L/Cpl Out of Boot Camp

Comments

George Goodwin - April 22, 2020

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.

Julian Etheridge - April 22, 2020

In reply to Ron.
1974-1985. You’ll see my post explaining ROTC and LCPL rank.

Julian Etheridge - April 22, 2020

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!

Jim Holland - April 22, 2020

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.

Cpl Cruz - April 22, 2020

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!!

BRENDAN MC CARRON. 1ST MAW DANANG VIETNAM. 1966-1968. - April 22, 2020

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.

Sgt. Wolf aka Bob Rader - April 22, 2020

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.

Bill Stephens - April 22, 2020

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!!

Joseph M Bennett - April 22, 2020

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 !!!!!!

Dan Dalton - April 22, 2020

In reply to S D Santana.
Please please please let the stress card myth die! Never happened in Marine Corps bootcamp. S/Fi