Posted on Jul 9, 2015
Sgt Jay Jones
22.9K
126
95
9
9
0
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.
Posted in these groups: Ega Marine Corps
Avatar feed
Responses: 54
SFC William Swartz Jr
2
2
0
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.....
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Richard H.
2
2
0
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.
(2)
Comment
(0)
SSG Willis Baker
SSG Willis Baker
>1 y
I came in as a PFC.  I had five years of ROTC.  I was an A/Cpl during basic.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSgt Scott Schwerman
2
2
0
Fortunately enough I had college and was paid as an E-2 all throughout boot camp
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CW5 Sam R. Baker
2
2
0
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.
(2)
Comment
(0)
LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
>1 y
CW5 Sam R. Baker, when I enlisted on 9AUG69, a private E-1 received $115.20 per month. I went active in OCT69 and when I finished jump school as an E-2 in APR70, my pay had skyrocketed to a whopping $138.30 per month and I received $55 per month extra for jump pay!
(1)
Reply
(0)
CW5 Sam R. Baker
CW5 Sam R. Baker
>1 y
HOOAH Sir and a gallon of gas in that year was about .28 per gallon!
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Bryan Clark
2
2
0
hell yes!!!
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
2
2
0
Edited >1 y ago
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!
(2)
Comment
(0)
LTC Bink Romanick
LTC Bink Romanick
>1 y
I was a slick sleeve in 66 PVT E1 for I think it was 2 months, I did get a stripe until PFC Which is today's E2 stripe. The current PFC insignia was a rank called Lance Corporal......yes I am that old.
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
LCpl Mark Lefler
2
2
0
everyone holds the rank of recruit at parris island, I was an E-2 out of basic because of having some college.
(2)
Comment
(0)
LCpl Mark Lefler
LCpl Mark Lefler
>1 y
LtCol Matthew Sutton - it might as well be a rank.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
Maj Chris Nelson
2
2
0
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! ;-)
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Recruiting And Retention Nco
2
2
0
There was a PVT Quigley, a PV2 Quigley and a PFC Quigley.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Cpl Joe Brackett
2
2
0
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.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Sgt Jay Jones
Sgt Jay Jones
>1 y
You were paid at the rate of E-1. (I know I worked in Disbursing!)
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close