I was going thru some of the stuff I have saved over the years and found this photo with my other USMC mementos. You might remember these inspections. I copied the other inspection photos from the Handbook for Marines, published 1965 and issued to me at MCRD.
When I checked into MAG 14, Cherry Point, Oct 1966 I was told there would be equipment inspection (Junk on the Bunk) the following Saturday morning. This photo was posted on the barracks bulletin board for reference and the equipment was to be arranged in this type of layout and display. I kept the photo for future reference and forgot I had it.
There was a Junk on the Bunk uniform inspection twice a year at the season changes (summer kaki's and winter greens). I arrived after the Fall uniform and clothing inspections so I was ordered to have all of my uniforms (Summer and Winter) properly marked, tailored, pressed, cleaned and folded inside the foot locker or hung inside my wall lockers for inspection by the Sgt Major. In effect I was having two inspections at once, uniforms and equipment.
In boot camp I was issued both cotton Kaki's and the newer synthetic fabric summer tropicals. Seldom did we wear anything but utilities, but the kakis' were inspected. Anything was better than trying to keep the kaki's sharp and starched in the hot humid months of summer. After an hour, the Kiki's were
wrinkled and had lost the crease on the sleeves and on the trousers. The synthetic fabric stayed harp.
All the clothing had your name ink stamped in a precise location. The rubber name stamp and ink pad was issued (we bought it) in boot camp. The only item that would not take an ink stamp were the socks.
As the inspection team moved thru the squad bay and barracks, each bunk, locker and foot locker was inspected. Sometimes an unfortunate Marine had to 'try on' an item of the uniform checking the fit and tailoring. Weapons and accompanying gear was given extra attention. There was always an assortment of questions asked to each Marine as the team inspected his 'junk on the bunk'.
These memories may be listing a bit off of true course, but this is the way I remember them. Anyone with a different version, please add your memories.
M.N. Verhagen,
USMC 1966-70
Oh, the memories that photo brings back. I spent 3 1/2 years with 2nd Radio Bn and we, too, had those inspections. It’s a good thing I never had to open my left locker. It was stuffed with 8 track player and a speaker system from h#&&, and a collection Grand Funk Railroad tapes! Semper Fi! USMC ’67-’71
“junk of the bunk” or “things on the springs”
I always liked the synthetic tans , or as we called them, “Trops.” I never actually wore the khakis, I would have them starched after gaining rank (made sergeant in late 1972 about six months prior to discharge) I was told by senior NCOs they avoided wearing them because of them wrinkling so badly. I recall being in airport at different times in “Trops” and getting jealous looks from army pogues in wrinkled khakis. Although even out of boot camp they had a chest full of ribbons and shooting badges. Looking closely I noticed a few wearing “Grenade qualification badges!” I guess those that didn’t “Qualify” with grenades forgot to pull the pins before throwing them.
Towards the end of my enlistment (1973) we were going to have a inspection. Like you we wore utilities 99% of the time. My skives were clean but yellowed (Motor T mechanic). So I went to Cash Sales Mainside and bought all new. All I had to do was stamp my name on them.. They were pressed and folded right from the factory. So I lay the skives and other gear the Marine Corps regulation way on my rack. The Company XO looked, gave me a shit eating grin and said “your girlfriend will make you do all the laundry thinking you washed those, you’ll go broke buying her pretty white panties every week”. Three weeks later I was home, turning wrenches to buy her panties. CPL Buffman …. 1970-73…. MOS 3516
At the end of my enlistment , June 68 everyone getting “out” had to be surveyed with all the usual gear we had been issued on our bunk. As i had abut 10% of the items listed, i employed a rather “slippery” Corporal who lent me the necessary items to be let “out” of the Crotch. He said those items were probably used by most everyone leaving !! Thanks and Semper Fi !!
White stationed at the Quantico Air Station 1952-1954, I found out that the some of the Senior NCO’s(Staff) had their required Junk on the Bunk items sewn onto a blanket, so for Junk on the Bunk inspection all they had to do was put out the blanket. Guess as a Sergeant I was too dumb to think of this.
When i cam back from Vietnam in 1970 I was a Sgt. stationed at 29 Palms. While there the old times taught me to have a 2nd set of EVERYTHING for inspections ever 782 gear. They could call an inspection locker or junk on the bunk and you were always ready. The old times really took care of us I will NEVER forget S/Sgt Stromberg or S/St Staranka. They wanted me to reup but my wife was afraid I would go back to Vietnam again after being there 18 months already. Sgt R. Sisson 1968-1971
For my junk on the bunk, I had a permanent J.O.B.. Locker that I used for surprise inspections.. I went to cleaners & purchased uniform parts that never were claimed for my fairly wear.. On my troops I just made sure the blouse a had the correct rank.. A couple times, I was able to purchase officers blouse a & had my proper rank sewed on. After I returned from my first your from Vote Bam, in 1968, I was a PLY @ Camp Penal Erin & had to wear attached utilities every day.. The cleaners came to the rescue once again.. After I made Staff Sergeant it was too hard to get shirts with proper rank & I had to work at it once again
I remember a Junk on the Bunk while I was a Pfc at Cherry Point. My Bunkie was a L/Cpl and we had worked for days to get our junk just right, We were the first cubicle inside the squad bay. In walks the Capt and his crew, and the L/Cpl said I believe you are out of uniform. The Capt looked at his Staff Nco, and they all turned and walked out of the barracks. Inspection was over thanks to that L/Cpl. Will never forget it. Dave Seely 3rd LAAM Bn, B Btry 1966
I had been TDY at Fort Sill Oklahoma for artillery meteorology school learning how to apply weather corrections to 105 mm. Projectiles . After completion l went home on leave for 2-weeks and my mother washed all my scivees and fluf dried them. When I arrived back at Camp Pendelton the following evening the night watch on duty at 11:00 PM. told me that we were having a junk on the springs the following morning. I was terrified because my scivees were a all wrinkled when I layed them out. After the inspection I received a complement for their clean natural appearance.
Married HM2 living base housing at Kaneohe Bay in 69. Got tagged to particilgroup of items kept just for display etc. Also, I could not find a picture of proper display – where was that Bluejackets Manual when you need it? I should add that my unit was with the Dispensary, H&HS and we were still Navy. I loaded everything I could find and took it to assigned location and laid it out neatly (so I thought). When got a look at the Marines racks and lockers (I was only squid) my bunk looked like I had just turned my seabag upside down and shook it out. CWO and gunny come in, I’m 3rd bunk in, first 2 bunks look like a tornado hit them when they were through (still looked better than mine to me). CWO stands at foot of my display, leans left then right checking edges and lines and says “Everything here Doc?” to which reply “All but a pair of gloves sir”. He apparantlyy wasn’t expecting a “foreign” bunk and had no more idea than I did regarding layout or content. He said “Get the gloves, nice display Doc” and proceeded to tear up the next bunk. I didn’t know why the Gunny was smiling.
This isn’t the junk on the bunk that i remember! at the time we only had foot locker boxes at the foot of the rack when we had inspection junk was laid out on bunk, box open to show it was as squared away also. Anyone one remember air raid flood drills with lock boxes at PI???
The only junk on the bunk I recall was 782 gear laid out on the bunk in accordance with the photo as it was show in the handbook. C.R. Milster 1945 1956..
Had a junk on the bunk shortly after arriving at my 1st duty station, Repair Co. Albany Ga. While on boot leave, I had all my uniforms, uts, trops, and khakis, greens cleaned and pressed at home. This was when the shirts were folded with straight pins and cardboard in the collar. Laid everything out to include deuce gear. Took paper out of the collar and the collar stood up away from the shirt. The CO saw my shirts and commented as this was how all the shirts should look. Made this old priv feel real good until he got stuck by an over looked straight pin. Eventually had almost a complete issue just for inspections.