In March of 1958 I measured in at 5’7” when I joined the Corps. In the intervening 60 years I’ve lost an inch of height but not the ability to get in a friendly jab at our brothers and sisters in our nation’s other fine military branches. My wife and I were recently at a local eating establishment that serves great sandwiches and soups. One has to order at the cash register, pay and then give your name so they can find your table. We were waiting at our table for our food to be ready when I walked back up to the register counter to pick up some extra napkins. As I approached, the cute young thing on the register was taking the order of a soldier, standing about 6’2”, 210 lbs or so and wearing utilities – or whatever they’re called these days – with a “U.S. ARMY” patch proudly showing over the left breast pocket. I heard her saying “I’m sorry. You’re in here practically every day but I can’t think of your name.” I walked back to our table and was about to sit down when I noticed him walking over to the self-serve soft drink fountain. Without a thought of what this big bruiser might be capable of doing to me I quickly sidled over to him and said “You know, if that patch there on your jacket said “USMC” instead of “U.S. ARMY” she would have remembered your name.” I reached up, patted him on the shoulder and walked back to my table while he just stood there shaking his head.
Of course, as we left I went by his table and thanked him for his service.
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What could he say…he knew you were telling the truth!!
Larry, I am collecting more funny boot camp stories for a possible book #2 of “SH*TBIRD! How I Learned To Love The Corps.”. If you or any jarhead friends have stories to contribute, let me know at bootcampstories4 at gmail.I won’t use anything detrimental to the Corps. If a story fits the style of my book I will need your date of enlistment, where you trained (San Diego or P.I.) and platoon number. I also will use your boot camp Blues picture if you have it. Hope to get enough stories soon to make as good a book as the first one.
Good luck on getting your second book issued. There are thousands of former Marines who went through boot camp, like we did. You must get boot camp stories from WWII vets before they pass. Their stories would really be something. God Bless You and Good Luck on your book. Semper Fi. Ted
Larry, if you were a Hollywood Marine, our respective cattle cars may have met at the depot gate. You going out, me coming in. I was 5’8” when I arrived at the depot in June 1958 Plt. 242. Thank you for your service, Semper Fidelis.
I live near JBLM Jount Bace Lewis McCord in Washington state and the most fun is my “Friends Don’t Let Friends Joun the Army” T-shirt Great fun and lots of reaction!
Semper Fi ( Marine). once a Marine Always a Marine.
I joined the Corps in 1961 at age 17, 5’7″ and 118 pounds, just making the cut for weight. When I graduated on 7 December 61, I weighed 145 pounds and was tough as woodpecker’s lips. As to the Doggie with the fatigues, I think most of us who served recall we were never, ever allowed to wear utilities off-base unless on duty with a USMC vehicle, parade, etc. Civvies, tropicals or greens were okay but not utilities.
You must never have lived off base
Never heard the word Utilities when did it change from dungarees
Dungarees are Army or Navy. Always been utilities until they went to cammies as far as I know and I went in in 61
Must have been between 51 and 61 then
I never heard the word dungarees either and I was in from 68-71 must have been WAY before my time.
They were not called utilities when i got out in 52 and that’s not much difference from 68 when it is already 2018 it was just a question i was interested in asking.must be someone out there who knows.
What platoon? I was in 275 at the same time.
I wear mine all the time that says, “Marines, making it safe for the Army.”
Well put, from a Salty Marine who joined the old corp. Iloved it! You beat me in the Corps by 10 months.
I ride bikes with a couple other guys all Vietnam Vets and we have on or vests with Marine Corp patches and where we served in Vietnam. I can not tell you how many times some one has picked up our tab for breakfast. Next time you see a young man like that pick up his tab. No matter what your branch we are all in this together. I can not tell you how many times the ARMY invited us over for hot chow at GIO LINH. All we got were c-rats and I will never forget what they did for us.
You certainly have some big ones Marine, great laugh thanks.
Great comment- in the best Marine tradition- Semper FI