Did you ever hold the rank of "Private"?

2015-07-09T17:28:55-04:00

When I arrived at MCRD San Diego in June of 1969, I was paid at the rate of an E-1. However, my rank was "Recruit". When I graduated from Boot Camp in August of 1969, I went from "Recruit" to "Private First Class". I was thinking on this the other day and realized that I never held the "rank" of "Private". Anybody else out there? I'm not sure how the Army does it.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 9 at 2015 5:32 PM

2015-07-09T17:32:28-04:00

I entered the service as a Private in July, 1986 - had absolutely no idea I'd still be serving on active duty almost 30 years ago....would not have traded the time served with the best in our country across every branch of service. Proud to be an American!

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jul 9 at 2015 5:33 PM

2015-07-09T17:33:08-04:00

No, in boot camp, I was a private until we graduated.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 5:34 PM

2015-07-09T17:34:30-04:00

I, too, was a young dumb Private E-1 once upon a time ago.

Response by Cpl Joe Brackett made Jul 9 at 2015 5:38 PM

2015-07-09T17:38:30-04:00

Once I graduated I was a PFC. Not sure what I got paid as a recruit, never really thought to look. I was just happy it was over and to get off of Parris Island.

Response by GySgt William Koch made Jul 9 at 2015 5:42 PM

2015-07-09T17:42:11-04:00

I arrived at MCRD Parris Island in May 1976, as best I recall we were called recruit until we went to the Rifle Range (2nd Phase) or maybe Elliott's Beach (3rd Phase) and then the DI's started calling us Private, but never Marine until the day of graduation.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 5:48 PM

2015-07-09T17:48:35-04:00

There was a PVT Quigley, a PV2 Quigley and a PFC Quigley.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jul 9 at 2015 5:57 PM

2015-07-09T17:57:33-04:00

I came into the service back in July 1987. Was an Army Private until sometime in November 1987...found out when I got assigned to HHB 3/12 FA in Germany in January 1988 that at some point I had been promoted. Wore PV2, then promoted to PFC.... Maxed out the wait time for promotion to SPC. Made my SGT while in the Army Guard. Got my commission in the Air Guard/Air Force. Still enjoyed my young enlisted years, but like the commissioned pay better! ;-)

Response by Cpl Brian Everding made Jul 9 at 2015 6:01 PM

2015-07-09T18:01:41-04:00

We were all called Private in 1980 until graduation day then we were called Marines. I held the rank of private until I had six months in the Corps and then was promoted to PFC.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 6:17 PM

2015-07-09T18:17:30-04:00

Yes, I was promoted though during basic training from E-1 to E-2 and to E-3 during AIT.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jul 9 at 2015 6:36 PM

2015-07-09T18:36:37-04:00

everyone holds the rank of recruit at parris island, I was an E-2 out of basic because of having some college.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 9 at 2015 6:37 PM

2015-07-09T18:37:55-04:00

Sgt Jay Jones I enlisted as a private E-1 in the Army and went to basic as an E-1 and left as an E-2. I was promoted to PFC following my Advanced Individual Training and then the rest is history!

Response by SFC Bryan Clark made Jul 9 at 2015 6:48 PM

2015-07-09T18:48:18-04:00

hell yes!!!

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Jul 9 at 2015 6:57 PM

2015-07-09T18:57:45-04:00

Yes. I was a recruit during boot camp and graduated an E-1 Pvt

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jul 9 at 2015 7:04 PM

2015-07-09T19:04:54-04:00

I was a Private upon graduating Bootcamp and had slick sleeves for 2 months after graduation. I got saluted a lot by the sailors at NAS Millington, TN. Got meritorious PFC a month before I was due to get it "time in grade" for aceing BE&E school and finishing it ahead of schedule, as well as maxing the PFT.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jul 9 at 2015 7:17 PM

2015-07-09T19:17:37-04:00

Sgt Jay Jones, absolutely I did and it was a $438 a month paycheck until the mosquito wings came later. It was 1987 when I was a Private and I was supposed to be a PFC, but the recruiter kind of misplaced my two buddies credit for joining the Army to get me the pay raise. Oh well, it is 28 years later and he is forgiven.

Response by SSgt Jeremy Eddy made Jul 9 at 2015 7:44 PM

2015-07-09T19:44:41-04:00

Same as you, Sgt Jay Jones (except went to MCRD Parris Island in May 2001). Was a "recruit" all through boot camp and graduated at the rank of "Private First Class" due to my college credits.

Response by SSgt Scott Schwerman made Jul 9 at 2015 7:45 PM

2015-07-09T19:45:36-04:00

Fortunately enough I had college and was paid as an E-2 all throughout boot camp

Response by Cpl Wesley Nail made Jul 9 at 2015 8:58 PM

2015-07-09T20:58:56-04:00

I was a private for a couple months. Then got promoted

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Jul 9 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-07-09T21:24:46-04:00

I think these days, the better question is who graduated as an E3, E4 or E5.
On a recent visit to PI, I almost swallowed my tongue seeing all the stripes displayed during graduation. A practice that I strongly disagree with (unless perhaps you are going to remain a stateside Remington raider). The only other than Pvt. to graduate in '66 were the top shooter at the range and the overall top recruit who received meritorious PFC.
I believe I remained a private through ITR, perhaps until Tank school.

Response by LCpl Steven Humphrey made Jul 9 at 2015 9:26 PM

2015-07-09T21:26:13-04:00

most people these day start out as private unless they got contracted in as a E-2. Most people get that by either have college credets, got credit for recruiting to people or graduated bootcam as a platoon leader or guide. the army is a whole nother story.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jul 9 at 2015 9:27 PM

2015-07-09T21:27:37-04:00

By the time I arrived at MCRD San Diego, we were called Privates, and no longer called Recruits. When I graduated, I wasn't particularly a stand-out Private, so I continued being called a Private for a few more months.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jul 9 at 2015 9:53 PM

2015-07-09T21:53:47-04:00

I enlisted as a PFC due to my 2 years of college and ROTC, so no, I never held the rank of Private; and never did anything that led me to becoming a Private lol.....

Response by GySgt Moses Lozano made Jul 9 at 2015 10:03 PM

2015-07-09T22:03:10-04:00

I was a PVT after I first joined the Corps back in 1994. I was not a contract PFC nor did I get it by becoming a squad leader in boot camp. Looking back now, I am glad I did my time in each rank it helped me develop wisdom and a good leadership style.

As compared to some meritoriously promoted Marines (Board Marines). Although a good number of those Marines were very knowledgeable and deserved promotion, many of them were not ready for their next rank.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 11:31 PM

2015-07-09T23:31:30-04:00

In July 1991 I entered Basic Training as an Private (E-1), got my mosquito wings pinned on during a break between calling fire missions on the Big Island.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jul 10 at 2015 12:00 AM

2015-07-10T00:00:31-04:00

Trainees generally enter BCT as privates, although there are exceptions -- me being one of them. I was promoted to PFC before I left the MEPS, based on the recommendation of my Professor of Military Science (Army ROTC had been the bright spot in my year at UVA, and the A's I received in ROTC were critical in keeping my GPA just high enough that I was encouraged to leave and not kicked out).

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Jul 10 at 2015 12:12 AM

2015-07-10T00:12:30-04:00

I went in as PFC (E2) on contract. The very few people who left MCRD as E1 made E2 within about 2 months after assignment to first regular duty station / fleet. Other than that, if anyone was an E1, its because they got busted down for something, while they were an E2 Im guessing. I dunno of any E3s who got busted all the way down to E1.

I was never busted down, so I don't know those details. Of course the funny thing is Chesty Puller's quote about "Let me see the Marines who got busted down...those are the REAL Marines."

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 12:20 AM

2015-07-10T00:20:30-04:00

I held it. Not really any different from a PFC in ITB as a boot. Haha

Response by LCpl John Jacobs made Jul 10 at 2015 1:55 AM

2015-07-10T01:55:19-04:00

Yeah same here. Went in under quality enlistment program and graduated pfc. Lol

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 10 at 2015 9:35 AM

2015-07-10T09:35:49-04:00

Sgt Jay Jones, the official USMC page shows that the grade of E-1 is Private. While you may have been called a recruit, you were actually a private. I was an Army private when I enlisted on 9AUG69! Sgt David G Duchesneau LtCol Matthew Sutton SGT Richard H. Capt Jeff S.
http://www.marines.mil/Marines/Ranks.aspx

Marines.mil - Marine Corps Ranks

Marine CorpsRanks page

Response by Cpl Geraldo Juarez made Jul 10 at 2015 11:04 AM

2015-07-10T11:04:22-04:00

I was a E-1 Private until about six months in, I got promoted to E-2 Private first class in MOS school.

Response by GySgt Jim Bishop made Jul 10 at 2015 2:09 PM

2015-07-10T14:09:45-04:00

I'm not sure if I did either, was paid as E-1 through boot at PI but graduated boot as a lance coolly.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 3:08 PM

2015-07-10T15:08:00-04:00

I'm not sure how we did it in 1969, but during my tenure at Fort Benning for Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training I was a Private. Some of the others I was with held higher ranks for holding a degree, or completing some pre-basic training requirements to earn a promotion.

Response by MSG D. Layne-Sheffield made Jul 10 at 2015 4:06 PM

2015-07-10T16:06:47-04:00

I entered as a Private E-2 in 1981, under the Buddy System. One of my friends joined with me, but we were never stationed together.

Response by Sgt Bob Blevins made Jul 10 at 2015 8:34 PM

2015-07-10T20:34:30-04:00

In 1963 I was a private. Only ones who got PFC were two recruits who were outstanding. Did not become PFC until I was in for 6 months. This was automatic.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 11 at 2015 1:05 AM

2015-07-11T01:05:31-04:00

Yes.. for 6 months... Getting a skeeter wing was a huge deal.... Sgt Jay Jones

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 11 at 2015 1:17 AM

2015-07-11T01:17:33-04:00

In Navy boot camp we were all called Seaman Recruit despite whatever rate/rank we were coming in as. So you may have been coming in as an E2 or E3 Seaman/Fireman/Airman, but until we graduated we were all Seaman Recruit. I came in as an E1 non-designated Seaman striker, so my rank and title remained Seaman Recruit after I graduated.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jul 11 at 2015 8:02 AM

2015-07-11T08:02:48-04:00

I was a Private, then a Private E2, the a Private First Class, then a Full Bird Private (SP4)

Response by Cpl Ken Enborg made Jul 11 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-07-11T15:14:21-04:00

I stood on the yellow footprints at MCRD San Diego January 1971. We were called recruits. The night before our graduation our senior drill instructor addressed us as Marines even though he said he wasn't supposed to. I then went to ITR at Camp Pendleton as a private. I recall we were just addressed as Marines. Of course, I was an E-1 all along. I was promoted to PFC after ITR, but never got the word until my next duty station.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jul 11 at 2015 5:58 PM

2015-07-11T17:58:32-04:00

I went in as PFC. Always paid as PFC from the beginning because of my college time and degree.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 11:35 PM

2015-07-11T23:35:34-04:00

Yes I did until I picked up PFC.

Response by CPT Alan W. made Jul 12 at 2015 11:18 AM

2015-07-12T11:18:00-04:00

Private E-1 until the end of Basic Training...

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jul 12 at 2015 12:33 PM

2015-07-12T12:33:08-04:00

I entered the Army as a Private in July of 1992.

Response by LCpl Derek Snow made Jul 13 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-07-13T12:16:16-04:00

It was the same for me but also since I was in the Quality Enlistment program I was only a PFC for three months. Then promoted to Lcpl.

Response by LCpl Allen Luze made Jul 13 at 2015 2:08 PM

2015-07-13T14:08:37-04:00

Sarge, I went to MCRD San Diego in 1978, treated as a recruit (until graduation day), but was paid as an E2 (I did some work for and with my recruiter to earn that). On graduation day I was allowed to wear my rank for the first time. Like you, I've never held the rank of private either. As for the Army, my daughter is a PFC with the South Dakota Army National Guard. Through basic she was a private (E1), and while at advanced training for her MOS she was promoted to PFC (E2). She says at Basic they were all called Private.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jul 14 at 2015 5:20 PM

2015-07-14T17:20:14-04:00

I entered the Army on 17 Oct 1987 as a "slick sleeved" Private E-1 and Retired in Feb 2012 as a Major (Major PAIN to my partner and our kids LOL).

Response by SSgt Jeffrey Andrews made Jul 15 at 2015 9:48 AM

2015-07-15T09:48:51-04:00

When I went to MCRD San Diego I was and you should have been both. The drill instructors called us both Recruit and Private and you and I were paid as such. I went Friday the 13th June 1980, before graduation I was meritoriously promoted to PFC or E-2, and three months later or so because of my College as I was an active student at the time, I received my LCpl. promotion. Took me forever it seemed to make Corporal, but Sergeant and Staff Sergeant came up first time eligible.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 5:40 PM

2015-07-16T17:40:21-04:00

Yes, from when I graduated boot camp in September 05 until I was promoted to PFC in December of that same year.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Jul 27 at 2015 9:53 AM

2015-07-27T09:53:52-04:00

"Sir,the private doesn't know where the drill instructor is,Sir" so i guess i was a private along with being a recruit--MCRD SAN DIEGO January 1968

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Jul 28 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-07-28T11:20:11-04:00

They certainly called us privates at PI. And were you subject to the UCMJ when you were a recruit? I am calling that a big 'yes'. So you were a private in recruit training.

Walt

Response by Capt Phil Williams made Aug 3 at 2015 12:57 PM

2015-08-03T12:57:47-04:00

When I graduated from Parris Island on 9 November 1965 I graduated as a Private. I did not make Private First Class until I was at Camp Pendleton. You must have been at the top of your Platoon at San Diego. I believe at Parris Island each Platoon in a graduating series had one Recruit (selected by the DIs) receive both Dress Blues and a promotion to PFC. Semper Fi

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-08-04T16:21:53-04:00

I came in as a PFC.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Aug 19 at 2015 11:40 AM

2015-08-19T11:40:43-04:00

Yes I was a USMC Private from 12/27/1953 - 03/20/1954. I think my pay as a Pvt was $98.00 per month

Response by Maj Michael StClair made Oct 18 at 2015 10:12 AM

2015-10-18T10:12:51-04:00

Yep, twice.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 10:42 AM

2015-10-18T10:42:10-04:00

I never did. There are two grades of Private in the Army, and then Private First Class. I enlisted as a Specialist.