Are Marine recruits still required to read "The Rifleman Dodd" during boot?

LCpl Shane Couch — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 11:47:33 -0500

Response by LCpl Emanuel W. made Feb 1 at 2018 11:51 AM

LCpl Emanuel W. — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 11:51:03 -0500

When did that start? The only "required reading" I remember were the knowledge books we were giving and told to read while in boot camp.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 1 at 2018 12:05 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 12:05:46 -0500

Okay, the abbreviated version of this question got my attention: "Are Marine recruits still required to read"

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Feb 1 at 2018 1:05 PM

Sgt William Biggs — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 13:05:57 -0500

When I went through in '04, we didn't. I read it in the fleet when they wanted us to read from the Commandant's List.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2018 1:25 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 13:25:36 -0500

LCpl Shane Couch I started Boot Camp in June 1968, and this was not on our reading list.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Feb 1 at 2018 1:59 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 13:59:56 -0500

In 1981 we didn't, at Parris Island anyway. What is this Rifleman Dodd you speak of?

Response by Cpl Ted Moore made Feb 1 at 2018 3:22 PM

Cpl Ted Moore — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 15:22:09 -0500

I don't remember it from Parris Island. I think I was on the Commandant's Reading List. That was a great asset to the Corps. It guided Marines who wanted to raise their professionalism and reputation.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2018 3:25 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 15:25:15 -0500

LOL Well, that dumb teacher that got himself fired seemed to think that Marines can't read.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 1 at 2018 4:49 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 16:49:22 -0500

Since I wasn't a Marine I can not answer this post but I can say I read "Rifleman Dodd" but thought "The General" by CS Forester was a better read,just as an aside I can't remember reading anything during Basic,who had time what with memorizing my "General Orders", Chain of Command,Battle sight zero,the proper way to set up and display your War and Foot lockers,polishing boots and buckles ect,ect,ect and don't forget to tie the white towel on the bottom bunk rail if you drew KP ,Oh joy!

Response by Sgt Roy Hale made Feb 1 at 2018 11:10 PM

Sgt Roy Hale — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 23:10:21 -0500

Recruit training at MCRD San Diego July 1980, knowledge books- guidebook for Marines, that and what we were taught at the front of the squad bay

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Feb 1 at 2018 11:27 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 23:27:46 -0500

That book was horrible!!!!!!!!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 4:15 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 04:15:24 -0500

All we read was Essential Subjects (EST) and later Guidebook for Marines and NCO Handbook.

Response by Sgt Tee Organ made Feb 2 at 2018 10:19 AM

Sgt Tee Organ — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 10:19:22 -0500

Not when I was on duty in PI. The big thing then was the Crucible.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 6:33 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 18:33:18 -0500

No they don’t

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 5 at 2018 1:38 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 01:38:54 -0500

God I hope not.... we had to read that back in 99-2000... I can't imagine that's gotten any better. That and " The red badge of courage".

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Feb 11 at 2018 4:21 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 16:21:35 -0500

Marines can read?

Response by CWO4 Ray Fairman made Feb 24 at 2018 11:24 AM

CWO4 Ray Fairman — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 11:24:01 -0500

Geezzzzz, The only things I was allowed to read in MCRD way back in 63 was my "little red notebook", The Guidebook For Marines, the test papers placed in front of me and on rare occasions...very rare.. mail.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2018 11:36 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 11:36:23 -0400

Guidebook for Marines and EST Manual were our reading list at 3rd BN PI 1978.