|
"This Recruit is
fantastic. It is a page turner that reads like a novel."
|
|||
|
Just before the dawn of the Global War on Terror, Kieran Michael Lalor left his career as a high school social studies teacher, endeavoring to fulfill his lifelong dream. Lalor followed his father and brother's footsteps into the United States Marine Corps. This Recruit presents Lalor's nightly journal entries, beginning with the uneasy trip to the recruiters office and the eerily quiet bus ride to Parris Island. Lalor describes the wicked combination of fear, nerves, disorientation, misery, loneliness, and homesickness that conspire to keep him from his goal-- along with the hours of close order drill, push-ups, hand-to-hand combat training, the pit, and the unrelenting mind games. Witness the nasty recruit-on-recruit infighting that results when young men struggle to survive while being pushed past their limits physically, mentally, and emotionally. Gaze at the target from the five hundred yard line on Qualification Day, when failure means at least an extra two weeks on the island and the added humiliation of failing the quintessential test of a Marine. Experience the rappel tower, night firing, the infiltration courses, and long back-crushing humps. Struggle with Lalor and his platoon as they try to overcome the Crucible, the final obstacle before claiming the title of United States Marine. |
 |
||
| " After the hump we moved all our belongings into our new squad bay. Then it was time to change over into PT gear and begin cleaning the rifle range barracks. We got undressed "by the numbers" and the Drill Instructor's first order was to remove our right boot. Knotted laces prevented me from untying my boot so the Drill Instructor bent down, reached around the back of my leg, grabbed the heel of my boot and completely upended me. As I lay on my back, with my foot in the hands of this madman, he pulled and tugged on the boot, indifferent to the fact that he was literally swabbing the deck with my flailing body. When somehow the tied boot came free of my aching foot, the Drill Instructor hurled it toward me as I lay in stunned disbelief on the deck. The size eleven combat boot drilled me in the chest and, although adrenaline prevented it from hurting, it knocked the wind out of me. Defeated, I rose and returned to my spot in front of my footlocker. As I stood on line with one boot on and the other still cradled in my arms, I began shaking violently, consumed by rage, despair, and regret. " | |||
|
Upcoming Appearances
National Marine Corps Business Network Tuesday, March 22nd at 6:30pm. 
Kieran
Michael Lalor enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in
July, 2000. In the aftermath of the September 11th attacks,
Lalor's infantry unit was twice called to active service. He
served as a S.A.W. Gunner in Iraq and is the founder of Iraq
Veterans for Congress political action committee. Lalor
and his wife, Mary Jo, live in Fishkill, New York, with their
young children.Full biography |
Purchase Now
Only $21.95 - or - Purchase By Mail |
||
Published By: |
|||
