One thing I haven’t heard from you guys is what you were doing before the Marine Corps or your thoughts and feelings a few weeks before leaving to boot camp.
Stories as a Marine Corps Poolee?
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I was a bit older than average recruit (24) I had a marriage and divorce behind me (maybe the Corps was a Beau Geste thing for me?) I was certified as a welder but my stack of certs and 50 cents might get you a cup of coffee in mid 80’s. My thoughts- just to get as far as I could from everything I’d ever known and start a new life. (look up Matt Stell “everywhere but on” on Youtube) It did not work. But there ya have it.
My father went and signed the papers after I graduated high school as I had three older brothers in the Marine Corps so I told him I wasn’t gonna get a job until he signed them so reluctantly he signed them when I was 19 best thing I ever did in my life My thoughts on the last couple weeks of Boot Camp was I made it and no regrets if I could do it over again I would do 30 years instead of 12
Your dad had to sign papers when you were 19?
I was an assistant manager at a local grocery store and trying to go to college. Took a long look at what was immediately ahead of me and decided I needed a bigger challenge. Made the commitment and waited almost 8 months before I departed for MCRD. Honestly I didn’t know what to expect and figured it would be the challenge I was looking for. Now upon Diddy Bopping down to the Sergeant awaiting the arrival of the new recruits my world was, well let’s just say rocked beyond all I knew previously. Wouldn’t change it for the world though!
‘Poolee’? Is that a nice way of saying ‘Maggot’ or ‘S##tbird’? I joined 7 September 1961 and was getting off the bus at MCRD San Diego exactly 7 days later … I was a 17 1/2 year old high school drop-out, left home at age 15 and worked menial jobs (short order cook, stock clerk, cotton picking, cattle rustling and part-time male hooker) until I turned old enough to join the Marines. Because of the GED, I ‘graduated’ sooner than had I remained in high school, saved money in the credit union, took junior college correspondence courses and left the Marines with enough units and cash to get my college degree in Public Administration. I spent almost 30 years in law enforcement, attended the FBI National Academy at Quantico, retired as chief of police. All thanks to the Marine Corps! In those days, the Marines actually did Build Men …
Outstanding! I was exactly three months behind you. I had a 90-day deferred enlistment option. 10 days later my little teen-age world went to hell and I found myself in MCRDSD on 7DEC61. Best thing that ever happened to me.
Rodger that brother, it was the same with me! Only I turned 18, 11/14/66. Wound up at MCRDSD 90 days later. Without question changed my life, it was the 2nd best thing that ever happened to me. JESUS was number one!!!!
I was heading down the wrong path and knew it! Arrests (as a minor thank God) and no diploma, I needed a wake up call. Signed up in July ‘72 and was standing on the yellow foot prints in August. Needless to say-I definitely got the wake up call!! Best thing that could have happened!
My first duty station was Marine Barracks,Keflavik Iceland. My captain looked at my SRB and ordered my Sgt to march me down to the base school where he signed me up for night classes. Got my diploma from there.
Wish I could thank them now…
A guy from the sticks, wanted to see something more of this world. The time it came to get ready, on my own went a Recruiters office Talked to all there when I talked the Marine Gysgt there I liked what I heard about the schools they have. So that day I signed up being 18 I just did it, but the reaction at home didn’t go so well with my Mother she did not want me too do anything like that since being the oldest I was supposed to take care of the family if something goes wrong. The only good part was my Dad he was proud of what I had done even though the whole family his side were all Army. But the day I was to depart for boot camp, I have A picture of my family seeing off but the look on my moms face could kill. Then the adventure started wasn’t quite ready but made it through, even though I broke my leg but after I still got my EGA proudest moment I can think of other than getting married. Spent 6 years active from 68-73 Fought in Vietnam was wounded not serious I was discharged a Ssgt, best time of my life if I could i would do it all again!!
At 17…my father signed for me and within a week I was off to MCRD, San Diego. Supposed to be 12 weeks but got shortened to 8. Was I a bit scared ?..hell yes! After my tour I found a job as a draftsman. Went to college, I got a GED while serving, and lasted 3 semesters. Met a gal got married and found a new job with the DOD.. Retired after 30 years.. Would I do it again? If I could go back that far and be as informed, it wouldn’t be the same..but yeah I give it every effort..Semper Fi!!
After graduating from York Catholic High School in York, Pa. I enlisted in the Marine Corps being 18 years old I did not need my parents signing. Graduated from boot camp in Nov. 1961. Fired very well on the Rifle Range and was asked to return as a Rifle Marksmanship Instructor MOS 8531.
My original enlistment date was sometime in March 1964, with a 90 day delayed entry before HS graduation in May. With two buddies, the recruiter sent us by bus from Wichita KS to AFEES Kansas City MO and we had quite an adventure there. A popular hit song around that time was Wilber Harrison’s “Kansas City” and we were determined to try and make it come true. The night before processing we decided to explore KC and managed to gain entry into a burlesque/strip show. What an education three farm boys from Mulvane KS received. I was amazed that one woman could twirl the tassels on her titties in both directions and even made them rotate in opposite directions. I had never seen anything like that, and it was evident that we weren’t in Kansas anymore. But, it did inspire us to write our own song on the trip back to Wichita. It went like this: “Got a gal in Kansas City, with meat balls on he titties, ham & eggs between her legs, and that’s what I love about Kansas City.” Thus began my indoctrination and education in The Corps, where every days a holiday and every meal a feast. Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
Every day a holiday, every meal a feast, every paycheck a fortune, every formation a family reunion, every deployment an adventure, every new skipper a challenge, every Liberty Call an opportunity, every mission an Unknown … The Marine Corps: Just one good deal after another!
I’m back Top, it was rough for a while I had open heart surgery, then my heart didn’t want to restart. While in cardo recovery my heart stopped twice, so now I have a pacemaker. The hospital was Wadsworth VA in Los Angeles. I see now why you said” not to chase the nurses”. They’re not only pretty their also very efficient. You can be sure that I’ll never say any thing bad about the cardiac care unit at West Los Angeles, “They’re the BEST. But enough about me how have you been.
Hey Larry – Good to hear from you and SO HAPPY to hear that you survived your surgery, even though there were a few hick-ups. Some guys I know set the surgery date as their second birthday, kinda like taking a round in Vietnam. I hear a lot of guys complain about the VA, but when you live to tell about it there is none better in the world. I’m still hanging in there and doing about the same, thanks for asking. I’ll be sucking oxygen until the day I can no longer suck, but there have been no changes on my pulmonary function tests or cat scans, so I guess I’m good to go. When I get up in the morning, I know it’s going to be a good day if my name isn’t in the obituary and I have a good bowel movement. Keep the faith, Brother! Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
August 1982 this Indian kid wanted to get off the Rez, called Gunny Anderson, told him I wanted to join, when I told him I was 16, he told me to call him back when I turn 17, and that I’d need my father’s signature. Hit my 17th bday and called Gunny back. When I introduced Gunny to my mean azz alcoholic father, I knew I was gonna get my azz beat because I knew he was butt hurt because I never mentioned to him I wanted to be a Marine until that day. Was in the poolee program my senior year, counting down the days, stepped on the yellow prints July 1984 platoon 3070 Lima Co, shot platoon & series high shooter, wasn’t asked to be a PMI wasn’t in my cards I guess. But I love the Corps for making me the man I am today.
Back in the early 70’s I don’t believe the term “Poolie” was used. I had set myself to graduate from high school a semester early to join the Corps and wanted to be sworn in my 17th birthday. However, on the 1st of the month draftees were processed so I had to settle for the day after my 17th birthday. Then had to wait until I graduated end of January and reported to AFEES and boot camp in February.
Two interesting things happened from that experience, the first was my 2 Honorable Discharges were issued on my birthday so kind of a birthday card from the Corps. The second was that my high school class graduation was happening in June and my parents bugged the leadership of ITR to allow me to travel from Pendleton to Long Beach and graduate. This was 1971 and all my classmates were pretty much hippy looking and I showed up in trops. Khaki trousers, shirt, tie and black shoes. And of course no hair.
Signed the paperwork March 1976 on the 6 months delayed entry program (good idea). Graduation high school May 1976 with Honors (my recruiter in Dress Blues sat with my family). Started working out 2 times a day, 6 days a week. Cruised the circuit with friends in the evening. Left for boot camp August 1976. Graduation from BC with Honors:PFT high scorer for my platoon and series , promotion to PFC.
After 3 semesters of Jr. College, I got burned out, and went to work summer of 68. Had a great time, got my 55 Chevy running like I wanted, had a good looking girlfriend. Then came December, and got my draft notice and decided I was not going in the Army. A few days later while filling my car up with gas, a Marine recruiter was coming out of the station after paying. He made me a deal I couldn’t refuse, and a month later, I was enjoying the finer aspects of Parris Island. It was a great 2 years. Thanks for the timing Gunny Menefee.
Signed up on 18th birthday, 50 days later hit the yellow footprints. 1969