THE PENTAGON — Marine Gen. David H. Berger announced that as an incentive to complete the Commandant’s Professional Reading List, each Marine who reads a book off the list will be awarded a Reading Award Certificate redeemable for a free one-topping personal pan pizza.
“Reading is foundational,” Berger told reporters. “Did you know that 75% of Marines grow up in barracks with no newspapers, and 63% have only read a magazine to see if there are any boobie pictures in old issues of National Geographic? This program will help Marines with doing something dangerous, scary, and outside their comfort zone—reading a chapter book.”
The program, called “YutIt!” will be led by Colonel Alvin “Stuffed Crust” Strohman, a pilot with a thirst for knowledge and Pepsi products.
“I was at the exchange and heard a group of Marines try to figure out how to swipe left on a copy of First to Fight by the incomparable Marine Corps historian Victor Krulak and I knew I needed to do something,” Strohman said. “This program encourages Marines to set realistic reading goals and complete them. I’m working to get them a button they can wear with cammies with a space for little EGA stickers they can add for each book they read. Isn’t that nice?”
