Recruit
Marines
Responses: 21
14
14
0
I remember the cries that greeted every recruit platoon in its "forming" at PI, "You'll be SOOORRRYYYY!"
Seriously, before my departure to boot camp, a Marine NCO told me "It is an experience you would not pay a dime to go through. But after you have gone through it, you would not sell that experience for $1,000,000 if it was possible to sell it."
Seriously, before my departure to boot camp, a Marine NCO told me "It is an experience you would not pay a dime to go through. But after you have gone through it, you would not sell that experience for $1,000,000 if it was possible to sell it."
(14)
(0)
CW3 Harvey K.
CWO3 (Join to see) - Did they still have the Quonset huts at the 3rd? I was in the 1st, and was only quartered in a Quonset for the last week at the rifle range.
(0)
(0)
CWO3 (Join to see)
Nope, brick 3 stories in 78, same as chow hall and BN CP. They all bordered on the Parade Deck. Receiving was old white WWII buildings but they rebuilt all of that years ago. I've seen PR clips about the new Receiving and others. All brick, glass, chrome etc. Quonset huts at E Beach and things like target shack at Range then. Seems Gas Chamber was Quonset, maybe not. I spent a lot of time in there. SDI took my mask and kept sending me back in, for entertainment. Told me my mask was misplaced so go back in and look for it. I was not entertained but played along. What were the options, right? It was all in fun and I liked being screwed with in a good humored way a lot better than being on the hit list. It wasn't dangerous but it was natural to panic when the hatch was blocked from outside. After awhile the CS loses effect, except for when they fire up a new canister or pellets in the burner.
(0)
(0)
CW3 Harvey K.
CWO3 (Join to see) - Thanks, Gunner. Good to hear they finally replaced the Quonset huts. I recall the gas chamber well. After they had us remove our masks, we had to march around the hut singing the Marine Corps Hymn (2 stanzas I think) before they let us out.
They put us through that right after they fed us a field mess (K rations, I think), and a bunch of guys lost that lunch they just had.
They put us through that right after they fed us a field mess (K rations, I think), and a bunch of guys lost that lunch they just had.
(0)
(0)
CWO3 (Join to see)
CW3 Harvey K. - lots of Quonsets at first duty station Iwakuni, sounds about right on CS chamber, just remember snot running everywhere, I got a lot of it and almost got used to it, I liked most all the K rats except the ham n limas (Ham n m'f***ers), Ks weren't around very long after I joined, seems MCRD was only time I ate any, remember making a little field stove for trioxane tabs out of short K-rat can, be sure and sprinkle a little salt on tab due to fumes, take it easy, S/F
(1)
(0)
PV2 J M Listen and observe those around you and emulate the best practices. Learn from your mistakes, and do not make the same mistake twice. Be a squared away Marine at all times. Continue your education, as there will be life after the Marines. Good luck.
(10)
(0)
9
9
0
The Marine Corps is a single Corps. The Army has what, 20 Corps worth of units? The Marine Corps is focused on doing one thing extremely well. The Army has many focuses. The Esprit de Corps of Marines is for life. Not so *all* of the Army. So, it comes down to one main question - what do you want out of your service? And if you decide on the Corps, go to boot camp with one solid thought in mind: I WILL GRADUATE. Makes the hell and WTF moments non-consequential.
(9)
(0)
CWO3 (Join to see)
Motivation will get you through it, and life generally. So will a positive mental attitude. Luck helps too.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google