L/Cpl Out of Boot Camp
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I spent the summer of 1965 in boot camp at MCRD Parris Island at the ripe old age of 17, straight out of high school. If you left PI or ITR as a Pfc you did a lot of things right. If you made L/Cpl, I certainly never heard about it. Sounds like bullshit to me. Rank was quick then for the right people but E-3 your first what, 6 months? I don’t think so. And for the 60 lbs. (or whatever) of “muscle” out of boot! Man, I thought people had to see me before they would think I was that stupid. Save it for your 50th class reunion. Maybe by then people will forget the truth and buy it. Semper Fi but save the bullshit for the boyscouts.
52 comments
I went in to the Corps in 1987. At the time USMC was giving people who signed a six year contract L/cpl out of boot camp and corporal in eighteen months. It screwed up the promotion rate for everyone else. It also allowed for some people who were not ready for leadership to be in charge.
In reply to Ron.
1974-1985. You’ll see my post explaining ROTC and LCPL rank.
In reply to Harry.
Wrong on the 80″s deal about LCpl out of boot camp. If you had 2 years ROTC and met all the criteria for graduating boot camp you would get LCPL. It required the ROTC certificate and letter from the instructor verifying such. Then it was written into your contract. I graduated in 1974 with Plt. 2078 at MCRD San Diego and received my LCPL. Harry, you can bite me!
In reply to Jim Grimes.
Jim Grimes, I think what you describe was common in the Sixties. I was at PI in 1966 (3rd Bn, Plt 3020) and served as a reservist from 1966-1974. (S/Sgt) I made PFC out of ITR, (two of us made it) attended COMM school in San Diego, and was handed my L/CPL chevrons at my first reserve meeting. This was not unusual, but don’t remember anyone making L/Cpl out of boot. It was just too short back then.
I joined the “Mighty Corps” 7-7-69 MCRD San Diego, and graduated PFC. I then continued to ITR at Camp Pendleton and was promoted to L/Cpl (E-3) upon completion. I continued on to Vietnam and was promoted to Corporal (E-4) by May of 1970. Did 11 mos. in country, and was scheduled to receive my Sgt. (E-5) by December, but was medivac’d to Camp Zama, Japan Naval Hospital for major head surgery, and spent the next 4 mos. there, the was medivac’d to NAS, Corpus Christi Hospital until I received a medical discharge in May 1971. So, I too, was able to make rank quickly, and would have continued my Marine Corps career for the next 20-30 years, but the wisdom of the Naval Board in Corpus Christi decided otherwise. I never received my Sgt. stripes that I was told I was guaranteed by my CO before I got injured. I wish now I had pursued my promotion!!
ALL YOU MARINES STOP FIGHTING OVER A STUPID SUBJECT CALLED LCPL OUT OF BOOT. WHO CARES WHO GIVES A FLYING FU. HELL I MADE SGT MAJOR OUT OF BOOT. WHY YOU ASK. CHESTY VISITED AND SAW MY PERFORMANCE ON THE PARADE FIELD AND TOLD MY D.I. TO PROMOTE ME. YES I HAVE BEEN DRINKING AND SO SHOULD YOU ALL. GO DOWN TO PADDY’S PUB AND DRINK A FEW BEERS TO THE MARINES FIGHTING TODAY. TIME FOR ANOTHER BEER. SEMPER FI GUYS AND A SPECIAL SEMPER FI TO ALL YOU NAM MARINES. 1966 TO 1968 1ST MAW DANANG. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN I STAYED AN ADDDITIONAL 6 MONTHS. YES I WAS DRINKING. LOVE YOU GUYS.
Sixty-three years ago graduated boot at San Diego with prior army service guy who enlisted with me who got two stripes and had one and half rows of ribbons. Guide from plt. on the next street had three stripes and two rows of ribbons. Both had GC medal.
In reply to SGT Wilson RD USMC.
Sgt Stephens USMC 1966-1970 Nam Mar 67 – Apr 68 I graduated PLT 2095 with Wilson and will verify that he did indeed graduate with the rank of LCPL. He was one heck of a Platoon leader as well as one squared away Marine. We must come to accept the fact that just because we didn’t see or know of something during our time in, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen! Semper Fi Marines!!
In reply to Dan Dalton.
THANK YOU – HATE TO THINK IT COULD HAPPEN IN ANY BRANCH – IS IT VALID ON THE FIELD OF CCOMBAT ?? DON’T THINK SO !!!!!!
In reply to S D Santana.
Please please please let the stress card myth die! Never happened in Marine Corps bootcamp. S/Fi
In reply to M. Murray.
Maybe didn’t do it in 1968 “old corps”, but have since the ’80’s anyway.
In reply to james tesar.
That is a hard roger James. Blessing and a curse…higher expectations and attention at SOI, but, to your point, more early leadership opportunities. I do agree with some of these comments that there probably should not be any E-3’s out of Boot rather E-2’s for honor graduates or the very few who might rate it. Not just because you were the better of what might have been a weak PLT or Series. There is also a lot to be learned being an E-1 or E-2 in the Fleet. Side note: Having my parents sitting in the reviewing stand not knowing why they were there and graduating honorarily in front of them was certainly good to go.
We had one LCPL out of Platoon 390, Parris Island, 11 Nov 75. I think that was Willie Ford who graduated with the crossed rifles on his sleeve. His wasn’t a meritorious promotion. That went to David Ames (PFC). But we did have at least one LCPL graduate in our series. Semper Fi.
Made PFC upon graduation at MCRD SD Plt 3326 Jan ’69. Promoted to L/Cpl while attending DLIWC summer of ’69. Attained E4 in RVN Feb ’70 & E5 in June ’70.
In reply to SGT Wilson RD USMC.
I went to ITR in Sept ’61 and left in Oct. with a Cpl. who had joined the plt at ITR. Found out later he was prior service Marine who had been in for 12 years and had gotten out as an E-5 six years before. He said he was 35 years old, went through a divorce and decided to finish a career in our Corps.
I went to comm school with a Marine who enlisted with a 4yr degree. She (Yes, she) graduated boot camp PFC and was promoted Lance Corporal effective the day after her graduation from boot camp. This was part of her enlistment contract. I suppose that technically she didn’t graduate as a L/CPL, but it’s a mighty fine LINE.