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L/Cpl Out of Boot Camp

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.
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Comments

Dan - April 22, 2020

In reply to M. Murray.
Maybe didn’t do it in 1968 “old corps”, but have since the ’80’s anyway.

SGT Wilson RD USMC - April 22, 2020

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.

Chuck Downey, CPL, 1975-79, 2nd Radio Battalion, Camp Lejeune - April 22, 2020

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.

F Muhs - April 22, 2020

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.

Cpl. S. L. Carroll. ’61-’65 - April 22, 2020

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.

TopSully - April 22, 2020

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.

aardq - April 22, 2020

It’s obvious that L/Cpl depends on what year. In my boot Plt, 2217, 1968, our Plt had 7 Pfcs, and the choice was up to the PC. Our PC gave the stripes to the guide, squad leaders, high PRT, and High rifle score. We had a man that had already served 4 yrs Navy, and 4 yrs AF, and he also graduated a PFC, with the understanding that he would get L/Cpl at the first opportunity. I’ll bet that he was a Cpl.well before the end of his first year, but he already had 8 yrs military service. This was a very unusual situation. He wanted to serve 4yrs in each branch. I wonder if he stayed in the Corp after his 4, or if he did go into the Army.

Joel Dube - April 22, 2020

Went to MCRDSD in 68. Only one to get above PFC out of there was a former doggie.

C. Perry - April 22, 2020

I graduated from boot in 10/67 as a PFC because I had been sworn in 3 months before I went to boot camp. Promoted to L/Cpl out jungle warfare. We never had anyone even our Platoon honor Marine graduate as a L/Cpl. I was promoted to Cpl after being in Nam for 6 months. We were the honor Platoon 1039 and still no was promoted to L/Cpl.

G Bradshaw, Cpl E-4, ’61 – ’65 - April 22, 2020

Got to Parris Island, S.C. in July 1961, Plt.343. After 12 weeks of basic training 80 guys became Marines. 5 of which made PFC at graduation. My squad leader also got the only Dress Blues award in the series as the Honor Man. We had joined the Marines together after high school. Our right guide made PFC plus some other squad leaders. We had one man that had transferred to the USMC from the Army, he was the oldest man to make PFC. He also wore a few more ribbons on his dress uniform than our DI’s at graduation. He did suffer some through the training: running, exercises, etc. NO ONE made L/CPL.

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