Skip to content
FREE STANDARD SHIPPING! Use code SHIPNOW at checkout
FREE STANDARD SHIPPING! Use code SHIPNOW at checkout

Were Bigger

I take exception to the person named “Okey, Plt. 141, 1957” who wrote about a Cpl. Stouts story that apparently failed to use the what he deemed were the proper words and implied that those of us that went through Parris Island didn’t ‘talk the talk’. Cpl. Stouts may very well have had a mental lapse after so many years of being a civvie. I can assure you that as a graduate of MCRD – Parris Island, Plt. 374, November, 1963, we also called them utilities, ladders, hatches, chow, skivvies, etc., additionally we were also told that we were the real Marines – not Hollywood Marines, like the other group of men and women who were in MCRD – San Diego. Our DI’s were meaner, our training tougher, our barracks had no air conditioning, and our sand fleas were bigger. So there ! All kidding aside, it seems that this was the only Marine, inner Corps rivalry, that I ever saw during my time as an active duty Marine.

 

Other than that, we are of the same breed. We are all brothers and sisters, and we will tell the world what the others proudly can’t say, “We’re Marines!”

 

Semper Fi,

 

Stephen M. Blank

2039646

2nd Force Recon

USMCR, 1963 – 1969

Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or submit your own story!

Previous article Lineage of the USMC Eagle, Globe and Anchor

Comments

Richard Stites - June 10, 2020

I can assure you the only difference between PI and SD Marine training was the weather. PI has the nastiest summers of anyplace in the US. I went through SD in 1948 and there was no a/c in the barracks; I finished my tour at PI in 1952. I had WWII vets for DIs in 1948 and Korea vets were DIs in 1952.

Bob Vallier - June 10, 2020

Sand fleas? At UCRD Diago we weren’t allowed pets.

Jim Barber - June 10, 2020

Amen, to Stephens comment “We’re Marines!” While writing “SH*TBIRD! How I Learned to Love the Corps” it was obvious that there was no difference between DIs whether you went through PI or SD. They were all made of the same tough leather.

Toby Maes - June 10, 2020

I don’t have a “story” but couldn’t help but notice an odd coincidence…you were in plt. 374 at P.I. in 63 and I was in plt. 374 in 67 in San Diego. I have never heard of this before…

Leave a comment

* Required fields