I too went through Boot Camp at Parris Island, but in 1961. My platoon, 144, had excelled in all phases on the island. A marine in our platoon chose to light up and smoked a cigarette while on fire watch during the night. He was caught by our senior drill instructor who had him arrested and thrown into the brig. I was a squad leader and my drill instructor spoke to me as an equal for the first time asking if I felt his action was too harsh for the violation. I was aware his intent was to impress the marine his unapproved action could get him and his fellow marines killed in a combat zone. I was stunned by his request and honored at the same time treating me as an equal as your senior drill instructor at Parris Island had held a rank just beneath your Lord and Savior.
I was also at P I in 1961 platoon 119. I have trouble believing any of our DIs would have asked anyone our opinion on anything other then perhaps if we wanted to bend and thrusts until hell froze over or until we died. We could have been “set back” for any reason that the DIs deemed appropriate but I thought that going to the brig was the result of a court martial offense and not something that a DI could do on their own. Knew one or two recruits who had spent some time in the Motivation Platoon and they would have probably preferred to have been in the Brig. Also brig time is something that would be reflected on your service record for evermore.
I agree John, this makes a good story but I think that’s all it is, a story. I really do not think that a D.I. would do something that would go into the recruits permanent record and shadow him during his enlistment. Our D.I. would probably have him light up a few cigs. and run in place in front of the platoon while trying to smoke as fast as he can. “Inhale! Exhale! Inhale ! Exhale! ” until he turned a blue green color. Did see that once. Bill 0331
What was your response to the D.I.’s question Cpl.? Was the recruit in your squad?
If there is any truth to this story, I think the D.I. was just mess’n with Cpl Smithey. Why else would a D.I. do that.
I don’t think that the D.I. would have the authority to have the recruit arrested! Could recommend office hours and the series or company commander could hand out that kind of punishment. This story is a little over the top in my opinion. Paul S.
You’re right Paul, the DI would NOT have had the authority to have a recruit arrested and incarcerated for simply smoking on duty. There were many, many other ways to make his life miserable and regret his indiscretion. If the recruit was continually caught smoking on duty, and refused to correct his performance, the DI would have turned the situation over to the series Gunny for further correction, which would not have been a very pretty situation to be in. There were and are very explicit requirements for incarceration, which require the Commanding Officers involvement. Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
I vaguely remember a recruit being caught smoking in the rear stairwell of our barracks, he just got an ass whopping . Don’t know if he was fire watch at the time. Harry 1371