Basic Training: (Branches of Service)
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Warner Robins, Ga, CSA
I know some of the extra time we spent was at the Rifle Range. Every MOS has to qualify with the rifle at Parris Island. Now my comments only cover the early 1960's when I 'jined' up but we changed barracks so we would be close by the range where we spent a two(it's been over 40 years now and we may have stayed on the range a full month--I just can't remember for sure) weeks in training. We were at the range at "O-dark thirty" each weekday. We shot at 200 yards(off-hand), 300 yards(sitting and kneeling), and at 500 
yards(prone)--no telescopes.
I ended up spending almost twice as long as I should have at Parris Island. No, I wasn't a 'fornicate-up' but I got sick at the wrong time. I came down with something and was sent to the Navy infirmry on a Sat. The following Mon, I was 'cured' and headed back to the range to report in to my Drill Instructor at about 0800(the Navy wouldn't release me any earlier). I reported in for duty and then was told "to get back to the barracks and pick up my 'stuff' and to report to another barracks, to another Drill Instructor, to another platoon". Pre-Qual shooting took place that morning and I had missed it---automatic set-back--no forgiving--no staying where I had come to know the way things worked.
It turned out that the second platoon's DI's were 'easier' on us than the first's as the second ones did not 'thump' us and the first DI's did. For instance, after shooting for score one day(prior to Pre-Qual), we were standing at attention in front of our bunks, stuffed from evening chow as the DI's(there were three for 70 recruits back then) entered and started 'eye-fornicating' us. We were about to find out just what "group tightners" were......
You see,if you missed the entire target(Maggis's drawers) or you got an un-qualifying score that day then you were going to get gut-punched for each M'sd and/or the un-qualifying score. The youngest DI approached the first non-qualifier, stood just about one foot from him, drew back his arm bent at the elbow and thrust his fist forward, into the recruit's full gut. This went on over and over as the DI did his work. One poor 'bastige' ended up knocked all the way through his bunk. I got one "group-tightner" that day and none afterwards as they got my attention. It wasn't a surprise any more but they continued for several days.
It worked. Every recruit in my first platoon was firing a qualifying score before I was set-back. Why did it work? If your shots are all over the place; missing the target completely, not scoring high enough to qualify, you will never be a qualified Marine rifleman----no, not a sniper just a Marine that can hit the target under 'normal' conditions most of the time.
On the other hand, if your shots hit the target(anywhere on the target--anywhere) in a tight(small) group, then the range instructors can just make an adjustment or two to your rifle's(Btw, we were using the first of the M-14s as they replaced the Garands---IMO, the M-14s were the last true battle-rifle the regular Marines had---the AR15/M16
) rear, open/iron sight and put your hits center-target---or close enough.
I went in at 20 years of age so I had the adantage of 'maturity'
on the other, younger recruits. I voluteered to avoid the draft and to become a Marine. I went in as a Marine Air Reservist, trained with all other recruits, and graduated from recruit training/Paris Island with a promotion to PFC that day. As you can tell, I'm still proud of the Corps and my 6 years in it.
Dan
yards(prone)--no telescopes.I ended up spending almost twice as long as I should have at Parris Island. No, I wasn't a 'fornicate-up' but I got sick at the wrong time. I came down with something and was sent to the Navy infirmry on a Sat. The following Mon, I was 'cured' and headed back to the range to report in to my Drill Instructor at about 0800(the Navy wouldn't release me any earlier). I reported in for duty and then was told "to get back to the barracks and pick up my 'stuff' and to report to another barracks, to another Drill Instructor, to another platoon". Pre-Qual shooting took place that morning and I had missed it---automatic set-back--no forgiving--no staying where I had come to know the way things worked.
It turned out that the second platoon's DI's were 'easier' on us than the first's as the second ones did not 'thump' us and the first DI's did. For instance, after shooting for score one day(prior to Pre-Qual), we were standing at attention in front of our bunks, stuffed from evening chow as the DI's(there were three for 70 recruits back then) entered and started 'eye-fornicating' us. We were about to find out just what "group tightners" were......
You see,if you missed the entire target(Maggis's drawers) or you got an un-qualifying score that day then you were going to get gut-punched for each M'sd and/or the un-qualifying score. The youngest DI approached the first non-qualifier, stood just about one foot from him, drew back his arm bent at the elbow and thrust his fist forward, into the recruit's full gut. This went on over and over as the DI did his work. One poor 'bastige' ended up knocked all the way through his bunk. I got one "group-tightner" that day and none afterwards as they got my attention. It wasn't a surprise any more but they continued for several days.
It worked. Every recruit in my first platoon was firing a qualifying score before I was set-back. Why did it work? If your shots are all over the place; missing the target completely, not scoring high enough to qualify, you will never be a qualified Marine rifleman----no, not a sniper just a Marine that can hit the target under 'normal' conditions most of the time.
On the other hand, if your shots hit the target(anywhere on the target--anywhere) in a tight(small) group, then the range instructors can just make an adjustment or two to your rifle's(Btw, we were using the first of the M-14s as they replaced the Garands---IMO, the M-14s were the last true battle-rifle the regular Marines had---the AR15/M16
) rear, open/iron sight and put your hits center-target---or close enough.I went in at 20 years of age so I had the adantage of 'maturity'
on the other, younger recruits. I voluteered to avoid the draft and to become a Marine. I went in as a Marine Air Reservist, trained with all other recruits, and graduated from recruit training/Paris Island with a promotion to PFC that day. As you can tell, I'm still proud of the Corps and my 6 years in it.Dan
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Joined: Feb 1999
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From: the moral high ground
Originally Posted by LIGHTNINROD
...You see,if you missed the entire target(Maggis's drawers) or you got an un-qualifying score that day then you were going to get gut-punched for each M'sd and/or the un-qualifying score....
What were you saving it for?
The DI was honor bound to back off and give you a 'Time-out' if you waved the Stress card.
Weren't you issued a Time-Out Stress Card at the start of Basic Training?
It was yellow and had all the Time-Out rules on it about getting yelled at and stuff like that.
I couldn't have made it without my Time-Out Stress Card.
I practically wore it out. It was pretty much tattered by the time Basic was over. There was a joke in the barracks that I was the fastest draw.
I lost my card one day and was in a total panic.
It was like going through Basic naked.
I tried waving a yellow sock but the DI said he didn't have to back down to no stinking sock.
I cried like a girl and when he started laughing I was able to run the JAG office and get a replacement card.
I tell ya' defending your Country is Hell.
Certified Goat Breeder
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,182
Likes: 19
From: the moral high ground
I don't usually laugh at my own posts but that last one cracks me up when I read it.
Not to mention, the Marine of 40 years ago whose leather neck is turning red with rage.
For any young people who think they might get a 'stress' card when they go into the military.....
http://www.snopes.com/military/stress.htm
Not to mention, the Marine of 40 years ago whose leather neck is turning red with rage.
For any young people who think they might get a 'stress' card when they go into the military.....
http://www.snopes.com/military/stress.htm
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 1
From: Your moms house
Originally Posted by Raoul
I don't understand why you didn't just present your Time-Out Stress Card.
What were you saving it for?
The DI was honor bound to back off and give you a 'Time-out' if you waved the Stress card.
Weren't you issued a Time-Out Stress Card at the start of Basic Training?
It was yellow and had all the Time-Out rules on it about getting yelled at and stuff like that.
I couldn't have made it without my Time-Out Stress Card.
I practically wore it out. It was pretty much tattered by the time Basic was over. There was a joke in the barracks that I was the fastest draw.
I lost my card one day and was in a total panic.
It was like going through Basic naked.
I tried waving a yellow sock but the DI said he didn't have to back down to no stinking sock.
I cried like a girl and when he started laughing I was able to run the JAG office and get a replacement card.
I tell ya' defending your Country is Hell.
What were you saving it for?
The DI was honor bound to back off and give you a 'Time-out' if you waved the Stress card.
Weren't you issued a Time-Out Stress Card at the start of Basic Training?
It was yellow and had all the Time-Out rules on it about getting yelled at and stuff like that.
I couldn't have made it without my Time-Out Stress Card.
I practically wore it out. It was pretty much tattered by the time Basic was over. There was a joke in the barracks that I was the fastest draw.
I lost my card one day and was in a total panic.
It was like going through Basic naked.
I tried waving a yellow sock but the DI said he didn't have to back down to no stinking sock.
I cried like a girl and when he started laughing I was able to run the JAG office and get a replacement card.
I tell ya' defending your Country is Hell.
You FREAK
!
