87 new Marines!

[Love Life]

At 1000 today, over 600 new Marines graduated off of Peatross parade deck here on Parris Island. I had the honor of being the Senior Drill Drill Instructor for 87 of them (98 originally).

All the talk of generations being weaker and so on is really lost on me here on this island. These boys came to train, and left as men.

Now for two weeks of relaxation and then back on the grind.

[buckwheatpaul]

Thanks for your service and your dedication to our country by turning out the very best!

[Hogtamer]

Thank you LL for what you're doing and the reminder about good young men.

[nagantguy]

On a hot humid September day I also graduated from that very same Parade ground on the Island.
Thanks for posting this.

[bstone5]

On a cold wet day in November 1965 I graduated on the same parade ground.
Thank You for your service.

[shortlegs]

Thank you for your service! My youngest son graduated there in march 2005. He was not the kid that that left for boot camp but a mature, proud, grateful warrior! He is the same today and i guess he will always be. You Marines taught him well! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

[starreloader]

You did a great job Dick!!!.. I graduated on that same parade deck, September 21st, 1965.

[Parson]

San Diego 1962 here and no sand fleas

[Jeffjmr]

My son just did the same in January. Qualified Expert on his first go on a windy day when most others took a pass until the calmer, next day. Now a rifleman at LeJeune. Likely to be deployed next year. Praying he stays out of harms way and pity the bad guy that gets in his way.

[Moonie]

Thank you Sir, one of my sons is a Parris Island Marine.

[725]

My son graduated Parris Is. about 6 1/2 years ago. At the end of the month, he goes to Cali for assignment w/ 1st Marines

[Time Killer]

Thank you for your service.

[EDG]

My dad and his twin brother were born July 4, 1925. They lied their way into the USMC. My dad enlisted for the duration of the national emergency on Feb 19, 1942.
He go an all expenses paid tour of the southern and central Pacific.
After combat on Guadalcanal and Tarawa he was severely wounded on Saipan and was sent home permanently disabled. Later his twin was severely wounded on Iwo Jima and was also permanently disabled the rest of his life. He suffered from seizures until his death at age 35 in 1960 as a direct consequence of his wound.
Not all USMC enlistments end with a healthy living Marine.

[ThomR]

I wish I would have joined the military when I was still young enough to do so.
Congrats to everyone that made it through Parris island, and thank you for your service.

[JBinMN]

Outstanding!

Enjoy your break!

Semper Fi!
:drinks:

[Bzcraig]

Once again, great job Dick!! And continued thanks!

[square butte]

We love what you do - Appreciate your service

[avogunner]

Parris Island recruit/Parris Island Hat. This is me (SDI) with a platoon circa 1991 and we've just started marching into position for the graduation ceremony - stands full of proud parents.

226781

Semper Fi!!!

[Lloyd Smale]

it has to be a very satisfying job!

[owejia]

Old Army guy here, had a small detachment of Marines with us in Nam, good guys. Back in the 60's you guys had the neatest summer dress uniforms. Army had those stupid starched kakis for summer, hated those things. Good job LL.

[lightman]

Thank You for your service and for the job that you do. Thank you for posting about your job too.

[472x1B/A]

I too Thank You for your service sir.

[Down South]

At 1000 today, over 600 new Marines graduated off of Peatross parade deck here on Parris Island. I had the honor of being the Senior Drill Drill Instructor for 87 of them (98 originally).

All the talk of generations being weaker and so on is really lost on me here on this island. These boys came to train, and left as men.

Now for two weeks of relaxation and then back on the grind.
That's where my grandson graduated from in August 2016.
His MOS 0331, machine gunner. He just came off deployment a little over a week ago.

Thank you for your service and great training.

Sam

[trooperdan]

My father-in-law was a career Marine. Retired and a SMaj. His WW2 tour was with 2 Raider Bn, Edson's Raiders. He told me (unverified) that out of that BN, 7 Marines reached the rank of General. Never spoke of his time on Guadalcanal but wouldn't eat rice nor Spam... wouldn't allow the stuff in his house! People probably picture a huge loud gorilla but he was about 5'6", 150 lbs and soft-spoken but there was something about him, when he spoke, everyone listened.
I was career army, didn't consider the Marines because I wanted to jump out of airplanes and didn't think the Marines had such, wish I'd made a different choice now looking back. Anyway, thanks for doing the job you do, you have the satisfaction of knowing that every marine you train will never forget you!

[shdwlkr]

LL I am an Army Ranger trained individual then on to Combat Engineer Instructor back when the Army really trained. I have heard that they only fire 150 live rounds now and the rest of the training is done on simulators. If I had to go into the military today I would go Marine at least you still train how to fire small arms and do so to the point the individual is well versed in said arms.
Thank you for training those young individuals who still care about America and those of you who train them. Well done sir please keep up the good work. Most of all thank you for your service and devotion to America

[Riverpigusmc]

outstanding. Graduated from there in 80

[HABCAN]

Semper Fi! Clash of '52.