Anyone who thinks it was _always_ like this should rent "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" with Robert Mitchum (a WWII Marine Vet) and Deborah Kerr.
John> The 2nd Marine Division has a much smaller percentage of John> assholes than the 3rd Division. That has to be directly related John> to the officers rather than the enlisted men. How would sadists Josh> know to specify the 3rd when enlisting?
Well, in Boot Camp at least, they put the worst f*ck ups in 3rd battalion. As recruits, third battalion kids don't even get forks to eat with, its all spoons for them.
A similar situation might continue through the first assignment.
There are "management theories" and whatnot, but it could just be that the most rockingest MarDiv CO gets his pick of the best new people, as if it were a draft.
(It wouldn't be when enlisting, the assignments to MarDivs come after completing MOS school).
-Josh, who served 1 year, 7 days of service in the US Marine Corps.