United States Marine Corps Boot Camp: Parris Island Platoon 174 – Class of 1976

 

Front Cover, MCRD Marine Boot Camp Book - Parris Island - 1976 Platoon 174.

Front Cover, MCRD Marine Boot Camp Book - Parris Island - 1976 Platoon 174. GGA Image ID # 136fedd771

 

🧭 Overview & Historical Context

The 1976 Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island Boot Camp Book for Platoon 174 is an invaluable artifact of United States Marine Corps training during a transitional post-Vietnam era. Beginning on 2 August 1976 and graduating on 18 October 1976, 62 men endured the grueling 11-week transformation from civilians into United States Marines under the command of experienced leadership, notably GySgt J. A. McKelvey, the Platoon Chief Drill Instructor.

For teachers, students, military historians, and genealogists, this book is a rich primary source reflecting the evolving Marine ethos and diversity of its recruits during the late Cold War period.

Discover the full roster and leadership team of USMC Recruit Platoon 174, trained at Parris Island in 1976. Includes rare boot camp photos, drill instructor portraits, and detailed graduation data—ideal for military historians, educators, genealogists, and veterans' families.

 

Platoon 1976-174 Organization and Schedule

  • Organization: First Battalion
  • Commenced Training: 2 August 1976
  • Completed Training: 18 October 1976

 

Platoon 1976-174 Leadership

  • Battalion Commander: LCOL H. R. Curd
  • Series Officer: 1LT J. S. Regan
  • Series Gunnery Sergeant: SSGT M. G. Rivers
  • Assistant Series Officer: 1LT J. Blair
  • Company Commander: CPT R. P. Ayers
  • Platoon Chief Drill Instructor: GYSGT J. A. McKelvey
  • Platoon Senior Drill Instructor: SGT J. P. Reves
  • Platoon Assistant Drill Instructor: SGT W. C. Frasure
  • Platoon Assistant Drill Instructor: SGT H. R. Hill

 

Platoon 1976-174 Recruit Roster

 

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 1 (Ambrosino-Linn)

  1. M. Ambrosino
  2. J. Arizola
  3. H. Baker
  4. J. Belanger
  5. R. Blackwell
  6. J. Booth
  7. R. Cain
  8. M. Callahan
  9. J. Carolan
  10. T. Day
  11. J. Dolina
  12. J. Edmond
  13. J. Etchingham
  14. R. Fisher
  15. R. Flowers
  16. R. Ford
  17. M. Hall
  18. J. Jelenic
  19. B. Jones
  20. G. Lang
  21. K. Langolf
  22. R. Lefebvre
  23. S. Lester
  24. B. Lewanpowski
  25. H. Linn

 

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 2 (Maurice-Sloan)

  1. M. Maurice
  2. R. McGalliard
  3. R. McKay
  4. K. McQuaide
  5. S. Meckley
  6. D. Meron
  7. W. Moss
  8. D. Munro
  9. R. Neff
  10. K. Neiswonger
  11. L. Nelson
  12. J. O'Neill
  13. T. Pikul
  14. J. Polk
  15. D. Provance
  16. R. Ritz
  17. M. Robinson
  18. J. Ryder
  19. T. Salvietti
  20. R. Salyards
  21. D. Sears
  22. K. Sewell
  23. R. Shamro
  24. D. Shipshinski
  25. H. Sloan

 

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 3 (St. Andrew-Zarnesky Plus Hilton and Hutchins)

  1. E. St. Andrew
  2. L. Stocks
  3. A. Symington
  4. S. Tanner
  5. W. Titus
  6. S. Weisenauer
  7. J. Wildeboer
  8. W. Williams
  9. D. Wilson
  10. D. Zamesky
  11. R. Hilton
  12. S. Hutchins

 

MCRD Boot Camp Recruit Photos - Platoon 1976-174

 

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Leadership.Portraits Included LCOL H. R. Curd, CPT R. P. Ayers, 1LT J. S. Regan, 1LT J. Blair, GySgt J. A. McKelvey, SSGT M. G. Rivers, SGT W. C. Frasure, and SGT H. R. Hill.

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Leadership.Portraits Included LCOL H. R. Curd, CPT R. P. Ayers, 1LT J. S. Regan, 1LT J. Blair, GYSGT J. A. McKelvey, SSGT M. G. Rivers, SGT W. C. Frasure, and SGT H. R. Hill. | GGA Image ID # 1370a4a4bd

 

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 1 (Ambrosino-Linn).

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 1 (Ambrosino-Linn). | GGA Image ID # 1370c3d524

 

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 2 (Maurice-Sloan).

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 2 (Maurice-Sloan). | GGA Image ID # 1371430a85

 

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 4.

Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 3 (St. Andrew-Zarnesky Plus Hilton and Hutchins). Three Uncaptioned Photos of Marching Drill Included. | GGA Image ID # 1371aee554

 

🔍 Highlights & Most Engaging Content

🪖 Drill Instructor Team & Command Structure

  • GYSGT J. A. McKelvey led the platoon with discipline and Marine Corps precision.
  • Supporting DIs included SGT J. P. Reves, SGT W. C. Frasure, and SGT H. R. Hill—each pictured and noted in the visual roster.

The chain of command included:

  • LCOL H. R. Curd (Battalion Commander)
  • CPT R. P. Ayers (Company Commander)
  • 1LT J. S. Regan & 1LT J. Blair (Series Officers)
  • SSGT M. G. Rivers (Series Gunnery Sgt)

 

📸 Noteworthy Images

Leadership Portraits: A full-page spread of commanding officers and drill instructors, offering face-to-name context.

Recruits Pages 1–3: Sequential headshots by last name, including full group pages—key for identification and genealogical validation.

Page 4 Bonus: Includes three uncaptioned photos showing marching drills—rare visual documentation of the training experience.

 

🎖️ Rank Key (Officers, NCOs, Enlisted)

Abbreviation: Rank

  • LCOL: Lieutenant Colonel
  • CPT: Captain
  • 1LT: First Lieutenant
  • SSGT: Staff Sergeant
  • GYSGT: Gunnery Sergeant
  • SGT: Sergeant

 

📘 Civilian Dictionary of Marine Corps Terms & Abbreviations

Term/Abbreviation: Meaning

MCRD: Marine Corps Recruit Depot

Platoon: A basic unit of Marine recruits (usually 40–90 men)

Drill Instructor (DI): Non-commissioned officer responsible for training recruits

Series: Two or more platoons grouped together for training

Gung Ho: Phrase meaning enthusiastic cooperation or motivation (borrowed from Chinese)

The Grinder: A large, paved outdoor area used for marching drills

Humping Marine: slang for hiking or carrying heavy gear

 

🎓 Educational & Archival Value

This book offers:

📚 Teachers & Students: Firsthand visuals of the Marine training process in 1976.

🧬 Genealogists: Full-name roster with associated initials helps narrow down familial lines.

📜 Historians: Insight into boot camp life during a peacetime Marine Corps buildup.

🇺🇸 Veterans & Families: A tangible link to one’s service history or family member’s military journey.

 

📌 Final Thoughts

The Parris Island 1976 Platoon 174 Boot Camp Book stands as more than just a record—it's a cultural artifact, showcasing the discipline, brotherhood, and transformation central to the Marine Corps. Whether you're tracing your grandfather’s footsteps or documenting Cold War military patterns, this document holds lasting value.

 

Return to Top of Page