As a Drill Instructor, our platoon had returned to the barracks from chow and they suddenly started requesting permission to make a head call. Not knowing the situation, (someone at the mess hall had put dirty socks in the soup and the recruits got the shits) I refused them. After they all started moaning I started to let them go but it was too late. They were shitting everywhere. They were in the back of their bunks using their wash buckets if they were lucky enough to make it in time. Most of them messed themselves. Needless to say, I felt bad for them afterwards, but now when I think of it, I can't help but laugh! Those poor bastard's must have really hated me then…
Another time was when the recruits were downstairs at the "Wash Rack". It was on a Sunday, around the 2nd phase, and while they were washing their clothes, I would walk around quitely. I would always cut them slack on Sunday, so they were more relaxed. As I was behind one recruit, he whispered to another, "I hope we don't have "fuckin Ferland" for duty tonight". I made a soft moan and he turned around. When he saw that I was staring straight at him, he turned real pale……..I didn't know if he was going to eat his skivies or put them on backwards. I stood behind him awhile longer, letting him grasp this situation. He thoutht he'd caught hell, but I simply walked away, letting him wonder when and if it would come back to haunt him. I did let it slide…….just watching his reaction was priceless to me!……
Sgt R.J. Ferland
U.S.M.C.
65-72
This is a photo of Sgt. Randy Abernathy, an ADI in my Platoon 271 from 1 May 1967 to 28 June 67 at Parris Island. It is displayed at the Quantico Museum.
To Sgt Tom Dunne, USMC, 1967-1971:
As I read your so-calld “funny” story about not giving permission for recruits to use the head, after someone played a mean joke in the mess hall’s kitchen, by purposefully pollutng the soup, so it would make everyone very sick, now I understand why Marines are known to be used for their body only, & not their brain! You, sir, are the reason why Marines are referred to, in that way! “You” are supposed to be their teammate, as well as your recruits’ protector! In no way, is your story funny. It is “sick!” What kind of leader are you? Mabe you will find this funny…things have a way of coming back around “ten times’ fold,” as the Bible states, beginning w/ punishment of your children! That’s the funniest part to your story, you stupid dope! Your kids & grandkids will be the ones to suffer from your stupid, cruel deeds that you purposefully do unto others. And I think that’s the funniest part of your stupidity! (ha ha ha ha ha)
To Sgt. Dunne, Just have to Ignore “DG”, Having Never been a Leatherneck, He doesn’t get it. Evidently he was in the Army or spent all his time Slimming around the area as a Civilian. I enjoyed ALL of it, Send some more. Kind of made me Home-Sick for the Good Ol Day’s. I remember one day as a “Boot Recruit” in San Diego, our Senior D.I. took us over the Confidence Course Three times ( I Loved It !) which made us late for Chow but we were let in anyway before Closing. I was sitting at the bottom of the Ocean with the other ladies of Platoon 3069 about to Salt and Pepper my Curry & Rice when I suddenly noticed the Pepper already in the Rice was actually ‘ANTS’ by the thousands. I stood at attention at the end of “D.I.’s ROW” and requested permission to speak to the D.I. who to my Delighted Amusement was wolfing down the Rice and couldn’t Speak with the amount of Rice he was swallowing in a hurry so I just remained at Attention with watery eyes and biting my lips fighting back a Smile I knew was going to get my ass kicked and as he scooped that last mouthful of Rice into his mouth looked at me and growled “What do you want Maggot ?” Looking straight ahead i yelled ” SIR There’s ANTS in the Rice Sir !” It was the Most Glorious Day in Boot Camp, Four Drill Instructors Spitting Rice in Every Direction. Later while I was doing 1300 Bends & Mother F#%Kers my D.I. had to Laugh out loud about me letting him Eat all of the Rice before telling him, and that was the reason I was exercising at such a late hour while everyone else was in their Rack. Sgt. R. Hammer 0331 Wpns. Plt. Sgt. 2/7, 1st. Mar. Div. 1972 – 1978