When I was graduated from boot camp in 1962, there was no crucible just a several day encampment outside San Diego with a 10 mile march in and a 10 mile march out. There was no handing out of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor pin. We marched out to the grinder, a parade in front of relatives and friends and that was it. The recruit quonset huts were dismantled years later and some are now a museum. Our rifle range was Camp Mathews. That land is now the site of Univ. Calif. San Diego. You can still see some of the concrete foundations where the tents stood. Now the rifle range is at Camp Evans in Camp Pendleton, CA. You can see it off Hwy 101 before entering Oceanside. Camp Las Pulgas where I was stationed with H/2/7 is one of the armpits of the Marine Corps. It is +/- 25 miles from the main entrance to CamPen in Oceanside.
Platoon 1042, Co. B, 1stBn, 1RTR, MCRD, San Diego 1982. I will never forget the rest of my life. I was 26 years old, the oldest recruit in my regiment. No pain, No gain. Congratulations to all newly Bootcamp graduates. Semper Fi!
Plt 3006 graduate Dec 22, 1972, I always get choked up watching these young marines. I was a very young looking 17, I looked maybe 14, the drill instructors called me baby face! The drill instructors picked on me constantly, sent me to one day motivation plt, and punched me in the stomach after catching me looking out the window. Made me run around the platoon while marching and had to say I am a mom's boy. They made me perform mountain climbing constantly. On the rifle range I missed the target the range instructor stood over me and punched me in the jaw. I also didn't have my weapon on safety properly and the range instructor told me to put my thumb in the chamber he let the bolt go home and the firing pin went thru my thumbnail. Blood was dripping out of the magazine holder. After that day no one bothered me. I know these are not good memories but these things do happen and still happen.
The first flag raising WAS by Marines and the iconic picture taken by Joe Rosenthal with the big flag was a re-enactment for the camera. That picture is the one that made headlines across the country. The one Marine most people remember was Native American from Arizona, Ira Hayes who returned home along with Harold Schultz and Harold Keller. The three others were later KIA on the island. They also should be remembered: Michael Strank, Harlon Block, and Franklin Sousley. The memorial with the flag raising is near Arlington Cemetery in D.C. It lists all the U.S. battles involving Marines. Also killed on Iwo Jima was John Basilone who was awarded the MOH for his heroism in 1942 at Guadalcanal. He did not have to go back into combat but wanted to go back and be with his fellow Marines. The major road cutting across Camp Pendleton is named after him, Basilone Road. SEMPER FI, GOD SPEED.
Was at PI from 97-99. Crucible was introduced in 96 I think. Back then one of the things we did was play Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The USA(Proud To Be an American)” song. Recruits got choked up but I couldn’t stand that song after a few cycles.
When I was graduated from boot camp in 1962, there was no crucible just a several day encampment outside San Diego with a 10 mile march in and a 10 mile march out. There was no handing out of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor pin. We marched out to the grinder, a parade in front of relatives and friends and that was it. The recruit quonset huts were dismantled years later and some are now a museum. Our rifle range was Camp Mathews. That land is now the site of Univ. Calif. San Diego. You can still see some of the concrete foundations where the tents stood. Now the rifle range is at Camp Evans in Camp Pendleton, CA. You can see it off Hwy 101 before entering Oceanside. Camp Las Pulgas where I was stationed with H/2/7 is one of the armpits of the Marine Corps. It is +/- 25 miles from the main entrance to CamPen in Oceanside.
I remember that moment in my life. Congratulations Marines ! I will call you “Devil Dogs” Semper Fi.
That speech sent chills down my back and motivated the shit out of me just now. I ship out to Parris Island on August 22nd
Platoon 1042, Co. B, 1stBn, 1RTR, MCRD, San Diego 1982. I will never forget the rest of my life. I was 26 years old, the oldest recruit in my regiment. No pain, No gain. Congratulations to all newly Bootcamp graduates. Semper Fi!
Plt 3006 graduate Dec 22, 1972, I always get choked up watching these young marines. I was a very young looking 17, I looked maybe 14, the drill instructors called me baby face! The drill instructors picked on me constantly, sent me to one day motivation plt, and punched me in the stomach after catching me looking out the window. Made me run around the platoon while marching and had to say I am a mom's boy. They made me perform mountain climbing constantly. On the rifle range I missed the target the range instructor stood over me and punched me in the jaw. I also didn't have my weapon on safety properly and the range instructor told me to put my thumb in the chamber he let the bolt go home and the firing pin went thru my thumbnail. Blood was dripping out of the magazine holder. After that day no one bothered me. I know these are not good memories but these things do happen and still happen.
The first flag raising WAS by Marines and the iconic picture taken by Joe Rosenthal with the big flag was a re-enactment for the camera. That picture is the one that made headlines across the country. The one Marine most people remember was Native American from Arizona, Ira Hayes who returned home along with Harold Schultz and Harold Keller. The three others were later KIA on the island. They also should be remembered: Michael Strank, Harlon Block, and Franklin Sousley. The memorial with the flag raising is near Arlington Cemetery in D.C. It lists all the U.S. battles involving Marines. Also killed on Iwo Jima was John Basilone who was awarded the MOH for his heroism in 1942 at Guadalcanal. He did not have to go back into combat but wanted to go back and be with his fellow Marines. The major road cutting across Camp Pendleton is named after him, Basilone Road. SEMPER FI, GOD SPEED.
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Marines are really committed troops
July 7, 2024, I still remember the day I graduated basic 31july1987. 😊😊😊😊😊
It's a moving ceremony - and quite an accomplishment for each new Marine.
Ser infante de marina orgullo de muy pocos. Gracias Dios por haber Sido parte en el año 83.
From some of the sniffing I heard in this video, these Marines have heart
Men and women Marines beautiful they are GOD Bless them all 👍
Was at PI from 97-99. Crucible was introduced in 96 I think. Back then one of the things we did was play Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The USA(Proud To Be an American)” song. Recruits got choked up but I couldn’t stand that song after a few cycles.
Congratulations MARINES GOD BLESS YOU ALL 🙏❤️
Ready to Go Go Go!!!
Love America 🇺🇸. God bless all 🇺🇸
USMC IS A BROTHERHOOD.
It's a comment you hear a lot - " he was the toughest Marine, but he was the nicest guy!"
The FEW, THE PROUD, THE MARINES ! SEMPER FI !🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸