How are Platoon numbers chosen?

[pezdiablo]

I was browsing the Bootcamp database, and I noticed a Platoon 2107, from 1984. My platoon was 2113, from 1980.

How often are numbers used? Are there 999 numbers for each Batallion at MCRD San Diego? is Parris Island different?

What's the way of the knowin'?:confused:

[Cpl Miller]

I was in platoon 267 in 1964, and I know there was a platoon 267 in 1965 as well.

In creating platoon section in the database you will find a number of repeat platoon numbers in different years....go figure

[Fmrhat]

Plt numbers are used in a rotation, today the first number represents the Bn. Each company picks up an 8 block of numbers when they pick up Example 3000 - 3008. If there are only 6 platoons 04 & 08 will not be used. When I was on the street each company used the same numbers at the same time each year. :D

[namvet67]

about that myself. Good information!

[50 Cal]

in the seventies.

Beginning each January we started out in First Bn with 1000 and 1005 Series' as the first pick-ups after midnight, New Years, 1 January. The Company designation depended on who was first up in the rotation (A through D).

I was in 1014 as a recruit in 1972 (January 28th). So, we were the second platoon in the 1013 Series and 'sistered' (never DID understand THAT wording) with the 1017 Series, forming B Company. Therefore, we were the last Company off the training schedule for 1971 and C Company got the first platoons from Receiving Bks, then D, than A, the us.

The highest number I ever saw was with my first platoon as a DI. I joined it in early January 1977 as it arrived at Camp Pendleton's Edson Range for Mess and Maintenance week. It was 1122 and graduated on 23 February 1977. So, at least 128 and possibly as many as 136 platoons went through during calender year 1977.

My second platoon was 1019 and we picked it up the day after 1122 graduated. And so it goes.....

We had 78-day and 63-day Zoo Platoons explaining the ability of one Company to "pass" another in the rotation order. The 78 day always ended up taking 90 and the 63 took about 70, depending on the speed demanded of their graduation.

When I was a DI it was exactly the same, except I was in D Company and we called it The Trench. I slept in the Squadbay AND the Office of the same squadbay. That was unusual.....

Reservists were almost always on the 63-day schedule during my time there because it had something to do with their contracts - finishing boot, and A school in less than 180 days, I think. It was all about their 'status'. I always thought that retarded because they screwed themselves out of good schools that ran up to six months long. But, I was pretty high and mighty back then, your typical Kid Marine, hair on fire and damn the torpedos.....

When I was a DI it was exactly the same, except I was in D Company and we called it The Trench. I slept in the Squadbay AND the Office of the same squadbay. That was unusual.....

Semper Fly, Cal.

Another interesting tidbit is thatall recruits west of the Mississip went to SD and the rest went to PI, EXCEPT - for - Reservists. I hear they were offered San Diego (MCRD) to help lure them in. I don't really KNOW that - I just remember someone telling me that one day on The Drill Field.

Sorry to be so long-winded.

[Amtracker69]

That's all clear as mud to me.:confused:

[50 Cal]

Remember the manual in Admin that showed the civilian equivalent to your MOS? I never heard of it until I'd been in around ten years, so it might be news to some.....

When I found out I asked the S-1 chief what the civilian equivalent for 8511 (DI) was.

We looked it up, he laughed his ass off.

"Camp Counselor"!

Oh boy.....

It was like the job, a hoot with a delayed fuse.

Semper Fly, Cal.

[jerryd6818]

Originally posted by 50 Cal

Another interesting tidbit is that all recruits west of the Mississipi went to SD and the rest went to PI, EXCEPT - for - Reservists. I hear they were offered San Diego (MCRD) to help lure them in. I don't really KNOW that - I just remember someone telling me that one day on The Drill Field.



I've heard that about Boot Camp assignments as well. It's not accurate. At least not for 1962, it isn't. I enlisted from Illinois and went to San Diego. I thought at first it may have been because we had our physical and took our oath in St. Louis but that can't be it either. We had guys in our platoon from Chicago, Wisconsin and Michigan. Michigan may have gone both directions because I know a guy from Michigan that enlisted in 1958 and he went to PI. It may have had something to do with recruiting districts. Who knows.

Platoon numbers are recycled. I was in Platoon 145 at MCRDSD in the Summer of 1962 and I have seen references to Platoon 145 there in 1964 and one other year (can't remember which one). I had another Drill Instructor tell me the same thing you said. They start from the beginning each year.

Four digit platoon numbers were used in the 1950's for a while, again in the 1960's after Viet Nam started up and seemed to become a permanent fixture about that time. From what I've seen, the first digit of the platoon number has always been the battalion number except during Korea when there were six Training Battalions at each Recruit Depot. I don't know about WWII.

Platoon books are only available through the Historical Society at SD or PI for recent platoons. Any others are better found on EBay and even though a few are listed each day, your chances of finding yours are about as good as winning the state lottery. I was lucky enough to find one of my Drill Instructors and that kind hearted gentleman sent his copy to me. God bless him.

[MARINE42]

YOU CAN FIND OUT IF USMCR/SD HAS IT AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS

P. O. BOX 400085 BLDG. 26
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92140-0085
619.524.4426
mcrdmuseumhistoricalsociety.org

[packy46]

I believe Ptl. numbers also run, East coast ,West coast. Both MCRD,s run numbers simultaneously,I was in Plt. 380 in San Diego, Aug 1964.Had a buddy that was in Plt 380 in PI. in Aug,1964.
We were talking about boot in Chu Lia,and thought each were either nuts, or liars,finally figured it out.
(Sorry Denny)
S/F.
Tim.