Female recruit with infantry mos series#

The women’s PFT to max was a mile and half run,in 15 minutes, 50 sit up in 2 minutes and a 70 second bar hang. women platoons also earned streamers back then just as the male Bn.’s. We had our own parade deck and all drill and drill competitions were conducted on the WRTC parade deck. Female Drill Instructors took over the conduct of drill for their platoons. Mary Gibbs was in that very first of women to graduate from the School, as was Jeanette McKinnon, who is with us tonight. Women instructors were called Platoon Sgt’s or platoon Leaders, In 1976 women were authorized to attend Drill Instructor School, my Senior Drill Instructor Sgt.

Female recruit with infantry mos series#

During the last week of training our series hosted a “Command Tea” Base dignitaries were in attendance to include the depot Commanding General, and other staff from commands around base. This covered the proper wearing of hair and make-up, The proper etiquette and social manners for women. We did have some additional classes taught by our D.I.’s, subjects not taught to male recruits, Women Marine History, Women’s uniform’s and Image development. If I remember correctly we were transported by cattle car to e-Beach.

Believe me, we had no problem looking at those male Marine instructors. We had two testing cycles, one was the written test and, 2nd was Practicle App done out at Elliott’s beach where testing stations were set up and we went from station to station demonstrating each subject, after we completed this portion of training we were sent through the gas chamber which was right around the curve of the road. Male Drill Instructors taught our Essential subjects classes like History, Customs and Courtesies, first aid, NBC, uniform classes, and the UCMJ. All instruction including Drill and Physical Training was conducted within the WRTC complex. , ironing our uniforms and polishing our leather oxfords. As a Drill Instructor I never once recommended a recruit wear a wig.īootcamp then was 8 weeks and our basic daily routine was classroom instruction, drill, P.T. I can tell you that when we got back into the squad bay and we made head our calls I ran in, ripped it off and threw it in the garbage. Women did not send uniforms to the base laundry, everything was washed and ironed in our squad bays. The wig was the worst decision ever, first time I wore it, we were out at drill and the sand fleas got under it, it felt like there were millions of those things digging into my Our receiving process began. I brought 1 large suitcase filled with 1 of everything on the list my recruiter had given me, back then we were advised to bring things like our personal hygiene items, we brought swimsuits & swim caps, girdles, nylons, under garments, pajama’s,hair pins and curlers, even wigs and at least 2 sets of dress civilian attire for base liberty. I think the most important item brought was my iron as we ironed everyday and sometimes more than once a day. When we arrived at our barracks The bus pulled right into that horseshoe I will use the term Women Marines tonight as that is the correct term for some of my era, but today all Marines, male or female are called “Marines” a title they have earned. When I reported to Parris Island for bootcamp I reported to Women Recruit Training Command. Tonight I would like to speak of the changes I have seen with Women Marines and their training from 1977 till now. So with 39 years to cover, I hope you have refilled your drinks and made your head calls, as I attempt to bring you some WM history and entertainment. It was amazing how my life had changed in those few short years. I remember marching on the catwalks of the Women Recruit Training Command as a recruit and before I knew it I was back here, training recruits in the same command marching on those same catwalks. But now when we drive through that new front gate, and go around that circle we are aware that things are not the same, there have been some changes since the last time we came to this island. We remember our Drill Instructors, Our recruits, the training of our time. As we drive across that causeway all our memories start rushing in and we are back to that first day we came aboard this depot. I know we all see changes when we come back to Parris Island. Pretty sure he wasn’t happy when I didn’t bring a friend with me to the recruiting station that day. That was 39 years ago, and there have been many changes in the Marine Corps since then. When I was recruited in 1977, I was told by my recruiter that a Woman, was only 1/2 of a quota so they needed 2 women to make 1 quota. Women Marines – Changes to the Corps Drill Instructor Reunion Speech