[Ed Straker]

Right. Very strict rules. One of the first things DIs were required to do when they picked us up in 1989 was ask if any of us would be offended by certain words. (absolutely true story!) Of course everyone was too nervous to say anything, so they took that as a 'no'.

Also, we were told to warn them (Charlie's in the bush, Sir!) if we saw any white pickup trucks, as these were the DIs' seniors, keeping an eye on them.

From time to time, officers would come around and ask us things like have we ever been physically or verbally abused, have we ever been denied a head call, or permission to go to sickbay.

[Ed Straker]

PS - I went to Parris Island at age 24, my bunkmate was the oldest in our platoon at 27. We were a little older platoon, about a third were reservists; Started training in May, before the high schools let out and all the 17 and 18 year olds arrived.

[Turbo Pig]

I never got hit, threatened, and/or cursed at when I went through Boot Camp...;-)

[Centurion2000]

Right. Very strict rules. One of the first things DIs were required to do when they picked us up in 1989 was ask if any of us would be offended by certain words. (absolutely true story!) Of course everyone was too nervous to say anything, so they took that as a 'no'.

That's odd, I was in boot in 1989 (June 6th, platoon 1053 MCRD San Deigo) and they never bothered with those kinds of niceties.