Marine Recruit

The desire to find our calling in life is one felt by most inhalants of the world. The need to find our place in the world, whether it be in service of others, in conserving the planet, or protecting basic human rights against tyranny, is an inherit driving force in so many people’s lives, and should never be ignored when looking forward and determining the path we need to walk in our adult lives. One way people do this is through military service, and one of the most reserved paths a military recruit can take is through the United States Marines. As President Ronald Reagan once said, “Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.”

In author Herb Brewer’s Marine Recruit: Tears in the Sand, the author explores those who found their calling in the Marines. Taking place during the 1960’s, during a time of great crisis and war, the narrative explores a San Diego Marine boot camp, and gives readers a look at the growing narrative from two different perspectives: both the recruit and the drill instructor. Highlighting the grueling process, as well as the camaraderie, respect, and strength which grows from being taught the ways of the Marine Corp, narrative hones in on the specifics and everyday tasks set before the recruits and the drill instructors – both as their training intensifies and grows.

The author did such an incredible job of bringing not only this period of history but this gritty reality of life in a Marine boot camp to life. The imagery and atmosphere were thick with tension and the blood, sweat, and tears of the recruits pushed to their limits. The author found a great chord of harmony between character growth and attention to detail with the actual life of what life as a Marine recruit and drill instructor was. Readers will feel transported to this era, exploring the clash of ideologies for how to teach Marines to prepare for war, which as the author explains, led to much discussion on how drill instructors treated their recruits.

This is a majorly captivating read for those who enjoy fictional novels geared towards military storylines, in particular readers who either are fascinated with the history of the Marine Corps or who have lived through this process themselves. The attention to detail the author showed to this subject really gives a more grounded and engaging experience to the reader, while the shifting perspectives of the characters allows readers a more multi-dimensional view of what life for everyone on this military base was.

A memorable, honest, and grounded yet entertaining military fiction novel, author Herb Brewer’s Marine Recruit: Tears in the Sand is a must-read! The physical and emotional toll the training process takes on the Marines, as well as the fine line psychologically and physically a drill instructor must take to prepare their recruits for war without destroying them completely, made for quite a brilliant yet harrowing story that will have readers enthralled.

- Pacific Book Review