What changes did you see why you were in?

[FaDeD]

What major changes did you see while you were in?

Sleeves down year round
Implimentation of mtv then to plate carriers
Tattoo policy change
Service limitations from 13 to 10 for snco
Humvees fazed out
Low regs being reclassed as out of regs

That's just a few on top of my head..

[BaseCommCLNCdaw]

The last of the Corporal E-3's and corporal stripes without crossed rifles. It had started in 1958 with the creation of the new rank of L/Cpl. Of course there were the higher ranks without crossed rifles into the early 60's, and after a while all of them were seen to have a problem because they failed to earn promotions.

[BaseCommCLNCdaw]

Saw the change over from the M-1 to the M-14 which was completed in 1962.

[Zulu 36]

Elimination of tropical trousers and intro of lightweight greens (still had heavy wool greens for winter).

Intro of wooley-pulley sweater.

Intro of cammies as regular utility uniform.

Intro of clip-on ties for optional daily wear, but not inspections. I participated in the pilot program as an MP.

Intro of high gloss Corfam shoes for optional daily wear, but not inspections.

Intro of black leather police gear for MPs.

Intro of Harrier jets.

Intro of ALICE-Medium packs to replace the old M-1941 pack system.

Phasing out of M-14 rifle Marine Corps-wide (base units still used it, but it was being phased out there). M-16A1 became standard in boot camp.

I think there were a few other changes in there, but can't remember them all.

[thewookie]

Added name tapes

Transition from .45 to 9mm for annual pistol quals

Added tattoo policy

10 years to pick up SNCO or you were out

No more "official" promotion beatdowns

Changed iron-on on camies from EGA and USMC, to just and EGA on the left breast



Probably more but over time the little things tend to be forgotten.

[FaDeD]

M16a2 to m16a4 to m16a4 with acog to m16a4 to rco to. M4 with rco

[thewookie]

Oh and speaking of weapons, (although this was more of a unit/mission thing) but at CQB school we transitioned from the MP5's to the M4.

[Bruce59]

OK, this the second post in a row I'm answering from you, we got to stop meeting like this. But a good subject, so let me see here is a list.
M-1 rifle
M-14 rifle
30 cal machine gun
M-60 machine gun
3.5 rock launcher
105 & 106 recoilless rifles
mighty mite jeeps
ontos anit tank
45s
45 cal grease gun
BAR 30 cal
Flame thrower
the mule
olive drape untilities
boot and shoes you had to shine
the rank change from old to new
moving about the world by ship
living in barracks
and thats just off the top of my head

[wayne1111]

This is related to a question I've been wanting to ask...

When I first got to the fleet at Camp San Mateo (97), getting is trouble might get you an NJP OR a possible ass kicking. At the time it was a toss up, and really had a lot to do with who got in trouble. If you were the type that kept your mouth shut, you would be more likely to get "old school" punishment than a paper trail, and tomorrow was a new chance to turn it around so to speak. At the time, all the boots thought Gunny was really into fitness because he always rode a ten speed to work; turns out he'd had so many DWI's he couldn't drive on base anymore...

Fast forward just two years, and I'm at the rifle range for the recruits going through the school to become a Marksmanship Coach. The recruits are acting like they're on a field trip in the boy scouts to learn how to shoot. One of the First Sgt's back at my unit is known for putting his ear to barracks doors to bust people for having girls in their rooms after hours on the weekend, and the new First Sgt for my company is so worried about people wearing field belts in the field that we got to have company formations to discuss it at least a couple of times a month...

I come on to this site yesterday, and read about a Marine being graded incorrectly on his ability to properly identify a contraction (as in semantics/punctuation), and people seem surprised that I'm surprised. I realize that every unit is different and that I was in a grunt unit, but this is spinning my head a bit. If I could get a straight forward assessment on what's happened over the last decade in the Corps, I would be really appreciative. Especially since I'm trying to get back in.

[McT ontheRock71]

During my tour I witnessed the transition from the old "red line Brig" system to the Correctional Facility. My MOS was 5831 and I worked in both.

[25PD]

Brown dress shoes to Black dress shoes
BAR 30-06 NO LONGER IN USE- REPLACED BY m-14 .308 W/ SELECTOR SWITCH
Crossed Rifles added to rank insigna

[elliscraig12]

Here's a few I saw,

M16A1 to M16A2
Jeep to Humvee
.45 to 9mm
Harriers came in
New thinner cammies (to thin, fell apart washing them)
M60 to M60Es (more junk)
Newer boots
CH53A/C to CH53E
Plastic Chevrons (they actually had to tell people not to iron them)
Intro of SAW
MPS Ships
The final evacuation of the Philippines
DADT (Thank you Bill "Did I get something on your dress" Clinton)
And all the political B.S. that followed Tailhook

[elliscraig12]

And contract Corporals and severance pay for NCO's/SNCO's.

[SGT7477]

Our arty guns from olive drab to camo-1977 29 Palms
utilities to cammies-1977 29 Palms
Semper Fidelis.

[Quinbo]

Pretty much the same things as wookie and craig.

A few more:

Also transitioned from vietnam era flaks and helmets to kevlar.
Introduction of the LCAC
ISO mats
Transition from the M-60 to the M240
Open squad bays to hotel like barracks.
WM's could stand post on barracks duty
Female drill instructors could wear the smokey
Female Marines were now required to qualify with the service weapon annually
NCO school became a split between Cpls course and Sgts course.
You could fire a perfect score on the rifle range with a 65
A commandant who said Marines should be training for war not guarding boats and gates for the Navy. Soon after barracks duty and sea duty all but disappeared.