Replies

General Gray was my Commandant during my term.

The difference between the Corps under Al 'Fireplug' Gray, and under P.X. Kelley his predecesor, was a very stark contrast.

Immediately following Boot Camp, I was one of the first of six SOI (School of Infantry) platoons that was selected for an experiment at Camp Geiger called 'MCT' (Marine Combat Training). They stretched us to the breaking point, then calibrated the training down a pip and instituted it in regular Basic Training called 'The Crucible'.

In USMC Basic, the 'Crucible' lasts two days. For us, it went on for eight weeks. Sleep deprivation, poor living conditions, scarce food, MOUT training, and a 21-mile road march (no roads that I saw, BTW) came at us with no warning when we thought we were going to hit the rack one evening. Two days later, we humped 21 miles back -- again with no warning. Lots of head games, physical fitness regimens, mixed with some outstanding training in weapons that even the old lifer sergeants hadn't even seen yet.

Toughest time of my life. School of Infantry training was actually a few steps down in pain, by comparison. That was when the fun came in: Amphibious assaults by LCAC (hovercrafts) and Amtracs, doing 'Jacob's Ladder' drills from Gator Navy ships, etc. All the MEU and BLT exercises.

General Gray was a son-of-a-bitch, let me tell you. I only appreciated it after MCT was over. Everyone was taken to the limits, even the instructors. I was only 20 years old then.

I'm sure I'd die if I tried to do it again at my age. :)

I missed MCT by one Boot cycle as I recall. DI's told us about it near graduation. Although we did participate in an experimental Rifle Qual course (can't recall it's designation) but it was interesting. It was a dynamic course, fire and move with pop-up targets. It even included a portion with gas masks dawned. I enjoyed it. Seemed much more realistic than standard Rifle Qual. course. Although I always found 500 yards challenging (hit 7 out 10 bulls at Edson Range almost scoring high enough to get my name on that Trophy in the chow hall).

Semper Fidelis

General Gray was a son-of-a-bitch, let me tell you. I only appreciated it after MCT was over

I couldn't help but think about my Dad when I read that. He was a USMC lifer who survived WWII and Korea while all of his best friends didn't. As a boy I wondered why he was such a tough SOB, but of course that was what allowed him to survive and why he demanded the best efforts from others.

BTW, he is still going strong.