“Get off my bus, you slimy-eyed maggots!” shouted the Drill Instructor at the top of his lungs. Thus began my “near death experience” all through nine weeks of Marine Corps Recruit Training…after we entered the gates at MCRD, San Diego…the Marine Corps Recruit Depot…on that “fateful” Monday night, September 16, 1968.
In mere split seconds we were standing at our best “attention” on those yellow footprints at the Receiving Barracks for what seemed like hours. The hazing and swearing never stopped!
I was shocked senseless. I thought I would be treated as a man, not as a “maggot.” This was when the Vietnam War was explosive and controversial, to say the least. My “Home of Record” was Pasadena, California.
I remember talking with some of the guys on the bus ride to San Diego from the A.F.E.E.S. Station…somewhere in downtown Los Angeles. We all had great personalities…we thought. We were students, surfers, camp counselors, part-time grocery clerks, and “street guys.” Once we had our first haircuts, I didn’t recognize anyone; we all looked exactly alike. It was true what the Drill Instructors said about us: we were a bunch of worthless, slimy-eyed maggots…with no personalities. And we felt worthless.
A.F.E.E.S. stands for Armed Forces Entrance and Examining Station.
As rough and tough as boot camp was, there were some personal “fond” memories.
To my surprise and delight, I could outrun every private/recruit in my platoon on our near-daily three-mile runs. Although I lettered varsity in cross-country track in high school, I continued to run a lot on my own during the three years after high school…my junior college days…before joining the Marine Corps.
Our almost-daily three-mile runs were not races, but I made them into races. I was one of the shorter recruits, so I was always marching…and running…at the tail end of our platoon. By about the second week of training, I realized that I could catch up to the front of the platoon with very little effort. Those guys, including the platoon guide and the squad leaders, were running very well, but working very hard at it. I often wondered if some of the recruits ever ran very much before Recruit Training. Again, these were not races, but merely our routine three-mile runs.
My Platoon Commander, our Senior Drill Instructor, was always insisting and demanding that I run even faster. “Yes, Sir, the Private will run faster and harder the next time,” was my usual reply. I soon realized why he was telling me this: he held four track records at his high school. Even though he was twelve years older than I was, he could still outrun every one of us recruits in the sprints. At 21, I was considered one of the “old men” in boot camp. Nonetheless, I came in first place all through Recruit Training in our three-mile runs, but never fast enough for my Platoon Commander.
I had just spent the entire previous summer working as a camp counselor at a Boys’ Club camp in the Big Bear Lake/Barton Flats area about 100 miles east of Pasadena, and at an elevation of 7,000 feet. During my free times at camp, I would run long and hard around and near camp with a lightweight cedar log over my shoulders. (I had already enlisted in the Corps on Monday, June 10, and would depart for boot camp on Monday, September 16.) And now, running at sea level was a breeze. My personal training at 7,000 feet paid off at sea level. I felt very little pain running…and loved it.
Here is another “fond” surprise for me: not only did Gunnery Sergeant Ray Fitzhugh hold four track records in high school, he held them at…my high school! I was totally surprised and amazed to learn this…at about the third week of training. This didn’t make life any easier for me in boot camp, but I felt much better about it. We both graduated from John Muir High in Pasadena, California…the same high school famed baseball player Jackie Robinson attended. Later when I was stationed at MCRD, San Diego, Gunny Fitzhugh became the First Sergeant in the barracks I lived in. It was really good seeing him again. And he was as mean as ever, which I now liked. This was in HQ. CO., RTR (Recruit Training Regiment.)
My other “fond” memory was that of being in boot camp on the 193rd Birthday of the Marine Corps…10 November 1968, a Sunday. Training was a little lighter, close order drill was about the same, and our three-mile run was as fun as ever…for me! Plus, we attended the Marine Corps Birthday Ceremonies and Festivities on base where the oldest and the youngest Marines would eat the first piece of Birthday Cake. The noon and evening chow times were splendid banquets, and not too dissimilar to those meals on any Thanksgiving Day. And…we even got a few extra minutes to eat, instead of rushing as usual. We recruits did not attend the evening Marine Corps Ball.
My other Drill Instructors were Staff Sergeant R.D. Stride and Sergeant Kenny Joy. We were in Third Battalion, India Company, Platoon 3081…16 September – 21 November 1968.
I did not fight in Vietnam.
Semper Fidelis
D.T. NYERGES
Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or Submit your own Story !
Of all of the accomplishes I have ever, one stands out. I have two graduate degrees, and I have been decorated with two Meritorious Service Medals. But the one thing that stands out is this: In 1957, I was in Platton 134. We graduated about a minimum of 75. Three of us were given Meritorious promotions to PFC. I have related this to many. Joe Ciurca, 57 Pinehurst RD, Berlin MD. 21811. My phone number is 443-235-4357.
I was in Lima Company Platoon 3308 15 Oct. – 24 Dec and also remember Nov. 10, 1968. Now live in Irvine, CA and get down to MCRD on a fairly frequent basis. Belong to the MCRD Historical Society.
That is also one of my fond memories as well. I enlisted at 16 and was in boot 3 days after turning 17. In the mid 70’s I was at MCRD San Diego in 3rd battalion platoon 3034 and as you did I was one of the 3 Marines meritoriously promoted to PFC, that was with 34 originals and 16 pick ups by graduation day. Now I am enjoying my 60’s, and also being a honorably retired 26 year Deputy Sheriff I have a world of memories to reflect on. But to this day, including graduating from the police academy, raising a family and having grandchildren one my fondest memories and accomplishments to this day is still the feeling of worth and pride the Corps gave me when they put that first pair of mosquito wings on my uniform. And yes I would do it all over again, Semper Fi leather necks.
Unusual for an E-7 to be an SDI or even in D.I. school. E-7’s (GySgt’s) were typically Series Gunnery Sergeants. You must have been the House Mouse to get away with breaking ranks. As a Drill Instructor at Parris Island (like you, I went thru Boot at MCRD, San Diego), if you had broken ranks on the morning run in one of my Platoons you would’ve been running laps around the barracks or the qounset huts with pushups between every lap (yes, we still had tents and qounset huts at MCRD in ’68-’69). But, you probably would have been one of those recruits that would have responded, “Aye aye sir, thank you sir!!” In turn that would have made us dodge into the D.I. hut to laugh our asses off because we knew then and there we had one of our Meritorious PFC’s at graduation. Semper Fi Sgt. Nyereges! Say it loud and say it proud!!
I had a Gunny as a Senior Drill Instructor, Gunny Martin. April 68 to June 68
I graduated in 1978 San Diego MCRD and the only GySgt We had was the Series Gunnery Sergeant, but things change. On a bad note ? We were the last to graduate with satines, (the total green uniforms) and at my first duty station, I had to buy my own BDU’s, satines we’re outdated, but Always a Marine. Time well served, Semper Fidelis R. Matthews
My Senior DI was an E7 Gunny who served in Korea.
Plt. 341, June – Sept. 1962
Boot camp memories are many joined in June 1957 was in platoon 165. Made many buddies. Had a very rude awaking when we got to receiving barracks and those yellow foot steps. Couldn’t have to bad l got a pfc stripe on graduating.
To all interested, I am still gathering funny boot camp experiences from Marines for possible publication. For a sample of what I’m looking for ask for an excerpt from my book “SH*TBIRD! How I Learned To Love The Corps” and I will forward it to you by email (www.bootcampstories2@gmail.com). Contributors should send their enlistment date, Recruit Platoon number, duty station (MCRD SD or PI) and, if possible, attach your boot camp photo.
Semper Fi
Jim Barber
USMC 1958-1962
I’m the widow of Marine Gunnery Sergeant, Francisoco Algar Nunez, 48 years in the Corps. Enlisted in the Marines at 18, after graduating from high school in 1948. In 1951, left for Koera, came home in 1953. Fought at the “Frozen Choisin”. Didnt talk at all about the war, only told me his socks were frozen to his feet. Had severe frost bite on hands and feet. Had service connected disability. He passed away in June, 2001. A great husband, father and a great Marine. He’s missed. Semper Fi, once a Marine, always a Marine! God bless all our service men. Thank you for your service.
I too had a gy sgt as sr platoon DI . Name was Gunnery Sgt Olerling.
It was platoon 328 in San Dieago Feb 1968. I have wondered about platoon numbers. Feb 68 I was in 328 and I see later 68 platoons with 4 digit #s? Anyone know what or why?
Semper Fi
David, I was in platoon 324 in March 1958 so the 4 digits must have some new significance.
MCRD OCT 1962 PLT 171. THEN 5TH MARINES . VIET NAM 1966. LET ME KNOW IF YOU WERE IN PLT 171 1962 OR 5TH MARINES. garyusmc@msn.com
My Senior DI was GySgt Ortiz, next was SSgt Sigmon, and Sgt Dukes rounded it out … Gunny Ortiz was a Korean war, and Vietnam Vet. So was SSgt Sigmon. Sgt Dukes, had just returned Vietnam. RFK was assassinated during our 3rd week, and SSgt Sigmon broke it to us as a platoon. It was the only time he acted like a normal person until we graduated.
PLT 2006, MCRD SD, 5/28/68 – 7/22/68
I saw the wonderment of why some platoons had 3 digits and others had 4. It has to do with the record keeping. There cannot be 2 platoons in the same year with the same number. So a (1) is added to the 3 digit number
Platoon first number signifies which Recruit Battalion – 1st battalion, 2nd battalion and so on. At least that was the significance in 1962 era.
Dale Olson,
Entered MCRD – SD on Halloween, 1967. We had nothing special or different for the Birthday that year, probably because we were so new. At that time we only had our “canaries” and had just begun the actual training cycle. We lived in GP tents, and they got cold at night without heaters. This was Plt. 2207. A few days later I was in PCP for 2 weeks, and then to my new platoon, 2217. The PC was S/Sgt Hitchcock, who picked up his Gunny rocker just after I got there. We were his first plt, and he had 17 years at that time. I wonder how long he stayed on the drill field, and how long in the Corps..
I joined the CORPS in August 1963. Went to boot camp at P I. Graduated on 17 Nov. 1963. We graduated wearing brown leather. Barracks cover was brown, shoes were brown, and boots were brown. My Drill Instructors were: SDI–SSgt Thompson–a Korean War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient. JDI–Sgt. Jackson. JDI Sgt. Chevers. I was in Platoon 369. I made Warrant Officer in 1973 and had the honor of running across all three of my Drill Instructors and having them salute me–and it was an honor, not an ego thing. Retired in 1985. The CORPS runs in my blood to this day. One of the greatest honors of my life next to being a Father, Grandfather, and Husband. I would go back today if I could. Celebrating my 73 birthday on July 22. Semper Fi to all Marines—living and dead!!!!!
Enlisted in the Marine Corps Oct 1950. Got our physicals in Oklahoma City, OK.
Those who passed were sent to San Diego by Train the next day. Took awhile to get there.
Were cordially welcomed at the San Diego Train Station by a welcoming committee. I have a lot of brain fog lately, but I think the highest rank for DI’s then was “Buck” Sergeant. and Staff Sergeant. I turned 20 in Boot Camp and was considered an “oldy” by the rest of the troopers. I was amazed that I completed.
Cracked my knee cap during training and got set back to another platoon on the way, but managed to complete training. Sent to Camp Pendleton for ITR and then direct to Korea in early 1951 replacement draft. They were needing people as fast as possible. I still can’t believe I made it. It really helped me in my life except. I think that training was the basis for me having an excellent work career. Semper Fi!!!!
Had a Senior D I with 3 strips up and 2 down- no crossed rifles – if he singled you out you were screwed. Turned out to be a great Marine and after graduation was nice to all of us!
I road a train from Baltimore down the East coast. We were eight young men all graduated from same high school class and joined the Marine Corps together. We stopped a number of times any guy going to basic training was directed to our train car. The last stop for us was Yemassee, S.C. I don’t know the time but I would guess it was after midnight or later. A few NCO’s gathered our group of young men and got us loaded on some buses. It was a long quiet ride to Parris Island in the darkness of night. When we stopped and got off the buses the screaming & shouting started and never stopped. We were told to stand on the yellow foot prints. I really don’t remember what they made us do but after a while they had us all in a large room full of bunk beds. They told us to lie down and go to sleep. Believe they may have turned the lights out for maybe 2 hours….just long enough for some of us to really get to sleep. Then they turned the bright lights and the screaming and yelling never stopped. It was maybe 3 or 4 A.M. on July 19, 1961.
About 85 of us new recruits would be in Platoon #343. Our SDI was SSgt. E-6 McGreger, next was SSgt. E-5 Livingston, then Sgt. E-4 Ward. After 13 weeks of basic training we ended up with 80 Marines at graduation. We lost a few recruits during training exercises along the way. Most of us were in pretty good shape and had no problems with getting with the program…..a few could not, they left our platoon. SEMPER FI !! MARINES.
I went to Parris Island on September 29, 1965. We flew out of Newark, NJ on a Capital Airlines. Landed in Charleston, SC and boarded 2 Grayhound buses. We had two guys that were former Army and they were Acting PFC and directed is to the buses. Arrived about two hours later at Parris Island. DI got on the bus yelling. On to the footprints. Later assigned to Plt. 291 H Company 2D Battalion. Two weeks later myself and I think two more were moved to Plt. 292 L Company 2D Battalion. We graduated on 3 December 1965. My SDI was S/SGT C.V. Edwards later met him in Vietnam in the 1st. Marines BAS. He got hit with shrapnel while in action with 2/1. I was with A Co. 1st. Engineer Bn HQ Plt and the BAS was in the same compound as we were in a village called La Vang. I herd he was there and went to visit him. Brought him a carton of Marlboro and some pogie bait. Two weeks later I saw him walking down the road. I was on my mile and offered him a ride out the gate to the main road to get a ride to 2/1 which was down the road a few miles. That was the last I saw of him. Returned back to the states in July of 1968 and to
My former company 2D Bridge At Camp Geiger. Seperated out as a Sgt on 25 September 1969.
Hey Sgt Daly. When were you at La-Vang? Did not know 1st Engrs. were that far north. I was with E-2/1 68-69 we were south of Da-Nang “Dodge City ” Hoi-An area. Not doubting,just curious. Bill 0331 E-2/1
I went to boot camp in January of 1968 and our senior DI was Gunny Blue, and our Drill Sgt was S/Sgt Zoucha and S/Sgt St Pierre. We were honor Plt 123. After we were all discharged we held our 1st reunion which was our 10th year, on our 30th I believe we had another reunion and were lucky enough to get all our Drill instructors to join us. We held this in Thousand Oaks, Ca.Our Plt were all from California and our DI’s would have us count cadence in a pussy cadence which was in a high voice like a woman every time another Plt would march by. It was kind of embarrassing for us but got us motivated to say the least! At our reunion some of the guys were bragging about what they would do if they ever ran into one of our Instructors, well when they came out of the restaurant with their smokey bears and yelled Atten-hut we all jumped up to attention. It was a beautiful reunion but a few years later our Gunny died. Cpl Ted Flores, Plt 123
Hello, my fellow Marines. I am Sergeant Nyerges, David T. Thanks for your kind notes on my Boot Camp story. Regarding staying in formation while running our three miles, I don’t remember our Drill Instructors telling us to stay in formation. Our half-way point was at Harbor Drive, not too far from the airport. There was another Drill Instructor there making sure we didn’t cheat by turning back too soon. He marked the bills of our covers with a chalk mark. By the last half of the run, some of the guys were slowing down, and thus out of rank/formation already. I am guessing this gave me the incentive to pick up the speed, and come in first place…every time we ran. In about the year 2000, I reviewed my high school directory, and found Gunny Fitzhugh’s address. He retired as a Sergeant Major, and was living in Irvine, California, not too many miles from Disneyland. I have corresponded with him over the years. We were, after all, both from Pasadena. I have not heard from him in the past two years, or so. If he is still alive, he will be 84. (I am only 72.) I hope he is doing well, of course. He and my other Drill Instructors taught me everything I needed to know about life: how to march, how to properly fold my clothes, how to stay in shape, how to brush my teeth, how to kill other men, how to shoot straight, how to keep my rack tight, how to run long and hard, how to keep my brass shiny, and how to keep my boots and shoes brightly spit-shined. Keep in touch if you wish, Marines. Sgt. Nyerges, David T. My nick name for the past forty years has been Mr. Nitro, or just Nitro…given to me by the delinquent teen boys I worked with for eight years. It was easier than Mr. Nyerges. My email: libertykid@juno.com Semper Fi