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. | 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)
- M. Ambrosino
- J. Arizola
- H. Baker
- J. Belanger
- R. Blackwell
- J. Booth
- R. Cain
- M. Callahan
- J. Carolan
- T. Day
- J. Dolina
- J. Edmond
- J. Etchingham
- R. Fisher
- R. Flowers
- R. Ford
- M. Hall
- J. Jelenic
- B. Jones
- G. Lang
- K. Langolf
- R. Lefebvre
- S. Lester
- B. Lewanpowski
- H. Linn
Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 2 (Maurice-Sloan)
- M. Maurice
- R. McGalliard
- R. McKay
- K. McQuaide
- S. Meckley
- D. Meron
- W. Moss
- D. Munro
- R. Neff
- K. Neiswonger
- L. Nelson
- J. O'Neill
- T. Pikul
- J. Polk
- D. Provance
- R. Ritz
- M. Robinson
- J. Ryder
- T. Salvietti
- R. Salyards
- D. Sears
- K. Sewell
- R. Shamro
- D. Shipshinski
- H. Sloan
Platoon 1976-174 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 3 (St. Andrew-Zarnesky Plus Hilton and Hutchins)
- E. St. Andrew
- L. Stocks
- A. Symington
- S. Tanner
- W. Titus
- S. Weisenauer
- J. Wildeboer
- W. Williams
- D. Wilson
- D. Zamesky
- R. Hilton
- 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. | GGA Image ID # 1370a4a4bd
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). | GGA Image ID # 1371430a85
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.
