March 15th, 2016, will be 50 years since I graduated MCRD in San Diego, CA, and on June 10th of the same year, I was graduating the Drill Instructor School. This is something I feel very proud and eternally grateful due to everything that I’ve lived as a professional and a person. Thanks a lot to my Drill Instructors who trained me and shaped me with their effort and military discipline. Our Drill Instructors did their best at sharing all the experience gathered in the swamps and forests of Vietnam; telling us what the real deal was.
As it happened, the fundamental basis for the “Peruvian Marines” were forged initially back in the 60’s, when officers, sergeants and corporals from the Peruvian Marines were sent to train and study with the American troops being sent to the Vietnam. It was not easy for Peruvian Marines to make it to the US and train there; we had to pass several tests, physical and intellectual, to qualify for just a handful of vacancies. The then Lt. Peruvian Marine Jose Duffoo Boza was in charge of the tests, I will always remember those who, along my professional path, were part of my military experience.
There’s a lot to remember about the many jobs done with the USMC whom we respect and appreciate in true camaraderie and sense of brotherhood.
Sgt. Grit, I will very much appreciate if you allow this note to be published in your prestigious newsletter, I am also attaching some pictures. I am hoping this note reaches out to some of my old brothers in arms from the Marine Corps.
In the main picture you will see from left to right the following persons:
USMC CPL Julio MAYO Vigil
USMC LT.COL. P.H. SIMPSON, Bt. Commander
USMC S/SGT. B.W. FROST, Platoon Commander
USMC CPL. David CORDOVA Cruz
My email: davidisrael06@hotmail.com
Thank you so much,
SGT. MAJOR (r) David I. Cordova Cruz
21 comments
I enlisted Jan.5,1966 attending MCRD for 8 weeks. Then onto Marine Schools, Quantico, VA On Sept.9. 1966 I arrived Chu Lai, Viet Nam. In Apr.1967 most of the FLC was airlifted to the Northern I Corp Area. I was able to pick a forward Base named Dong Ha. So from April 1967 to May 1968 I experienced the best in being a Marine. Not everybody can say they were at Khe Sanh to Con Thein. I left Dong Ha Combat Base in May 1968 having to run after the plane throwing 2 sea bags on while the plane taxi’d. It’s been many years but not a day goes by that I often remember my Beloved Corp. I still believe if it weren’t for the Marine Corp I would not have made it to today. For any non believers I know a former US Marine who never had to go to boot camp !! Semper Fi…………
Sounds like a leg pulling sea story! Don’t believe it!
I enlisted Apr. 1954 boot at MCRD San Diego Plt. 146. graduated as PFC, But no orders. was assigned to a casualty company for two weeks, wherein I was after one day assigned TDY as an Jr. D.I. while awaiting orders, which came.
The way I read the article it appears he graduated boot camp in March and Di school in June.
larry foulk pfc 1957 to 1960 san dinog
LOL Happy Easter MGySgt, That will be MGySgt “1” SgtMaj “0” LOL I am out of here.
I was working on a special assignment with the CAST Trainer n Camp Lejeune. This allowed me the extra time to complete this assignment. Don’t take it personally Sgt Maj, we MG.ySgts just like a little rub once in a while
Thanks Smith I see where he said “. It was not easy for Peruvian Marines to make it to the US and train there; we had to pass several tests, physical and intellectual, to qualify for just a handful of vacancies.’ You say he went through PISC he said San Diego. Now look at the picture of what is two U.S. Marines and what appears to be two Naval Personnel in front of an Iwo Jima Monument and read the info at top right. It states MCRD San Diego and ITR at Camp Pendelton Ca. I just feel that I am still missing something. MGySgt Dodge I definitely missed the point of his story. Just wondering (no disrespect to my Brother Marine) how did you get in 32 years? I did 1966-1996. I will give up on this misinformation of how this man got through United States Marine Boot Camp and Di School in just 85 days. I thank you and Smith for your Service.
Yes Sgt. Major – you must have missed the point that he was a Peruvian Marine Corporal. I, being a retired MgySgt ’67-’99, caught it. Just a thought!
Sgt. Major you might want to read this again sgt major Cruz was a Peruvian corporal in the Peruvian marines that went through basic and D.I. School at P.I.
I graduated from DI school in 1971 at MCRDPI at that time they told me that I was the youngest to graduate from there. Sounds like you were younger than me. I was 19 YOA at that time congratulations to you.
I have read this letter more than once and cannot figure out how this person between 15 March and 10 June 1966 (a total of 85 days) could graduate from Marine Boot Camp and Drill Instructor School. I entered Boot Camp on 29 July 1966 and it was 8 weeks long not including processing of just a few days. As a Sergeant, I attended (and graduated) D.I. School in July 1970 after 8 weeks of training. For me both Boot Camp and D.I. School lasted a total of 112 days. This man did both in 85 days. In 1970 one had to be a Corporal or above to be assigned to D.I. School. I ask myself, what rank was he while going through D.I. School in 1966. I also was successful as a GySgt. at D.I. School again in 1979 for that lasted 12 weeks. In 1970 one could be a Corporal with 2 years TIG to attend. If this man’s story is legit I am missing the legitimacy of it. Is there an answer for me?
I went through Parris. Island 1966 served in Vietnam and south east Asia for three years when you or a marine you deal with what you got there or lot of patriotic Americans no one loves this country more than a marine First to fight First to die Semper Fi
The Marine Corps is the greastest institution, in developing young men in the art of, discipline and proundest. I enlisted in August of 69. We had a platoon of Samoans training in MCRD. The Marine Corps adapts, in training men from all walks of life. I and did a tour in Vietnam from April of 70-71, and I don’t have any regrets of in serving my country. I would do it again. Time flies 47 years ago. Happy Easter and Semper Fi.
I started Boot Feb. 1963 at Yamasee Receiving Barracks, what a shock that was,got Pneumonia, stayed in Hospital for 2weeks, started training again, graduating in Jul.Later I joined the AIR FORCE 1967-69,NAVY 1971-74 ,finally Army Reserve 1978 & Army National Guard SPECIAL FORCES 19th & 20th 1978-82::The End
I graduated boot camp 1965 It was great lesson of the best and will never be fore gotten there is never a day that is thought about the days of The DI well congratulations to you and the others. Feb 27 – May 27 or may have been later boot leave Semper Fi