Mr. Henry,
As a Parris Island recruit (Plt 337 summer 1973) and 3rd Battalion Drill Instructor (1976 to 1977), I feel qualified to respond to Mr. Henry's interrogative as to why do PI Marines feel somewhat "badder" than those "Hollywood" Marines. Yes, there are sand fleas and they do bite. But, it is where they bite and what happens if you try and stop them from biting that gives the PI Marine the history and legacy of being a bit more disciplined.
Oh. to relive those beautiful early summer mornings with recruits pouring out of squadbays to form up for PT with shorts and T-shirts. The smell of "Skin-so-Soft" and Cutters permeating the heavy morning air. Here we go:
"Platooooon, AaaatenHut! Dress right Dress! Ready Front! Cover. Now, let the shaking and blowing begin. It is as if the bugs know it's chow time. The little devils know the Hats are just waiting for one little wiggle or one little wave so that "bends and thrust begin" may be shouted. And the target zones are those places that are the most private and tender of unseen places. Up the shorts and in the nose and ears. And there is nothing you can do but wait until you get that most wonderful of next preparatory command of "Right" and command of execution of "Face" when you finally get to move them little buggers off for a second. And at last, the "Double Time Aarch" command is given and away you go singing happily about Suzy rotten @#$$%& and Eskimo *&^%$. So, Mr. Henry, besides the mosquitoes the size of humming birds, rattle snakes in the grass, alligators and sharks in the waters, 100% humidly and the meanest DI's this side of the Mississippi, there is absolutely nothing different or special about PI Marines.
Sgt. DR George
0311/8511/8531