Boot Camp Billets

[LoCapitano]

Hows it going every one... I did a search and didnt really find anything so I decided to start a new thread to ask...

Can you guys give me some details on what billets they have in boot camp and what they do...

such as Layreader and scribe, ETC.

Thank you very much,

PooleeMikeC...

[jinelson]

Welcome aboard Leatherneck Mike, I commend you for searching first and am not surprised that you couldnt find an answer. Billets in the Corps can mean several different things a MOS, duty station, rank, or quarters. In recruit training I have never heard of layreader but the assigned tasks of scribe, squad leader, guideon and even house mouse do exist or have existed but are not called billets. These tasks are assigned by the Drill Instructor at his or her discretion and not by Headquarters. Perhaps some other Marines can shed more light on your question. The most important thing for you to focus on now is just passing the challenges of recruit training. Good luck to you in your quest to be the finest.

[CrazyBrave83]

Scribe- Generally the position filled by the most educated recruit. Not necessarily the smartest, but the most 'educated.' When I was down there, we were asked "Who here has been to college?" I had done a year and another recruit had graduated. He got the job, thank God.:D Scribes deal with the 'secretarial' part of recruit training. Firewatch schedules, Medical chits, and all the other BS paperwork flows through the scribe to the Drill Instructor.

Squad Leader- The Squad Leader is essentialy, for lack of a better term, an acting Drill Instructor for when the Drill Instructors are preoccupied. He/She is generally selected because of devotion, motivation, and good PFT. They are tasked with keeping the platoon motivated and locked on. This position will shift many times while you're on the Island, because many recruits do not have the leadership qualities the Drill Instructors are looking for. It's a trial basis, so if you get it, make sure you earn it.

Guideon- I do not recall a specific position for the Guideon. Our Squad Leader was the one to carry the guideon. Basically this position carries the guideon (platoon flag) during drill. To the front of the ranks.

House Mouse- House Mice are the unfortunate recruits that become the bulk of the cleaning force. When you're down there you'll be squaring away a lot of areas and scuzzing a lot of decks, but the House Mice deal with cleaning on a personal level. If a Drill Instructor needs something shining, well...expect to hear him calling for a House Mouse.

Layreader- The Layreader is the recruit who has the deepest religious conviction, or so it seems. This is the recruit that will lead the platoon in 'prayer and devotion' time prior to the rack, and who may offer spiritual guidance to recruits who have lost their way, if a chaplain is not presently available.

[LoCapitano]

Thank you both for your time!

[CrazyBrave83]

Anytime poolee, anytime.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

We had a squad leader for each of the four squads and a guide that was like the top ranking recruit. He was the most abused recruit, but also the one in line to be honor grad.

We also had a platoon "witch doctor" that was responsible for checking every recruit for achilles (sp) tendonitis each night and helping recruits deal with things like blisters.

[cgkades]

we also had a knowledge recruit, the one who would go over knowledge with the paltoon.

[CrazyBrave83]

we also had a knowledge recruit, the one who would go over knowledge with the paltoon.

ah, see it was kind of a joint venture for the scribe/squad leader for us.

[Static_Sky25]

Scribe: again was the recruit with the most "education" (ironically ours was dumb as hell but since he did the FW scedule he only had it like 2 times)

Witch Doc: Essentially this is the recruit with the most first aid/medical knowledge... carrys the footpowder/moleskin around at hygene inspection and tells you how to take better care of your feet... ours was a dental hygenist so we got a teeth check too lol

Mouse Mouse: basically the recruit the DI's LOVE to screw with... so they make them clean their duty hut so they can harass them even more...

Whiskey locker recruit: in charge of handing out cleaning supplies and taking inventory at the end of the cleaning session to let the Drill Instructors know what the Platoon is running low on. (I haven't seen anyone list this one)

Squad leaders: usually highly moto recruits... the guys that keep the cattle in line... in the civvy world these would be lower management

Guide: carries the Guideon he is like the highest level recruit.. he takes orders from the DI's and passes em on... in the civvy world this would be your upper management

Lay reader: CB got this one dead on usually the most religious recruits... basically it's your platoons chaplain system

[Static_Sky25]

Mouse Mouse: basically the recruit the DI's LOVE to screw with... so they make them clean their duty hut so they can harass them even more...



Make that "House Mouse" :dazed:

[CrazyBrave83]

Make that "House Mouse" :dazed:

It doesn't matter, Joe. When they yell for em you know it. Booming from the DI Hut and all...;)