Category: Other USMC

Short Graduation Party

In April of 1971 I finished Ground Radio Repair School at 29 Palms. I believe my class was the first to graduate after the school moved to the Palms. There were 9 of us. LCPL Britt received a meritorious promotion to Corporal and remained at the school as an instructor. The graduates got to pick their next duty station in order of class standing. There was not much choice. There were 3 sets of orders for Camp Lejeune and the rest were for, you guessed it 29 Palms. read more

Eyes Of A Gunnery Sergeant

"The Gunny"

When I first went into the Marine Corps my DI was a Platoon Sergeant, he was something akin to a God, Officers were beyond that because we only saw them once or twice. Then when we went to the Rifle Range at Camp Matthews and were snapping in with our M1 rifles. I'm afraid I still had some of that softness remaining from civilian life (from just a few weeks before) and fell asleep while snapping-in in the Prone position. I was awakened by being picked up by collar and seat to a great height and dropped. I landed atop my M1, my chin hurt, my chest hurt and I believe my knees hurt somewhat also. I looked up into the flaming eyes of a Gunnery Sergeant who had to be something between a God and the Devil, if I read those eyes right and the flow of language, I felt I was near Death. He then picked me up off the ground and set me to doing Off Hand with him watching my every move. When the rifle muzzle dipped I got a whack and I got madder, another whack and I got so d-mn mad I was going to lower my rifle and slug him. read more

Army PC

The rain in Hawaii can be very intense; maybe that's why everything is so green. We invaded the island of Maui in '62, the first time the Marines had been there since WWII. Maui was in the middle of a drought (well by Hawaiian standards) but the day we landed it started to pour and kept on raining for the next two weeks we were there. The locals were happy, but we were miserable and soggy. read more

World Record

Regarding the story Hollywood Marine, I had a similar experience. The day before heading to P.I, (3/10/58) my Dad took me to a luncheon for the then senator John Kennedy (see enclosed photo). My Dad was a state senator in Mass. and knew JFK from earlier campaigns. We went over to meet him and shook hands. He asked me, "What are you doing now?" I said, "I'm leaving for The Marines in the morning." His face changed and he looked "hard" at me and said, exact quote, "You watch your azs with those people." End quote. read more

Kennedy Funeral Detail

Your gifts plus my purchases for door prizes helped to make our Mini Reunion in Allen, TX very memorable. I made a display of your gifts, sign and catalogs. I hope the Marines who took home your catalogs will make a purchase.

We marked the 50th Anniversary of our participation in the Kennedy Funeral Detail. read more

Old And Salty

November 10, 2013 is 238th anniversary of the founding of the United States Marine Corps. Traditionally Marines gather on this day to celebrate the birth of their Corps. The baker at Uncle Bill's Dining Facility, (Mess Hall for you Old Corps types) FOB Spin Boldak, Afghanistan made a cake in honor of the occasion. read more

Oldest Marine At 105

Marine Corps League Detachment 1198, Harford County Maryland celebrated the 238th Marine Corps Birthday with Marines living at Oakcrest Village in Parkville, MD. Richard Rhinehart is the oldest Marine at 105. Richard served as an aviator in Nicaragua during the Banana wars. He served with Major Smedley Butler.  read more