US Marine Corps Recruit Depot - Yearbook (Parris Island, SC)

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ROUND the barracks, when recruits are not spe- cifically on duty, they can be found washing clothes, ironing, cleaning rifles and gear, shining shoes, and writing letters home. Time for these and many other activities that are designed for the living comfort' of the recruit is pro- vided for in the daily training schedule each evening from 6 PM until taps. . From 5:30 A.M. until taps at 9:30 PM the recruit stays busy. During the daylight hours he is occupied with the job of Becoming A Marine. Come dark, he can catch up on other things like doing his wash or writing home. For some, this time may mean extra instruction on something they did not fully understand cluring the dayg but whether he takes 21 shower, reads the hometown newspaper or gets extra instruction, free time will be spent doing what will best benefit the recruit. After a busy day, all of them are ready to Hit the sack, and recruits are glad to hear taps mark the end of another big day and the beginning of a full eight-hours of sleep. PRESS WASH

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MAIL CALL CC AIL CALL!! Recruits eagerly await this call that brings news from home, friends, and that special someone. After evening chow, mail is picked up from the Battalion Mail Room by the Drill Instructor and given out to the re- cruits in their barracks. Next to Chow, mail call is the most sought- after activity in the day of a recruit. A letter from home giving the Low Down on the family and friends can do much to inspire better performance the next day. Picture the gloom settling over one bunk that did not get some long-waited-for mail. Letters from home do much to ease the ten- sion built up by the Training program and the physical activities that the recruits undergo. By the same token, mail call gives the recruit time to Write letters home telling of his new experiences and boasting just a little bit of his new 'prowess found while Becoming a Marine. Most of the time the recruits find it best to answer a letter just after getting one, taking this opportunity to exchange news and views. Recruits are urged to write often to their parents and friends, but no encouragement is needed when mail call is sounded to get the recruits to answer promptly. FTER lights out comes the lonely but im- portant vigil of the fire watch. In his hands rests the safety of his sleeping buddies. Z r 5 5 K if . , Z.. Eg-, i 1 1 1 I