MCRD San Diego

[MtCowboy]

Hey everyone. Just wanted to say thanks for the great site to all who make it possible. I have been a daily reader for a long time and an occassional poster. I think this is the right forum for this if not please feel free to move it. I am off to MCRD San Diego for Marine Corps Boot Camp on Jan 2nd. I get to learn to work a "poodle shooter" and a "crunch-ticker". It will be a blast. Will miss my Kimber though Really enjoyed my time here. Will try to check up when I get back. God bless. Semper Fi!

 

[P95Carry]

Best of luck to you - glad you have enjoyed the board - tho my - you sure haven't posted a whole lot as you said!

Do try and swing by when you can and keep us informed of progress and future developments etc.

Stay safe and Semper Fidelis.

 

[english kanigit]

Via Con Dios...

 

[Gurnard]

Hey, just outside the MCRD main gate (on Lindland or something like that) there used to be a Horse & Cow. If it's still there, have a beer (or several) for me...for old times sake.

 

[carebear]

Just be prepared for the jealousy after graduation by all those Marines who weren't smart or good looking enough and had to go to the swamp instead of Hollywood.

Semper Fi

oh, you're going in the best weather (not boiling all the time) but beware the spring rains.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

I get to learn to work a "poodle shooter" and a "crunch-ticker". It will be a blast. Will miss my Kimber though

You get to learn the M16 starting with Range Week (around Week 8?), up at the Edsen Range at CAMPEN, but the M9 will be much further down the road. I didn't get an M9 until I went over to the Dark Side and ended up at TBS. However, at MCT (or ITB if you're a grunt) you'll get to use things far, far cooler than any M9. The M249 SAW, M203, M240G, venerable M2, and the Mk19 await you in the Hellish Valley just below Camp Horno.

I was MCRD myself; West Coast has hills, East Coast has sandfleas, it's a tossup.

The first few weeks are horrendous, so don't let it get you down when life sucks for a month or so. Remember: thousands upon thousands of knuckleheads make it through MCRD ever month, and the training program has been refined over decades. If it was going to do you any harm, they wouldn't tell you to do it. Just do whatever the Loud Man says to do, do it fast and smooth, and things will be fine. Don't fear the IT: you can only do so many pushups until your arms simply don't work anymore, then just keep attempting to levitate your body anyway. Just roll with the hits, don't act like you're back on the block, slow-is-smooth and smooth-is-fast, etc. etc.

Most important advice for a gun-related board: empty your mind of everything you currently know about firearms. Unless you're a nationally ranked High Power shooter, you're probably far better off wiping the slate clean and letting the PMIs teach you from scratch. They've taught hundreds of recruits each; they know what works.

Congrats, all the best luck to you. Semper Fi, -MV

 

[Old Dog]

Be ready to do push-ups right off the bus from the airport ... I sure loved doing the confidence course there at MCRDSD ...

MatthewVanitas makes VERY good points -- don't prejudge the M-16 and the M-9 -- I came using the M-14 and the 1911 Gov't Model, and have learned over the years to really appreciate both the M-16 platform and the Beretta, fine firearms in their own right ...

Good luck, and have some fun, MtCowboy ...

Gurnard, I believe the Horse&Cow is gone now (though there's now one up here near Bremerton, WA) ... was a bubblehead (submariner) bar when I was there ...

 

[Gurnard]

Old Dog,
It was a bubblehead bar, I was a bubblehead but used to go there with a neighbor/friend of mine who was USMC. We lived in the military housing (no not together...this was long before "don't ask, don't tell") just across the street from MCRD.

Oh, MtCowboy...stay safe. If you get any free time make sure to go to TJ too.

 

[TOADMAN]

MtCowboy, good luck and try to enjoy the weather if you can. Winters in San Diego are better than most other areas.

Gurnard and Old Dog, I been in the Horse&Cow - both sober and drunk - I think it was around 1972/73 time-frame. There was another wateringhole in the same area called the "Pacers". The Pacers was one of those go-go joints. It was pretty popular with the military folks. I was in the Navy back then - stationed at Ballast (sp) Point on a floating dry dock called the USS White Sands.

 

[6inch]

I wonder if they still have the yellow footprints?

SCRD San Diego June '67 Platoon 2003.

Semper Fi

 

[1 old 0311]

MCRD San Diego. May 68.


Kevin

 

[Gurnard]

Toadman,
Pacers was another good hangout, thanks for that memory.

 

[Scarface]

Hi MtCowboy,


MatthewVanitas has it exactly right. Go with the program and you'll get much out of it, although it won't seem so at first. The Marine Corps has taught me lessons and given me friends that have lasted all my life.

Be Well,

Scarface
Quantico - 1967

 

[Rezin]

Well, it won't be a "blast" as you said............ But it WILL be remembered.



Good Luck, saty strong, Semper Fidelis.

 

[Rich K]

Good luck,stay strong.And beware of Mt.Motherf****r,she earned that name.Roll with the punches,they can kill you,but they can't eat you.MCRD,July,1974.

 

[Wags]

Don't forget to take along sun glasses, sun tan lotion and beach towel (Hollywood Marine joke). Good luck........ Once and if you graduate and head to the Fleet Marine Force (FMF), if your going to drink and gamble, don't do both. One or the other.........

Parris Island, S.C. 1977

Semper fi

Wags

 

[Kalashnikov]

Having just gotten back from MCRD Parris Island, I can safely say this: You'll have fun. I mean it, you will. Just keep your mouth shut and your head and ass wired together.

Semper Fi