I joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 5/5/55. Before I went into boot camp July 3, 1956, I had two weeks of training in July of 1955. During the first week we were at Coronado Navy Base/UDT, which is the base that the SEAL’s train today in California. We trained for amphibious landings after lots of classes. We went down to the beach and loaded on to LCM’s and went to the APA, attack transport, which was anchored several miles off shore. We climbed the cargo nets with all of our equipment. The next morning we climbed down the cargo net and headed for the beach. I was in the third wave of boats, LCVP’s . The next day we assaulted two hills at Camp Elliott; the assaults went in to the night. The second week we were at Camp Mathews which is the rifle range for boot camp. I was trained on the M1 Grand rifle and the .45 ACP pistol. I qualified and could shoot at a man at 500 yards and hit him with my M1 Rifle. Also, I trained with the BAR, .30 cal air cooled machine gun. I did helicopter assault training and a helicopter assault. There is no information in my files about being aboard a ship or a helicopter. I have a picture of the helicopter with me standing next to it, USMC official photo. This picture shows proof that I was there. This took place between my junior and senior year of high school. I also marched in a Veterans Day parade – November of 1955 in Long Beach, California with my unit – the 15th rifle Co. USMCR, U.S. Navy Ammunition & Net Depot Seal Beach, California.
In high school I played football, baseball, and water polo which I lettered in all three. My PE teacher was our swimming/water polo coach, he taught gymnastics and tumbling also. I did rings and parallel bars, in my senior year I became a Red Cross Certified Life Guard. At the age of 14, I was in Sea Scouts. We wore a modified navy uniform. Our ship was an early WWII Higgins boat LCP, which I was at the wheel a lot. We took the ship to the Long Beach Naval Base CA. from Newport Beach CA. for a Sea Scout outing – we stayed in the barracks. We were lucky enough to go on/into an air craft carrier, submarine, and other ships. I even got to sit in the captain’s seat on the air craft carrier which was a treat for a 14 year old. At our Sea Scout Base, Newport Beach, California we trained on ship duties. I learned to climb the cargo net that was on the base. We had boat races with full size life boats. Also, we went up in a Navy C47, with Sea Scouts from our Ship 73, out of NAS Los Alamedas, California. We were instructed on how to use a parachute which we were required to ware while in flight, and for bailout over water as we went over water. Also, I had been in Boy Scouts and was a life scout. I was trained in camping, map and compass, and first aid.
All of this happened before boot camp. When I went into boot camp I was a PFC, the DI had me cover it up. By this time, I was already a trained Marine. I think this is why I got so much grief from the first DI, he knew the training I already received. Also, when we, there were 15 of us from the 15th us that arrived at San Diego MCRD, boot camp, we were told we would not go on schedule for four weeks. This could be why the DI was pissed off. After all, he may have perceived this as baby sitting for the four weeks. I had all of my uniforms and he said I did not need all of them yet. The reason for the delay was the Corps had more recruits than they had planned for. I came out of boot camp still a PFC .
Back in July of 1957 we were out for two weeks training again this time we were at the Marine Corps, Cold Weather & Mountain Warfare Training Center at Pickle Meadows, California. At this time the movie DI came out and we got liberty in Reno NV. We, all of us that had been to boot camp, went to see the movie. We wanted to see if they showed the real boot camp. It was a joke, good movie but not real, there are only two movies that come close, Tribes, and Full Metal Jacket. I have had nightmares about being in boot camp and never getting out, I keep telling them I have already done it. I still have nightmares/dreams about being back in the Corps. I also have seen on the History Channel a show about training at the Marine Corps, Cold Weather & Mountain Warfare Training Center at Pickle Meadows. The only training they were getting I could see was how to be good prisoners. I could not sleep for two weeks still have trouble every time it comes on.
My Boy Scout and my Marine Corps first aid training came into play when I lost my left leg and I gave myself first aid. I used my Marine Corps scarf for a ternecut to keep myself alive. I keep telling myself I had to keep myself cool calm and collected or I would die right there.
Sincerely,
Wm. David Schooling