Parris Island: A Woman's Memoir Of Marine Corps Boot Camp

by Lisa Cordeiro

2010 EPPIE AWARD Finalist! Nineteen-year-old Lisa Cordeiro has no idea what to do with her life. She changes her major every week at UMass Amherst, around the constant partying in college and in Boston. She never considered it before, but one day she decides to join the military. On visiting the recruiting office, a Marine recruiter convinces her to enlist active-duty in the Marine Corps. She’s headed for boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina for a thirteen-week training regime considered by many to be the most difficult military training in the world.
At Parris Island, drill instructors break recruits down as individuals and rebuild them as Marines, part of a group. It is extremely difficult for men to make it through and it’s no easier for the women. Under the relentless eyes of four women drill instructors, women recruits are challenged by a dizzying array of obstacles tearing down every inhibition and self-doubt. Every dread is exploited and every fear is confronted.
Lisa Cordeiro brings you along on an intensely personal, physical, spiritual, and sometimes comical struggle to become a Marine. Letters from family and friends allow her to temporarily escape this new world she has entered, and give readers a glimpse into her life back at home.
From choosing among the various sales pitches thrown by military recruiters to survival tactics in boot camp, Parris Island allows you to experience Marine Corps boot camp like never before.

Don't miss the amazing sequel to PARRIS ISLAND by Lisa Cordeiro:

JOURNEY OF A WOMAN MARINE: LIFE, LOVE, AND TRAVELS DURING AND AFTER THE MARINE CORPS available now from Whiskey Creek Press!

 

Paperback

First published July 31, 2004

About the author

After serving in the Marine Corps, Lisa Cordeiro graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst then backpacked alone throughout Europe. After a magical year living and working in Paris, she returned to the Boston area, began freelance writing, and entered Harvard University Extension’s Masters in English program.

Lisa has tried many hats on including being a technical writer, Webmaster, editorial assistant, travel agent, real estate agent, bookseller, waitress, day care provider, library assistant, pastry decorator, residential counselor, and medical guinea pig, which have given her plenty to write about. Her constant love through it all was writing.

Lisa currently lives in the Boston area with her husband, Eric, son, Nicholas, and is expecting their second child any day now. Meanwhile, she is planning their next adventure abroad…

Reviews

[Amplotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa is a friend of mine and I was very excited to read about her experience in boot camp. I particularly enjoyed her decision process--how she got to boot camp. She's working on a new book and I'm looking forward to reading it.