Ms. Willie Mae Jenkins

June 25, 1997

Dear Ms. Jenkins:

I would like to tell you of recent changes to Marine Corps recruit training and how the deeds of your late son, Private First Class Robert H. Jenkins, Jr., continue to inspire a new generation of Marines.

Some time ago, I envisioned a culminating event that would be the defining moment in a new Marine's life at recruit training. This vision materialized in what the Marine Corps now calls the Crucible. The Crucible is an extremely demanding, 54 hour long evolution that allows a recruit only 8 hours of sleep and 2 and 1/2 meals in order to simulate the sleep and food deprivation that can be experienced in combat. It consists of several hikes, 2 night events, and 6 major day events. Included in this are 12 Warrior Stations where the recruits must accomplish certain tasks. The Crucible ends with a stirring colors ceremony where each recruit is presented the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor insignia by a drill instructor.

To pay tribute to your son, we have named one of the Warrior Stations after him. Each week the traditions and values of the Marines Corps are passed on to our recruits as they learn of your son's selfless actions while they, themselves, meet the challenge of successfully completing the station.

The Warrior Station named after your son is called PFC Jenkin's Pinnacle. At this station, the recruits are paired off to traverse an obstacle. The mission of each pair of recruits is to get themselves and their gear over 2 beams, suspended by wire, that are unstable and moving. Although this station at first appears easy, the recruits soon discover that it takes teamwork to get over the top beam without losing their balance. When all of the recruits have successfully traversed the obstacle, a critique is conducted by the drill instructor followed by the reading of your son's Medal of Honor citation and a discussion of his heroic actions. I have enclosed some photographs of this station.

The selfless acts of your son reflect the values we are trying to instill in our recruits. He will always be remembered in the history of the Corps and will assist us in making new Marines through the example of his courage.

Sincerely,

C. Krulak

General, U.S. Marine Corps

Commandant of the Marine Corps