Original Air Date: May 12, 2008

TO BE A MARINE

(Special Series Part 1)

When recruits enlist in a U.S. military branch, they know serving in a war zone is a real possibility.

Despite the realities of death and injury, the U.S. Marine Corps never has a shortage of volunteers lining up to serve.

For one week in March, we got a revealing look at the process that transforms raw recruits into Marines at the Marine Corps recruit depot in San Diego.

When you conjure up images of the marines what comes to mind?

Scenes from the movie "Full Metal Jacket?" Or how about the more recent movie "Flags Of Our Fathers?"

While the United States Marine Corps enjoys a distinctively rough and rugged reputation, there's another side to leathernecks that the average person usually does not see.

For over ten years, the marines have invited teachers, counselors and members of the media from across the country to their education workshops...

Dave Gilbertson, Skyview high school teacher - "an answer that I asked a marine... what are the differences between recruits now and ten, fifteen years ago and his answer very quickly, very strongly was they're better. That really did surprise me because in my years of teaching I have not been able to say that."

The hands-on workshop is designed to paint a more defined picture of training. As well as show how the marines differ from the other branches of the military.

Col. Rick Huenefeld, Marine Corps Recruit Depot - "our goal is to make sure they have a more open understanding of the process at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and the advantages to America’s youth to service to their nation."

For five days educators walk along side drill instructors who give them a taste of "marine style discipline." But the opportunity to watch recruits make the transition from civilian to marine during boot camp leaves a lasting impression. 

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Jacobs, Bozeman Marine - "it's a bit overwhelming at first but you get used to it and learn to pick out the things you need to do and learn the lesson you need to learn out of it."

Throughout the workshop educators are tested in some of the same drills Marine recruits perform.Including a bayonet assault course, combat conditioning and the infamous yellow footprints.....All to better understand the philosophy behind the rigorous discipline that marine recruits endure and live by.

For one week in March, we got a revealing look at the process that transforms raw recruits into marines at the Marine Corps recruit depot in San Diego.

Lisa Wolf - Beartooth News

(Copyright 2008 Beartooth Comunications Company. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Original Air Date: May 13, 2008

The Few, The Loud, The Drill Instructors

(Special Series Part 2)

The U.S. Marine Corps stands second to none as a tough, battle-hardened fighting unit but soldiers aren't made in a day...it takes three months of intensive training to make a Marine.

In the second report of our week long series "Montana, Semper Fi" we'll give you an inside look at the regimen and discipline of marine basic training.

The Few, The Proud, The Marines are led by The Few, The Loud, The Drill Instructors.

For three months during basic training a drill instructor has an almost god like ability to strike fear into the hearts of recruits. But Staff Sgt. Michael Naranjo says all that yelling, discipline and humiliation are done with a purpose. "It's not like we're on a power trip. we want them to understand that we need them to react as soon as we say something. because if they go to combat and they don't move as fast as we say they could lose their life."

No matter where a recruit is from whether it be Idaho, Wyoming, of Montana when they get to their squad bay for basic training uniformity is stressed from making there bed to something as simple as hanging a hanger.

Nicholas Jacobson, Bozeman marine recruit "kinda a controlled chaos. you don't really get a chance to stop and rest. you're always running, always doing something, you're always focused, you're always participating in something....it's a little taxing."

Staff Sergeant Naranjo helps recruits make the transition to Marines in spite of, or perhaps because of, the intense stress and discipline. "Every time you start out you get a raw product they don't know what's going on. they don't know anything about the military and three months later they're men. they graduated and they're men. it's an amazing change to see in those three months."

In the ten years since Naranjo went through basic training he says not much has changed.... which enables him to draw on his own personal experiences to help new recruits. "Training now is the same as it was ten years ago. so I understand what they're going through and I like seeing it each time."

Lisa Wolf - Beartooth News

(Copyright 2008 Beartooth Comunications Company. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Original Air Date: May 14, 2008

Marine Mom

(Special Series Part 3)

By taking part in hands-on exercises, educators from Montana and elsewhere get critical insights into the making of a marine. Most say it's an eye opening experience...for Bonnie Hofmann that was doubly true.

 In the third part of our series " Montana, SEMPER FI," an educator and Marine mom's life is changed forever in the marine corps educator workshop.

From the day he was born Bonnie Hofmann knew her son was special. Over the years she got to see him grow from a small child to an adult. but, when her son enlisted in the marine corps, she saw the most profound change. Bonnie Hofmann, Skyview high school special education teacher - "how wonderful and upstanding and forthright he is...and the Marines did that. he went in lost but came out found and that's what I attribute to the Marines."

Hofmann's son, Sgt. Robert James Agostinelli, has served in the marine reserves for over six years. but it took a trip to the marine's recruit depot to give bonnie a clear understanding of what her son went through. Hofmann – “I was in tears...I had no idea, no idea what he went through on a physical level as well as a personal level  and so being here...I texted him on my phone and said love you, proud of you...I had no idea."

Hofmann was unable to attend her son's military graduation so this was the first time she got to see what recruits go through to become Marine's. Hofmann - "i was always proud of him but being here allowed me to understand."

The educator says experiencing some of the same drills Agostinelli performed during basic training strengthens her appreciation of his accomplishments. she also says she knows her son is proud of her for making the effort. but it is her pride in him that will resonate long after her experience at the educator workshop is finished. Hofmann - "i have a new appreciation for him that's for sure." and now that Agostinelli is a proud parent himself, he has a renewed appreciation for his mother, as well.

This week…in the final two parts of our series we will profile a Helena recruit's experiences in boot camp and his feelings after returning home on leave.

Lisa Wolf - Beartooth News

(Copyright 2008 Beartooth Comunications Company. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Original Air Date: May 15, 2008

Brian's Story - Boot Camp

(Special Series Part 4)

This week, we've been reporting on what distinguishes the Marine Corps and its training from other military branches.

During our visit to the Marine Corps recruit depot in San Diego, we met a lot of recruits, but none with a story like that of a seventeen-year old Montanan.

In the fourth installment of our series "Montana, SEMPER FI", we'll explain why he gave up a lot to give back so much to his country.

Enlisting in the military requires sacrifice and commitment. For seventeen year old Brian Elm, it also took graduating early, forgoing the prom and sharing the moment with his class.

Brian Elm, Helena Marine Recruit - "I'm not going to be able to graduate with my class and I did have to make a few sacrifices but overall I think my classmates are in school right now and I'm starting my career."

Brian was the youngest marine in his squadron...his story is not typical...but his mom says neither is Brian.

Kris Kultegen, Brian's mom - "He's always known exactly what he wants, when he wants to do it and its best not to stand in his way."

Elm was a senior at Helena high when he decided to enlist in the Marines. After his biological father died, a difficult family situation led Brian to become independent at a young age...in his eyes, the decision to join the marines was no different.

Brain did not want to sacrifice his education but wanted to get a jump start on his career so he enrolled in several night classes at Helena high and after graduating early was sent to basic training in San Diego.

Elm - "My family was a little surprised just at how young I was and graduated early just to do this but they supported me one hundred ten percent." AND BRIAN USES THAT SUPPORT TO ENDURE THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CHALLENGES OF BASIC TRAINING.

Another source of motivation for Elm was self reflection and growth. "I can tell I've changed a lot.  I'm more disciplined and I think it’s helped me become a better person tenfold."

Brain hopes his experience in the marine's will propel him into a career with the F.B.I. or C.I.A. ultimately he just wants the chance to give back to his country.

tomorrow, we'll learn whether Brian's attitude towards the marine corps has changed after completion of basic training. we met up with him during his ten day leave in Helena.

Lisa Wolf - Beartooth News

(Copyright 2008 Beartooth Comunications Company. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Original Air Date: May 16, 2008

Brian's Story - Boot Camp Graduate

(Special Series Part 5)

At seventeen years of age, few people know exactly what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Helena Marine Brian Elm is an exception to that rule.

In the final part of our series "Montana, Semper Fi" we talked to the young leatherneck about life after boot camp and his plans for the future.

Boot camp graduate Brian Elm returned home for leave after earning his marine anchor and globe.... when he got home, elm had a list of things he wanted to do.

Brian said "Mcdonalds is definetly a must and then everything sweet because at bootcamp we didn't get too many deserts and having that sweet taste in mouth.....Definetly going to have to try it again before i go back."

Private Brian Elm has successfully completed boot camp and is officially a marine. This is the first time in three months he's gotten to visit family and friends but his visit will be short lived. In ten days he has to returns to camp pendleton and then florida to train for his assignment in intelligence.

"It was kind of wierd to not have to do things or being told to do things. It is kinda weird getting back and used to that transition but i'm enjoying quite a bit being able to sleep in without someone yelling at me," said Brian.

Elm, who recently turned eighteen, took night classes at Helena High to graduate early and enlist in the Marines. At seventeen, he was the youngest member of his bootcamp squadron, which proved challenging at times. But Brian does not regret his decision. "It was inevitable that I was leaving my friends I thought it would be less difficult if I left a little bit early and when i came back and saw the were doing the same thing and some are staying in Helena I knew it was a great way to get out."

Elm says if he had to go through basic training again he would...But was quick to add he's glad it's over.

The constant mental and physical stress of boot camp helped Brian become who he is and shape him into who he wants to become...One of the few, the proud, the Marines.

Lisa Wolf - Beartooth News

(Copyright 2008 Beartooth Comunications Company. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)