Category: Marine Corps Stories

Sgt. Grit, we want to let you know of our recent reunion of Platoon 151, vintage 1962, to encourage others of that vintage to do the same. Following stellar instruction from SSgt. W. E. Dillsaver, Sgt. W. H. Murphy, Sgt J. L. Gartside and Cpl. R. A. Snogles, Parris Island Platoon 151 graduated on September 25, 1962. Forty Six years later, on October 25, 2008 we celebrated our First Reunion just outside Quantico, Virginia attended by twenty platoon members including 1St.Sgt Jan Gartside and 1St.Sgt. Ronald Snoggles. The photo below shows most of the members attending and positions 5 & 6 on the front Row are 1st. Sgts. Gartside and Snoggles. The Internet served us well in locating over half of our platoon and we'll locate additional Marines prior to our Second Reunion scheduled for the Fall of 2009 near Parris Island. read more

I marched across the main side parade deck at Parris Island with the rest of Platoon 3005, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion and graduated a Marine. A day and an experience I'll never forget.

Me and my parents on graduation day in the photo. read more

Sgt Grit,

After 29 years I had the oppurtunity to go back to MCRD San Diego to witness a recruit graduation. One of our members (retired gunny) of the Marine Riders of Las Vegas,has a son who was graduating in December of 2008. I contacted the President of our club and we set up a ride down to Diego. We had about 27 members attend the graduation. We were escorted on to MCRD and seated in the reviewing section with the Commanding General of MCRD. What an awesome feeling it was to see those young Marines and remembering back 29 years ago when I was in their shoes. This was the third trip our riding club has made to MCRD, and I was honored to have had the oppurtunity to attend. If any of you Marines out there get the oppurtunity to attend a graduation, take it! As the old saying goes Once A Marine Always A Marine. I would also like to extend an invite to any of you Marines out there passing through the Las Vegas area to stop by and see us at the Leatherneck Club,you won't be diappointed. For any rders out there look us up at marineriders.us read more

Sgt Grit,

I was assigned to MP Company, Security Battalion, MCB Camp Pendleton and I played offensive center and Middle Linebacker for H&S Battalion at Camp Pendleton

James Wolfe

Sgt Grit,

I read that you would like some pictures of 60's Marines . I just received this boot camp picture from my sister didn't even know it existed. I didn't recognize myself at first.

Mike O'Beirne Semper Fi

Sgt Grit – After reading so many memories of boot camp in your last newsletter I dug out this photo of my platoon taken spring of 1951 hoping it would spark some interest.

I remember our train backing into MCRD back gate and being welcomed by two mild mannered gentle marines (just kidding here) and my life has never been the same since then. I think we all thought we had got off the train at the wrong place. read more

Sgt. Grit

I sent for a copy of my MCRD San Diego, Platoon picture last year. I had to look at it for a while to realize that it was really me. I'm happy to pass this along to you.

Thank you
Ronald Fallo (Sgt) At the time of discharge in 1968. Did my tour in Nam and got out. read more

Hello Sgt Grit,

Been seeing the items about 60s Marines and thought I'd share my boot platoon pic from 1968.

Thanks for great site and awesome newsletter.

Carl Conkling
68 – 72 and 73 – 75

Sgt. Grit,

I would like to share with your readers my Boot Camp picture from June 1954 thru September 1954 at MCRD San Diego, California

I was in Platoon 361 and our DI's were S.SGT C.J. EASON, SGT. R.L. PATTON and CPL. S.C. SHOCKLEY.

Just a few observations from reading your great news letter over the past 4 to 5 years. read more

Mr. Henry,

As a Parris Island recruit (Plt 337 summer 1973) and 3rd Battalion Drill Instructor (1976 to 1977), I feel qualified to respond to Mr. Henry's interrogative as to why do PI Marines feel somewhat "badder" than those "Hollywood" Marines. Yes, there are sand fleas and they do bite. But, it is where they bite and what happens if you try and stop them from biting that gives the PI Marine the history and legacy of being a bit more disciplined. read more