In regards to the posting in the newsletter of April 6th. The writer that stated that in 1959 that 2nd Battalion barracks were brick. I went through Parris Island recruit training in January, February, and March of 1966 (Platoon 215). The picture of my wife and myself was taken in from of my barracks on the windy graduation day of 9 March 1966. As you can see from the picture, the barracks of 2nd Battalion were wood with what appeared to be either wood or asbestos siding.
Also, as to Yellow Footprints. After being herded off of the bus around midnight and into Receiving while being yelled and screamed at the entire time, there could have been yellow, red, purple or any other color footprints on the deck, and I don’t think anyone getting off of that bus would have noticed them.
Semper Fi,
Cpl Bob Mauney
RVN 1966/1967
I was Plt 240, 2nd Bn April 68-June 68 and still had white wood siding bldg.
I was in Plt 229 1/27-1/26/69
I spent June and July of 1966 in the 2nd Bn. Wood barracks. I still remember thinking of all the Marines before me who trained in those barracks. For a few minutes I was caught up with the men who would later serve at Tarawa, Iwo Jima, and other hell holes. I wish all my fellow Marines could have xperienced the history of those old barracks.
I was on Plt. 269 in Sept. 1963. The barracks were wooden. I revisited PI in 1994 and my barracks was still standing. Had. Sign in the window”Travel Office”.
Not related to this story but I had to laugh when I saw the “Red Medication Box” being sold on Sgt. Grit main web page. Years ago I would have made fun or said something cute but I fully understand why they make such things. For you younger Marines one day you will find them handy as well.
Pill Box, I now have them am, lunch, pm and night, Sir, Sgt P Roberto, Plt 208 Feb 63 RVN 64 – 65 and for you folks who wonder about such things, I went to jump school after VN and as a Cpl. jump pay was 55 and so was combat pay back them
the wooden barracks were there in 1965 when I was there also we stood in wooden barracks when we went to the rifle range. I managed to take a few cookies back to the barracks that I had hidden in my pockets after chow. I planned on eating them the next day for breakfast , unfortunately the mice chewed a hole in my duffle bag and beat me to them. I was pissed !!!
August — October 1965 — 2nd Battalion Company K Platoon 261 — Sr. DI S/Sgt Deffes — Jr DI’s Sgt Allen – Sgt Pearson — “wooden barracks” — I believe our barracks was right across the street from the Chaplin/Church — the only time we saw brick barracks was when we went to the rifle range and we were in brick barracks — thought we were at the “Hilton” — what a differenced — Went back to PI in 2001 for my son’s graduation, he was also in 2nd Battalion — in “brick barracks” — I didn’t recognize anything, except probably the “parade deck” was still the same — everything else, all a blur — when you are in PI boot camp, who has time to take in the sites?! — and as for “yellow foot prints” — at 2AM, who looks down at your feet?! — and saying “ooraa” NOPE, never said that, well, can’t remember ever yelling that — SEMPER FI MARINES — Sgt AL REITZ RVN ’68-’69 C1/1 & L3/26
Was at P.I. in 1957…3rd In..quonset huts..that’s the way to. live..by the way, I need that red pillbox..
4th battalion platoon 87march 1956 Quonset huts,wood on the rifle range
I went through PI in June,July and August of 1961,2nd Battalion, platoon 230 Sir. We were in the Wooden Baracks. If my memory serves me, 3rd battalion was getting ready occupy the new brick barracks. SEMPER FI. L/Cpl John Wyckoff
I went through PI in June, July, and August (1st Battalion, Platoon 1015). In the summer of 1966 only 3rd Battalion and rifle range barracks were brick.
Bob, I went thru Parris Island in 1981 in 2nd Battalion (2063) and our barracks were brick, but those old wooden barracks were referred to as “receiving barracks” back then. My guess is those brick barracks were built in the late 60’s? Semper Fi Marine! Mike Kunkel. Cpl. 0331. Lima 3/8
In Aug 1970 double timed us past modern brick barracks to our home.Never forrget trying to double time inside, with all my gear only to end up on the deck to be reminded that don’t wear covers inside. Yes they were still in use in1970 platoon 292.
I was in P.I. in the summer of 1956. We started in the 3rd Battalion Quonset huts but were sent to open up the 5th Battallion, Nissan huts. That was a step down.
1st Bn. recruits had the old wooden barrack also in 1964. My platoon was 194, we were topside. Going up and down the outside ladder wells was good exercise, if you didn’t trip. I would give anything to go back to that time. Platoon 194 Oct.-Dec. 1964
I was in Boot Camp Jan – Feb of 72 and was in the wooden bldgs. Came back six years later for DI duty and the bldgs for the WMs were brick. Big change.
I was in those 2nd battalion barracks back in September -December 1967,, platoon 2052,, the best part was “field day” in those barracks,,the wood walls , ceilings and floors would spit out more dust faster than we could clean it up, my Jr.. Drill instructor was Sgt Taliano,, the same one Sgt Grit has on his poster “We don’t promise you a rose garden”.He was a damn GOOD DI !!!, learned a lot , still think of him often.
Rick, I met Sgt Taliano at a fundraiser we had for him to help with his medical bills. Got one of his posters autographed by him at the end of the ride. It was a motorcycle Poker Run, but I don’t remember how much we contributed to him, but he was very grateful for what we gave. Helluva nice guy, and a Marine through and through. Semper Fi, My Brothers and Sisters. Gunny L, 5/72-9/92.
I was in 3rd bat. 1960 plt 318…Nelson huts first,Quanset huts next brick building next for about one hour red floor color came off and ruined our dress greens. They were the only brick barrecks at that time…what yellow footprints? Semper Fi
August 1968 platoon 2010. Wood barracks and floors we had to scrub every morning. 3rd bn was only one in series with brick other than rifle range.
Platoon 268 1960 2nd Batt Wooden Barracks no yellow footprints
Platoon 498 1945-Stayed in the Quonset huts where the giant cockroaches dived for cover when the lights were turned on.
July 1966, 3rd Bn. Plt 3062, Brick Barracks, 3rd floor, Wylie, no X,Y, or,Z. My ass got chased up and down the stairwell, never remember any air conditioner cooling, or any yellow foot prints.
Funny how things change 2nd battalion ,plt 215 in 1959 were wooden barracks and quonset huts at rifle range
February / May 1954, 4th Battalion, Platoon 120, Quonset huts both in training area and rifle range, no heat either, no yellow foot prints and many years later I had to ask a younger Marine, “what is this ooohrah, s..t” To real Marines it will always be Semper Fi. Three DI’s, Sgt. Johnson, replaced half way through cycle by SSgt Geer, couldn’t call cadence worth a damn, two Jr. Di’s, both PFC”s, Radford and Miller. Ran into Radford in Okinawa in 1955, I had made corporal, he was still a PFC, just had to rub it in a little. Get to PI about once or twice a year, working for Ka-Bar Knives Inc., every Marine wants or has one, best fighting knife ever made, and still made in the USA. Many changes at PI now and down the road. First set of brick barracks now being torn down. But one thing for sure, “They still Make Marines there”.Semper Fi.
Plt 211 feb to April 65 2nd Bn wooden barracks 2nd floor, but the new brick barracks at the rifle range.
plt 151 Aug to Oct 1961 1Bn were wood as was 2nd Bn across the grinder from 1 Bn, the range were Brick at that time.
IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES, IN 1964 I WAS IN THAT BLDG, platoon 217, 1ST FLOOR. I REMEMBER, AND BOY HOW “I REMEMBER”. I WILL NEVER FORGET. P.I.
P. I 1958 platoon 303.Quonset Huts.D.I Sgt L.W.Watson andSSGT W.R. Connell.
Oct 67 plt2062 wood barracks rifle range bricks concrete floors. Push ups done on ur knukles
Platoon 265 -Wooden Barracks all the way at PI. Our Senior Drill Instructor, SSGT RASH KIA Vietnam in ’68. 12 other members of our Platoon were KIA. Many WIA. Semper Fi!
I was in Platoon 242 at PI from January through late March of 1967. We were upstairs (topside). The barracks were definitely wood sided at the time. And yes, there certainly WERE yellow footprints to greet us when we scrambled off the bus that dark night/early morning. What followed was the longest day of my life. Wouldn’t trade the experience for anything! E. MIchael Helms, Echo 2/4, Vietnam, 1967-68 (0311).
I was in Platoon 293 form July 1968 to Aug or Sept. and the buildings were wood. I to remember scrubbing those wooden floors with my scrub brush every day. Drill Instructors Sgt. Siegfried Cpl Mercer SSgt Glenn 12th Marines March 1969–Jan 1970 11th Marines Jan 1970—– Oct 1970
I was in platoon 168 2nd RTB feb- may 1951 base side we were quartered in wood barracks tents at rifle range,when we arrived at PI I don’t remember seeing yellow foot prints What I do remember DI saying get out of the bus & all I want to see is ass-holes and heels and smoking lib is out—- several of us looked at each thinking what is he talking about! we soon found out Our DI were Sgt brooks & Brookshire,Cpl.Ackers all southerns, 90% of us from NY area I guess you know how that went from day 1. they called us the MOB– Semper Fi to all
I was in Platoon 294 OCT 1965, Wood Barracks, Upper Deck, 4 DI’s tortured us for 2.5 mos!! Have the Platoon pic but no other info. Would really like to try to get a list of the Platoon members and especially my Boston Boys. Suspect a couple of them ended up doing time.. was a tough group! Twelve of us all took the Pulman train together on a MON afternoon… Arrived in PI next day (late afternoon). Some one mentioned yellow feet on the deck … YES there were yellow feet. And … FYI we did use new brick barracks @ the Rifle Range near the end of our PI tour … still had M14’s of course. I made top Expert Marksman in my Platoon and got one of 5 promotions. Lead the Platoon in starched utilities back to the old Barracks! I still can remember the thunder of our boots on the deck marching back!! The Head DI was a seasoned career Sargent who had been busted 5 times for hitting trainees… Had the rank of Staff Sargent once and then Corporal then back to Sargent. He had tears in his eyes watching us march back to base camp….Hope someone can tell me how to get a list ! See me on FB and LI … cell is 508-395-2500!
I was in plt 312 in February 63. I know the barracks were relatively new, but frankly I don’t recall them being all that luxurious. At the time I could have been in hell or prison and it wouldn’t have been much different.
I was in 1st Bn Plt 185, Sept to Dec 1960 I think we did more pt inside those old wooden bldgs. then we did on the parade field.
I went through PI in 2nd battalion in1957. As I recall it, 1st Bn was in brick barracks, 2nd Bn was in wooden barracks, and 3rd Bn was in quanset huts. I don’t recall yellow foot prints thou they could have been there. I was next stationed at PI in 77-79 for my twilight cruise. For the most part every one was in brick barracks. However 2nd Bn’s wooden barracks were still in use for Casual Co, permanent party and office space. Sometime after 79 they came down as well.
I went through boot camp OCT 76 in 2nd Bn PLT 2000. I was also stationed on on PI from 1977 through 1979. The old wood baracks were still standing in 2nd BN as receiving for new recruits and in weapons BN as CCP and PCP. All the training baracks were brick during that time. I went back to PI for my sons graduation in 2000 and all of the wooden baracks were gone.
I went through PI boot camp in June-August 1964 and was in 1st Bn PLT 150, we were top side in wooden barracks. The only brick buildings were at the rifle range and 3rd Bn “Disneyland”. The swamps were in our backyard behind were we washed our clothes. It was a long, hot & humid summer but it prepared us for our amphibious landing the following August in South Vietnam.
I hope to visit PI again in August of 2018, that will make 50 years since I was in 1015 wooden barracks.
I was at Parris Island January 1951 Plt 25 we stayed in tents on rifle range small stove for heat bitterly cold From there to Camp Pendleton stayed in Quonset huts Tent Camp 2
This 80 year Marine was in wooden barracks in 1954. Jan – apr. no oohraah bull rap just SEMPER Fi and sands of Iwo Jima with John Wayne movies when we deserved it.loved it. SEMPER Fi MARINES.
I was in plt 153 Jul, Aug, Sep of 1961. 1st and 2nd Bn were both in wood barracks. 3rd Bn was in brick. SSgt Ball, SSgt Tracy, and SSgt Tafao were our DI’s. Went back about 3 yrs ago, went to the Museum and was told I better go visit the old barracks because they were being torn down the next week. My old barracks was still there and brought back a ton of memories. Glad I got to see it before it was torn down.
I was in Plt. 279 From March 67′ thru May. My personal opinion of this Blog is there seems to be a conflict as to whether it’s Sandiago California or PI Sc. When I was in boot camp, all barracks were wood from with asbestos siding and at the rifle range, they were all brick. The yellow foot prints were obvious because of obvious instruction to place your feet on them. Some time in the 90’s I went back and they were all brick. The only time I saw quonset huts was at Camp Pendleton in October 67′ before going to ‘Nam.
I was in platoon 262 Aug to Nov 1960. wooden barracks,don”t remember footprints, could be because i was scared to death. Best 4 years of my life. Those years formed my life. gave me a work ethic that is still there to this day. Semper Fi brothers.
PI winter of 79/80.. 2nd BN. Wooden barracks were used for receiving. When the full platoon was picked up by our DIs, we moved across the street to our brick barracks. View from second floor was looking over the parade deck, reviewing stand, memorial, etc…. I distntly recall the sunken heads and the bayonet scars in the wood work of the old receiving barracks. Also, our series was a 3 platoon series instead of four. PLT 2005, D Co., 2nd Bn