Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
I was asked by the President of the WMA-HOTX5 group to send in these photos.
I am Cathleen Ursula (Barrientos) Gruetzner. Class of 1979 – MCRD Parris Island, SC. Women Marine Association-Heart of Texas Chapter 5 – Austin, Texas. Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 4443 -Highland Hills/Oakhill, Texas. Fleet Marine Association-Branch 201 – Austin, Texas. Past Photo: May 1979, and Present Photo: November 2012.
This was how my USMC shooting career (Distinguished Pistol Shot etc.) started with a NJP! I was a boot PFC at Lejeune and had a 2nd LT for a CO (really). My MOS was 2311 (ammo tech) and us techs weren't being used as such; the war was winding down. They put me in the office cause I know my ABCs, but I was not happy. I had my request in for EOD, and was just waiting it out. One morning after formation, the Company 1stSgt came to me (I was typing something Hot!) and he told me, "PFC go in my office and make me some coffee." Well, f-ck that! I ignored him and was in a perpetual pissed off state, so I just kept on typing. He returned in a few minutes; same order (louder) and I continued to ignore him. Well, he was red-faced and full of bluster, and don't ya know, in just alittle bit, I was standing at attention in front of the 2nd LT for NJP. Failure to obey a lawful order, Art 92 I believe. After reading the charges the LT asked if I had anything to say. "Yes Sir. I don't drink coffee, and that coffee is just for the 1stSgt. So I won't make it; that's personal servitude, and if this is your Marine Corps then get me the f-ck out. I joined to be a Marine, not make the 1stSgt's coffee." The LT then asked me (eye to eye), "you don't drink coffee?" "No Sir." He then asked the 1stSgt, "He doesn't drink coffee?" 1stSgt just shrugged his shoulders. Then, that boot LT said, "you are right PFC, dismissed." 1stSgt shut the door, I need to speak with you. Well, HOT D-MN, how about that!
We drove down out of the hills to the main road there and pulled into the PX parking lot. For those unfamiliar with the Marine Air Wing and Crew Chiefs in particular… we did not wear normal Marine Corps sateen green utilities. We wore green Nomex Flight suites, no starch in our Covers (flammable), brown Leather Flight Jackets, black steel toed Flight Boots, no polish (flammable) and no blouse on the pant legs, and we had quite a bit of mud on us from four wheeling. For you East coast Marines San Onofre was part of MCRD Recruit Training and was used for (ITS) Infantry Training School.
For you Old Corps Marines, you may remember, "The Marine Corps has two types of stories, one is a Fairy Tale, the other a Sea Story". The Fairy Tale starts out "Once upon a time" and ends "And they lived Happily ever after". The Sea Story starts out "You're not gonna believe this sh-t", and ends "I told you, you wouldn't believe this sh-t".
In early November of 1976, I was on a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, by way of Rio on my way to countries farther to the North in Africa. It was supposed to have been a 747, but the passengers found themselves shoe-horned into a 707. At Rio, many of our passengers deplaned, so instead of every seat being filled, more than 1/3rd were empty. We took off on the long flight across the South Atlantic. I was on the aisle seat… a gentleman in his late 60s had the window seat. I suddenly realized that he was looking at me… more to the point, at the small Eagle, Globe, and anchor pin on the collar of my suit jacket. I was going to say something when I noticed his lapel pin. It was small, round, and had tiny white stars on a field of sky blue. I blurted out, "Excuse me sir, but is your lapel pin for the Medal of Honor?"
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.
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.
This photo is of Plt. 3040, 3rd RTBn, MCRD PI.
Sgt. Grit:
I would like to know if there are any other Marines from Platoon 1229 who might be interested in a reunion. The roster photo lists each member and what state they were from or what state I think they were. I would appreciate it if everyone could take a gander at the photo and roster to see if they recognize anyone. If you do and know there whereabouts please let me know.
