When I first arrived at MCRDSD at 2330 hours, on 16 Nov. 1961, I can remember one thing. Two other recruits and I arrived and we were told to “take off everything that you were not born with and …” put our clothes into a locker and put the key, on a shoe lace, around our necks. We stood there. I was naked and the other two guys still had on their underwear. A Marine yelled at them and their underwear just disappeared. They did not take them off, their underwear just disappeared.
I never had a bowel movement for several days after arriving. I do not remember getting an erection during boot camp, which is unheard of for a 20-year old. (Yes, I was the old man in platoon 390).
I went to 2nd ITR and was in the same company (Company A) as Phil and Don Everly (brothers who were Rock & Roll singers in the 1950s.) We got liberty every weekend. They got some of their friends together and put on a Hell-of-a-show following the training and just before we got our “boot leave”.
Following 2nd ITR & leave, I returned to MCRDSD for training as a Radio/Telegraph Operator (MOS 2533). While there I went to find my old DIs. I found them and was invited to chat with them in their Quonset Hut. We talked for about 10-minutes. I learned that the Senior DI (S/Sgt Cunningham) was finishing up getting his CPA degree and the Junior DI (S/Sgt Dent) was finishing up his BA Degree. I learned that all of the other DIs that I had were also working on their college degrees.
When I got up to leave, S/Sgt Cunningham and Dent shook my hand, thanked me for coming by, and politely told me to not do it again.
The greatest thing I learned from Marine Corps and its Boot Camp is that there is nothing in the civilian world that I cannot deal with and over come. That includes the leukemia that I have. I may die with it but I will not die from it.
From 15 Feb. 1962 (Graduation Day – the day I became a Marine) on to Infinity, I will always be a United States Marine.
Once a Marine, Always a Marine!
Jim Brower
197****
Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or submit your own story!
Did you know the Newman twins from Texas?
I arrived MCRDSD 8Dec61 and to this day I cannot locate anyone from PLT 2001. The only Marine I found had passed to Guard Duty in Heaven, his name Doral (DOBIE) Gillis. SGT Morris was the hard ass DI and S/Sgt Bozel was a little tamer, although they both knew they had a rough time ahead forming Marines out of the TURDS they were given. If anyone out there from 2001 61-62 get in touch.
Hey there, George – I remembered your name but admit I had to look up your picture in the platoon book. S/Sgt Bozel made Gunny sometime in ’62 – I think he became an instructor in either Sea School or C&E Bn. I ran into him on base later and got to chat for a while – a very nice guy after all. Sgt (E4?) JD Morris – that’s a different story.
George, I also arrived MCRDSD on Dec. 8,1961. However, in my case I came from Texas and there were two other guys who arrived from Chicago. We met for the first time at the airport. The three of us became the first members of Plt. 2002. We were in receiving barracks for at least a week maybe longer our platoon formed slowly. I guess because most guys didn’t want to go to boot camp just before Christmas. You and I probably crossed paths during our time there. Our Drill Instructors were Senior Drill Instructor S/Sgt. P.E. Meek, JDI- S/Sgt. T. Ellison and JDI- Sgt. L.N. Enos. Semper Fi Marine!
I arrived on Jan 29, 1969 to MCRDSD and after getting onto those…. yellow foot prints I said to myself “Oh boy what have I gotten myself into”. Well, 99% of us survived boot camp (PLT 2019) and were very proud that we were now United Sates Marines. To this day 48 years later some of the best times of my life were in the Corps, and still proud to have served my country as a United States Marine. If I could, I’d go back in the Corps tomorrow. Now, I would not be able to run as fast as a 20 year old Marine, but I’ll match my marksmanship and critical thinking skills up against any one of them. I was 0311 and damn proud of it. The leadership skills I learned in the Corps helped me in the world outside of the Corps to make me the person I am today. I can still hear my dad when I told him I joined the Marine Corps…”You did what, now that wasn’t very smart.” The brotherhood of the Marine Corps, nothing else like it! Yes… “Once A Marine, Always A Marine” P.S. My Dad, God rest his soul was very proud that his son was a United States Marine!
Anyone out there from recruit platoon 253, PI, 8/17/57? Arrived by train from Albany, NY [a first-time experience itself for 3 teenagers from the Catskill Mts. of NYS.] Got the usual warm greeting, and immediately learned a few key rules: listen up; speak only when spoken to; the DIs are all-knowing and get complete respect; move,move.move; regardless of who or what you were, you are now a T.U.R.D., to mention only a few. This was just after the McKeon incident, change was “in the air”, but all it meant was the DIs were more careful knocking the ignorance out of a ragtag bunch of civilians. I [and my 2 buddies] had grown up hunting, fishing and camping out, so qualifying, etc. was easy. My rifle was an International Harvester, #5113166; The Corps was transitioning to the M14 in 1960, could have bought my IH for $87, didn’t, and paid $800 for a fine Remington [with accessories] in 1975. Trained as a 2771, ground communications technician, an interesting but easy MOS, I spent most of my hitch with 155 howitzers, 2nd Field Artillery Group, FMF. [you call, we maul]. With the rank change in 1959, made corporal twice [E3, then E4] . Grateful for the experience, it was primarily responsible [99%] for turning an aimless, irresponsible teen into a successful adult.
Never forget the yellow footprints late at night, yelling DI yellow sweat shirt,utility trousers white tennis shoes marching arm in arm to our hooch ply 124 mcrd 1965
I also was in Platoon 390 at MCRDSD a year earlier in September 1960. The first night at receiving barracks I lost the key to my locker that was on a shoe lase around my neck. The Marine on duty made me stand Fire Watch all night. When we graduated in December 1960 I also meet Don and Phil (Everly Brothers) at the Ge-Dunk. Semper-Fi 1935…
I was in Platoon 385 at MCRDSD arriving in October 1961. Finished boot camp and went straight up to Camp Pendleton for ITR in January 1962. Finished ITR in February 1962 I believe. Can you confirm for me that the Everly Brothers took their boot camp at MCRDSD about the same time? I’m almost positive they were there around the same time as me but in a different platoon. In fact I recall seeing them in formation once or twice. I know someone who swears they were with him at MCRD Parris Island. I surely don’t think I dreamed it and I don’t know why this person would lie. Thanks
The Everly Brothers enlisted in the Marine Reserve and, went to boot camp MCRDSD Oct. 1961. After training went to 29 Stumps for six months active then released to the reserves Harry
after boot camp and the first Duty Station- no one to tell you what to do – you are on your own?!! I reported to Cherry Point and went to transient barracks- taken to mess hall– issued a rack overnight- escorted to new barracks – saw barracks NCO- issued a rack and linen- ate again- reported to 1st Sgt. and got overview of what I would do- sent to my first OIC and met Senior NCO – Master Gunnery Sgt. – met a bunch of Marines ( who were not yelling at me for a change!) Now you had to do for yourself- find the right squared away Marines and not be friendly with the trouble makers and the malcontents- learned early on how to read people – most were sincere – but a few were characters. Found 2 who I really got along with – one Marine named Gary- and another Paul- was friendly with others- learned the ropes so to speak. Amazing how shitbirds make it bad for all of us. One clown was going home for a 96 hour pass- and put on uniform with 5 or 6 ribbons and a rifle expert and pistol expert badge- ( found out ribbons were not rated and he was told that he would eventually get in trouble. A few characters in squad bay- short timers who were bad influences- dressed in dirty utilities and ratty cover. I borrowed a block for the cover and used starch on it- with a piece of wood shaped like an octagon- starched utilities – I was proud to be a Marine. got to work area early- before daily muster. worked til I was supposed to- some guys knocked off early when the Gunny wasn’t around. We pulled equipment and supply orders for the squadrons we supported at our Group Supply Warehouse. Some guys at quitting time left orders not filled on desk for tomorrow- and I would stay a few minutes to complete my job assigned. Learned a lot from one S/SGT who was in World WAR 11 AND ALREADY HAD OVER 20 years in- some great stories about his surviving in the Pacific- also- he was Afro American- in as he put in “a colored platoon” – so sad how we had a dark past then. we also had prejudice in our ranks- 99% were squared away and treated everyone equal- but we had a few in al levels of rank structure that hated some group – the craziest was North versus South hatred- as well as a few Afro Americans were singled out by some racist NCO’s. Once I voiced my distaste over one incident- and was quick to find out that people are crazy with religion- politics- world events- etc. made a circle of friends and mostly kept them. One Marine was glad when Nixon Picked Agnew as a running mate. When I asked why he said Governor Agnew was a crook- and now he was happy as he was leaving Maryland- for the White House. Funny Logic.
damn, the first time I got leave was my boot leave from ITR. I guess San Diego was different.
In San Diego 1965,First leave was after ITR also.
To Jim Brower, after I was released from active duty in South Carolina, I got a job at a chemical company outside MCAS Beaufort. There became friends with a man whose name was Vincent Paul Boyle. He claimed to have gone to boot camp with the Everly brothers. So, I wonder if you possibly remember his name? It’s been more than 30 years since I’ve seen Vince but I was just intrigued by your stint in ITR with the Everlys.
I remember it well, I was a Troop Leader in “C” company and personally met the Everly Bothers. I just visited my fellow TL and got to meet them.the show they put on was the best show ever in my years up there at ITR. We also had a great Commanding officer, LtCol. Kirby-Smith at First Battalion. I was also fortunate enough to have had one of my Squad Leaders get into NESEP. I ran into him of all places in the PX at Danang. 1stLt.Decker he was standing at attention in front of me and I didn’t know at that time it was him. He and I later served together at RS Dallas, Tx. He was now a Captain and was our Assistant OIC. He became an Outstanding Marine Officer. Majored in Computer Science and had to get permission to serve as a Plt. Ldr in the grunts when I first met him in Danang on my second tour in Vietnam in 1970. Have gone to SDiego in 1958, plt 3016. Became a Sr. DI at SDiego 1st Bn. “B” company 1967-1969. I was just back from Chulai in 1966 and got the opportunity to train recruits. We had a great bunch of DIs in our series, and a Great friend of mine was our Company Commander. He and I served together in 2ndITR, Captain Michael Valdez. Our series graduated four Honor Series back to back. We were blessed with some of the best Drill Instructors. Fellow Srs, GySgt Zwak, SSgt. Fred Contreras, SSgt. Salters. We had a lot of great Junior DIs and Series Gunnery Sgt. too. I was the only one with Combat ribbons on my chest from serving with the Magnificent Bastards from Kaneohe HI 1964-1965, than in Country in 1965-1966. We were in Second Battalion 4th Marines. Our company “H” spear headed The attack on Operation Starlight. Lost some great Maines there and my thought are with the families of all our fallen brothers. We had 18 KIA and a whole bunch wounded including myself. Our Platoon ran into the NVA Regimental CP. We survived and came back home to an ungrateful nation. Till today I have bad memories from it. I really don’t care to be told Thank you for your service, instead go to our National Cemetaries and tell that to all that gave their all. RIP my Brothers. Semper Fi and a fondest Aloha.
Well said TOP!!! Semper fi!!
I was in Pl 389 and ran into the Everly Bros. at the ITR Mess Hall (which was the worst of all the mess halls i ever ate at). The two of us that were visiting was soon rousted from our table by Gunney (I don’t remember his name-sorry) and asked what we were doing while the Company was standing in the rain waiting for us. I told him ” visiting with the Everly Bros.” He had no idea! I remember the show as well. It was loaded with “Hollywood” stars and singers.
Wow! What a small, small world….You were in a platoon just ahead of me….I got issued a field jacket with a, “P. Everly” name tag. Somewhere in my collection of treasures, I still have that stamped name tag! RIP Phil! I was in Plt 306 in January, 1961. To this day, I still wonder how much grief was put on both of the Everly Brothers in bootcamp…In my time, serial number 2000000 was issued and that poor S. O. B. got a “gold bucket” issued to him…….another target on your back was not exactly what was needed in bootcamp!!
I was a Troop Leader (Sgt E4) at November Company when you arrived at San Onofre. I was one of the troop leaders waiting to pick up new recruits for ITR training. One of the Everly brothers (I believe it was Don) was sent to my company for a brief moment until they realized who he was and then called him back. All I could say was thank you. I didn’t need the headache that comes with having celebrities in your unit. I do remember the show that was put on at the outdoor theater. It was truly awesome.