XS11JAMMERIII
Learning the Ropes
For all who have served their community, town, city and country this is for you- - - -
Saturday the 13th was my fiftieth anniversary of the day I reported to boot camp at MCRD Parris Island August 13, 1966.
Friday morning, Monster and I headed south to arrive at Beaufort, South Carolina and checked in to a motel that online were equipped with safes in the rooms to secure my CCW. MCRD frowns on weapons coming aboard. The DOD years ago decided that only criminals should have access to weapons at stateside commands, not upstanding members of the military. Remember Ft. Hood?
The last time I was at Beaufort in 1968, it was a sleepy little dirtwater town. Today it has grown to merge with Port Royal and is a thriving center.
The next morning I took the short ride to P.I.. They require certain safety gear to ride a motorcycle aboard, I have that equipment whenever I ride, I was waved aboard with a smile and greeting at the gate.
I expected the Depot to have changed since I was last there as a recruit in ’66 and then as a PMI (Primary Marksmanship Instructor) in ’68 but I was nearly overwhelmed.
I went on to the new museum and chatted with the other Former Marines there. One asked me where I was in ’66 as a recruit. They are not to mention “boots” within the museum. I was with Third Battalion. He told me I needed to head on over there for Third was at the last stages of demolition.
He told me the old barracks were not air-conditioned and not suitable for first stage recruits due to the summer heat and humidity of P.I.. 98f with 98 % humidity can crush a guy down.
The Barracks were nearly new when I was there. I don’t remember missing the airconditioning as I grew-up without it.
After touring the museum, I left Monster in the lot and took a walking tour.
My first stop was the Third. Most of it was gone. Nobody was looking so I ducked under the barrier and snagged a red brick.
I went on to the new Exchange. I bought my Dad a P.I. windbreaker. Dad is a Former Marine as well. Went to Boot Camp there in ‘42 and later was at Page Field with his B-25 Squadron there at P.I. before going on to the WW2 Pacific.
Walking back, a strange sounding siren went off, then loud speakers all around called that the heat condition black flag was being flown and all outside activity was to be terminated. At that time, all the Boots in sight just disappeared. It did not seem that hot to me so I carried on, taking in the sights.
I found the one guy I remember from back in the day. Iron Mike is still standing with his M1911 pistol and Browning machine gun. Mike is a memorial for the Marines from Parris Island who lost their lives in the World War. He has been there getting close to 100 years.
Back to Monster and mounted up to ride out to my old stomping grounds, the Rifle Range. I didn’t make it. It is off limits to all unauthorized personal.
When I was a boot, it was the best time I had at Boot Camp. In my youth, I was a hunter and it served me well.
As PMI, the range was my home for 6 months.
Everything else was different from what I can recall except for Mike and the main concrete grinder.
I am thinking of going back in another 50 years.
Simfer Fi.
Saturday the 13th was my fiftieth anniversary of the day I reported to boot camp at MCRD Parris Island August 13, 1966.
Friday morning, Monster and I headed south to arrive at Beaufort, South Carolina and checked in to a motel that online were equipped with safes in the rooms to secure my CCW. MCRD frowns on weapons coming aboard. The DOD years ago decided that only criminals should have access to weapons at stateside commands, not upstanding members of the military. Remember Ft. Hood?
The last time I was at Beaufort in 1968, it was a sleepy little dirtwater town. Today it has grown to merge with Port Royal and is a thriving center.
The next morning I took the short ride to P.I.. They require certain safety gear to ride a motorcycle aboard, I have that equipment whenever I ride, I was waved aboard with a smile and greeting at the gate.
I expected the Depot to have changed since I was last there as a recruit in ’66 and then as a PMI (Primary Marksmanship Instructor) in ’68 but I was nearly overwhelmed.
I went on to the new museum and chatted with the other Former Marines there. One asked me where I was in ’66 as a recruit. They are not to mention “boots” within the museum. I was with Third Battalion. He told me I needed to head on over there for Third was at the last stages of demolition.
He told me the old barracks were not air-conditioned and not suitable for first stage recruits due to the summer heat and humidity of P.I.. 98f with 98 % humidity can crush a guy down.
The Barracks were nearly new when I was there. I don’t remember missing the airconditioning as I grew-up without it.
After touring the museum, I left Monster in the lot and took a walking tour.
My first stop was the Third. Most of it was gone. Nobody was looking so I ducked under the barrier and snagged a red brick.
I went on to the new Exchange. I bought my Dad a P.I. windbreaker. Dad is a Former Marine as well. Went to Boot Camp there in ‘42 and later was at Page Field with his B-25 Squadron there at P.I. before going on to the WW2 Pacific.
Walking back, a strange sounding siren went off, then loud speakers all around called that the heat condition black flag was being flown and all outside activity was to be terminated. At that time, all the Boots in sight just disappeared. It did not seem that hot to me so I carried on, taking in the sights.
I found the one guy I remember from back in the day. Iron Mike is still standing with his M1911 pistol and Browning machine gun. Mike is a memorial for the Marines from Parris Island who lost their lives in the World War. He has been there getting close to 100 years.
Back to Monster and mounted up to ride out to my old stomping grounds, the Rifle Range. I didn’t make it. It is off limits to all unauthorized personal.
When I was a boot, it was the best time I had at Boot Camp. In my youth, I was a hunter and it served me well.
As PMI, the range was my home for 6 months.
Everything else was different from what I can recall except for Mike and the main concrete grinder.
I am thinking of going back in another 50 years.
Simfer Fi.