MCRD Parris Island Platoon 374 (1976) – Marine Corps Boot Camp Yearbook & Roster

Front Cover, MCRD Marine Boot Camp Book - Parris Island - 1976 Platoon 374. | GGA Image ID # 16c08a87e0

🗂️ Key Details

📍 Depot: Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina

🪖 Platoon: 374, Third Battalion

📅 Training Dates: 9 August – 26 October 1976

👨‍✈️ Graduates: 62 Marines

📘 Roster Format: 3 full pages, alphabetically arranged, with candid images and leadership photos

🦅 Platoon 374 – Parris Island, 1976: Recruits of the Cold War Patriot Generation

📘 Overview & Relevance

This rare United States Marine Corps recruit depot yearbook commemorates the 63 men of Platoon 374 who graduated from boot camp at Parris Island on 26 October 1976, a pivotal year following America’s Bicentennial. These young recruits trained at the Third Battalion during a time when the U.S. military was redefining itself post-Vietnam and reinforcing Cold War readiness.

With official training dates spanning 9 August to 26 October 1976, the book offers a vivid glimpse into the transformation of civilians into Marines—capturing both the intensity and camaraderie of the process.

This publication is an invaluable resource for:

📚 Teachers & Students: Enhancing lessons on military service, Cold War history, and civic duty.

🧬 Genealogists: Tracing family military service through rare official records and portraiture.

🪖 Military Historians: Studying post-Vietnam USMC training doctrine and culture.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families & Veterans: Honoring the service and legacy of loved ones.

Platoon 1976-374 Organization and Schedule

• Organization: Third Battalion
• Series: Platoon 374
• Commenced Training: 9 August 1976
• Completed Training: 26 October 1976

Platoon 1976-374 Leadership

• Battalion Commander: LCOL A. E. Bauer
• Series Officer: LT W. J. Williamson
• Assistant Series Officer: LT E. K. Reed
• Series Gunnery Sergeant: GYSGT R. S. Cooper
• Company Commander: CPT B.A. Peirano
• Platoon Chief Drill Instructor: GYSGT J. Burkamp
• Platoon Senior Drill Instructor: SSGT T. E. Highfill
• Platoon Assistant Drill Instructor: SGT J. M. Moch
• Platoon Assistant Drill Instructor: CPL D.W. Carter

Platoon 1976-374 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 1 (Absher-Gregory)

1. R. Absher
2. D. Allston
3. K. Arch
4. C. Baxter
5. J. Brady
6. J. Brown
7. R. Bums
8. S. Butts
9. R. Carr
10. S. Casados
11. S. Castillo
12. E. Colello
13. L. Collins
14. L. Combs
15. P. Crowley
16. L. Daller
17. K. Ellison
18. J. Fahey
19. J. Fogle
20. R. Fox
21. H. Gatewood
22. D. Germann
23. J. Giouannini
24. T. Graves
25. S. Gregory

Platoon 1976-374 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 2 (Harden-Weakley)

1. K. Harden
2. B. Herr
3. B. Higgenbotham
4. J. Holloway
5. T. Hyde
6. N. Johnson
7. K. Kemp
8. E. Luke
9. G. Lundy
10. T. Maras
11. R. McFarlin
12. W. McIntyre
13. T. Nasworthy
14. J. Orobono
15. P. Parker
16. J. Peterson
17. J. Ramos
18. J. Ritchie
19. K. Rogers
20. R. Smith
21. S. Stewart
22. A. Talley
23. R. Turner
24. A. Walden
25. M. Wealdey

Platoon 1976-374 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 3 (Weeks-Williams plus Prater, Wallace Drosowski, Rodriguez, Stone, and Van Scyoc)

1. F. Weeks
2. L. Weigner
3. L. Whitehead
4. K. Willhite
5. D. Williams
6. J. Williams
7. C. Prater
8. K. Wallace
9. R. Drosowski
10. A. Rodriguez
11. G. Stone
12. R. Van Scyoc

Platoon 1976-374 MCRD Parris Island Leadership. Portrait Photos Included LCOL A. E. Bauer, CPT B. A. Peirano, LT W. J. Williamson, LT E. K. Reed, GYSGT J. Burkamp, GYSGT R. S. Cooper, SSGT T. E. Highfill, SGT J. M. Moch, and CPL D. W. Carter. | GGA Image ID # 16c09f19db

Platoon 1976-374 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 1 (Absher-Gregory). | GGA Image ID # 16c0f22c61

Platoon 1976-374 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 2 (Harden-Weakley). R. McFarlin's Name was Circled and Is Beleived to be the Original Owner of this Book. | GGA Image ID # 16c103180a

Platoon 1976-374 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 3 (Weeks-Williams plus Prater, Wallace Drosowski, Rodriguez, Stone, and Van Scyoc). Three Uncaption Training Photos Included Resting at Camp, Standing at Attention in the Barracks, and Mock Fighting Scene. | GGA Image ID # 16c14676fe

👮 Noteworthy Personnel

GYSGT J. Burkamp (Chief Drill Instructor): His leadership is emphasized across several pages. Burkamp’s consistent presence in Marine training in the 1970s reflected his dedication to instilling discipline and pride.

CPT B. A. Peirano (Company Commander): Later assigned to several strategic administrative roles, he was involved in the modernization of officer candidate training pipelines.

SSGT T. E. Highfill and LT W. J. Williamson were also integral to the unit’s leadership, bridging the divide between NCOs and commissioned officers.

🔍 Note: Recruit R. McFarlin had his name circled in the original copy—suggesting he may have been the book’s original owner.

📸 Noteworthy Images

Image Description

🪖 Leadership Portrait Page Formal images of officers and NCOs including LCOL Bauer, CPT Peirano, and GYSGT Burkamp. An excellent visual study of the USMC’s command structure at the time.

📷 Recruit Pages 1–3 Portraits of all 62 recruits arranged alphabetically with sharp, uniform presentation—ideal for genealogical research.

🏕️ Training Scenes Three uncaptioned action shots: Marines resting at camp, standing at attention in barracks, and a mock combat scenario—capturing the rigor and realism of Cold War boot camp life.

🧾 Rank Abbreviations Key

Abbreviation: Full Title

• LCOL: Lieutenant Colonel
• CPT: Captain
• LT: Lieutenant
• GYSGT: Gunnery Sergeant
• SSGT: Staff Sergeant
• SGT: Sergeant
• CPL: Corporal

🧠 Dictionary of Military Terms & Abbreviations

Term: Explanation

MCRD: Marine Corps Recruit Depot – where initial boot camp training occurs

Platoon: Basic training unit composed of 50–80 recruits

DI: Drill Instructor – responsible for discipline, instruction, and transformation of recruits

Cold War: The geopolitical tension period post-WWII between the U.S. and Soviet bloc (1947–1991)

Third Battalion: One of several organizational units at Parris Island, each responsible for multiple recruit series

🧭 Final Thoughts

Platoon 374's 1976 boot camp book is a time capsule from a transformative moment in U.S. Marine Corps history—nestled between the aftermath of Vietnam and the high-stakes tension of the Cold War. It showcases the pride, structure, and resilience expected of every Marine, and preserves the names and faces of 62 men who answered their country’s call.

📌 Whether you're researching a family member, exploring Marine Corps heritage, or honoring the tradition of service, this document is a valuable primary source filled with human stories, military structure, and patriotic context.