your name?” were among some questions asked. What do you expect from a bunch of teenagers straight out of High School? We know that this is the last time we will sit next to, speak to, or even fathom the idea of being in the same space with the opposite sex for the next 12 weeks. So we take the chance of getting yelled at by the driver.
As I sit on the bus in my own little world, I see my life flash before my eyes. I see myself getting up in the morning to get ready for school, I see my mom getting my little brother and sisters something to eat, and I hear my friends, Judy and Artemise, asking “How was you weekend Denise?” This is scary to me, not only because I saw what my past was like, but because I couldn’t see what my future held. I am 18 years old, and don’t know anything outside of New York City. I grew up there, and it is where all my friends and family are. My whole life was over 500 miles away but, I keep telling myself that this was the first step to becoming a grown up. I needed to break free, like a baby bird leaving the nest and learning how to fly. At least, that is what I keep repeating over and over again in my head, so as not to freak out.
I look up, from my self-induced trance, at the digital clock on the dashboard of the bus, and find out that only five minutes have passed. The bus driver shifts his weight on his chair, and looks at his watch. I see his eyes in the rear view mirror, watching our every move as to see who he would tell on to the Drill Instructor who will greet us at arrival.
Another five minutes pass by, and by this time I am really antsy. I shift in my seat, fiddling with my thumbs, and tapping my feet in an un-rhythmic tap tap tap on the floor. “I hope I’m not upsetting the girl sitting next to me”, I think to myself. So, I decide to stop my fidgeting to make sure I am not disturbing anyone around me.
I look up again, but this time the entire bus explodes into movement. I find out that we are almost there. I can see the entrance to my “new home” about a quarter of a mile away. As the MCRD Parris Island sign comes closer into view, my heart feels like it’s about to pop out of my chest. My breathing feels heavy and my palms get really sweaty. I know that the end of my old life is near and a fresh new one is about to start. Did I make the right choice? Do I really want to do this? Is it to late to turn back? All of these questions rush into my head, I thought I was prepared for what is about to come, but I realize that you can’t be prepared for the unknown.
The bus comes to a sudden stop, the door opens, and nothing happens. For a minute we sit. It feels like an eternity, you can hear a pin drop. Suddenly, a woman climbs on to the bus and stands in front of us. She has on a khaki shirt, a pair of green trousers, a black shiny belt, and a hat that looks like the one Smokey Bear wears. She was intimidating to look at, especially since I can’t see her eyes. She opens her mouth and her voice is like a volcano eruption. “Get Off my Bus Now! And step on my yellow foot prints! Quickly! Quickly!” We don’t want to upset her, so we obey as quickly as possible. She stands in front of us like she was some kind of superhero and says these words:
“You are now aboard Marine Recruiting Depot Parris Island, SC. You have taken the first step to becoming a member of the world’s finest fighting force, the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps success depends upon team work. Therefore, team work will be a central part of your training here at Parris Island. You will live, breathe, sleep and train as a team. The words: I, Me, or My will no longer be a part of your vocabulary. You will use words such as: This recruit, that recruit, these recruits. Do you understand?”
We all answered in unison “Yes ma’am!”
“Tens of thousands of Marines have begun outstanding service to our country on these very foot prints in which you stand today. You will carry on that proud tradition. Do you understand?” We as a newly formed family, answer again “Yes ma’am!”
Life did change, and for the better. I have grown into a more confidant, independent, strong willed woman. If it wasn’t for me getting on that bus that night, I don’t know what my present day life would be like. I didn’t realize it right then and there, but “Get off My Bus Now!” meant welcome to your new life.
