Marine Mystique Irresistible Lure For Recruits By David Casstevens The morning after H. Norman Schwarzkopf and John McCain spoke to the nation about military strength and duty to country, two youths stood on the sidewalk in downtown Phoenix. They looked like typical teens, dressed in casual summer wear that defines their generation. Cotton shirts. Baggy shorts, worn low on the hips. Sneakers, the laces loosely tied. Their name tags identified them as Steve Gross and Josh Uini, now property of the United States Marine Corps. The high school buddies from Las Vegas waited in companionable silence outside the U.S. Military Entrance Process Station. They had been in town for two days, staying at an economy motel. Now, hands jammed in their pockets, they watched the traffic on First Street. Alone with their thoughts and comforted by each other's presence, they studied the faces of strangers entering and leaving the next-door Burger King. Anxious. Uncertain. Expressionless. Very quiet. "You have the time?" Steve asked me, breaking the silence. Neither kid wore a watch. Where they were going they wouldn't need one. An hour earlier the 18-year-olds had taken their physical exams, signed papers and then raised their right hands and solemnly sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help them God. It was done. There was no turning back. Now they were killing time, waiting for a ride to Sky Harbor Airport. They would catch an afternoon flight to San Diego and then file onto a bus that would take them and other recruits to Marine boot camp, home for the next 13 weeks. Even though unemployment is low and college enrollments are high, the Marine Corps has no trouble achieving its "mission." The Marines have met or exceeded their recruitment goals every month for the past five years. The Phoenix station, which serves Arizona (excluding Yuma) and lower Nevada, shipped 105 Marine recruits to camp last month. The Marines know what motivates and appeals to many youths. It's not college and job benefits. It's the Corps' heritage. Its image. One recruiting poster pictures a stone-faced drill instructor glaring out from the flat brim of his hat, his mouth a bloodless cut. The caption: "Just think of me as your new guidance counselor." Steve's parents wanted him to go to college but the military called to him. Why the Marines? "It's the hardest of all the branches of service," he said. "They have more pride. People respect them the most. Right now I'm not disciplined enough. I need to become more reliable." So he signed up against his family's wishes. Josh's mom and dad wanted their son to join the Army. Both had served in the Army. But Josh was determined to be a Marine. So here they stood. The Two. The Proud. Both said it isn't so much duty to country that led them to their decision, although duty, honor, courage and commitment will become values, not just words, that will shape the people they become. Mostly, they just wanted to get on with their lives. Take responsibility. Grow up. Nervous? Josh glanced as Steve, who pictured them, only hours from now, when they step off the bus. "I'm sure I will be," he said, "when they start screamin' in my face."