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July 21, 2017 Grunt.com Admin

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.
Filed in: Marine Corps Stories
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Comments

Jim Grimes - April 21, 2020

It depends on when you were in. I went through boot in 1969. The only people who made PFC were the top four recruits and the platoon honor man. No one made LCPL out of boot. Boot camp was only 9 weeks. ITR was an additional 3 weeks after that. Most guys made PFC out of ITR and some had warrants back dated to when they were in boot camp. Very few made LCPL out of ITR. Shortly before I was discharged in 72 they were letting boots go home right after boot camp before ITR. Some were making LCPL out of boot mainly college guys.

James McDevitt - April 21, 2020

I graduated from boot camp (platoon 288) on Parris Island in January 1958. The “honor graduate” (I forget the actual term used) was promoted to E-3 (at that time PFC).

Mike Betts - April 21, 2020

When I graduated as a PFC from Plt 356 at PI in 1964, the DI’s selected the top 10% of the platoon for promotion. They were usually the platoon guide, squad leaders, house mice, and of course, the platoon honor man, who was also presented a set of dress blues for his accomplishment. Those promoted to PFC got to take in the final review at graduation instead of marching in it. I was more proud of that single PFC’s stripe than I was of the third stripe I got less than 2 1/2 years later because it was the hardest earned. BTW, I have heard of recruits being promoted to LCpl upon graduation if they recruited several others into the Corps.

S D Santana - April 21, 2020

In the primitive day’s of old -the 50’s , 60’s 70’s or even the early 80’s my era , but after the show your DI the stress card 90’s anything’s possiable

james tesar - April 21, 2020

I, like Sgt Wilson was also a LCPL out of boot camp, Ptl 2034, 2nd BN, E Co April of 1990. Also Ptl Honor Man and Company Honor Man. I also earned the same awards. One of the greatest days of my life. It was a blessing and a curse at the same time. Everywhere I went from there, MCT, SOI, and Security Force School I was the ” senior Marine” and was put in charge of everything. Best thing that could have happened to me. Just a side note that I was 21 when I joined after some Army time. Just another side note, getting “pinned” by a number of the DI’s in the House was a great honor that I will take with me until my last breath. Sgt. James Tesar 90-96

james tesar - April 21, 2020

I, like Sgt Wilson was also a LCPL out of boot camp, Ptl 2034, 2nd BN, E Co April of 1990. Also Ptl Honor Man and Company Honor Man. I also earned the same awards. One of the greatest days of my life. It was a blessing and a curse at the same time. Everywhere I went from there, MCT, SOI, and Security Force School I was the ” senior Marine” and was put in charge of everything. Best thing that could have happened to me. Just a side note that I was 21 when I joined after some Army time. Just another side note, getting “pinned” by a number of the DI’s in the House was a great honor that I will take with me until my last breath. Sgt. James Tesar 90-96

Jon Atchison - April 21, 2020

You can come out as a lance from boot if you have college going into boot. You will be designated as a QEP (Quality Enlistment Private). It makes you eligible to graduate as a PFS from boot. If you are also a honorman throughout, then you will pick up the rank of meritorious LCpl.

Harry - April 21, 2020

In reply to Julian Etheridge.
If you were in boot camp during 60’s and 70’s there is no freakin way you made lance out of boot that program did not go into effect until the 80’s and, even then you had to go into boot camp as a “Contract PFC” and then receive one of the 3 Honors at graduation. I do believe that you are full of it. I said this before and ,I’ll say it again “This is the wrong forum to be tossing BS ” you will be called out on it. Harry

Donald P Price - April 21, 2020

I graduated from Platoon 221 in October 1957, there was no such rank as lance corporal, and NO ONE and I MEAN NO ONE came out of Parris Island as a corporal. Semper Fi !

Bob Kelly - April 21, 2020

My grandson graduated from boot camp in the fall of last year. Numerous PFC’s promoted during boot camp, including him. Yes, there was in fact a Lance Corporal for the series that graduated. Apparently, out of the series that graduates they will select an “outstanding” recruit in all phases of training. I graduated boot camp in 1964 and at that time, very very few promotions. Usually the house mouse if he stayed squared away during the entire time and possibly a guide-on and perhaps a few squad leaders. Semper Fi.

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