Dear Sgt Grit,
Marines are Marines… no matter where they trained. Back in the pre-WWI "Old Corps", Marines had been trained at various Naval bases like Puget Sound. In WWII a unit of Samoans sworn in (USMCR) and trained in American Samoa.
As a "Hollywood Marine", I thought that I would settle this issue once and for all. This petty bickering must come to an end. The accident of geography and weather should mean nothing. The fact that San Diego has a Mediterranean climate and lacks surrounding swamps and swarms of sand fleas is a mere detail. It is the training that makes boys into
Marines that counts.
First of all, when we arrived at MCRD in June of 1968, we were not "issued dress blues and sent on liberty into San Diego…" This would have been irresponsible and injurious to the reputation of the Marine Corps. First we had to go to the recruit barbershop to get a light trim so that we would present a military appearance when we went on liberty that night.
We were not issued "flashy Elton John" type sunglasses. That is a cheap rumor. We were issued basic aviator type sunglasses in high polished gold. We were required to wear these day or night when on liberty.
We were not "bussed to Hollywood for dates with Hollywood starlets…"They were flown into Lindbergh Field in a charter jet.
Above all, we were not given 30 days leave immediately upon arrival. No matter what day of the week we arrived, we had to return from our first liberty in time for hard core Marine training… 1400, Monday.
I know that my brothers who graduated from P.I. are also faced with rumors by loose-mouthed people. There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that "Hollywood Marines" are better looking than P.I. Marines. There is absolutely no truth to the rumors about the quality of Marine produced in either Recruit Depot. There is probably no truth to the rumor that "Hollywood Marines" are smarter than Marine from P.I.
I hope that I have laid this matter to rest.
J.F. Owings
0311 1968-70