Author: SgtGrit

Marine Corps DI’s Never Die

Drill Instructors Never Die!
Brian L. Hipwell
Adjutant/Paymaster
Twin State Detachment (#1010)
Marine Corps League
P.O.Box 1058
Lebanon, NH 03766

I enlisted in the Marine Corps April 23, 1965 under the 120 day delay program while in the senior year at Stevens High School, Claremont, New Hampshire. Shortly after graduation I shipped out for P.I. My father was a retired Marine M/SGT and I had been a service ‘brat’ so I knew what I was in line for. There were no surprizes at Boot Camp. read more

Old Corps Drill Instructor

Looking Back At The Old Corps
Submitted by: Ron “Tank” Rotunno

In 1965, one special career Marine had excelled as a leader of men. Yes, he had claimed membership in “the few, the proud”, but more than that, he was gung-ho, a hard-charger, a member of the “Old Corps”. At age 37, Sgt. J.R. Mickel was senior D.I. of Platoon #135 Company, 1st Recruit Battalion. To most raw recruits at Parris Island, he might as well been God Himself. He not only commanded their respect; he led them beyond the call of duty. As an 0300 infantryman, he’d earned the Silver Star for bravery in Korea, with combat stars for time of actual enemy encounter. The recruits knew all of this, although he, himself, never told them. read more

Platoons 206, 207, 208, 209

A Marine from “K” Company, 2nd Bn, Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Submitted by: John Wintersteen

RE: 1/26/59

I’m sure most of you from “K” Company, 2nd Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, could look at your DD-214’s and see that 44 years ago today, you enlisted in the finest major fighting force in the world. That decision alone to take such a large step is impressive enough. To finish Boot Camp and become a Marine is even more so. We all know inside ourselves what it took to overcome what fears we might have had. For some, it was being away from home and family for the first time in our lives, for others it was self-doubtcould we cut the mustard? What if we didn’t make it? Would we have to go back home and admit we failed? Maybe some worried about being sent to war. After all, the Korean War had ended just 6 short years before. read more

The Pucker Factor – Hearing your DI again.

THE PUCKER FACTOR
Submitted by: James Collins

Sgt. Grit, I just read the news letter (JUNE 8, 2001) and I thought I would die laughing at the story of the D.I.. Well, at MCRD in 1990 going through Boot Camp platoon 3014 Our, Jr. D.I. was Sgt. Dickson, he was big and had a voice that would put the fear of GOD in you, no matter what you were doing. I had a lot of respect for him and for the other D.I.’s of our platoon. read more

Marine Corps Boot Camp Description

Boot Camp. . . through the eyes of a recruit
Submitted by: Don J. Flickinger Sgt. USMC

Recruit Training, United States Marine Corps, officially comprises three definitive phases. First Phase concentrates on orientation, study of military subjects and physical training. Second Phase includes marksmanship training, combat exercises and long hikes. Third Phase is service week, final polishing and, finally, graduation. read more

Humorous Marine Corps Story

Customs and Courtesies vs. Common Sense
Submitted by: Kyle R. Fix, Former SGT, USMC

The following exchange was witnessed when exiting an on-base barber shop at MCAS New River, NC.

An Army Second Lieutenant attempted to verbally reprimand a Marine Sergeant Major for not rendering a hand salute when they crossed paths. The Sergeant Major was wearing his Service Alpha uniform and of course had service stripes up to his elbow. Without even so much as breaking his stride the salty old SGTMAJ replied, ” Take a friggin’ walk on my hash marks, boy!” The embarrassed soldier had the common sense to remain silent and walk away, hopefully taking with him a valuable learning experience. read more

Marine Fishing on Guard Duty?

GUARD DUTY
Submitted by Cpl. Bill Hart, USMC.
ANGLICO, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Mar. Div., 1953-56

This does not begin with ‘This is no shit…’ so it’s not a sea-story, it happened.

In late February 1954 I was a young Marine on my first deployment and aboard USS Olmsted, APA 188. We’d tied up for 4 days in San Juan, PR, before continuing to Vieques for a couple of months of living in squad tents, field problems, live-fire exercises and liberty in picturesque Isabela Segunda. On our first day in port I caught guard duty. It was my 18th birthday and my 365th day in the Corps. The post that I was assigned to, from 2000 to 2400, was the fantail of the ship and I was wearing typical guard uniform; utilities, steel helmet, cartridge belt with attached bayonet and my M-1 rifle. Most of the Marines and ship’s company, except for watch-standers, had gone ashore on liberty, so it was a quiet night on deck. The only other person I’d seen aboard was a guy fishing about 20 feet or so away. I’d been on watch for a little over an hour when the guy walked over to me. read more

Marine Corps Humor: USMC vs. USN

Gunfights USMC V. USN
Recommended by: MSgt J. R. Cook, Ret.

USMC Rules for Gun fighting:

  • Bring a gun. Preferably two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.
  • Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.
  • Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.
  • Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)
  • If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.
  • In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber or tactics. They will only remember who lived.
  • If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.
  • Use a gun that works EVERY TIME. “All skill is in vain when an angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket.”
  • Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.
  • Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.
  • Have a plan.
  • Have a back-up plan, because the first one won’t work.
  • Use cover or concealment as much as possible.
  • Flank your adversary when possible and always protect yours.
  • Never drop your guard.
  • Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.
  • Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust…everyone else keep your hands where I can see them).
  • Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH…hesitation kills.
  • The faster you finish the fight, the less injured you will get.
  • Be polite. Be professional. And have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
  • Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
  • Your number one option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.
  • Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun the caliber of which does not start with a “4.”
    • read more