This book isn’t a New York Times bestseller and you won’t see it on the shelf of a Barnes and Nobel any time soon but it does give unique insight into Marine Corps recruit training for women. And it is one of very few books to discuss female training from a woman’s perspective. Lisa Cordeiro writes about her personal experience, from signing up to join the Marine Corps under the DEP, to surviving thirteen weeks of Marine Corps Recruit Training.

Lisa’s book begins with her motivation for joining the Marine Corps. During summer break, Lisa can’t decide what major to choose. She soon realizes college life isn’t for her. A savvy Marine Recruiter convinces her to join “the best of the best” after she wanders into a recruiting office just to see what the different branches are all about.

I found this memoir interesting because I once considered joining the Marine Corps after my first year of college and there were times when I saw myself in these pages, like when she talks about having tea with her mom or not knowing what to do in college and her reasons for wanting to join. Other times I thought she was immature. For example, she goes out drinking the night before she leaves for Parris Island. Even Lisa admits that certain choices she made, like having a hangover for her first day of recruit training, were probably foolish. Overall I think any woman who is considering any branch of military would get a lot out of this book.

The memoir includes letters she received during training and information about hygiene and shaving. She also gave helpful tips on how she survived boot camp such as turning the combination on her foot locker until she had only one number left to unlock; when the drill instructors screamed “unlock it!” she was prepared.

At times her story becomes repetitive and she may have included too many personal letters from friends and family. Lisa explains her decision in an editorial review on Amazon, “My book includes several letters–for a reason. When a young person enlists, the decision doesn’t just impact the person leaving, but also family and friends back home.” Lisa’s story provides insight into what recruits like to read in letters, like news and events going on outside Parris Island. She also emphasizes how important letters were to her during training and how some recruits received very little mail.

Parents who have a recruit in boot camp (especially if it’s a daughter), will benefit from reading this book because in it they will find ideas on what to write, how it feels to hear from family after being isolated, and insights onto what thoughts go through the mind of a recruit.

Parris Island, A Woman’s Memoir is a unique book that chronicles one woman’s personal journey through boot camp. As I considered my options in college and the military I searched the internet for anything on women in the military and found most things about being a military wife. There is very little literature on becoming a female anything in the military, let alone becoming a female Marine.

The writing was a little muddy at times and I became confused when the writer kept referring to herself as Minassian. Finally I realized Minassian was her last name before she married. Keep in mind Lisa Cordeiro’s experiences come from attending boot camp in 1993, which is some time ago but while some things have changed since she went in (Marines don’t shine their boots anymore), many things remain the same and I believe the overall experience is still relevant and a good read for parents of women joining the Corps and women thinking about joining.

Parris Island A Woman’s Memoir of Marine Corps Boot Camp
By Lisa Cordeiro
Whiskey Creek Press, 2008. 353 pp.