I must be getting old, for the life of me I cannot understand why I did not post this when I came home from California in October 2010.
After many years my wife decided we were going to visit my sister and her husband in Anaheim, California. I had not been to California since I got back from Nam in 1966 on my way to Quantico, VA. She also planned all the spots we were gong to visit and asked me if there was one place I wanted to see. I told her in no uncertain terms if we were going to Southern California we had go a little further south to San Diego and visit MCRD and watch a Recruit Graduation. The only one I ever saw, I was in and did not get to see much as I, along with all the other recruits were a little busy that day.
The Quonset Huts that I remember in 1963 were for the most part gone and new shiny two story barracks were there. The Grinder was newly prepared for this graduation and was as spotless as I can remember. Other than that all of the area around that area has not changed in 47 years. Told the "BOSS" (wife) we will be going back in 2013 for my 50th anniversary of graduation from Basic Training.
I realized that I was old when I saw the Drill Instructors, (Sgt.'s, Staff Sgt.'s & Gunnery Sgt.'s ) looking so young, Even the Sgt. Majors I saw had to be in their mid to late 30's and looked so young.
I did get to talk to a couple of Drill Instructors and really do not remember them to be that friendly. LOL
"Semper Fi"
Paw