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Manual of Rakes

Manual of Rakes

By: Edward Dobberstein

After completion of 5 months Special Communications Training at Pensacola NCTC in 1968, I had two weeks to wait for my overseas orders. My instructions were to “just stay out of trouble”.
While hanging out in the barracks one day the 1st Sgt picked me out and told me to round up 6 other Marines and go to Special Services, check out some rakes, and proceed to the Base Chapel and rake the leaves. Having done so we were on our way to the chapel when we encountered and officer. He stopped us and asked who was in charge here. I saluted and told him I was. (at the time Lance Corporal.) He said we were a disgrace and should march where we were going in an orderly fashion. So, I had everyone line up, snap to attention, present rakes, right shoulder rakes, and march in a column of twos, calling cadence all the while. When we arrived at the Chapel, the Chaplain was thoroughly impressed. After that I quit hanging around the barracks and went to Pensacola Beach every day to work on my tan. Lesson learned.

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