Your USMC service number

[Jim K]

Apparently, the Marines didn't do it that way, but the Army serial numbers had letter prefixes. RA was regular army, an enlistee. US was a draftee, NG National Guard, ER was enlisted reserve. I believe all officers had O and warrant officers had W regardless of where they came from.

The last four digits of the serial number with the initial of the last name was was sort of a code to identify property. Along with clothing, boots, etc., the soldier was issued a rubber stamp (e.g. G-2824) with which he marked his clothing, using permanent ink. This was not only a property ID but was also used as a laundry mark. Items of gear that couldn't be stamped were painted with the number, using a small paint brush. With unit property, such as helmet and helmet liner, the paint could be removed when the item was turned in. Rifles had a rack number, painted on the bottom of the pistol grip, which could also be removed if the rifle was turned into the depot for repair or if the unit was dissolved.

Jim

Jim

[Gyrene]

I got one in Oct 1955, !524XXX. It served me well.

I was a Hollywood Marine like a whole bunch of us from west of the Mississippi.



`

[Devil Dog]

Graduated MCRD PI 3/65 #2118826 Lived in 2nd bat. wooden baracks. The rifle range baracks were brick. Carried the M14. Gen. Wallace Green was the Comandant. Two guys had to go home for a couple days the marry the girls they knocked up. That is what they did back then. They called it "doing the right thing".

[Ken C.]

Apparently, the Marines didn't do it that way, but the Army serial numbers had letter prefixes. RA was regular army, an enlistee. US was a draftee, NG National Guard, ER was enlisted reserve. I believe all officers had O and warrant officers had W regardless of where they came from.

The last four digits of the serial number with the initial of the last name was was sort of a code to identify property. Along with clothing, boots, etc., the soldier was issued a rubber stamp (e.g. G-2824) with which he marked his clothing, using permanent ink. This was not only a property ID but was also used as a laundry mark. Items of gear that couldn't be stamped were painted with the number, using a small paint brush. With unit property, such as helmet and helmet liner, the paint could be removed when the item was turned in. Rifles had a rack number, painted on the bottom of the pistol grip, which could also be removed if the rifle was turned into the depot for repair or if the unit was dissolved.

Jim

Jim

I remember that also, Jim. AF was for enlistees, US for draftees. We had to use a marker to put our info on clothing and also an "X" or "O" on the soles of our brogans to remind us to change them on a daily basis. I also remember my reaction when I was "politely" ushered off the bus at Sampson AFB in N.Y.
which was "WTF have I gotten myself into this time?"

[BIRDDOG]

Parris Island 2200610, 2nd Batt. old wooden barracks. We even then called the new brick barracks at the rifle range the "Holleywood Marines" Semper Fi.

[Jim K]

Hi, Ken,

Someone once remarked that a newcomer into the service said the same thing as a man falling from the roof of a tall building. The only difference was that the draftee was saying, "Who pushed me?", while the enlistee was saying, "Why did I jump?"

Jim

[JohnMOhio]

Joined USAF Oct. 1959 Service number 15616762

[Ken C.]

Howdy John, glad to see you made the transition. I had you beat by a couple of years, I was discharged on Apr.7th 1957. Then 4 years in the so called "Inactive reserve" before receiving the discharge papers.

Joined USAF Oct. 1959 Service number 15616762

[Ken C.]

Hi, Ken,

Someone once remarked that a newcomer into the service said the same thing as a man falling from the roof of a tall building. The only difference was that the draftee was saying, "Who pushed me?", while the enlistee was saying, "Why did I jump?"

Jim

Well said, Jim. And it didnt take long to find out why they said "NEVER volunteer for anything." I only made that mistake once. Smarter folks didnt make the mistake at all....

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

RA16516196 Though i have forgotten the serial numbers on the riflesa I was issued.