[stylin19a]

In 1969, upon Boot Camp graduation, I had a 5 x 7 red card stapled to my SRB.

Some Marines had blue cards, some white cards, and some had no cards.

The “red card” meant I was going to VN.
Orders were cut in 1970 at Stumps.

How I found out the meaning of the color coding was, at Stumps, I tried to change my MOS from 0811 to whatever a Data Processing MOS (My civilian occupation) was.

Capt. was impressed with my civilian “resume” and asked to see my SRB. He didn’t even open it, he said “oh, you’re “red tagged”, sorry.”

[oh8eleven]

I can't disagree with you but:
How would the personnel at PI know the needs of units in VN? Their only requirement is to assign a basic MOS, then pass you on to ITR.
What were you doing at the Stumps - arty school?
I have never heard of the MC using color coded cards.
Semper Fi ...