What was your favorite bootcamp moment?

[Sgt Morales, AM]

My favorite moment was when it was my turn to go down the slide for life while doing the confidence course at leatherneck square. A couple of girls in front of me fell into the dirty water and had to sing the Marine Corps hymn while trying to swim out. I was so scared, but thankfully, I completed the exercise.

[snipowsky]

When I graduated! ROFL

[hrscowboy]

hell snip i thought you were still in...

[snipowsky]

Hell no! WTF made you think that? Please tell me you are jerking my chain hrscowboy! I've been a member of the 1st Civ Div since early 1997. Just the way I like it!

[hrscowboy]

your ass needs to back in then if thats the case your not a well man to be allowed out here with us nice folks...

[femalemarine_89]

Gosh to have to name my favorite.. HMMM.. I would have to say that day that I earned the name of Marine.. The rest was hard work, physical pain.. but then again ya'll know the drill.. LOL..

[snipowsky]

WTF! LMAO@hrscowboy! Man you are silly Marine and you freaking crack me up!

[Sgt Morales, AM]

Another favorite moment was when we were coming back from the crucible. We were crossing DI bridge, which is about 1-2 miles from the parade deck, we were so pumped!! The cadence that rang as we marched down the street made you forget the pain, sleepiness, hunger, and the blisters. We finally got to the parade deck and all of a sudden...the MC Hymn played followed by the national anthem. That is when I received my EGA and I became a Marine. Then we heard our Company 1st Sgt say...

"Drill Instructors, take your Marines to a Warriors Breakfast"

It was awesome. I'll never forget that day and my graduation, of course!

[hrscowboy]

yeah i remember my warriors breakfast it was C- Rats in the can ham and motherupchuckers cause when you ate those you upchucked them rotten eggs all day long.....

[hrscowboy]

snip its true brother you are not a well man, i think be a nasty regular again has made you lose your mind. The corps will help ya you need to reenlist my friend...

[Timber]

Graduation and the first time being called a Marine had to be the best. Also right after we were dismissed, the look on my Sr DI's face when he saw my cousin, her Ex was also a DI, that's when he found out he had been had. She never told either of them I was on the island much less in what Plt.

[Timber]

Sgt. M thought you had been in longer. Never had the pleasure of the Crucible. Does that make me Old Corps or New?

[Sgt Morales, AM]

Well Timber,
Sorry to have to tell you this but, you're old Corps. I have only been in since 2000 and I am still debating whether to re-enlist.

I have had such a great experience while Active. I know y'all are gonna hate me but, I met my husband while at my "A" school. He was a dashing Petty Officer 1st class that caught my eye and I caught his. Yes people, a squid! I call him my Marine in disguise. He acts just like a Marine, it's great. I had to teach him a couple of things here and there from time to time.

[snipowsky]

Sgt. Morales is a traitor! lol Lucky squid! Oh and hrscowboy I know I'm not well and I have lost my mind... I joined the Marines. They made me crazy like that! ROFL

[Sgt Morales, AM]

Ha Ha Snipowsky!!! He has become a clean cut, high and tight, sailor!!!

[yellowwing]

Does he have tattoos and eat spinach?

http://www.bestreadguide.com/lasvegas/images/012802/popeye.jpg

[Timber]

Sgt that not bad. You married a sailor. A friend of mine made Sgt got out on a medical for an injury and is now a 1st class PO in reserves. Funny that she won't let me see her in Cracker Jacks, she did make a set of Blues look better if that is possible.

[hector verduzco]

The best moment was graduation and having new brothers to count on. I also liked the cadence calls. Everyone marching to one beat. I was a reglious lay leader for my plt. 3055 lima Co. My duties were to say a prayer. The other moment I remember was my birthday. SDI called me in to the duty hut. Our secetary was in the room to doing paper work. SDI ask me a question " what day is this?" I said "Sir the pvt. don't know Sir!" SDI ask another question "What month is this?" again I said "Sir the pvt. don't know Sir!", at this time the secetary was tryin to tell me that it was my birthday, but I couldn't read his lips. SDI was bent over for unknown reason, then came up fast and back slap me on my chest, then said "Happy Birthday!!". I thought I was in shape even at 2nd phase. No harm, No foul I'm a UNITED STATES MARINE!!!!.

[yellowwing]

During ICT, we were close order drilling out at the old arifields on Parris Island.

Our "SOB" Drill Instructor was training us that afternoon. Miracle upon miracles, we ALL were 'in the zone'. We performed flawlessly. Even when the Drill Instructor called out 'Extend March' about 5 times in succession, we had perfect step and alignment.

60+ maggots finally in perfect unison! We knew it and our Drill Instructor knew it. He said something like, "G*ddam' ladies, some of you might just graduate!"

[LivinSoFree]

Ah... those fields are a different memory for me... not my favorite ones, but still good, as that's where we ran the Crucible...

My favorite moment(s) were when we'd just be locked on for drill... much like Yellowwing had said. A lot of times we were a jacked up platoon, but we were a game day platoon. We would drill like total crap all week, and then show up and win final drill... god that was beyond awesome.

Second to that one would be when, about a week after we had gotten *robbed* and I do say *robbed* of initial drill, we went over to thrid deck lead, where 3066 was billeted (they had taken the trophy) and did an online showdown... after the FIRST movement, my senior was walking up and down the squadbay laughing quietly and 66's senior was looking madder than hell... we sent them to their racks that night with their tails between their legs... what a rush.

[DSchmitke]

Graduation and leaving the Island

[Sparrowhawk]

Originally posted by Sgt Morales, AM
What was your favorite bootcamp moment?


Leaving Boot Camp!

[Sparrowhawk]

M O R A L E S


YOU MARRIED A SQUID?

Women, why are women they way they are?

Who can figure them out?



lol

[Namvet67]

No brainer...it was the first time my DI called us Marines. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever hear that. It was a memory that will never fade away. It was one of the high points in my life.

[fulmetaljackass]

I still watch my graduation video just to relive the memories.

[Sgted]

Damn.... I wish I had a graduation video.
I don't believe that did that sort of thing in 1965.

[Toby M]

Hey Sgt.Ed, did they have camera's back then? (I grad. in 67 LOL)

[Sgt Morales, AM]

Thanks Sparrow...My squid is a clean cut, high and tight sailor, like I previously said.

I love my graduation video. Everytime I watch it, I still want to get up and march around.

[Sgt Morales, AM]

Yellowwing,
My sailor is a little more muscular then that! WOO HOO!!!

[benny rutledge]

Graduating in my Winter Greens,Drill Instructer saying "Congratulations,Marine" and shaking my hand.
Also firing Expert,all non quals had to buy the Experts a Big,Fat,Greasy Cheese Burger,There were 16 Non Quals and 16 Experts,it worked out fine

[Sgt Morales, AM]

I graduated in my winter Greens. Actually, on the 8th of this month 5 years that I graduated from the Island. wow.. how time goes by.

[Timber]

You actually had non quals!? Team work, I remember firing one or two targets on each side so s*** like that did not happen and still pulled out Expert.

[Sgt Morales, AM]

We only had 3 non quals in our FEMALE series. I shot expert, but I don't ever recall being able to buy cheese burgers on the island. I had to be off the depot to get 'real' food. What's up with that?

[snipowsky]

I'd also like to add qualifying company high shooter on pre-qual day with the enjoyment of my SDI having bragging rights for me and qualifying expert the very next day are definitely something I'm very proud of.

Another Marine in my platoon beat me out qual day for company high shooter, but 229 out of 250 isn't to shabby. He qualified 235 out of 250. I still took second in my whole company. Only difference is I didn't win and I didn't get a stinking company high shooter medal, but I was happy for him anyways! Still remember his name to this day. Recruit Halupa!

[yellowwing]

In MCLB Albany, we had a LT that borderlined all week and ended up qualifying only as Marksman.

The next Monday morning, EVERYONE at Battlion HQ heard the CO tearing the non-shooting LT a new one!

[Sgt Morales, AM]

I haven't heard that in a long time.

"Tearing a new one"

We hardly use that phrase. We normally us the word "freakin"

[Blindside8162]

I'd have to say the range was my favorite time in recruit training. From the pits ( STAND BY!..... GRAB HOLD!) To shooting a possible on the 300 yard line rapid fire phase of fire. It was just a very fun Two weeks. A-Line was fun also (night fire rocks!)

[rockhopper]

Same with me Blindside: rifle range and coming away with that first expert badge.

And yes, graduation was certainly up there too.

[Sgt Morales, AM]

I truly enjoyed the rifle range myself. Especially since my parents NEVER let me play with toy guns! I ended up qualifying as a sharpshooter...which is pretty good for not having ever shot a gun, a M16 A-2 at that.

[Sgt. Smitty]

Other than graduation, the one part of boot that sticks in my mind was one Sunday we told the platoon guide to ask the PC if we could run the obstacle course........of course our PC thought it was a great idea and off we went. After the first time through our PC asked if we had had enough and as usual we gave the Marine answer "Sir, NO SIR" Dumb thing to do......he made us go through the whole thing twice!!! That had to be the best day of boot for me cause our DI's and PC all thought the whole platoon was a sandwich shy of a picnic, needless to say, we had to go to chow after the second trip through. After figuring out that Boot Camp was 50% mental and 50% physical my platoon had a great time during the rest of the ordeal. I entered boot at 6 foot and left the parade deck after graduation standin 20 feet tall. Lots of good memories of that time and place.

[drillinstructor]

Originally posted by Sgt Morales, AM
My favorite moment was when it was my turn to go down the slide for life while doing the confidence course at leatherneck square. A couple of girls in front of me fell into the dirty water and had to sing the Marine Corps hymn while trying to swim out. I was so scared, but thankfully, I completed the exercise.

Marines Hymm

[sadibenz]

Back in 1983 I remember the most significant moment was graduating from boot and actually being called a U. S. Marine.
Considering that Plt. 2086 started out with 63 raw recruits and only 47 graduating.
2086 took all honors out of the series. We watched our SDI Staff Sgt. Moore get Gunny. DI Sgt. Kresbach got Staff Sgt. DI Sgt. Morales got Staff Sgt. Finally DI Cpl. Navarro got Sgt. Just prior to graduation they all were wearing new stripes.
2086 along with the rest of the series photos still hang at the MCRD San Diego.
I still go to MCRD San Diego on occassion to screen vehicles, and barracks with my work dog.
To this day I get an enormous feeling of pride and confidance when I walk onto or accross the parade deck (Grinder).
No, I didn't stay for 20 plus years. Circumstances did not permit that to happen.
But, I know for a fact that I would not be where I'am today. Had not the Corps enter my life.
So, yes. The fact that I became a marine was and still is the proudest and most cherished moment of boot camp.

[woodman]

The plane ride out a there !

[Ed Palmer]

Sgt Morales, AM


I truly enjoyed the rifle range myself. Especially since my parents NEVER let me play with toy guns! I ended up qualifying as a sharpshooter...which is pretty good for not having ever shot a gun, a M16 A-2 at that.


I dont know what boot camp you went through , But the one I went through didnt use the word gun .if we did that we got to tie a string around our gun and run around the grinder with the string in one hand and our rifle in the other shouting this is my rifle and jerk on the string
shouting this is my gun, And belive me it was a short string and you learned the differance in the first jerk, of course I dont know what you ladies had to tie onto maybe a dildo or something let us know
Thanks
Ed Palmer

[Sgted]

This is my Rifle.....
This is my gun......
One is for killing......
One is for fun............

[Ed Palmer]

yeh thats right I forgot the words to the song

thanks Sgted
Ed

[Sgted]

Ed...
It was more a chant then a song as I remember.
Anyone using "gun" in the Corps was forced to say it over & over again.
Although I seem to remember all of us having to chant those words in boot camp.
The DI would hold up an M-14 in one hand.....("this is my Rifle")
Grab his crotch with the other hand................("this is my gun")

You know the rest.

Don't ask me why I remember those words from 1965 but can't remember what I ate last night ......!!!

[Ed Palmer]

what you ate last night wasnt hammered into your head for 16 weeks .
Plus you didnt have some idiot do it for you and run around the grinder
shouting about it

[marine_emblems]

I thought processesing was pretty kick ass

[JAG5150]

O.K. check this out, when I was in boot our chow hall was being renovated (asbestos or something) so we had to go to the NTC chow hall. While we were marching a little squid decided to walk next to us, D.I. called our right flank and there he was. The little squid was standing in the middle of our platoon. I thought that he was going to pi$$ his pants, maybe he did, with 70 Marine recruits and 2 D.T.'s tearing him up verbally. That was a great time, bet he never walked next to a platoon of marching recruits again.
By the way the food was a lot better there too.

[USA&CSA]

:yes: I had a couple of them but at the time they wern't very good after words they were worth a lot of laughs.
The day after I arrived at PI the platoon was lined up in front of the our bunks and I that to myself that "I'm going to do this and do it good." As soom a sthe DI came up to me and spoke to me I said loudly Yes Sir! I sure messed that one up as SHE then said "what did you say?"

Also during on of the PT sessions I set on an ant hill while trying to do set-ups BOY DID I MOVE FAST.
I'll never forget bootcamp that was the most challanging I have ever did and I loved it.::marine:

[femalemarine_89]

Talking about that Sgted.. I remember that from the movie FULL METAL JACKET.. LOL


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