A young man ships to MCRD on 14AUG2017. Does he need an ARMY STRONG T-shirt, carry an ACU patterned ball-point, ARMY STRONG water bottle?

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 00:08:01 -0400

This is an outstanding young man. He will do well!

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Jul 31 at 2017 12:26 AM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 00:26:16 -0400

Marine Corp Recruiting Depot CMS? I hope the DI has a sense of humor.
M. Morris RVT

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 12:29 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 00:29:22 -0400

CSM Charles Hayden This young man is going to Marine Boot Camp at MCRD. Would he want to take Army gear with him?

Response by MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 2:15 AM

MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 02:15:01 -0400

Boot Camp is tough enough and it would be a very positive experience to have a great support structure from his family.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 31 at 2017 6:48 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 06:48:15 -0400

No need to put a bull's-eye on your chest. Granted those will all get taken away very quickly but the receiving DI's will torture him over it.

I recall someone wearing a Marine Corps t-shirt on my bus. He was destroyed for having the nerve to wear a shirt with the world Marines on it. A title he had not earned. He probably would have worn something else in hindsight. My guess is that will be the case if this young man shows up in an Army anything at either MCRD.

Response by Sgt Michael Clifford made Jul 31 at 2017 7:16 AM

Sgt Michael Clifford — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 07:16:24 -0400

This was a joke right? You want to send a recruit to Marine Corps Recruit Depot wearing an Army Strong tee shirt? When I went through PI if you had a relative in some other service you asked them not to send any mail. The DI would go ballistic if he saw a return address from an Army or Air Force facility. Of course that was in 1962 so maybe things have changed.
Of course it was all for show but it didn't feel that way when you were the subject for 12 weeks.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 8:46 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 08:46:47 -0400

He may have an interesting first few moments if he does. Doesn't matter what he wears though, because they will strip every hint of individuality from him systematically and in quick fashion from the moment the bus stops rolling. Any notions he may have of impressing his Drill Instructors will soon become fleeting reflections of better times. It could be worse though. When I went through Recruiter's School in San Diego 1984 they shared a story about another misinformed recruit. Seems a Recruiter from MA was having a hard month making quota so he got a tad creative with his sales pitch. The lad arrived at PI smartly dressed with a book satchel full of resource materials and school supplies. He was looking for the Registrar's Office so he could pick his classes while attending the USMC Community College of S. Carolina. "Close your eyes for a moment Johnny. You are on a scenic sunny island near Hilton Head. The palm trees are gently blowing in the breeze as you enter into your educational pursuits...." And we can figure out the rest. Thanks for sharing.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 31 at 2017 8:52 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 08:52:24 -0400

Id say yes, as well as "Army Strong" cut into his High and tight on the back of his head.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 31 at 2017 9:03 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:03:23 -0400

He'll be clipped down to the scalp.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 9:27 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:27:40 -0400

Just go all out and give him an Air Force T-Shirt.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 9:39 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:39:18 -0400

That would definitely be one way to get noticed fast! A guy in my platoon at Parris Island had an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor tattoo on his back (before earning said tattoo). He got a lot of special attention.

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Jul 31 at 2017 10:04 AM

GySgt John O'Donnell — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:04:41 -0400

As the saying goes, "what doesn't kill you, will make you stronger". That said, if he does it, the DI mafia will make sure it's not forgotten until the day he earns the title "Marine".

Response by LTJG Edward Bangor Jr made Jul 31 at 2017 7:45 PM

LTJG Edward Bangor Jr — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 19:45:28 -0400

Please record him getting off the bus and upload it to Youtube. I will overnight someone a Go-Pro if need be.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Aug 1 at 2017 1:19 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 13:19:43 -0400

It's San Diego... how hard can it be???

Response by Cpl Isaac Park made Aug 3 at 2017 12:25 PM

Cpl Isaac Park — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 12:25:11 -0400

Yes, they will try extra hard to make a Marine out of him.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Aug 3 at 2017 2:08 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 14:08:24 -0400

Can't be as bad as the not-prior-service prospective 11B in my OSUT class with a MARINES tattoo on his arm.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 21 at 2017 2:08 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 14:08:06 -0400

CSM Charles Hayden Sorry i am late on this one.He definitely needs all those things,they will help get him initiated quickly. I am sure YOU helped all you could. LOL