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When I arrived at MCRD San Diego in June of 1969, I was paid at the rate of an E-1. However, my rank was "Recruit". When I graduated from Boot Camp in August of 1969, I went from "Recruit" to "Private First Class". I was thinking on this the other day and realized that I never held the "rank" of "Private". Anybody else out there? I'm not sure how the Army does it.
Posted in these groups: 
Marine Corps
Marine Corps
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 54
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I entered the service as a Private in July, 1986 - had absolutely no idea I'd still be serving on active duty almost 30 years ago....would not have traded the time served with the best in our country across every branch of service. Proud to be an American!
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I was a Private upon graduating Bootcamp and had slick sleeves for 2 months after graduation. I got saluted a lot by the sailors at NAS Millington, TN. Got meritorious PFC a month before I was due to get it "time in grade" for aceing BE&E school and finishing it ahead of schedule, as well as maxing the PFT.
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Capt Jeff S.
PFC was automatic at 6 months. And if memory serves correct, you started receiving Pro/Cons and became eligible for promotion to L/Cpl at 8 months time in grade as PFC but it wasn't automatic. It was based on your composite score and the cutting score (min composite score required to get promoted) was determined by your MOS and the needs of the USMC.
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Cpl (Join to see)
I received my promotions from E1 at 6 months to E2 and 8 months later to E3. In Millington, I was in one of the first lockstep BE&E classes, but the AV1 course I attended was self-paced.
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Cpl Elizabeth Koeneman
Capt Jeff S. - When I joined, it was an automatic promotion to LCpl, didn't have cutting scores until you were trying for Cpl.
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Capt Jeff S.
Cpl Elizabeth Koeneman - My memory was foggy. You are right and what I said about L/Cpl goes for Cpl. I stand corrected.
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I arrived at MCRD Parris Island in May 1976, as best I recall we were called recruit until we went to the Rifle Range (2nd Phase) or maybe Elliott's Beach (3rd Phase) and then the DI's started calling us Private, but never Marine until the day of graduation.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
I arrived at MCRD San Diego in August 1975 --- my recollection is much the same as yours GySgt William Koch.
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