What are some good memories during your time at MCRD Parris Island or MCRD San Diego whether a recruit or stationed there?

MCRD San Diego the first time was a tough but proud experience. I worked for the American Red Cross many years later and visited the area chapters. The on base staff told a senior DI friend about me and he gave my wife and I a half day tour on his own time. The place looks a lot different when the circumstances of your visit change so dramatically. It was an amazing tour and really helped my wife understand where I came from and why I am who I am today.
Thank you SSgt. Wherever you are.
Cpl. Mills March1987 platoon 1017 A Co.

I remembered stepping on those yellow footprints and wondering what I was doing there....I loved every day, every chow time, every inspection because.......I was on the journey to become one of the few the proud the Marines. And the first in my family :). Two of my cousins have followed in my footsteps, one in the engineers and the other is in the MPs

MCRD, San Diego. Being called Marine by our Drill Instructors after returning to our quanset huts after the graduation ceremony, Oct. 3rd, 1959

Leaving

Sept. 1965 MCRDSanDiego, Plt 377. I wanted to be a Marine for as long as I could remember. My dad was handicapped from an early age and couldn't serve in the military. I am the only member of the family to be in the military and I wanted it to be the best branch. That arrival at receiving barracks was a wakeup call, like uh oh! I have to say that I will never have any regrets. After 51 years I still remember the Jr DI's were Sgt. Boyle and Cpl. Sophlicles and senior DI Sgt. Jones. I will always have the utmost respect for theses Marines as I'm sure every Marine feels that way about their DI"s. they all increased in rank just before we graduated. One thing I can't seem to forget is Cpl Sophlicles (not sure of the spelling anymore) used the f*** word for everything, more than I remember from anyone my whole time in the Corps. Behind his back between us "boots" he was known as Cpl. F*** F***.

One of the DI's rode my back all the way through boot at MCRD San Diego. There were times I believed he had it in for me as I seemed to be the only one he came down on the way he did. Upon graduation I was awarded my stripe along with my EGA. The pride I had could never be replaced and at that moment after graduation I walk over and thanked him for what he had done (as my family could not make the trip). He replied no thanks needed Marine as I only pushed you as much as I knew you could take and the stripe proved what I believe in you. Semper Fi!

Are you kidding? Graduation! Boot camp was not suppose to be easy and it was not. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything but it was a grind. Learned a lot...made many life long friends...but not easy

Leaving!!!!!!,Then going back then going back 68 yrs.later and reminincing.
Gy/Sgt.Jay Johnston Ret.....

Perhaps I misspoke about the WM DI thing. But they were WMs and it did happen.

MCRD Parris Island, 1968. During that week near the end of training when each platoon pulled either guard duty or mess duty, I was assigned mess duty at the mess hall where all regular stationed personnel ate (the one where "Iron Mike" stands?). As I recall they had a retirement party for the island senior SgtMaj. at the chow hall one night and the next morning, bright and early, I and three or four others were assigned clean up detail. While picking up empty beer cans from the tables and floors we happened to pick up one unopened can. We quickly spirited it out to the GI shed (where the garbage cans were kept and where we sneaked unofficial breaks). Using a fork (these were pre-poptop days) we poked holes in the can and the four of us took turns sipping. The only recruits I ever heard of getting a beer in boot camp.