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Hollywood Marines Had It Made!

By: Phil Richer

When I got off the train at Yamasee, SC in Aug. 1961 our Drill Instructor (a DI was Jake Webb in the movies that we learned the hard way) was a interesting young man that had a very loud voice and an abrasive attitude. He turned out to be one of our junior Drill Instructors (Sgt. Adcock). He was a young female feline compared to SSgt. Jacoby who was the Senior Drill Instructor. When we reached Parris Island the next day I don’t remember yellow footprints. I suspect they came later for the intellectually deprived recruits which also deprived the Drill Instructors the FUN of getting the mob in line. Memories!!!!

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Comments

Terrence Carbonara - April 4, 2020

Terrence (Terry) E. Carbonara (Retired, USMC CPL, E-4)
1960-1964, TDRL, 1964- Permanently Retired, 1969)
I personally can’t give an opinion as to the day to day, month after month, year after year banterring as to which recruit training depot was a tougher location to earn the coveted Eagle, Globe and Anchor. I graduated from MCRD, San Diego, prior to ITR at Camp Pendleton, CA. All Marines graduating from SD, had their own challenges, as well as triumphs as part of the process as did the graduates from Parris Island, S.C. One might debate as to the merits of climate, terrain, insects, former combat D.I’s as opposed to non-combat instructors. I’m certain the question of years served becomes an issue as to non-combat and combat assignments, ie: WWII, KOREA, VIETNAM, BEIRUT, and so on. The inquiries, questions and comments will continue as long as there are Marines to stroke the friendly fire(s). We all realize the U.S. Navy as a whole banters as well regarding the Great Lakes, NTC and the former San Diego, NTC; accordingly the U.S. Army has had its training locations challenged between units of the 82nd. and 101st Airborne. I can’t address the possible comments/concerns that may have been circulated regarding the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Coast Guard.
In my final summation I can say without reservation that I did enjoy and get a bit of stress relief watching the twinkling lights from the homes in the hills of beautiful California as I ran around my platoon trying to catch my mail from home before the letter(s) hit the deck-never made the catch!

TRA - April 4, 2020

PI is where women Marines traine. And I went to boot camp at SD 1968 then later a Senior DI 3rd Bn K company 1982. The one thing I know to be true is women Marines have fought and died serving this country and have earned the EGA. Semper Fi

Sgt Steve G. - April 4, 2020

Thank you for saying this my brother! I’ve often wondered why we, Marines who deployed to MCRD SD, were called Hollywood Marines! It seemed like who ever was saying this was trying demean us or make us sound as if our training was anything different than PI! If I recall correctly, we had the same haircut, same forced marches, some mud pits, same WELL trained DIs, the same uniform and, of course, the same spilled blood, sweat, and tears and the honor of being called a US Marine! So, what is it? Guess what PI Marines, we are all Marines, we are all brothers and sisters spilling blood together all over the world, so please stop with the Hollywood Marines title! Last I checked we all had the same EGA and honor to be called a Marine! Can I someone please tell me how I’m different than a PI Marine? SEMPER FI to ALL my Marine Family no matter where you suffered (and became one of the Few and Proud) at the hands of Marine DIs!

Thomas Vandiver - April 4, 2020

27 December 1955 P.I. Platoon 197, age 17. I needed this training and 64 years later with AA, BA, MA & Phd, it was s till the best training I have ever received! It got better as my Certificate of promotion to SGT. 1 December 1957 hangs above all the other degrees. Yes, promoted to E4, SGT. in those days at age 19. Talk about a challenge! I realized I needed more formal education, so after my 3 year enlistment, was discharged and started school. Now at age 81, I can appreciate Parris Island.

Johnny Reyes Jr 1958-1964 - April 4, 2020

I don’t remember any yellow footprints at receiving barracks when I got to MCRD SD the night of 06 June 1958. The only difference between MCRD San Diego and Parris Island was that at San Diego we could see through the fence line at the naval recruit training center in the distance and see the Navy recruits walking with their girlfriends/wives on Sunday afternoons. Semper Fi!

Mike Collins - April 4, 2020

I was a recruit at PI in 1972 and a Company Commander at MCRD San Diego in 1990, no difference a Marine is a Marine. Happy belated 244th to all Marines!!!
Semper Fi
Mike Collins
Capt USMC ret

Ed Giddings Sgt of the Marines 1969-1973 - April 4, 2020

Ed Giddings Sgt of the Marines 1969-1973
454357@gmail.com
99.43.110.177

PI? Hmmmm isn’t that where they train WOMEN Marines??

Billie R Staggs - April 4, 2020

its only in your dreams that Hollywood marines are any different then you pi boots

James Curtis III - April 4, 2020

I arrived at PI in the Fall of ’62 and my Senior DI was a Sgt. Adcock (Talmadge P. from Baton Rouge, LA I believe) and he, I can assure you, was no longer a”female feline”!! And there still were no yellow footprints and Sgt. Adcock thoroughly enjoyed getting us/the mob in line!! S/F, Curt Curtis (Sgt. Retired)
PS: I thought he was one terrific DI (although not ’till Graduation!!).

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