Call from my recruit son today- he's on Parris Island

Well, I guess if he didn't want to be a dog-face grunt a Jarhead is better than anything else remaining LOL. (said tongue in cheek of course)
Best wishes to your son and thank him for his service.
 
bamacisa

My grandson is presently at Lackland Air Force Base for basic train
ng. He plans to go into special operations. He has been approved for this training. He wrote his Mom a letter this week'..... Training's tough. food's good, Still alive. Love ya. ...... made me smile
 
bamacisa

My grandson is presently at Lackland Air Force Base for basic training.
He plans to go into special operations. He has been approved for this training. He wrote his Mom a letter this week'..... Training's tough. food's good, Still alive. Love ya. ...... made me smile
 
I don't know about that.

The sand fleas don't winter in the Bahamas.

The DIs aren't kinder in the cooler months.

Maybe doing the PT in the barracks while wearing the "horse blanket"(aka overcoat) was better in winter and spring.

I arrived at Marine Corp Recruit Depot PI on February 8,1961 where the weather was in the 70s.

When I flew out of New York it was snowing heavily.

Ah the good old days earning $78/mo with 3 slops and a flop.


I think the 78 was before taxes. And the obligatory red cross donation bucket at the end of the pay line.
 
I knew a guy growing up who was drafted by the Marines during Vietnam and got shipped off to PI,

He made some bad choices later on and landed in Huntsville (Texas state prison) for three years. This was before prison reform, when a cell block was run by a "building tender", a sort of trusty who was generally the biggest, baddest dude in the block. In return for keeping the peace, the BT was allowed certain liberties.

Later on this acquaintance said given the choice, he'd sooner return to Huntsville than PI.
 
I knew a guy growing up who was drafted by the Marines during Vietnam and got shipped off to PI,

He made some bad choices later on and landed in Huntsville (Texas state prison) for three years. This was before prison reform, when a cell block was run by a "building tender", a sort of trusty who was generally the biggest, baddest dude in the block. In return for keeping the peace, the BT was allowed certain liberties.

Later on this acquaintance said given the choice, he'd sooner return to Huntsville than PI.

Most of the draftees during Nam turned into good warriors and good citizens after separation. Some did not. The fact that the fellow ended up in prison probably is indicative of why he did not adjust to PI. The Corps can only instill self discipline in those who are aware enough to allow it.
 
Don't be surprised if when you talk to him he stands up straight and says Yes Sir. It took Me months to break that habit after I was out.
 
He WILL be different. I spent 17 of my 20 years as a Navy Corpsman with the Marines. My dad retired from the service with 25 years in, 10 with the Corps and 15 with the Air Force. He's an old school Paris Island graduate. As for me, when I reported for FMF training at Camp Del Mar in Kalifornia, I got stationed at MCRD San Diego with the Hollywood Marines until the school began nearly 3 weeks later.

I can say, training at PI is far far more intense, you won't recognize your son when he comes back. USMC, when in doubt, sir or ma'am it, and salute :)

Semper Fi
 
Most of the draftees during Nam turned into good warriors and good citizens after separation. Some did not. The fact that the fellow ended up in prison probably is indicative of why he did not adjust to PI. The Corps can only instill self discipline in those who are aware enough to allow it.



I wasn't insinuating the Marines had anything to do with his later troubles.

In hindsight, his personality probably was better suited to prison than the Marines.
 
My grandson graduated Parris Island about 10 months ago. About 11 months ago he was not sure he could make it.

He hung in there and did. Came home a different person. (much to the better in maturity and responsibility).

I was most proud of him and every other young man who endures Parris Island.

Be proud of him and give him all the support you can.
 
I wasn't insinuating the Marines had anything to do with his later troubles.

In hindsight, his personality probably was better suited to prison than the Marines.

I did not take your words as an insult to Marines. In fact it was good oh you to post the fact. It should remind everyone that all the military services are simply a microcosm of society. Whatever characteristics you find in the civilian population are also reflected in the military population. A bad Marine was a bad civilian first.
 
MOS is Motor T

My son heads to Fort Leonardwood in Missouri for Motor T. He's a grease monkey for sure and for a northern kid often gets mistaken from being from the south. He spent the entire year as a Poolee saying Sir or Ma'am. Not to mention driving a lift kit Chevy with dual American flags flying off the back. Funny how many folks think he was raised in the south cause of his manners. He will always get the door for Mom or his girlfriend. My Dad was 27 years Navy so you never wore a hat indoors or at the table and always got the door so that got passed on we guess. We can see it now after getting to his duty station.
WHO THE HELL PUT A LIFT KIT ON THIS DEUCE AND A HALF!
 
Ft Leonard Wood for Motor-T school?
Things sure have changed since 1969.
My MOS was 3516 Motor-T mechanic.
Motor-T school was located on the 25 area aboard Camp Pendleton CA.
But that was pre-computer controlled engines & drive train's by a few decades.
Your Marine has a great MOS.
He'll get as much out of it as he put's into it.
I was promoted to the rank of PFC after completing ITR and graduating Motor-T school.
CPL (E-4) after 3.5 years in and then my EAS six months later.

Semper Fi
 
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