[JoeSixPack1]

Cool.

In '73 at PI we received our PX call at the reception tables where we got off the bus. The only option we had was on brand of cigs. We each got 1 carton. Throughout boot, whenever the DI had a feather fall out of his butt, he would yell out - "SMOOOOOOOOOOOOKKERRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSS - DRAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW ONE (or sometimes two).

Then we would assemble at the wash racks and one of us would carry a steel bucket with sand around the wash table. But not before our DI told us why we got 1 or 2 cigs and then screamed out "LIGHT UP!", at which time the bucket guy started moving around the wash tables to collect ashes and the butts.

Sometimes we got our 1 cig but our DI was pissed and only gave it to us because the senoir told him to and make us smoke it by the whistle.

But we NEVER had a PX call till 2 weeks before graduation and we were told what to buy (or maybe what we needed to have, don't remember exactly)

Semper Fi

[WhiskeyPapa]

Sometimes we got our 1 cig but our DI was pissed and only gave it to us because the senoir told him to and make us smoke it by the whistle.

I've never smoked; nasty habit.

But I remember the drill:

All together:

"SIR, The smoking formation for platoon wun thousand and five is lit, for one cigarette, and one cigarette only SIR!"

Then the formation leader would say: "Light 'em up, privates!"

The group: "Aye, aye, private!"

After a few minutes the formation leader would bellow: "Take your last drag, privates!"

"Aye, aye, private!"

And they'd police up the butts and come back inside.

Walt

[tet68]

Semper Fi MARINES!
Happy birthday to us all.
Was very pleased to see a gunny and detail in blues
bringing a cake to the
VA hospital here in Atlanta yesterday, they looked "outstanding".

And as to our navy brothers, they have their place in society,
I mean, they're not called "swabbies" for nothing.
Still, my father was a chief ship fitter so they aren't
all bad, and even he was proud I joined the few.

Ooooorah! Tet68 USMC 65-69

[LadyX]

Going back to how Parris Island was in 1952, recruits had contact with the outside world only through letters.

We women went out of the Battalion only for necessary things - to the Cobbler Shop - base chapel - etc. - one time drove to a shoe store in Beaufort (ah - outside world visible!) to purchase our dress shoes.

We had some free time in the barracks, but no phone access - no PX excursions - no visits from family!
Nothing until we had graduated.

We did have contact with male recruits in the chow hall serving line as we raced through, but I was too starved to care!
Still laugh when I think of my tray overflowing with a huge sirloin steak, baked potato and veggies and bread - and two bricks of ice cream..:))
No way could you gain with the rigorous activity - remained right on 118 the whole time.
Training in June-July-August, you sweated off any extra calories!