Author: SgtGrit

Hill 881 S

In memory of 2 LT. Joesph [ Bussy ] Mitchell, who was Plt. leader of 3rd. Plt. M-3-3  and  was KIA on Sunday morning April 30, 1967 while leading assualt on VC and NVA positions on the hill. Bussy was born to be a Marine and gave it all he had. He was my friend, classmate and fellow Marine. RIP Bussy {some called him Buzzy} and Semper Fi In memory of all Marines that were lost on 881 and 881 S. read more

Motivation

I went to MCRD San Diego in Oct 1967. Platoon 2092 and Honor Platoon. After training began there wasn't a day gone by that we didn't get "motivated" by one or all the DIs.This usually meant standing at attention, arms down to your side while you were "motivated". You knew you were in trouble when the DI called you in the "duty hut" and he puts on his black gloves so he wouldn't leave any marks. One recruit wasn't holding his m-14 right and the DI shoved the barrel into his face splitting his lip. They sent him to sick bay and told him to tell them he "tripped over his footlocker". Things like this went on daily for eight weeks. Did all the "motivations" make us better Marines? I don't know. I went to Vietnam and came back in one piece. I will say this of all the training I received boot camp had the biggest impact on me. When we got to ITR and BITS all the "motivations" stopped. I guess because we had access to live rounds and the troop leaders were afraid of getting shot.(ha). I have no ill feelings toward my DIs now. But at the time those three guys had to be the meanest and cruelest the Marine Corps had to offer. If you are planning on joining the Marine corps remember these three things. One, keep a low profile. Two, don't draw attention to yourself and three be in the very best shape of your life before going in. Football two a days aren't anything like you are about to experience in bootcamp. Other than that its a piece of cake. read more