Posted on Sep 19, 2015
Did you go off base during Basic Training/Boot Camp?
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Yes Ma'am. Parris Island had just started a new program called Natilus recruits. We went three times a week to Beautford MCAS and worked out on new ( Back then) specialized workout equipment. Of course D.I.'s were with us and there was nothing relaxed about it, lol. But we did get to se the outside world through the Bus windows.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
LOL, Cpl James Waycasie. I love the fact that you got to avail yourself of the new equipment.
Drill Sergeants abounding- isn't that the truth Corporal.
Glad that you were able to get off base Corporal.
Drill Sergeants abounding- isn't that the truth Corporal.
Glad that you were able to get off base Corporal.
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SPC Margaret Higgins,
Yes, many times. But, for many reasons. This was FT Dix in 1973. I had already become friends with a young black man, we even shaved our heads at the In-Processing Center. ( We were threatened by the DI's that if we got sunburned we would get an Article 15 for damaging Government Property )
Turns out, that young black man was Charles "Spud" James, son of the first black man to reach the rank of 4-Star in the AF! Chappie James. His two brothers had joined the AF and were already a Captain & a Major. Spud rebelled.
First day at Basic in the Day Room we were lined up around the walls. A 6'5" weightlifter, I sorta' stood out. The head D.I. named me "Trainee Field First" and gave me an armband with E-7 stripes.
I got my own room and got to pick my own 4 squad leaders. That 4 shared a room next to mine.
First weekend we were put on our own but restricted to the triangle.
Spud said Let's go so we walked up to the taxi stand and went to the first place we could to buy civvies. From there to Seaside, NJ and had a blast!
I ran a tight ship and my recruits always looked sharp. Spud and I continued our weekend excursions. I would call home and so would he, one night he talked to his Dad and they were at the WH eating Duck L'Orange with Tricky Dick and Nancy Nixon!
His Dad decided to come to our graduation but he outranked the Post Commander! He ended up giving the commencement address. He was awe inspiring, onstage and in-person.
Two months into Basic I got to fly home for my 1st Wedding Anniversary!
I will never forget that 3 months!
Rick
Yes, many times. But, for many reasons. This was FT Dix in 1973. I had already become friends with a young black man, we even shaved our heads at the In-Processing Center. ( We were threatened by the DI's that if we got sunburned we would get an Article 15 for damaging Government Property )
Turns out, that young black man was Charles "Spud" James, son of the first black man to reach the rank of 4-Star in the AF! Chappie James. His two brothers had joined the AF and were already a Captain & a Major. Spud rebelled.
First day at Basic in the Day Room we were lined up around the walls. A 6'5" weightlifter, I sorta' stood out. The head D.I. named me "Trainee Field First" and gave me an armband with E-7 stripes.
I got my own room and got to pick my own 4 squad leaders. That 4 shared a room next to mine.
First weekend we were put on our own but restricted to the triangle.
Spud said Let's go so we walked up to the taxi stand and went to the first place we could to buy civvies. From there to Seaside, NJ and had a blast!
I ran a tight ship and my recruits always looked sharp. Spud and I continued our weekend excursions. I would call home and so would he, one night he talked to his Dad and they were at the WH eating Duck L'Orange with Tricky Dick and Nancy Nixon!
His Dad decided to come to our graduation but he outranked the Post Commander! He ended up giving the commencement address. He was awe inspiring, onstage and in-person.
Two months into Basic I got to fly home for my 1st Wedding Anniversary!
I will never forget that 3 months!
Rick
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when I was in basic training, we went off post to a church retreat and spent the day without drill SGTs and had real food and got to see a little of the town, Waynesville Missouri, just outside of Leonard Wood.. but we got our butts smoked when we got back.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Uh oh. SFC (Join to see).
A church retreat? I am so impressed; Sergeant First Class.
I'll be that real food sure tasted good. :)
A church retreat? I am so impressed; Sergeant First Class.
I'll be that real food sure tasted good. :)
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SPC Margaret Higgins
My goodness Sgt Cody Dumont! Talk about discipline! How proud am I of you for becoming a Marine!
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Sgt Cody Dumont
Well to be fair, we were not allowed to leave. If I had the option I would have taken it. The first liberty (time off) Marine recruits get is the Sunday afternoon before graduation.
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Yep...during basic there is a weekend that basic trainee's are allowed to go into town...go to the malls, go to the Riverwalk or where ever.... I went off base...and pulled a huge No No....my brother and his best friend drove down from Austin...took me up to Austin to my parents house...where I hung out for the day and barely made it back in time.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Oh my Gosh, Sgt Kelli Mays! I'll bet you were scared. Glad that you made it back in time; though. Whew, huh!
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SPC Margaret Higgins
I'll bet that all of you tried extra hard to get things as in order as much as you possibly could; SSG Jerry Eidson; during those major inspections.
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No. We have a town pass to go into San Antonio but I stayed behind and enjoyed the quiet barracks and a casual stroll to the Exchange instead.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
That was very wise of you; MSgt Jim Wolverton. No pressure....just peace and quiet. That must have felt lovely; Master Sergeant.
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We actually got a week off at Christmas in '67 .. Emptied the BCT at Ft. Lewis.
I imagine the DS enjoyed their time off as well!
I imagine the DS enjoyed their time off as well!
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SPC Margaret Higgins
A whole week; SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.??!! That must have been wonderful, Specialist!
And I am sure that the DS's enjoyed their time off as well.
And I am sure that the DS's enjoyed their time off as well.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
That is great, MAJ (Join to see)! I hope it was a very large PX; with lots of cool things to buy. :)
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