Posted on Dec 5, 2015
In Basic Training, we females had to iron, starch, sew and polish Everything. Did you males have the same obligations in Boot Camp?
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Basic Training
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Basic Training Boot Camp
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 17
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Walt, you sure would be in a colossal mess without us. ;)
Seriously, for one thing: we are nurturing.
Seriously, for one thing: we are nurturing.
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SrA David Steyer
I don't know where to post it...but my dad asked me a couple of years ago: "Son, do they still have WACS? (Women's Army Corps)" Not out of ignorance but he legitimately didn't know!
I worked with a civilian who is a retired CMSgt (USAF E9) and her license plate on her car was WAFCMS - Women in Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. She retired 20+ years ago well after WAF's went away but she still has that pride.
I worked with a civilian who is a retired CMSgt (USAF E9) and her license plate on her car was WAFCMS - Women in Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. She retired 20+ years ago well after WAF's went away but she still has that pride.
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Capt Walter Miller
Not WACs exactly....
The thing about this picture to me is how that oh-so-dirty look has no trouble crossing genders at all.
The butt plate on that rifle is filthy.
The thing about this picture to me is how that oh-so-dirty look has no trouble crossing genders at all.
The butt plate on that rifle is filthy.
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Yes! I'm glad my grandmother taught me these "skills" before I joined the military! LOL!
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Kudos to your grandmother, huh, MSgt Curtis Ellis?!
I am sure that you performed in an outstanding manner; in the military.
I am sure that you performed in an outstanding manner; in the military.
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SSgt Boyd Welch
Yep! My mother was a nurse and she had me putting "hospital corners on my bed before I was 10. It paid off in Basic. The TI was pissed that he couldn't rake my bed. (found other ways though! LOL)
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MCPO Roger Collins
Unless you did your laundry on scrub tables, tubs and used clothes ties to hand them, you had it easy. Circa late 50-early 60s.
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Yes, Male Marine Recruits Iron, use Starch, ( later charged to Magic sizing) Polish and spitshine their Footwear, clean the Barracks etc. Marine uniforms changed where now they used anodized instead of brass buckles and buttons and dress shoes and cap visors are now chorophram instead of leather. Recruits are taught to do laundry ( in San Diego it was done by hand on Sunday Mornings) .
I remember the big saying by the Drill Instructors "Your mommy isnt here to pick up after toy and wash your clothes". I'm pretty sure Boot camp is the first time a lot of recruits from eithe gender do such things.
It was a two purpose learning experience. It taught rcruits to care for their clothing and living spaces and taught attention to detail.
As a Drill Instructor if someone would commit the unpardonable sin of leaving a footliocker unlocked I would dump the entire contents out and kick it all over the squadbay. I then would ask what MOS the recruit was going to be assigned to. If he said for instance Avionics I would admonish him by telling him if he can't secure a 3 dollar lock he shouldnt bew trusted to work on a 16 million dollar Aircraft.
I remember the big saying by the Drill Instructors "Your mommy isnt here to pick up after toy and wash your clothes". I'm pretty sure Boot camp is the first time a lot of recruits from eithe gender do such things.
It was a two purpose learning experience. It taught rcruits to care for their clothing and living spaces and taught attention to detail.
As a Drill Instructor if someone would commit the unpardonable sin of leaving a footliocker unlocked I would dump the entire contents out and kick it all over the squadbay. I then would ask what MOS the recruit was going to be assigned to. If he said for instance Avionics I would admonish him by telling him if he can't secure a 3 dollar lock he shouldnt bew trusted to work on a 16 million dollar Aircraft.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Good for you Sgt Gus Laskaris, for wanting real leather shoes; instead of the chorophram shoes. I am sure that the leather shoes must have shined better.
Sergeant, I have to admit that I don't know what BDU stands for. Maybe that is a Navy acronym?
Sergeant, I have to admit that I don't know what BDU stands for. Maybe that is a Navy acronym?
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
SPC Margaret Higgins - It depended on the time they went and which Depot (San Diego or Parris Island) Both depots had washing machines in the squadbays, and dryers, but they were limited in numbers and were only for washing PT gear. When I was a recruit at Parris Island you turned in a laundry bag of whites and one of greens. The bags were fishnet type and the entire bag was closed off by a huge laundry pin and your name, laundry number and platoon was marked on the outside. Each company would send their laundry to a large laundromat with huge industrial washers and dryers and the entire bags were thrown in at once.
In San Diego the recruits hand washed their laundry every Sunday Morning and hung it out to air dry.
In San Diego the recruits hand washed their laundry every Sunday Morning and hung it out to air dry.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Two observations, 1stSgt Eugene Harless: ....The entire bags were thrown in at the same time?!?! Sounds like the military. ;)
And: the recruits hand washed their laundry, and hung it out to Air dry?!?! That is uncanny, as their laundry would have to be ready by a certain time. :)
And: the recruits hand washed their laundry, and hung it out to Air dry?!?! That is uncanny, as their laundry would have to be ready by a certain time. :)
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
Yes, the entire bags were thrown in. Like I said they were fishnet (the meshing was at least 1/4 inch). The water was able to soak through with the soap and clean and rinse the items inside,,, somewhat. The entire bags were thrown in the dryer. These were HUGE industrial size machines. The results were sometimes not that great, the most common thing is that he clothes in the center were slightly damp. I need to add that these were everyday camofauge utilies, not dress uniforms.
Yes the recruits in San Diego who hand washed their clothing air-dried it on lines by the wash racks. The way the basic daily routuine worked on Sundays was that recruits did not have to get up until 0600. After eating chow and clean up they had "Free time" This lasted until Noon chow (anywhere from 1100 to 1230, depending on the chow schedule). During this time they would be marched to their respective religious services and they could write and read letters from home and use the time to square away thier uniforms. There was plenty of time for the laundry to air dry.
Yes the recruits in San Diego who hand washed their clothing air-dried it on lines by the wash racks. The way the basic daily routuine worked on Sundays was that recruits did not have to get up until 0600. After eating chow and clean up they had "Free time" This lasted until Noon chow (anywhere from 1100 to 1230, depending on the chow schedule). During this time they would be marched to their respective religious services and they could write and read letters from home and use the time to square away thier uniforms. There was plenty of time for the laundry to air dry.
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