Marines Willing To Leave Depot

San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | March 22, 2002 | James W. Crawley, Ronald Powell and Jeff McDonald, Staff Writers

[g'nad]

Stop the insanity! There is no way that this could be a cost effective option...

[Riley]

I remember twenty years ago lying in my rack (bunk) and watching the planes take off at night- and wishing that I was on one of them. :-)

To this day, whenever I simultaneously smell newly-mown grass and hear an airliner, it takes me back there.

What a shame. I hope that they don't move out.

[MudPuppy]

ahhh, who needs "Hollywood Marines" anyway :)

this is just suggestion 436.3333 on what to do about El Toro.
I can't see it happening.

Of course, I was trained where REAL Marines are made...in the swamp....
so I don't really have an opinion on MCRD San Diego.

Semper Fi!

[g'nad]

ping!

[Hardcorps]

Is nothing sacred? Generations of Marines will remember trying to hear drill instructor commands drowned out by the noise of departing aircraft. In the 50s this was part of our training, noise is inherent with combat. Severe punishment was delivered for not hearing. MCRD San Deigo should be hallowed ground in honor of the warriors trained there. Semper Fi!

[Rockiesrider]

g'nad, Some 33 years ago I too was going through boot camp at that location. Listening to and watching those planes land and take off and of course wishing I was on one of them. I also remember a little ditty when I was in the Corps that said "195 years of tradition unhampered by not one ounce of progress". As sad as it would be to lose the birthplace of so many hollywood Marines. Its high time they get more modern and better facilities. We have always gotten the hand me downs from the army then showed them how to use it properly. Lets build our own according to our needs. Marines are built not only in MCRD San Diego or Lejune but at the hundreds of duty stations we have been sent to. Iwo Jima, The Camp Carrol, Lebanon or the Persion Gulf. New traditions are started all the time that link us with the past glorys of the Corps. I say, give the Marines a new and better facility away from the dangers of that airport. If we are / were the first to fight lets us be prepared properly for it.

[Rockiesrider]

As a follow up Mud Pup somebody had to polish those sunglasses. It was a hard task and we were glad to do it! I think that flea bites have made you too sensitive.

[Poohbah]

I could see using Hangar One at Tustin for rappelling...

(For the uninitiated, Hangars One and Two at MCAS Tustin are BLIMP hangars. They are 1/4 mile across, and about 15-20 stories high at the doortops. I rappelled off the end of Hangar One to celebrate the USMC Birthday in 1984. That is one LONG drop!)

[Riley]

I'll certainly concede that there's an argument to be made for moving MCRD. I'll just have to make sure to visit the place before they go. First impulse that I've had to go there since I went through it.

Twenty years ago exactly, I was either up at Edson or RFTD going up Mt. M*****F***** in the rain.
Second Phase, at any rate.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Oh, so you went to Phantasy Island, where women become Marines and recruits bivouac on a golf course.

[Slam]

Rope Master or HRST Master or just a roper? Grunt or Aviator? FW or RW?03xx, 75xx, 6xxx?

The political and social ramifications for re-occupying those bases is well, uh like californication...

The incredibly political savy CMC, General Jones understands the fundamental importance of diversion and deception in any plan...especially in the political S&TAOR.

[Poohbah]

Aircraft Maintenance. The story behind Poohbah's Rappel: the squadron Sergeant Major "invited" Poohbah and a couple of other hapless young Lance Corporals to join him in rappelling down from the platform above the hangar doors. We did it, and it was YEE-HAH! while it lasted...

I'm not afraid of heights; I'm not even afraid of falling. I merely have an appropriate degree of respect for the consequences of a high-velocity ground impact. Those hangars are about ready to fall down of their own accord...

[Rockiesrider]

Very witty post poobah the sound of "thud" doesn't always mean a mortor round is out.

[NorCoGOP]

Ahh...what memories...of course, I was on the other side of the runway than MCRD, at the Navy bootcamp - and yes, every plane flying overheard I sure wish I was on!

RTC/NTC closed in the early 90's, though---what has become of it?

[junta]

2087 bump I graduated on Dec. 23 1981 and it would be a damn shame to see this institution replaced by a frigging generic industrial park. I have to admit the airfield is a bit short since some planes have to get up some speed then make a hard left without losing too much speed when going from the taxi way to the main runway just to make the takeoff.

[fnord]

I always figured they had swimming pools, beaches, and tourist girls in bikinis out there. Of course, in boot camp that may have been a heart-breaking temptation. At PISC, we had mud, sand fleas, and that wonderful swamp smell in the air :-)

[The Shrew]

RTC/NTC closed in the early 90's, though---what has become of it?

Two years ago I had the pleasure of going to a friend's change of command ceremony in San Diego. The sailors of his ship were using one of the barracks at RTC/NTC as berthing. The entire place looked like he**. My loathing of bill clinton grew exponentially that day.

Regards,

TS

[Centurion2000]

Of course, I was trained where REAL Marines are made...in the swamp....
so I don't really have an opinion on MCRD San Diego

You have the swamp ... we had Mount Mother,the Beast and island hopping campains.

Semper Fi
(remember, sand fleas have to eat too)

[Teacup]

We just left Oceanside 2 1/2 years ago and let me tell you. These PC types won't stop until they get all the Marine Corps land. It's prime property! Look at what happen to Top Gun? they're gone. There has been an influx of non-natives, out siders who have moved into San Diego CO. and Orange Co. They want the property for private gain. They couldn't care less about our military. Out by Poway, a small group of Clinton supporters made a loud enough noise saying the planes flying over their expensive home brought down their property value and harmed the envirnment. Ultimitaly, Top Gun is gone, and the Maine Corps and Navy fliers were asked to only fly during special times.

The last time I was at the Depot was at the funeral of one of my best friends and mentors, General Day. How sad, that Marine Corps Depot is part of San Diego history. They should leave it alone.

[NormsRevenge]

Does this bring back memories? Yup!

Early, early morning runs before breakfast, quonset huts, sand fleas,

Yes, those jets were the worse .. A constant tease wishing you were on one flying the heck out of that place

And the damn swabbies on the other side of the fence, what a bunch of weinies! :-P

How I spent my summer vacation ...MCRD San Diego July-October 1972 ...

I recently found out that the Big Boss down there was my Series Lieutenant, He made it to Brigadier General..

I saw him on Jeopardy once, he got his ass thrashed.. I couldn't believe he came this far.

God Bless Him and All those who are in the Depot Now.. Be Proud of the History. It would be sad to see it go...

SEMPER FI