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Firewatch at NATTC Memphis

Firewatch at NATTC Memphis

The Marine barracks at NATTC Memphis were two story wooden buildings from the WWII era when I went to aviation mechanics school there in 1960. This made it necessary to have a firewatch on duty after lights out for obvious reasons. This duty always fell to the new Privates right out of boot camp, like me. The staff NCO barracks was directly across the street from the MAD headquarters back then. Not only were the barracks dated from the war, but so were the staff NCOs who lived there. These were all old Corps, battle hardened vets who pretty much lived by their own rules. I was unlucky enough to pull the firewatch duty one night for these men. I had learned in Boot camp to keep a low profile in these situations (E-1 vs all ranks above) so my first pass through the barracks before lights out went pretty quiet. When I got to the first deck entryway the Officer of the Day, a young Second Lieutenant, was waiting for me.

“Private”, says he, “I was just up on the second deck and there is a Gunnery Sergeant up there smoking a cigar in his bunk”. “I want you to go up there and order him to put out that cigar”.

“Yes Sir”, I said, knowing that I just got a death warrant.

Leaving the Lieutenant standing in the entry way, I went back up to the second deck, and there he was at the end of the squad bay propped up in his rack, in his skivvies, smoking a cigar and reading the latest Playboy. He also had a can of beer that he sipped on from time to time.

I walked up to him, cleared my throat, and said, “Excuse me Gunny, but the OD just gave me orders to tell you to extinguish your cigar.”

In retrospect, this guy looked and acted a lot like Lee Ermey with the same vocabulary. He looked at me over his Playboy, took the cigar out of his mouth, and said “What is your major malfunction Private?”

“Just doing my duty sir”, I said.”

“Now you listen to me boy, and you listen good… You go back down there and tell that pizz-ant Lieutenant to suspend it from his rectal orifice,” (or words to that effect). “And dump my ashtray on your way out.” At which time he turned back to his reading matter and refreshments.

After dumping his ashtray, I proceeded to the first deck entryway where the OD was waiting. I related, word for word, what the Gunny said. The Lieutenant told me to carry on, did an about face, exited the barracks, and we didn’t see him for the rest of the night. The Gunny had another cigar and a couple of beers in peace before lights out. That 1960 Playboy would be a collector’s item today I’m sure.

Cpl Norm Spilleth
’60 – ’64

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Comments

Sgt Larry OLY Olson - May 17, 2020

Fall of 1968, Millington, who remembers “Vampire” Liberty, yup we gave blood in Memphis, crossed into Mississippi where drinking age was 19 or as long as you could pay for your drink, acted like the young fools we were at the time and somehow got through school. It was supposed to be you could give blood every 8 weeks, but being ” slick/smart”?? new Marines from Chicago we soon found out there were 2 hospitals offering the $ 15.00 per pint of blood, so we gave blood every 4 weeks vs 8 weeks and in those days no computers to keep track of who what where on blood draws. Young dumb etc we had alot to learn about life and being Marines. They picked a bunch of taller guys and said we were going on funeral details?? Big reality check as we traveled alot in Miss/TN/ Arkansas being honor guards and rifle squads at funerals for what seemed like mostly 19 year old Marines killed in Nam. I was glad to be on rifle squad because it was further away from the Moms, dads, family of the fallen Marine. Not much grabass back then and our Gunny drilled us to be perfect when pulling the triggers on the old M-1’s we used to be sure it sounded like it was supposed to, One shot not a bunch of shots going off 7 different times. It mattered to us and we did it perfect. Ok, enough on the downside I will admit we did like seeing the southern girls and we did have some dark humor going on to help us not think about things as reality set in on us. I went in as a basic 18 yr old dipshit, got out at 22 with 3 stripes, grownup, confused, abit worn out. At 68 in decent health I’m grateful as hell to have earned our Title, and yet on days I lack gratitude the confusion sneaks back in my gourd, Semper Fi

Cpl. Fraher - May 17, 2020

I was there in 1992 and the Marines still ran security at the gates until the daughter of the Co. decided she didn’t have to stop because her daddy owned the place. I too have made some stellar choices when completely hammered. That said the young shock troops filled her car with .45 caliber holes and from that day forward sailors worked the gates. Memphis, Happy times. I was supposed to be a jet engine tech. Until this mustang Capt. Asked for volunteers to be a crewchief. “Whats a CrewChief Sir?” He set the hook with “ you’ve all seen that mandatory b4 you go to boot camp movie full metal jacket rite?” We nod yes “ remember the scene with the CH-34 helicopter and the guy in the door is going (bop bop bop get some) THATS A CREWCHIEF!” . I would have signed up twice if i could have. I was so happy to get Hueys as I remembered them on tv every nite as a sqirt. I met an embasy guard in Cleveland Ohio when I delivered his pizza. He showed me a picture from saigon the last day the US was there. Semper Fi

Ted Sanderson “Sande MAG-16” - May 17, 2020

I was there most of 64 going to Avionics school. I signed up for the Drill Team. Recruiters would book us and the Drum&Bugel Corps for small town parades from Mich. to Fla. Made an impression in our dress blues. We had 1 of 3 wooden barracks right by the gate. One of the others was the student Wave barracks. Our barracks commander was a Field Music E-4. We kept things tight so they let us do our own thing. Good times.

Billy wagner - May 17, 2020

I was stationed at Memphis Naval Air station , Marine barracks June 59 to October 60 my mos was meat cutter (butcher). The butcher shop on base had one marine butcher a e 6 I was a e 4 so I was asigned to the cooks and mess mans barracks n c o. Great duty station Memphis w as a great town. I remember fire watch,piss calls fieldays and all that good stuff. Semper Fi

Phillip Kuntz(GySgt RET) - May 17, 2020

Yes Paul, it was the same barracks and we all called it the animal house, Semper Fi! I ended up on UH-1N’s.

Phillip Kuntz(GySgt RET) - May 17, 2020

I was in Memphis in 79. We Marines had open squad bays. It felt like being back in boot camp again. Especially during field days, we must have had the cleanest squad bay in the entire barracks. I was sent there to become a jet engine mechanic. Then I was sent to Cherry Piont, NC. However; somehow I was sent down the road to New River Air Station, NC, to become a helicopter mechanic.(6114). UH-1N’s was the start of my Marine corps career.

GySgt Paul L Jorgensen 80-01 - May 17, 2020

Was there in the winter of 80-81; for basic helocopter and power plants and related courses – ended up on 53s. Don’t know if it was the same barracks, but we called it “animal house”.

Sgt Dave Spencer - May 17, 2020

I was at NATTC Memphis in 1968 while going to Avionics and then GSE Schools. I was billeted in one of the two story wooden barracks and also stood Fire Watch. Posted at the end of the Squad Bay was a photo of another Marine on Fire Watch who was in a prone position with his fiberglass helmet melted over his face. He had obviously fallen asleep while on watch in one of those wooden barrack that had previously burned to the ground. As you would see this photo each time you went up and down the Squad Bay it was more than enough to keep you awake during your watch.

Fred Unsworth, SSgt 70-78 - May 17, 2020

I was there in the spring of ’71. Same old barracks. I then transferred to NAS Glynco for Air Traffic Control School. That was the lap of luxury. Brand new barracks for the Marines. Four man rooms with doors and all. The Navy lived in the old squad bays. Went back to NATTC in ’76 to be an instructor, Spent 6 months as duty daddy for the young Marines in the new barracks. I’ll never regret my time on active duty.

Theodore J. Fox - May 17, 2020

Got there Halloween 1958. AT/A ( 6611) School. Marched in Two parades in Memphis because I was 6-4 and those selected were chosen by heigth. Pulled Firewatch several times but only in my barracks. Guard Company was withdrawn and Navy took charge of gates and Brig. Those on the gate, had pIstol lanyards without pistols and whistle lanyards without whistles!

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