I went to Boot Camp Jan 1957. MCRD Plt 307. Dis were SSgt Fisk, Sgt Nichols and Cpl. Tracey. These marines were tough but nothing like my dad. My dad was a WW2 hero in the Battle of the Bulge. He was one mean SOB. So when I got to Boot camp all the yelling abasing and physical treatment was blah. I was always in trouble and was called s__t bird regularly. Usually they sent guys like me back for retraining. However I got perfect scores on the 3rd week and 11th week written exams. I knew my general orders before anyone else and I could answer any question presented to me. I also fired a 237 out of 250 on the rifle range earning a expert Rifleman's badge. I was selected as the Honor man from my platoon and competed for Series Honor man of which I won and was promoted to PFC. The award for Honor man was a set of Dress Blues from leatherneck magazine. When I went to supply to get the Blues they gave me the cash $33.64. The DI asked to see the blues and I told him I took the money. You got it another ass kicking and sent back for the Blues. I had to wear them on graduation day and I was a little embarassed to draw any attention to my self. But as my title suggests when you are in boot camp all your thinging is done for you. You know when to get up,eat ,what to wear and just follow orders. You are conditioned not to make any decisions, that doesn't happen after you are in a unit.