I spent the summer of 1965 in boot camp at MCRD Parris Island at the ripe old age of 17, straight out of high school. If you left PI or ITR as a Pfc you did a lot of things right. If you made L/Cpl, I certainly never heard about it. Sounds like bullshit to me. Rank was quick then for the right people but E-3 your first what, 6 months? I don’t think so. And for the 60 lbs. (or whatever) of “muscle” out of boot! Man, I thought people had to see me before they would think I was that stupid. Save it for your 50th class reunion. Maybe by then people will forget the truth and buy it. Semper Fi but save the bullshit for the boyscouts.
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I was a LCpl out of boot camp and if you don’t believe me you can bite me!
I have heard that if you were a l/CPL in the Reserves and you went to boot Camp you got your L/CPL stripes back when you graduated I went through Boot Camp at PI in 1955 I was in the Reserves for a year when I graduated I left PARRIS Island a pVT
What years did you serve. Better yet, what year was boot camp?
1974-1985. You’ll see my post explaining ROTC and LCPL rank.
If you were in boot camp during 60’s and 70’s there is no freakin way you made lance out of boot that program did not go into effect until the 80’s and, even then you had to go into boot camp as a “Contract PFC” and then receive one of the 3 Honors at graduation. I do believe that you are full of it. I said this before and ,I’ll say it again “This is the wrong forum to be tossing BS ” you will be called out on it. Harry
Wrong on the 80″s deal about LCpl out of boot camp. If you had 2 years ROTC and met all the criteria for graduating boot camp you would get LCPL. It required the ROTC certificate and letter from the instructor verifying such. Then it was written into your contract. I graduated in 1974 with Plt. 2078 at MCRD San Diego and received my LCPL. Harry, you can bite me!
LCPL out of MCRD PISC is rare, but I too was a double meritorious E-3 out of boot came (PLT 2095, 2nd BN F Co. in Dec 1988). I was awarded the Leatherneck Award for being named Platoon Honor Graduate and the Navy League of the United State Outstanding Recruit Award as Senior Honor Graduate – Series 2092. If you didn’t rate it go back and think about your own performance during recruit training and ask yourself how you could’ve convinced your platoon and series staff that you did rate it. Side note without trying to be self promoting but meritoriously E-4 and E-5 as well so I guess they got something right. End of day these type of individual things don’t really matter because there are two types of Marines…those who have one and those who don’t. CAR on my DD214 for which I am most proud. Semper Fi freak.
I went to ITR in Sept ’61 and left in Oct. with a Cpl. who had joined the plt at ITR. Found out later he was prior service Marine who had been in for 12 years and had gotten out as an E-5 six years before. He said he was 35 years old, went through a divorce and decided to finish a career in our Corps.
Sgt Stephens USMC 1966-1970 Nam Mar 67 – Apr 68 I graduated PLT 2095 with Wilson and will verify that he did indeed graduate with the rank of LCPL. He was one heck of a Platoon leader as well as one squared away Marine. We must come to accept the fact that just because we didn’t see or know of something during our time in, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen! Semper Fi Marines!!
I had one of my troops report aboard as a LCpl out of boot. He was contract PFC and Honor Man for his platoon. Didn’t make him a great Marine. In fact, I didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. (Meritorious Cpl and Sgt also, you figure it out). It’s not BS. It can happen.
My grandson graduated from boot camp in the fall of last year. Numerous PFC’s promoted during boot camp, including him. Yes, there was in fact a Lance Corporal for the series that graduated. Apparently, out of the series that graduates they will select an “outstanding” recruit in all phases of training. I graduated boot camp in 1964 and at that time, very very few promotions. Usually the house mouse if he stayed squared away during the entire time and possibly a guide-on and perhaps a few squad leaders. Semper Fi.
I graduated from Platoon 221 in October 1957, there was no such rank as lance corporal, and NO ONE and I MEAN NO ONE came out of Parris Island as a corporal. Semper Fi !
Rightly said Donald!
You can come out as a lance from boot if you have college going into boot. You will be designated as a QEP (Quality Enlistment Private). It makes you eligible to graduate as a PFS from boot. If you are also a honorman throughout, then you will pick up the rank of meritorious LCpl.
I, like Sgt Wilson was also a LCPL out of boot camp, Ptl 2034, 2nd BN, E Co April of 1990. Also Ptl Honor Man and Company Honor Man. I also earned the same awards. One of the greatest days of my life. It was a blessing and a curse at the same time. Everywhere I went from there, MCT, SOI, and Security Force School I was the ” senior Marine” and was put in charge of everything. Best thing that could have happened to me. Just a side note that I was 21 when I joined after some Army time. Just another side note, getting “pinned” by a number of the DI’s in the House was a great honor that I will take with me until my last breath. Sgt. James Tesar 90-96
That is a hard roger James. Blessing and a curse…higher expectations and attention at SOI, but, to your point, more early leadership opportunities. I do agree with some of these comments that there probably should not be any E-3’s out of Boot rather E-2’s for honor graduates or the very few who might rate it. Not just because you were the better of what might have been a weak PLT or Series. There is also a lot to be learned being an E-1 or E-2 in the Fleet. Side note: Having my parents sitting in the reviewing stand not knowing why they were there and graduating honorarily in front of them was certainly good to go.
In the primitive day’s of old -the 50’s , 60’s 70’s or even the early 80’s my era , but after the show your DI the stress card 90’s anything’s possiable
Please please please let the stress card myth die! Never happened in Marine Corps bootcamp. S/Fi
THANK YOU – HATE TO THINK IT COULD HAPPEN IN ANY BRANCH – IS IT VALID ON THE FIELD OF CCOMBAT ?? DON’T THINK SO !!!!!!
When I graduated as a PFC from Plt 356 at PI in 1964, the DI’s selected the top 10% of the platoon for promotion. They were usually the platoon guide, squad leaders, house mice, and of course, the platoon honor man, who was also presented a set of dress blues for his accomplishment. Those promoted to PFC got to take in the final review at graduation instead of marching in it. I was more proud of that single PFC’s stripe than I was of the third stripe I got less than 2 1/2 years later because it was the hardest earned. BTW, I have heard of recruits being promoted to LCpl upon graduation if they recruited several others into the Corps.
I graduated from boot camp (platoon 288) on Parris Island in January 1958. The “honor graduate” (I forget the actual term used) was promoted to E-3 (at that time PFC).
NO, E-3 then was Corporal.
It depends on when you were in. I went through boot in 1969. The only people who made PFC were the top four recruits and the platoon honor man. No one made LCPL out of boot. Boot camp was only 9 weeks. ITR was an additional 3 weeks after that. Most guys made PFC out of ITR and some had warrants back dated to when they were in boot camp. Very few made LCPL out of ITR. Shortly before I was discharged in 72 they were letting boots go home right after boot camp before ITR. Some were making LCPL out of boot mainly college guys.
Jim Grimes, I think what you describe was common in the Sixties. I was at PI in 1966 (3rd Bn, Plt 3020) and served as a reservist from 1966-1974. (S/Sgt) I made PFC out of ITR, (two of us made it) attended COMM school in San Diego, and was handed my L/CPL chevrons at my first reserve meeting. This was not unusual, but don’t remember anyone making L/Cpl out of boot. It was just too short back then.
Mr Price, it seems that you are the one who is full of b.s, the rank of lcpl has been in the rank structure since 1830, along with the rank of lance sergeant. Left was dropped completely but lcpl was used tell the 1930’s at that point it was very rare but doable tell it was permanent in the rank restructer in 1958. So tell the time you can see that marines SRB keep your trap shut.
I believe you’re being a bit harsh on Mr. Price and his contention of “no L/Cpl rank in 1957” He’s correct in that the rank of Lance Corporal had been discontinued prior to WW II and reinstated in 1959-62 when the Corps restructured the ranks, Prior to1959 an E-3 was two-stripe Corporal, E-4 was Buck Sergeant and E-5 was Staff/Platoon Sergeant. The Marines also adopted the metal pin-on collar ranks at the time (without crossed rifles) , with the transitional ranks called ‘Acting’ …
I served as a new 2nd Lt at ITR camp Pendleton from June to December 1970. We had no marines arrive from MCRD as lance corporal. Usually the top marine would be promoted at graduation to E-3.
I just attended recruit graduation this past Friday, 21 July 2017 at MCRD San Diego. One platoon guide graduated as a L/Cpl and received recognition from the announcer. Squared away and looked to be well over 6′ tall. Probably closer to 7′ than 6′. He dwarfed everyone else in Mike Company. I made the trip to show my young grandson the graduation of Marines. He is only 7 tears old and was in awe of the ceremonies. I graduated from Parris Island in 1968 and there were no L/Cpl promotions. (USMC 1968-1972) (RVN 1969-1970) (0351).
Probably a typo “7 tears old” but love it… GrandKIDS do bring a tear every once in a while no matter how old they are …
Not a typo, he is only 7 years old. He knows all three verses of the Marines’ Hymn and can call some cadences (the clean ones). He can’t wait to join the Corps but also wants to be a cop, a fireman and a few other things. I tell him no Parris Island or MCRD San Diego for him. It should be OCS at Quantico AFTER college. Just hope I can live to see it.
Michael I now see my typo “Tears” instead of years. Funny I should make that typo since I did have a few tears in my eyes watching the Marines marching and the look on the face of my grandson as they did.
Stress card? What the hell is a stress card? Boot Camp, PI Jan. 1967 Plt. 242; Vietnam, (0311) E/2/4 1967-68. Semper Fidelis.
Went thru boot camp in San Diego in 68. Bullshit on lance col. out of boot camp. Can’t happen. Pfc. yes l/ cpl no fricken way your a liar. Golf 2bat 26 th marines. 0311 Vietnam 1969
Chuck, not sure who you are calling a liar but I did see it three days ago at MCRD San Diego at the graduation of Mike Company. Give the Public Affairs office MCRD San Diego a call and verify if fact or fiction. Didn’t happen when I graduated from Parris Island, also in 1968, but there have been many changes in the USMC over the past 50 years. India 3rd Battalion 26th Marines. 0351 Vietnam 1969 – 1970
Maybe didn’t do it in 1968 “old corps”, but have since the ’80’s anyway.
Have heard of LCpl out of boot camp, but never saw it!. However, I made PFC at PI in ’68, but was 3rd away from the awarded Blues. In 8 weeks, I gained 55 lbs [155 to 210], and became the fake plt sgt at ITR because it was all muscle, shoulders and thighs! My mother didn’t recognize me at graduation. Oh yah, I was an Eagle Scout. Would you like a ice cream cone for 2/3 BS helping? No NAM, I was headed for Red Beach, but chg’d to Okinawa … as a LCPL!
I went thru boot camp in Nov 1956 right after the recruits drown in Ribbon creek. The only graduate to make pfc out of boot was the high shooter on the rifle range. I attained the lofty rank of cpl during my tour. that was full cpl. when I was discharged in Nov 1959 my rank was lcpl. however that was the old corp. the rest of you are still craping book camp chow.
The last Recruit Graduation that I attended in April 2014, while on vacation back to SDiego, had more than 1 LCpl, in full Dress Blue “A” uniform, as Guidon Bearer for his platoon…sorry, Chuck, it does happen…Semper Fi!
I served 1973 to 1977 one of the Marines in my unit (Marine Detachment on the USS Simon Lake) graduated from boot camp a LCpl. Because he was in High School ROTC for 4 years.
Parris Island 1957 Plt 283 .We had several Marine Reserve personnel serving 6 months active duty in my platoon .Our right guide graduated with three stripes which he earned before arriving at boot camp.We also had a few PFCs the same way and a few more made PFC out of boot camp I never heard of anyone making Corporal E3{ old rank structure} straight out of PI.
i went thru mcrd san diego in june 63. was awarded meritorious pfc along with several others. never saw any meritorius l/cpls then. went to nam 3/3/3 in 65;s-2 scout out of h&s co semper fi to all my former and active duty brothers
Went to MCRD San Diego, Dec 19 1983 as a Pvt. Graduated from boot camp a Pvt Mar 9 1984. Went to Food Service school at Camp Johnson, graduated June 2 1984 as a Lcpl, total time 6 months 14 days.
I GUESS YOU LCPL’S OUT OF BOOT MUST HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON YOUR KNEES. PFC WAS THE BEST I HEARD OF AND THAT WAS RARE. NONE IN MY PLATOON. BOOT IN 1965, NAM IN 1966 TO 1968. 1ST MAW DANANG. I DID NOT MAKE LCPL UNTILL THEY SENT BACK TO THE WORLD. MY FAULT, DRINKING AWOL ETC ETC. HOPE YOU ALL ARE HAPPY WEALTHY AND HEALTHY. SEMPER FI MARINES. BRENDAN McCarron 1 ST MAW DANANG YOU KNOW WHERE. 1965 1968. 3YEARS 2 MONTHS AND 11 DAYS. THAT WAS ENOUGH. THEY DID NOT WANT MA ANYMORE AFTER ALL I DID FOR THEM. JUST LIKE A WOMAN. IT WAS SOME FUN BUT IT COST ME. WELL WORTH IT.
Got to Parris Island, S.C. in July 1961, Plt.343. After 12 weeks of basic training 80 guys became Marines. 5 of which made PFC at graduation. My squad leader also got the only Dress Blues award in the series as the Honor Man. We had joined the Marines together after high school. Our right guide made PFC plus some other squad leaders. We had one man that had transferred to the USMC from the Army, he was the oldest man to make PFC. He also wore a few more ribbons on his dress uniform than our DI’s at graduation. He did suffer some through the training: running, exercises, etc. NO ONE made L/CPL.
I graduated from boot in 10/67 as a PFC because I had been sworn in 3 months before I went to boot camp. Promoted to L/Cpl out jungle warfare. We never had anyone even our Platoon honor Marine graduate as a L/Cpl. I was promoted to Cpl after being in Nam for 6 months. We were the honor Platoon 1039 and still no was promoted to L/Cpl.
Went to MCRDSD in 68. Only one to get above PFC out of there was a former doggie.
It’s obvious that L/Cpl depends on what year. In my boot Plt, 2217, 1968, our Plt had 7 Pfcs, and the choice was up to the PC. Our PC gave the stripes to the guide, squad leaders, high PRT, and High rifle score. We had a man that had already served 4 yrs Navy, and 4 yrs AF, and he also graduated a PFC, with the understanding that he would get L/Cpl at the first opportunity. I’ll bet that he was a Cpl.well before the end of his first year, but he already had 8 yrs military service. This was a very unusual situation. He wanted to serve 4yrs in each branch. I wonder if he stayed in the Corp after his 4, or if he did go into the Army.
I went to comm school with a Marine who enlisted with a 4yr degree. She (Yes, she) graduated boot camp PFC and was promoted Lance Corporal effective the day after her graduation from boot camp. This was part of her enlistment contract. I suppose that technically she didn’t graduate as a L/CPL, but it’s a mighty fine LINE.
Made PFC upon graduation at MCRD SD Plt 3326 Jan ’69. Promoted to L/Cpl while attending DLIWC summer of ’69. Attained E4 in RVN Feb ’70 & E5 in June ’70.
We had one LCPL out of Platoon 390, Parris Island, 11 Nov 75. I think that was Willie Ford who graduated with the crossed rifles on his sleeve. His wasn’t a meritorious promotion. That went to David Ames (PFC). But we did have at least one LCPL graduate in our series. Semper Fi.
Sixty-three years ago graduated boot at San Diego with prior army service guy who enlisted with me who got two stripes and had one and half rows of ribbons. Guide from plt. on the next street had three stripes and two rows of ribbons. Both had GC medal.
ALL YOU MARINES STOP FIGHTING OVER A STUPID SUBJECT CALLED LCPL OUT OF BOOT. WHO CARES WHO GIVES A FLYING FU. HELL I MADE SGT MAJOR OUT OF BOOT. WHY YOU ASK. CHESTY VISITED AND SAW MY PERFORMANCE ON THE PARADE FIELD AND TOLD MY D.I. TO PROMOTE ME. YES I HAVE BEEN DRINKING AND SO SHOULD YOU ALL. GO DOWN TO PADDY’S PUB AND DRINK A FEW BEERS TO THE MARINES FIGHTING TODAY. TIME FOR ANOTHER BEER. SEMPER FI GUYS AND A SPECIAL SEMPER FI TO ALL YOU NAM MARINES. 1966 TO 1968 1ST MAW DANANG. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN I STAYED AN ADDDITIONAL 6 MONTHS. YES I WAS DRINKING. LOVE YOU GUYS.
I joined the “Mighty Corps” 7-7-69 MCRD San Diego, and graduated PFC. I then continued to ITR at Camp Pendleton and was promoted to L/Cpl (E-3) upon completion. I continued on to Vietnam and was promoted to Corporal (E-4) by May of 1970. Did 11 mos. in country, and was scheduled to receive my Sgt. (E-5) by December, but was medivac’d to Camp Zama, Japan Naval Hospital for major head surgery, and spent the next 4 mos. there, the was medivac’d to NAS, Corpus Christi Hospital until I received a medical discharge in May 1971. So, I too, was able to make rank quickly, and would have continued my Marine Corps career for the next 20-30 years, but the wisdom of the Naval Board in Corpus Christi decided otherwise. I never received my Sgt. stripes that I was told I was guaranteed by my CO before I got injured. I wish now I had pursued my promotion!!
I went in to the Corps in 1987. At the time USMC was giving people who signed a six year contract L/cpl out of boot camp and corporal in eighteen months. It screwed up the promotion rate for everyone else. It also allowed for some people who were not ready for leadership to be in charge.