The mission of a Marine Drill Instructor is to create a Marine without damaging the goods in the process. After the drowning incident at Parris Island in the 1950’s do-gooders, and those “leaders” who believed the Corps should be meshed into the other branches (both MacArthur and Eisenhower disliked the Corps), did their best to smear boot camp training methods. In 1958, at MCRDSD, I never saw a D.I. actually punch a recruit. They weren’t, however, above telling the platoon that if “Pvt. Jones” didn’t get his sh*t together, we would all suffer for it. “Jones” would then be subject to the wrath of his squad mates. Mass punishment was a very effective tool. As far as language used, the only words I didn’t hear used to a recruit were those with personal stigma (S.O.B., Mother F–, etc.)
It was suggested that some of us had mothers who didn’t have any kids that lived. Other than that, our D.I.s were extremely creative in the use of foul language. I learned that the “F” word, which describes the most wonderful human experience between a man and woman, could be used as a verb, noun, adjective – just about any function of language. That being said, I never witnessed, or heard of, maltreatment that injured, either physically or mentally. The punishments were meant to be overcome, not to defeat the spirit. When my brothers, all Marines, and I look back at the experience, it is with pride and humor. It inspired my book, “SH*TBIRD! How I Learned to Love The Corps” and, of the dozens of funny stories that I solicited from Marines across the country, I received not one that expressed any reservations that Marine Corps boot camp was at the heart of what makes it the finest military branch in the world.
Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or submit your own story!
I was in boot camp at P.I. From 7/19/55 until 10/6/55. I can’t speak for your experience in west coast boot camp but I can tell you I and other boots were smacked around if we weren’t squared away. As far as the language is concerned, there wasn’t a foul word that we didn’t hear.
Came out of it OK. I wasn’t damaged and served my three years with pride although I admit there were times I cursed out the Marine Corps.
I was stationed in Lejuene H&S, 3/2 then Okinawa, regimental H&S 3rd Marines.
Loved to hear from anyone I served with.
Semper Fi
Pete Ubriaco
Naples Florida
I was in Platoon 235 at P.I. Jun – Sep 65. Our D.I.’s wouldn’t hesitate to “thump” if we screwed up. It hurt at the time but it got the idea across, didn’t really injure us and, strangely enough, it’s a fond memory. My Senior D.I., Sgt. Francis X. Muldowney, had honed cursing to a fine art. Again, it was terrifying at the time, now it’s a fond memory. RIP Gunny, other than my Dad you were the most influential man in my life.Semper Fi. Bob Adcock, 1965-1569
Never saw a DI punch a recruit with a closed fist, but plenty of open hand slaps to the head and body. Received a number of them myself. MCRDPI. Plt 359 Aug-Oct 1962
Believe me I saw a lot get punched with a fist. I worked in a steel mill before coming in the corp so the language was no big deal and I had had my share of fights. You had to stand your ground in the mill. There were a lot of meetings after work. That is how I got in the Marines. To get to my point we had a Sgt. punch the teeth out of a guy that couldn’t make the 3 mile run. I saw a FEW guys that NEVER should have been allowed to join, We had one gut I swear broke his neck on the obstacle course. We had to jump up grab the bars pull our self up maybe 5 or 6 bars get to the top swing over and come down. The kid WOULD NOT swing over the DI stood there screaming at the kid. The kid went over head first. He was laying on the ground blood coming out of his mouth faces away from the DI the DI started kicking him yelling get up. The corpman ran over pushed the DI out of the way. They took the kid away.. I was NEVER punched in the solar plexus in my life till Boot camp. But from what my DAD said that was nothing compared to what they went through in 1942. I was in Platoon 298 July 1968 All this said The MARINE CORP was the best thing that EVER happened to me I was going down the wrong road before the corp THANK YOU JUDGE SWEET,
I saw our DI punch a recruit right in the face. It seems his mother complained to the Red Cross because she hadn’t gotten a letter from her son in a month. The Red Cross then contacted the CG of Parris Island, who suggested that the recruit write home IMMEDIATELY.
The DI called for the recruit to “Get in here!
When he reported to the hatch, a fist slammed into him. This was repeated twice more before he was dismissed to write that letter.
This person was a totally unaware numb nut. About a year later I saw his picture In LEATHERNECK as a seagoing aide to a ship’s captain. Go figure!
I saw our DI punch a recruit right in the face. It seems his mother complained to the Red Cross because she hadn’t gotten a letter from her son in a month. The Red Cross then contacted the CG of Parris Island, who suggested that the recruit write home IMMEDIATELY.
The DI called for the recruit to “Get in here!
When he reported to the hatch, a fist slammed into him. This was repeated twice more before he was dismissed to write that letter.
This person was a totally unaware numb nut. About a year later I saw his picture In LEATHERNECK as a seagoing aide to a ship’s captain. Go figure!
Plt 95, Parris Island, 5 Aug 55
PI in June 1969 also in Platoon 298. Got the first of many punches in transit, just couldn’t figure out the web belt. Thought I would politely ask which I did but neglected ” SIr before and After” got number one. Arrived in the old wooden barracks only to find myself standing on the wrong laundry number! Whacked again. Got worse for all of us but nothing any of us hasn’t heard before. Rifle range another tough bout with fingers placed in the chamber and the bolt run home. Especially loved the shins to the benches with the DI walking across the back of our calves.
Got through it tho with all the whoppings and abuse, my hope is that today our Marines in PI meet the challenge and keep their mouths shut. All the pride lays in the fact that they are now US Marines!
Paris Island August to November 1960. One of the recruits had a bit of trouble during rifle inspection when it came to opening the bolt on his M1 with a snap. He kind of bent over and threw his whole body into it. That night back in the squad bay the Junior DI (the bad cop, there was always one of the three who was the “bad cop”) happened to have the duty. He had said recruit practice opening the bolt with his nose until it was a bloody mess. It was part of the learning curve at PI.
Left the line (firing line) with my bolt closed, Now I’ve got an M1 nose. Had a DI put knots on my head with his swagger stick for falling asleap in in .45 class.
our D I gave us group tighteners for a closer array of bullets on the target- we would grab the pull up bar in the squad bay- and we would get a punch in the gut- and as we bent over wheezing – he would yell at us to breathe evenly on the firing line and be better on the firing line- a few guys were UNQ- and they graduated as they were outstanding in every other aspect of recruit training.
Boot Camp Platoon 394 ,1965. My wonderful Drill Instructors ,Sgt. Hilton, Sgt. Thornton, and Sgt. Payne did everything they could to make us a fighting unit. What ever it took including beating the crap out of your head or any other part of your body. There was no language bearer we were all “Maggots or M-F-ers”. We were hit, cursed and PTed till we thought we could do no more but some how we endured. As for me a ‘lost seventeen year old kid” this was the best thing that could have happened to me. I Love The Corps and I thank my Drill Instructors for everything they did for me and my fellow recruits. I still think that every young man should serve their time in the military . Bring back the Draft. Vietnam 1967-1968 me .
I never saw anyone punched, not to say that didn’t happen in the whiskey locker. This was in Plt 3067 jun 74 – sept 78 MCRDSD. I did, however, see someone belted with a Sunday Newspaper, that Drill Instructor turned himself in, I was sorry to see him go, tough as all hell but fair.I also heard a lot of creative denigrating words. They told us during Boot that they weren’t supposed to cuss at us anymore. Some of the replacement words seemed almost more effective. Like instead of being called dumb shit or m f er you were called private, man you knew something was going to happen. We also had the good cop bad cop stuff sometimes bad cop bad cop.LOL All in all still a proud accomplishment. Never prouder than when after dismissed at graduation my dad rushing to me to shake my hand. Semper Fi brothers
I never saw a Drill Instructor hit a recruit but in third phase a “goon squad” developed that gave blanket parties to those considered below par. Each evening after chow one member was called to the duty hut. After he left the hut the squad gathered in a corner to plan the next party. At least 12 were given. All members of the goon squad were promoted to PFC including two that tried to cross the air port runway the night of forming. Summer 1977 San Diego.
April 8,l956 Ribbon Creek Incident. April 14 1956 I out posted Parris Island. I remember one night the DI went to every Quonset hut and smacked each recruit. And not one recruit ever mention the incident I did have a Drill Instructor from Alabama who told us that he would unscrew our heads and shit in it.
From what I hear , I believe that when I went to MCRDSD we were the last cycle if not it was the last year we had Boxing on the Depot in 96. I tell you what . I boxed all my young life before the Corps, so I knew how to use my hands. I remember when we started the boxing some of the DI’s use to put money on some of us . So some extra training went on in the squad bays at night with the DI’s . They would help encourage and motivate us to do good in the 4ftX4ft make shift rings they had. The DI’s would slap box with some of us who they thought could win the competition between some of the other platoons . But as far as that ,they never put their hands on us . Their feet is another story .. as far as language , every sentence either started with M-F and ended the same way . Wouldn’t change if got the world , best damn time of my life ..
I was punched with a fist and called name ,mother-fer and others. It was done to toughfen me up it worked Marine for four years two in Nam.. Ooorah Semper Fi to the Did and all.
PI summer ’62, 3rd. Hit over the head with every part of my M14 by senior DI, including barrel and stock. Looked up (I was sitting), saw spittle running from the corner of his mouth and knew it wasn’t over yet. An uppercut broke the tops of my bottom front teeth and knocked me out. Taught me to pay VERY close attention to instructions. Love the Corps (just had EGA tattooed on upper arm) and was never the axxhole of the neighborhood, so I don’t think that it messed me up.
May 1969 MCRDSD. Did the Drill Instructors hit recruits? Many a time we got our Gibbs. But I only seen one actually hit a recruit and that was after the recruit hit the Drill Instructor from behind. One punch and the kid was down and taken away for assault on a Drill Instructor. There were no blanket parties, just our guide and platoon leaders threatening one if we did shape up. We had an X army SPC5 from Kentucky, Dumber than mud. He got all the pranks pulled on him including when he fell asleep in the Quanset hut. One of the platoon leader got some shaving cream and put a little on this guys mouth and then pulled out his penis and put a little on the tip and then some one woke the goof. funniest moment in boot camp we had. Needless to say he didn’t make it thru boot camp. We had heard rumors that a Drill Instructor in another Plt was having their recruits watch tv with an open bayonet under them, but that was only rumor and as young impressionable recruits we believed it. Later on towards graduation we were still getting the foul mouth treatment and the Gibbs. (Gibbs… slap to the back of the head. from the character on NCIS) We didn’t call it that back then, and we sure as hell didn’t want to get one either.
MCRDSD Plt 1120 Aug-Dec 1972. Most of the time if a DI hit us it was with an opened hand slap to the head or the heal of the hand to the stomach. That’s what I got about the last week of training, 4 times. Most of the time If a recruit was going to get hit we were told to make a circle around the DI and his target and do an about face so we couldn’t see. We also had a Pvt that was called the cannibal. Doing the manual of arms and your thumb was in the wrong position, the DI would call for the cannibal and he would be instructed to bite the offending thumb until it bled. I knew even then that when we were hit it wasn’t out of pure meanness on the DI’s part. It was still a time of war and they were trying to get us as tough as possible to survive in combat.
MCRDPI PLT 106 JAN.. -APRIL 1958. I NEVER SAW THE DI’S WITH A FIST, HOWEVER WE ALL GOT IT WITH A OPEN HAND. I RECEIVED IT WITH AN OPEN HAND AND GETTING IT IN THE GUT WITH HIS KNEE. ALSO I HAD A SCRATCH ON THE WOOD STOCK OF MY M-1 AND GOT THE RIFLE BUTT RIGHT IN THE STOMACH.
Went thru Boot Camp in 1950 at SDRC. Was in two different Platoons due to setback for knee injury. I did not observe any physical punching or anything like that in both the Platoons I was in.. Just lot’s of discipline. All our operations were very business like and designed to make us the best Marines possible. I think it was very professional and worked. Helped me to survive Korea. Was later a Junior DI at PI after Korea and used this same approach. I think it produces great Marines. A little verbal orientation seems to work.
I think it carried over to my work career and I respect all the DI’s to this day, and appreciate everything they did for us.
Parris Island OCT -DEC 1957 PLT 283 .Believe me there was a sh?t load of AS? KICKING going on especially during the first phase of training.There was nightly” thump calls” for real or imagined infractions occurring during the day.No one wanted to have to report to the DI’s House .I got mine on two occasions,both deserved,One for eye balling and the worst for failing to pass the word.
Was called a lot of interesting names, and heard the same to other boots in 69 Feb to April while at PI. The best DI at that was a Dark Green Marine DI at Conditioning Platoon. He was built like and looked like Smokey Bear. He could call you a string of expletive deleted names, then rock back on his heels, loudly comment “Excuse me I can’t call you all those names”, If you weren’t on the receiving end, it was a chore to keep from laughing, but you knew better.
Punched in the gut by the junior DI about 7th week 11/66. No big deal. Boot camp was a little over 8 weeks then due to the Vietnam ramp up.
Punching and hitting were common. MCRDSD Mar to Jun 1967. I got punched in the mouth from behind by my SDI. The series fell in next to each other. All the DI’s stood behind us. We were instructed to only move on one of our DI’s commands. Some DI said “Forward March.” I moved my left foot but no one else in my platoon did. BAMM punched in the mouth. Then at the rifle range one recruit got put on light duty and given a wooden cane. The DI’s saw him playing tag in the barracks, took his cane and beat him in the knee area until he couldn’t stand. They kept the cane. The next day we had a foot locker inspection. I was second in line after my squad leader. He had a misfolded sock and was hit across the stomach with the cane swung baseball bat style. He double over on to the deck. I’m next, I had an unfinished letter in my tablet. I saw the SDI raise the cane I tightened my stomach got hit but didn’t move. He went to the next recruit. I had a 1 inch bruise across my stomach. Another DI had the cane the next day and would use it like a pool cue. He’d ask you questions and hit you in the Adams apple with the tip of the cane when you answered and give you a chewing out for talking funny. I ran into him 9 months later. I was a Corporal and He was still a Sergeant. That pissed him off.
Reminds me of what my friend did. We had ITR at camp Geiger and had an instructor named RUAS who always carried a Ridding Crop and would do the same thing hit you for NO REASON. He was on sick guy. After Geiger and school my friend and I both ended up at Camp Lejeune there was a swoop circle there and Friday after work you would go there and hook up with a ride home. George ran into RUAS there he walked up behind him taped him on the shoulder and Knocked the asshole out cold. George took off. The MP’s never caught him. George told me he never made it home that week end but it was worth it. I remember RUAS had me doing push ups crushing my fingers with his boots. Took a marker drew a beard on my face and said it better be off by morning. I think he had it out for George and myself because we really enjoyed ITR.
MCRD SD March 1969, Platoon 3011. Was caught talking in the chow hall. Ordered to dump my full tray without eating and go outside and start the formation. Back at Platoon area, I was ordered to remain behind while rest of Platoon changed to PT gear and left for a run. SSgt Blankenship took me into the duty hut, backed up to wall locker and solar plex punched until I hit the deck. I still have shirt with Drill Instructors blood on the front from his knuckles contacting my dog tags through shirt. Never talked in chow hall again. I thank all my Drill Instructors for changing me from pond scum to a U.S. Marine. Then on to Nam…….but that’s another story.
The night before graduation in early 1964, as our platoon was on the street the Platoon Commander posed the question “OK sh**birds, is there anyone here NOT getting their ass kicked yet?” Out of 75 only 7 hands went up. We all wondered how THOSE as*h*les had escaped the wrath of the DIs! No one ever really got hurt, except our pride, and all survived better off for the experience. We had great DIs and we were incredibly proud Marines at graduation!
Now going through ITR was a different experience. Our Senior Troop Handler had read Battle Cry one too many times and he thought he was super Marine. Loved to call us out late in the evening to do manual of arms with foot lockers, duck walk with lockers on shoulders, have guys dry shave each other while double timing in place and other choice little goodies. Guy was a complete jerk. Staff made him stand a junk on the bunk the day before his discharge, which got them a Well Done from the entire company!
If they never hit anybody at Paris Island, then all the tales about how hard P.I. was are all sea stories. I was at MCRDSD from March to May 1968 Plt 252. We were beat on with open hands closed fist and other objects. Beating and being cussed at were a way of life in 1968. Boot Camp had been shortened to eight weeks form twelve weeks to due personnel needs in Viet Nam. I have talked to other former Marines from that time frame and all agreed that beatings were a part of Boot Camp. We also all agreed that no matter how hard Boot Camp was, it was nothing as bad as combat action in Viet Nam. I was often glad that I had survived Boot Camp as it helped me stay alive in Viet Nam and the rest of my life. I still have a great disdain for my Drill Instructors as I feel most of them enjoyed abusing helpless Privates.
I was selected for a little counseling. We had just returned from hand to hand combat training and I was doing something in my foot locker when a buddy came up behind and put a choke hold on me. I, of course, respond with my freshly learned counter move and threw him on to the deck. The sun was shining in from the open doorway and when he landed, a shadow was cast between him and I. The shadow was of a DI, hat and all, with his hands on his hips. I turned around with much trepidation. The DI yelled at both of us to get into the duty hut. He lined us up in front of a rack and had us stand at attention. I had observed “thump call” a time or two before on others and had noticed that the DI always punched the recipient in the stomach first, so I tightened up my stomach muscles and tried not to show it in my face. Of course the first blow was an open hand to the base of my throat and then a punch to the stomach. This was repeated a few times and then we were dismissed. Actually I was kind of glad it happened afterwards because I now felt I had experienced the real boot camp I had always heard about. The DI was later court-martialed for beating another recruit and taking money from all the recruits for “his fund”.
No doubt that boot camp was a bitch with a lot of abuse. Combat was worse with much higher stakes. It was miserable, but it had a purpose and it took a while to understand it all. We were a different breed and I wouldn’t change shit.
the Marine Corps had a short time to break you down and build you back up in a different frame of mind- some of us got thumped- but it was for a purpose- and I felt it made us better- we had blanket parties for the ones who needed enlightening- and a little prejudice from some Southerners toward Northerners – blacks and Spanish sometimes were picked on by others – but the smart recruits would find friends for sticking together. One recruit was Jewish and a lot of bigots picked on him- he banded with about a dozen of Afro- Americans and they stuck together- went to the bathroom in groups and never were alone- it worked- some D I ‘s were nicer than others- but I met one drill instructor after I was a t a duty station- and confronted him- he did not remember me but told me- he only remembered the shitbirds- if he did not remember me I was a good recruit in his eyes. Life goes on and we grew wiser and morew squared away as the time went by.
Sept 1958, MCRD San Diego. The brand new mob of recruits stood in front of our quonset huts, waiting to meet our senior DI. He started on one end and executed facing movements in front of each recruit, then hauled off and punched each one in the jaw. Not hard enough knock teeth out but it sent a message that the honeymoon was over! I clearly remember standing there, fully aware of what was coming! Semper Fi, brothers.
Remember the Marines were looking for a Few Good Men! Being a Marine is a privilege and an honor it wasn’t given it was earned the non hackers went home the rest became brothers Marines. First to fight and never give up! Semper Fi. Viet-Nam 1st Mar Div
I went through MCRD, 2nd Bat., Plt #285 in Sept. 1958. Our SDI was a S/Sgt. King and the JDI was a Sgt. Thornton. We were NEVER punched in the face or any other body part. Slapped a few times when we needed it but that was it. These two DI’s changed my life for the better. I did hear a lot of cuss words and was amazed at how smoothly they all went together. Best thing I ever I ever did was join the USMC. I was in for 6 years, 2 at Pendleton, 2 at El Toro and 2 years a MCB at Yokosuka, Japan. I learned things that changed my life in the Corps that no cilivan will ever learn. S/Sgt. King was a Marine that I will never forget. One of the proudest days of life, not counting my wife and 4 sons of which 2 joined the Marines, was when we were boarding the bus for our duty station after graduation when he shook hands with me (and everyone else) and said “You did great Marine”. “Semper Fi”
S/Sgt Blue, Sgt. McGeen, Sgt. Palacio
!st. Bn. Platoon 1135
M.C.R.D. San Diego 1966
“Semper Fi” & THANK YOU
I went through PI in July of 1956 – 1`st. Battalion Platoon 253 – out posted Oct 24, 1956 .
My three DIs were great.
S/Sgt. J.D. Camp was the senior and Sgt. H.W. Jones & Cpl. J.R. Brown were the juniors.
S/Sgt. Camp had a finger of steel which he used to jab at your breast bone – it hurt. Cpl. Brown
was the scariest – he would get talking so fast he would start to drool at the mouth and he
would get a real weird look in his eyes. You can see this in the movie “The DI” with Jack
Webb. He was the Jr. DI who captured the recruit Fire watch in the hallway asking him his 11
general orders. I will never forget him. I hear he married the singer who was in the movie.
“Semper-Fi” till the day I die.
I took a blind sided shot to the jaw when I was being summoned out of the head for a UA head call.
We were given some allotted time for a head call, it just want long enough. I was in line to use one of the toilets. I hadn’t crapped in like 3 days! By God, I was using one of those toilets!
I could hear them out there counting off while I was in there. Just didn’t care. It felt so good. Anyway, upon my exit from the head, I caught a mean straight shot right to the jaw! After I collected myself from the deck, I returned to get on line and not another thing was said.
It was worth it!
Jerry Tomaschik, Cpl, USMC, ’81-’85