Category: Marine Corps Stories

Stone Bay 1967 ITR

To answer the question about X,Y, and Z companies hidden in the woods at Stone Bay: Yes it did happen.I was there in Aug. of '67 in X company (Xray) for what I would consider by todays standards pretty heavy duty training. By the way we were issued M-1's because the Corps did not have enough 14's to go around.  Most of our gear was WW2 or Korea vintage, it worked, things like aluminum canteens, etc. There were very few officers around, a staff sergeant ran the company with the help of a groundpounder, very tough experienced Sergeant by the name of Sgt. Sinkfield. Taught us well. Sleep was at a premium, because as we were told, they needed bodies in Vietnam ASAP. The troop handlers and instructors at the time were pretty much fresh back from RVN, taught us well, no BS, pushed us hard, they probably saved a lot of guys lives because of who they were and what they had been through.  Semper Fi.  Russell, J.B. Cpl. read more

Danny A Weakley Sgt. of the Marine Corps 1971-1975

I was reading about another Drill instructor on Sgt. Grits newsletter and was thinking back on my experience at PI. Of course getting off the bus was scary, but when our plattoon formed (136) we were in a building standing behind our uniforms. Well I saw a big dude (6' 4" about 250lbs) that had a black belt on and two other DI's walking around. I said to myself oh S–t what have I gotten into now. The rest of the time I was there it felt like hell. But thanks to the DI's for helping me with my disipline and laziness, they made me a part of the best fighting force in the world "United States Marine Corp". I could hardly believe it that I survived the boot camp and the yelling and physical fitness that we all endured. There again I was a Marine. Thanks to GYSGT Johnston my senior DI, Staff SGT. Cullen and SGT Downing for making us Marines. read more

i remember one day at boot camp

i like the storys on sgt.grit,so heres mine about boot camp  in 1978 on parris island. i was in plt 2206 one day as we got up in the morning to make are head calls.i think i was on starboad side,anyway everyone was running pass the di saying good morning sir.so i didnt fill like say it..the di caught me and made me do mountain climbers.boy i really had to pee to.and some how i had lice.when they found out boy i had to live at the end of the squidbay by myself,and walk at least 20 feet inback of the plt.what a place read more

Old Corps

Went fishing with my wife to June Lake CA, second day there we were parking wife had to "go" then on her way back she says to me hey the old guy over there is a Marine! Like I wouldn't have noticed, anyway I caught up with him at the loading ramp said out loud HEY MARINE at which point he straightend up turn to look at me, we shook hands and I found out he had been on most of the island hopping campaigns, said he wasn't on Iwo Jima or another island (can't remember which he said) due to injuries. read more

Divine Intervention

By Kristy Fomin

It could only be “divine intervention” that brought SSgt Nathaniel Watrous to our store on October 5th. SSgt Watrous and his wife along with their dog Penelope were passing through Oklahoma City on their way to California to report for Recruiting school when they got lost and turned around, then lo and behold! awwwwwww, the clouds parted and the light was bright when SSgt looks up and sees the Sgt Grit sign. He couldn’t believe it, right in front of him is his favorite store to shop for Marine Corps items. He had no intention of coming here, he didn’t even know it was located in Okc; immediately he says to his wife “we are stopping!” read more

363 Reunion

Good morning Kristy

One of the brothers came thru with a good photo of everyone at our 363 reunion.    Front row left to right: John Horton, Ken Slye, Jeff Davis, Alan VanMaastrict, Tom Dietz, Mike Fund   Back Row left to right : Jerry Moots, Jim Collier, Jeff Sommers, Jesse Patterson, Richard Burke and me, Carson Gibson.   Thank you again Kristy Semper Fi Carson

It’s Customary

The first photo was me as the Senior Drill Instructor (center  w/black belt around my waist) as I was picking up my very last  platoon of new recruits in early 1992. I have a video of this as  well I'd be happy to show you when we meet. Being a Drill  Instructor was very taxing in that you were with the recruits  for 16 hours every day and 24 hours every 3rd day for the 13  week duration they were in Recruit Training.   The second photo is my retired Drill Instructor Campaign cover.  It's customary for outgoing Drill Instructors to have their last  cover preserved with a plaque at the bottom reflecting their  roles & accomplishments while on the Drill Field. I did 3  Platoons as an Assist Drill Instructor and 2 as the Sr. Drill  Instructor until I took a Operations Chief role and then  subsequently the 3RD Battalion Drill Master position for my  final 6 months wearing the campaign cover.   The Drill Instructor tour was tough and very long hours (a  decent % of marriages do not survive, including my very own)  Hence an unofficial Marine saying, "it's about GOD, COUNTRY &  CORPS, if they wanted you to have a wife they would have issued  you one… BUT… this was the most rewarding job I have ever  had or will have…  I thank God to have had this opportunity in  my life and will never forget what my contribution meant to so  many young men that "earned" the Eagle, Globe & Anchor…   Regards, Rick Crawford