[JimC214]

I was in MCRD San Diego in 1973, and if you called anyone anything but “Sir, or Private”, the abuse from the the Drill Instructor would have been epic. That being said, we were told that when we graduated from boot, we would be Marines, Not Soldiers. That was constantly told to us.

[celtic gal]

That is correct and it is interesting to note that while one is in boot camp, he or she is called RECRUIT...they are not called MARINE until they graduate..