Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Military News

Marine Pvt. George A. Contini, son of Laurie E. Parmer of Emmet, recently completed basic training at U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, S.C.

Contini successfully completed 12 weeks of training designed to challenge new marine recruits physically and mentally.

Contini and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a.m. by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Contini spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments, which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training.

They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.

Contini and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps' core value honor, courage and commitment, and what the words mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.

He and fellowship recruits ended the training phase with the crucible, a 54-hour team effort, problem solving evolution which culminated with an emotional ceremony in which the recruits were presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and were addressed as 'Marines' for the first time since boot camp began.

Contini joins 41,000 men and women who will enter the Marine Corps this year from all over the country.

He is a 1997 graduate of Germantown High School of Germantown, Tenn.