thedrifter
10-26-03, 09:29 AM
1980s prove to be building block for Depot
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification Number: 20031024154920
Story by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(October 24, 2003) -- The 1980s was a period of construction and expanding for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Many new facilities were erected to life better aboard the Depot and several changes to recruit training were made.
On Jan. 25, 1980, a new graduation schedule was developed. Prior to 1980, each company was divided into two series, lead and follow series. Each series graduated on a different day, making two graduations per week. The new schedule combined the graduations, making only one graduation per week. The Friday graduations were held in the afternoon, but the new graduations were moved to the morning to accommodate the larger ceremonies. Company E was the first company to graduate together.
Later that year, a new breakthrough in weapons cleaning was introduced to the Depot. A product called Cleaner Lubricating Preservative, or simply known as CLP, was used to clean the M-16A1 service rifle. This new product not only cleaned the rifles, but also kept them lubricated for long periods of time and cut down on rust, preserving the steel. This product did exactly what the name portrayed.
In December 1980, the uniform board completed testing on a new male uniform shirt made from a blend of materials; 80 percent polyester, 20 percent wool. These new shirts were designed to breathe better in warm climates such as San Diego.
In 1985, a major change was made not only to the Depot, but also to the entire Marine Corps. Aug. 1, 1985, the M-16A1 service rifle was replaced with the M-16A2 service rifle. This new weapon was similar to its predecessor, but with minor modifications, including different hand guards, different sights and lighter weight to make the weapon more combat efficient. The M-16A2 is semi-automatic unlike the M-16A1, which is fully automatic.
From 1980-1989, 17 new buildings were constructed, including Gate House 5, a provost marshal's office and firehouse, an armory, bachelor enlisted quarters, a mess hall, a recruit-processing center, and a recruit training facility.
Duncan Hall, the permanent personnel dining facility was opened in October 1986 to replace the old, behind-the-times mess hall. The new mess hall was built with carpeting and air conditioning.
Later the same month, Srsen Hall opened its doors. Srsen Hall is the recruit receiving barrack where recruits live the first week or so they are on the Depot before being picked up by a training company.
April 23, 1987, Martini Hall was officially opened. Martini Hall is the administrative building that houses such units as Consolidated Personnel Administration Center and Recruit Administrative Branch.
Nov. 10 of that year, the command museum officially opened its doors in Building 26. The Depot had a base museum, located in Building 126, near the dental clinic, but the space was deemed inadequate in size and quality. Upon the relocation, the museum was officially designated a "command museum."
Sea School was a part of recruit training for Marines going to sea duty until Dec. 8, 1987. The school was disbanded because Marines' ship duties were assumed by sailors, according to Ellen Guillemette, archivist, command museum.
Burke Hall, the recruit class facility, was opened June 30, 1988. Burke Hall consists of several classrooms where recruits receive all academic classes, including first aid, interior guard, Marine Corps history and rifle maintenance.
Overall, construction was paramount in the 1980s. The new buildings and changes to recruit training helped shape the Depot's future.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20031024183550/$file/1980s1_lr.jpg
Lieutenant Col. Courter, facilities director, and Gunnery Sgt. Piala, facilities chief, stands by with a contractor at the newly-constructed Martini Hall in 1987. Martini Hall is the administrative building that houses the Consolidated Personnel Administration Center.
Photo by: Official USMC photo
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003102418458/$file/1980s3_lr.jpg
Company L drill instructors stand proud in their dress blue "B" uniforms in the 1980s.
Photo by: Official USMC photo
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/4EAE9358F8D854BC85256DC9006CE30A?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification Number: 20031024154920
Story by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(October 24, 2003) -- The 1980s was a period of construction and expanding for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Many new facilities were erected to life better aboard the Depot and several changes to recruit training were made.
On Jan. 25, 1980, a new graduation schedule was developed. Prior to 1980, each company was divided into two series, lead and follow series. Each series graduated on a different day, making two graduations per week. The new schedule combined the graduations, making only one graduation per week. The Friday graduations were held in the afternoon, but the new graduations were moved to the morning to accommodate the larger ceremonies. Company E was the first company to graduate together.
Later that year, a new breakthrough in weapons cleaning was introduced to the Depot. A product called Cleaner Lubricating Preservative, or simply known as CLP, was used to clean the M-16A1 service rifle. This new product not only cleaned the rifles, but also kept them lubricated for long periods of time and cut down on rust, preserving the steel. This product did exactly what the name portrayed.
In December 1980, the uniform board completed testing on a new male uniform shirt made from a blend of materials; 80 percent polyester, 20 percent wool. These new shirts were designed to breathe better in warm climates such as San Diego.
In 1985, a major change was made not only to the Depot, but also to the entire Marine Corps. Aug. 1, 1985, the M-16A1 service rifle was replaced with the M-16A2 service rifle. This new weapon was similar to its predecessor, but with minor modifications, including different hand guards, different sights and lighter weight to make the weapon more combat efficient. The M-16A2 is semi-automatic unlike the M-16A1, which is fully automatic.
From 1980-1989, 17 new buildings were constructed, including Gate House 5, a provost marshal's office and firehouse, an armory, bachelor enlisted quarters, a mess hall, a recruit-processing center, and a recruit training facility.
Duncan Hall, the permanent personnel dining facility was opened in October 1986 to replace the old, behind-the-times mess hall. The new mess hall was built with carpeting and air conditioning.
Later the same month, Srsen Hall opened its doors. Srsen Hall is the recruit receiving barrack where recruits live the first week or so they are on the Depot before being picked up by a training company.
April 23, 1987, Martini Hall was officially opened. Martini Hall is the administrative building that houses such units as Consolidated Personnel Administration Center and Recruit Administrative Branch.
Nov. 10 of that year, the command museum officially opened its doors in Building 26. The Depot had a base museum, located in Building 126, near the dental clinic, but the space was deemed inadequate in size and quality. Upon the relocation, the museum was officially designated a "command museum."
Sea School was a part of recruit training for Marines going to sea duty until Dec. 8, 1987. The school was disbanded because Marines' ship duties were assumed by sailors, according to Ellen Guillemette, archivist, command museum.
Burke Hall, the recruit class facility, was opened June 30, 1988. Burke Hall consists of several classrooms where recruits receive all academic classes, including first aid, interior guard, Marine Corps history and rifle maintenance.
Overall, construction was paramount in the 1980s. The new buildings and changes to recruit training helped shape the Depot's future.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20031024183550/$file/1980s1_lr.jpg
Lieutenant Col. Courter, facilities director, and Gunnery Sgt. Piala, facilities chief, stands by with a contractor at the newly-constructed Martini Hall in 1987. Martini Hall is the administrative building that houses the Consolidated Personnel Administration Center.
Photo by: Official USMC photo
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003102418458/$file/1980s3_lr.jpg
Company L drill instructors stand proud in their dress blue "B" uniforms in the 1980s.
Photo by: Official USMC photo
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/4EAE9358F8D854BC85256DC9006CE30A?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: