Author: SgtGrit

Boot Camp Joke about an AWOL Recruit

As the sun rose over Parris Island, the senior drill instructor realized that one of his recruits had gone AWOL. A search party was dispatched immediately. After a few hours the recruit was discovered hiding in some bushes. He was sent back to the base and promptly escorted to the drill instructor's office. The instructor asked the young recruit, "Why did you go AWOL?" read more

Making of a Marine

Submitted by: Matthew G. Heslin

Sgt. Grit,
I am a former Drill Instructor. MCRD San Diego. 1958-1960. I?ve written this story for Marines. It takes place at Parris Island, (my alma mater) South Carolina. The shock is the same regardless of which coastal transformation station they attended. You are welcome to print it if you wish. I?m sure many boot camp alumnus will recognize something familiar.
Former Sergeant of Marines,
Matt Heslin read more

Drill Instructor Philosophy

PI was like entering an alien world. My senior DI was M/Sgt Quiller, Herbert D. He was among other things a philosopher and genius with the English language, sort of like a Marine Eric Hoffer. (Hoffer was a longshoreman who wrote books, not that Quiller, H. D. would ever write a book) Herbert D. could use the word f*** as a noun, pronoun, adjective, verb, and adverb in one sentence. He gave me many things to take with me through life. read more

Chosin Reservoir Campaign 1st Bn Easy Company

Donald "Jake" McDonaldLooking for Chosin Reservoir Info

Sir…

I am writing in regards to the Chosin Reservoir campaign. My Uncle, who recently died, was one of 30 Marines left of 203 from the 1st.Batallion, Easy company. His name was Donald McDonald, but everyone called him "Jake". I have attached an article I scanned from the Toledo Blade newspaper written in early 1951. I was wondering if you knew of any other survivors from this battle, or his company, that might have known him. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I also have a December 25 1950 Life Magazine with his picture in it. If your interested, I would be willing to scan the entire article and send it to you. read more

Vietnam War – Thirteen Months and a Wake Up

THIRTEEN MONTHS AND A WAKE UP
By Pete Ritch ©2006

Memories from Peter J. Ritch, USMC 1967- 1970. Viet Nam, 1968-1969 and a member of the USMCVTA.

In 1967, two days after graduating from college and having just received my draft notice in the mail, I beat the draft and joined the Marines. And just as my Marine Recruiter had promised, seven months later I was headed for ?my thirteen months and a wake-up? in Vietnam. read more

A Fallen Soldier’s Legacy

The Painting
Author Unknown

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors round the world. read more

Remember Them by Mike Morgan

Sgt Grit,
This Sunday my church will have our annual Memorial Day Service. We Honor those who have fought and died to allow us the right to worship and serve Jesus Christ. Those who have served will be recognized during the service, we have a Color Guard from a local high school ROTC come in. This year we will honor a special Marine who just passed away last week. Cpl. David Miller, he was an Iwo Jima Marine, a Purple Heart Recipient and most importantly a Pastor of 45 years. I sat next to him during our Sunday services and many of opportunity to talk with him. His love for the Corps was only surpassed by his love for Jesus Christ and serving Him. In Honor of his service to our country, I have enclosed something that I wrote to display on our bulletin board at my church. I am no writer, but just wanted our younger generation to remember where their freedom comes form and its cost. It is not directly related to the Marine Corps, but to all of our servicemen and woman. If possible could you pass this on to allow some of the youth of America to understand what freedom cost. Thank you to those who have served and serve. read more

Tale of a Dramatic Drill Instructor

D.I. Dramatics
Submitted by: Ron “Tank” Rotunno

Pride in the Marine Corps arose from the depths of Sgt. P.D. Crocket’s soul. You saw it in his eyes when he was singing “The Marine’s Hymn.” He looked like Kate Smith when she sang “God Bless America”. That summer of 1965 was hotter and more humid than usual at Parris Island. Sweat poured off everyone as Crocket realized he had a flair for acting, for the dramatic; even for comedy. But his leadership technique was unique. His goal was indoctrinating the recruits with discipline, and he achieved it one way or another. read more

Remembering Your Favorite Boot Camp Lines

Boot Camp Lines

  1. Flippity flop, mob stop!
  2. There are only two ways off of this island, maggots. A pine box, or a Greyhound bus.
  3. (snapping in at the range) You think it burns now, wait until I sit on your shoulders!
  4. “Platoon 2102″ ……..”MARCH INTO CHOW”
  5. Fat bodies to the end of the line, skinny bodies to the front.
  6. Stick it out if you want some prive (you could have a lot of fun with this with a good looking gal on the shirt even though that’s not what it’s about)
  7. The best part of you…..
  8. Poster by the DI house of Life Magazine showing number of wounded Marines being medivacced many with severe injuries, “Sick Call goes at 08:00 now what’s your problem sweetheart?”
  9. “Pack your trash bitch, you’re going to Motivation Platoon”
  10. To WM”s……There is over five miles of dick on this island. And for the next 13 weeks, you ain’t gonna see one inch of it!
  11. ANOTHER GLORIOUS DAY TO SERVE THE CORPS……
  12. We’re on YOUR time, now ladies!
  13. YOU EYEBALLING ME PUKE?!
  14. Did you call me a “ewe”? Do I look like a female sheep to you? Do you want to F*** me, puke?
  15. This is my rifle,
    This is my gun,
    My rifle’s for killing,
    My gun is for fun!
  16. BENDS AND MOTHER F***ERS…ALL OF THEM THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DONE…READY,…Begin……..
  17. “You can take the man from the Corps, but you’ll never take the Corps from the man”
  18. “Semper fidelis is our creed… Marine Corps, is our breed”
  19. “If anybody could be a MARINE, it wouldn’t be the MARINES.”
  20. “The road to hell is paved by the bleached bones of the privates that fell by the wayside.”
  21. Before going to sleep at the range we had to sing the Marine Corps hymn and then in unison “God bless America, F**k Ho Chi Minh.
  22. GET ON YOUR STINKING FACE…NOW!!!!!
  23. YOU JUST WANNA TO KILL MY SAND FLEA, HUH?!!!
  24. Good thing you’re not a Marine yet, Because when a Marine quits HE’S DEAD!
  25. Another Glorious day in the Corps, Where every meal is a fest and every job a job is a chance to shine.
  26. I love this S***!
  27. Chesty wouldn’t like that!
  28. Good Morning! MARINES!!!!!! (LAST DAY)
  29. You keep going until I’M tired!
  30. You maggots pissed me off…..Squat thrusts forever…..
  31. Yea, though I walk thru the valley of death, I will fear no evil, because I’m the meanest Mother F***** in the valley.
  32. Good night Chesty Puller, where ever you are…Oorah!
  33. You have 30 seconds! 29… 28… 10. 5. You’re done! You’re stinkin done!
  34. I?m gonna get the senior to take ya straight to da PITT!!
  35. You want to play games? We can play all day long…!
  36. WAKE UP!!
  37. “The smoking lamp is lit for one cigarette”
  38. “ARE YOU TALKING TO ME PUKE?!?!?” …… “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!!!!”
  39. YOUR OTHER LEFT, SH!T FOR BRAINS!!!!!!
  40. Your Marine Corps left, maggot!!!!
  41. “Sir! The private requests permission to speak! Sir!”
    “YOU TALKING TO ME MAGGOT!”
    “Sir! Yes Sir!”
    “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!”
    “SIR! YES SIR!”
    “WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU MAGGOT?”
    “SIR! THE PRIVATE REQUESTS PERMISSION TO VISIT THE HEAD. SIR!”
    “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!”
    “SIR! THE PRIVATE REQUESTS PERMISSION TO VISIT THE HEAD SIR!”
    “DO IT!”

More Boot Camp Sayings and Quotes”

Sir Private (Jones) request permission to speak to the drill instructor.
(LOUDLY)
Speak Maggot
Sir Private Joe (Jones) requests permission to make a head call, sir.
Is it and emergency head call Maggot
Yes sir.
Then sound your siren and go read more