NTC SD was/is next to MCRD. I remember wistfully watching the jets fly over.
Yeah, seeing those planes, headed home while we were face-down in the sand was both demoralizing and motivating. It motivated us to get through boot camp as quickly as possible, no setbacks.
We also had a NTC recruit who thought your boot camp was too harsh and he jumped the fence, unfortunately into MCRD. He was caught and placed with our platoon for a day and a night. The next day he was asked if he wanted to go back or wanted to become a Marine. Guess which one he chose.