Sgt Grit,
Your site really brings back some memories. Don Harkness story of how he came to join the Marine Corps rather than get drafted into the Army and his travel and arrival at receiving barracks at Parris Island prompted some thoughts about my experience. Don was over 21 years old and was put in charge of, as he states, "23 strangers, many of them teenagers who never had been away from home." for what appeared to be a one day travel via commercial airline.
His story brought to mind my experience when I was given written orders (see attachments) with instructions to "take charge of the below named men" and get them to MCRD-SD over a three day train trip. The differences were that I was a 17 year old high school dropout that never received a draft notice and needed parental permission to enlist. Physically, I was just OK, about 6' and 190, not exactly a solid jock I don't know how I scored on any of the written tests but I had a GCT of 130, but I didn't know that until some time in boot camp. There were only two other 17 year olds (that I was aware of) in our group of sixteen. At least one guy was married and at least a couple had attended college; I was placed "in charge" of older guys, guys that were full-blown adults, some of whom had actually traveled out-of-state.
We reported to the USMC Recruiting Station in the Federal Building in downtown Detroit, MI early on the day of departure. The morning was taken up by various and sundry paperwork and swearing-in followed by the issuance of meal tickets for lunch at the restaurant across from the main entrance of the building. At 1630 hours, we were bussed to the Michigan Central Railroad Station and dropped off without any adult male supervision (like maybe a real Marine).
That's when my troubles began. Several of the "men" were over 21 years old and therefore could legally obtain adult beverages. They had plenty of time before the train departed thus they did so. We were transported in a Pullman car (seats made into beds at night) at the end of the train. Well, right off the bat, out came the beer and booze, cards, dice, girly books, you name it. To top it off, several fellow travelers from the cars ahead of us, walked through the train to look out the rear platform; this occurred many times on each leg of the trip. It was especially dicey when the fellow travelers were wearing skirts. Oh yeah, the catcalls, the smoke from cigarettes and cigars, the gambling (for money, no less) and many of the herd lounging in their skivvies. In Chicago, more future Marines boarded the train and several Detroit-Chicago rivalries boiled to the surface and some brief altercations ensued. The train trip was actually enjoyed by all (except me), they partied and slept. I worried all the way to San Diego. I knew that I would be the feature player in a court-martial and serve my enlistment in some naval penal colony.
It was not to be. Everything worked out in the end and the misconduct was not punished by disciplinary action. According to the orders, I was to report to the Commanding General of MCRD-SD with the detail in my charge. I must admit that I did not do so as I never got a chance as my arrival was quite chaotic. Also, I do not even remember being given ten cents for a phone call to request transportation nor any yellow footprints either.
BTW: Arrived at MCRD weighing 190 and departed ITR weighing 155; ate like a horse and the chow was pretty good. Drill Instructors were S/Sgt M. Sorensen, Sgt E.G. Green, Cpl Charles T. Overstreet joined by S/Sgt J.H. Kearney in about our 8-9th week. It would be great to hear from any of my fellow enlistees or the Drill Instructors.
I did have the emmense pleasure of locating and speaking to Gunny Overstreet about 10-12 years ago and I kept referring to him as "Sir"; I couldn't help myself. He told me that I was the only former recruit of his to ever contact him and that it meant a great deal to him. It was a great deal for me too.
Also, If anyone (must be a lot of former recruiters out there) would like to weigh-in on this, I've often wondered how the decision is made and who makes it, as to who is put in charge of a detail of recruits traveling to boot camp.
Gerald Sington
Plt 119, I-3-11, I-3-1, and HQ1stMarDiv
"How long have I been in the Corps?
Just over 55 years, Sonny"