Expert: Jason Grabill - 10/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: Can you tell me what the Recruit Service Center at Parris Island does.  My daughter is in her 3rd week at Boot Camp and I received a call from her at that number looking for her recruiters cell phone number.  She was not allowed to really talk to me when she called and I have no idea whats going on.  Just wondering what the Recruit Service Center at Parris Island does.

ANSWER: Beth:

 I wouldn't get overly concerned, if there were real issues, you would have been notified by now.  Likely she needed the number to either complete some sort of paperwork, or to contact the recruiter about some sort of enlistment paperwork that didn't get sent to her.   It could also be a requirement for the command to contact the recruiter, and they needed the cell number, and she would be the best one to get it.

  At week three, she'll be confused and likely a little 'out of it'.  I wouldn't stress too much, thats' part of the process too.  

 The Recruit Service Center does exactly what it says it does...takes care of recruits.  Sort of like a big "human relations/customer service" department of a major corporation, if that makes more sense.

 You can always call the recruiter and ask what's going on...

Jason

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I received a call last night from recruits sr drill instructor informing me she was pushed back 2 weeks because she hit someone with a towel.  Is this common?  The DI did let me speak with her and I couldn't give me any further details (not allowed to say much) on the incident, and she will write with her new address and rbtn #, etc. today, but I'm wondering if this is a serious consequence (there was more than towel hitting involved) or is it common to move them back 2, not 1 week as punishment for something which seems trivial on its face (again, I'm nor sure of the whole story).?

Answer
Beth:

 Sounds like it might have been a disclipline issue, and moving her back (yes, it's common), was the easiest way to separate her from the other party.  Marines (and recruits) are expected to have a certain level of discipline, and striking another recruit with anything (fists, towel, book, etc) would be considered a lack of that, so she would be moved back.  The DI's aren't going to tolerate that sort of thing.

 It's not all that bad, hopefully she just got bumped back to another platoon, and she'll learn a lesson and graduate from here.  

Jason