I can't believe....

[Stick]

NO ONE has posted that wonderful experience called "BOOT CAMP"

So I guess I'll be the first.

Actually my FIRST experience started at St.Louis Mo.1962

After having several Doctors probe me and every orafice on my body,we were sent to a room.In this room ALL of us who werejoining,ARMY,NAVY,AIR FORCE and MARINES..were just kinda sitting there wondering what was next.
Door open in walks a NAVY CAPTAIN.
"Gentlemen,at this time I will make this announcement.Anyone who DOES NOT want to procede,can walk out of this room RIGHT NOW,NO QUESTIONS ASKED..."No one movedThen he says"After taking the OATH of ENLISTMENT,you WILL NOT have that option"Again no one moved.
So we all raise our right hand and say the OATH of ENISTMENT.

The CAPTAIN says "THANK YOU" and starts to leave...2 doors open..in comes maybe 4 MARINES..they call..no yell a list of names..those whos names were called were told to line up at a door..Then all HELL broke loose..." you ********* people have 10**********minutes to get your ********** down the stairs..go out the lobby and get on the ****** bus that's waiting out front.Of course the poor unfortunate guys had joined the MARINES.As we listend to MORE yelling as the group plus the MARINES going down the stairs...The CAPTAIN looks at us and says.." Well I guess you people were the lucky ones huh?"Marine Basic started RIGHT THERE.
It wasn't till the next morning Me and several others were told we woud be leaving for NAVY BOOT CAMP...Those who were going to San Deiago were bussed to the airport.Those of us who were goin to Great Lakes were bussed to the train station...Seemed like forever till we got to Chicago...then got our first ride on the "TOOTERVILLE TROLLY"all the way to the base...all this was about 4 in the morning.
When we got off the "TROLLY" we were met by maybe 3 "SERVICE WEEK "sailors who tried to make us march to the gate at CAMP BARRY.
Once in the gate and led to a building..(we were yelld at the whole time)
we were told to shut up and go to sleep..or at least that was part of the words..Trying to get comfortable was impossible..and when we did reville went off..There were maybe 300 of us..some had more sleep than others..they made us get up...form a line out side(I forgot to mention this happened in Mar 62' there was snow and ice on the ground in Chicago)We were taken to the CHOW HALL...told to eat and the line up again out side...we were also watched..if some one finished..they were told to go out side and wait for the others...SO there we are outside freezin our butts off...waiting for what seemed forever for 1 or 2 that were slow eaters...After that back to the barracks...names were called...companys were formed...we were introduced to our company commanders..who in turn tried to march us to a specific building that would be ours... temporily.
We,with the help of our CCs foot and loud voice, were put through drills and assigned a 14.5 bolt action rifle that had NO working mechinism..
Finally after maybe 2 days of marching and looking like a disabeled catapillar..we were all able to step forward with our left foot all at the same time.
Then there was:
seabag issue
pack our civies in a box to be sent back home
haircuts"just a little off the top"
putting on dungrees/leggings
trying your pants leg w/a square knot
more marching/CCs foot helping alon with his loud voice
Shots..The ever famous "BI CILLAN" either left or right butt cheek..guaranteed to knot up and make it impossible to NOT WALK without a limp.
We were back to looking like a disabeled catapillar..till the shots wore off.
We were called names ...did PI..thumb in you t shirt..better not be any dirt no where..even when we were marching in the slush and snow.
One time we went through PI and NO ONE gotta hit..we all kida got cocky..CC marches us out of the drill hall...calls halt..tells us to 25..were all kind WTH we just passed with NO HITS...He looks at us and says "I don't like perfect" SO damned if we do..damned if we don't"
Went through knot tying...in class rooms heated by pinging knocking radiators...which after marching in the cold it was almost IMPOSSIBLE to not nod off once in the room..this would get you anything from a slap on the back of you head to books dropped in the floor by you..BIG BOOKS.
(to be continued)

[Stick]

PT II

Then I noticed we were actually marching in step together(so long disabeled catapillar)
Some had problems folding uniforms properly,others that knew how to were showing or helping.
We drilled each other on the 11 GENERAL ORDERS till we ALL probably could say them in unison.
Shoes were all shined the same way...inspections were almost always 4.0
But there were times we would get "DEMERITS"..and the only way to lose the was "PUSHIN THE PIECE" a.k.a. the 14.5 lb Springfield rifle mentioned earlier...it's suprising how heavy 14.5lbs can be when you hold it straight out from your chest for maybe 15 minutes...or over your head...or behind your head..and the 16 count turned in to the 96 count which meant 16x6
By the end of 9 weeks of doing all of the above we graduated and I have to say it was a different ending compared to the klutzy..lazy..uncordinated group that we started out with.
AND I will add we all were PROUD...and yes maybe even a little COCKY

[Stick]

Am I the only one that went through "BOOT CAMP"...all you others just poofed and there you were in the NAVY????????

[Brad]

Enjoying the stories of boot camp, but we don't have a whole lotta navy guys around...

[Stick]

WELL!!! That explains it all right there...Lemmee see if I can scrounge some swabbies up...I can't pull this all by my lonesome...

[PJMcK1954]

Presumably, most of you, from the oldest of old salts to our youngest comrades-in-arms (who are still being called "boot campers") started active duty at NTC/RTC Great Lakes.
Those of you who marched the grinders of the Ricky Side of Great Lakes since 1967 have passed Joseph W. Gregg Memorial Park (nearby the 21st Division/Battalion).
On the subject of Joseph W. Gregg: Other than his distinction of being the first recruit (back in 1911),DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT JOSEPH W. GREGG???
I know that Mr.Gregg died on the 30th of June 1966 and is buried in the cemetery by the Naval Hospital Great Lakes. I think that he might've reached the rate of "ordinary seaman."
Does anyone have any additional information ofn Joseph W. Gregg?
Please don't suggest contacting the PAO of NTC Great Lakes because I've done it and got no answers. The PAO is probably more concerned with implementing more political correctness in the Navy.