quote:
Full Metal Jacket…how close to real life was that movie? I get that it’s a movie, it’s gonna make certain situations a lot more animated, but this movie has a strong sense of realism.

I went to Parris Island in 87. FMJ was based on Vietnam time frame, so there's no way for me to know for certain but I do know that in those days, you would get your arse kicked when you fricked up. During Vietnam period, it was probably very easy to frick up. The DI's in those days could get away with a lot of shite.

In my time, I saw a DI rough up a recruit for running his mouth in the head when they had told us to not say a fricking word. He just ignored them and did it anyways. The recruit got slammed into the bulkhead headfirst. The DI got transferred to another platoon and that was it.

One time, while snapping in on the target barrels at the rifle range (this is dry firing to get you used to the firing positions and keeping a very tight sling), I loosened my sling and slacked off for a few minutes. I didn't see my senior DI walk up from my right. He kicked my rifle (which they did to make sure you kept a tight sling) and well, it went flying. He took my wrist and twisted it, and threatened me with a broken one (don't think he was quite that serious in hindsight but it scared the shite out of me) if I didn't tighten my sling. Needless to say, I tightened the hell out of it and that was that. Honestly, I deserved it.

quote:
Was there a “Private Pyle” in your unit?

Not like the guy in the movie. As another Marine has mentioned, it's hard as hell for a retard to get in but they do somehow make it. We had a guy who only spoke Portuguese and somehow made it through the first four weeks until he got found out. He seemed like a nice kid who was just trying to make a life for himself but I'm pretty sure he wasn't even an American citizen. Anyways, he got a discharge and his recruiter got in a lot of trouble.

quote:
Was your drill sergeant anything close to Gunnery Sgt. Hartman?

Not even close. Especially if you read the book, The ShortTimers and read more about the Gunny (in the book, he was Gunny Gerheim) who was a fricking psychopath but that was a different time. Anyways, our 3 DI's scared the hell out of me. You know it's a game when you show up for recruit training but eventually over a few hours they have you believing that they would kill you if they could get away with it (which is not true of course).

I am Facebook friends with all of my former DI's oddly enough. And it's fricking hilarious to see these guys as loving husbands and grandfathers. Somehow they always remember you and on FB wish me a happy birthday every year like I'm a pal of theirs. That is such a mind-frick honestly.

quote:
“blanket parties”… how often did that actually happen?

Never saw one. Especially not in boot camp. But, in the fleet, it is not uncommon for the platoon frickups to get their arse kicked by NCO's and their fellow troopers.

Everybody screws up every now and then but some people I swear I never understood why they joined the Marine Corps. Some of them would bitch about taking the trash out, going out to the field, going to the rifle range, cleaning the barracks, cleaning their rifle and that sort of thing.

Eventually, these malcontents would really frick up by just not giving a frick and screw over everyone .... and then they would get their arse kicked by the "enforcers" in the platoon (usually a salty Corporal or Lance Corporal).

Luckily, most of them would straighten up after that. Sad, but sometimes that's just what it takes. Too bad you can't do that in the civilian world but at the end of the day, out here, you don't have to take your job home with you and don't have to worry about getting killed.

We have the good life in this country. I am grateful for it. Proud of my time in the Corps (I did 6 years on active duty) but am glad I was able to get out when I did. Some of the Marines I served with didn't make it out of Afghanistan or Iraq. I am sad for their families.

Anyways, I've had a very blessed life.

Now, OP, ask about that Jarhead movie. I'm sure some Marines would be happy to give their opinion on that one.