Interview with Marine

This interview was conducted over a video call with Blake Hoffman, a former student at Hackettstown High School, who enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating in 2023.

Q: How would you describe the quality of food?

A: The MREs are okay in taste but give required nutrients, and come in different types. The food in the mess hall is pretty good and is almost like a home-cooked meal, without having to be home.

Q: How would the quality of housing? 

A: The quality on base is decent, but when out it can be rough. 

Q: Describe your daily duties as a marine.

A: Well, it depends on my duty to repair and maintain the base or vehicles in it. Others have various jobs, including patrolling the perimeter and military police.  

Q: Can you sum up how hard basic training was as a marine? 

A: Basic training was an experience, to say the least. It was scary at some points, but if you truly push yourself you make it a lot farther than you think you can.

Q: What caused you to join the Marine Corps? 

A: My kid, who by the way, was just born.

Q: What kind of free time/vacation do you get as a marine?

A: I usually try to spend that time visiting my kid and spending time with him.