FWIW, I started off in 2nd BN, PI, 1989, and we were Privates. Got injured, and when I returned to Training I was in 3RD BN, where we were Recruits.
In 77, there was discussion amongst the drill instructors, mine called us Privates, the other DI’s in the series, wet from recruit to private, when DI Sgt Gulley called us, it was RECRUIT!
Our senior was, Come here, Private!
I was 2nd battalion in ‘88 (platoon 2029)...prayers for the family and new marine. We were called ‘recruit’.