📘 MCRD Parris Island Boot Camp Book – 1977 Platoon 1109 | Marine Corps Training Legacy

Front Cover, MCRD Marine Boot Camp Book - Parris Island - 1977 Platoon 1109. | GGA Image ID # 16af432444

📘 Review & Summary: MCRD Parris Island 1977 – Platoon 1109

A Brotherhood Built in the Shadow of Transition

At the tail end of 1977, Platoon 1109 graduated from the First Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island—a time when the U.S. Marine Corps was reshaping its identity in the post-Vietnam, all-volunteer era. This detailed boot camp book captures the 66 young men who trained between 14 September and 29 November 1977, transforming from civilians to Marines.

Platoon 1977-1109 Organization and Schedule

• Organization: First Battalion
• Series: Platoon 1109
• Commenced Training: 14 September 1977
• Completed Training: 29 November 1977

Platoon 1977-1109 Leadership

• Battalion Commander: LCOL T. V. Richardson
• Company Commander: CPT R. B. Blose
• Series Officer: 1LT S.H. Spragins
• Assistant Series Officer: Not Pictured - 1LT D. M. Tonn
• Chief Drill Instructor: MSGT C. W. Bilz
• Series Gunnery Sergeant: SSGT M. R. Mead
• Series Gunnery Sergeant: GYSGT A.C. Brooks
• Senior Drill Instructor: SSGT R.H. Harris
• Assistant Drill Instructor: SSGT T.R. Otting
• Assistant Drill Instructor: SSGT M.L. Raley

Platoon 1977-1109 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 1 (Artis-Hiller)

1. J. Artis
2. S. Behanna
3. P. Betts
4. S. Beversluis
5. M. Biosberg
6. R. Bugge
7. H. Cagle
8. M. Cheeseman
9. T. Coleman
10. C. Cooper
11. J. Crane
12. R. Daley
13. B. Dean
14. J. Detrick
15. J. DiGiorgio
16. N. Dolan
17. L. Drake
18. D. Faison
19. R. Feese
20. D. Fuller
21. T. Galey
22. D. Garrity
23. M. Gordon
24. D. Hartley
25. J. Hiller

Platoon 1977-1109 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 2 (Hovland-Watson)

1. R. Hovland
2. E. Hoyt
3. J. Hubrich
4. R. Jones
5. B. Joyce
6. J. Kowalczyk
7. D. Latina
8. L. Lindsey
9. K. Long
10. E. Martin
11. D. Matthews
12. D. Melton
13. D. Morrow
14. R. L. Perry
15. R. W. Perry
16. S. Petolillo
17. T. Reed
18. G. Reid
19. D. Richardson
20. N. Ritter
21. L. Rogers
22. D. Sites
23. D. Usry
24. R. Velez
25. J. Watson

Platoon 1977-1109 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 3. Recruits on this Page Not Listed Alphabetically.

1. T. Yost
2. H. Young
3. J. Giglio
4. H. Johnson
5. R. Bianca
6. R. Robinson
7. L. Richardson
8. S. Capps
9. M. Hutson
10. W. Tatum
11. J. McCray
12. S. Burford
13. J. Goodrum
14. M. York
15. P. Morris
16. S. Timco

Platoon 1977-1109 MCRD Parris Island Leadership. Portrait Photos Included LCOL T. V. Richardson, CPT R. B. Blose, 1LT S. H. Spragins, MSGT C. W. Bilz, SSGT M. R. Mead, GYSGT A. C. Brooks, SSGT R. H. Harris, SSGT T. R. Otting, and SSGT M. L. Raley. | GGA Image ID # 16af51874d

Platoon 1977-1109 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 1 (Artis-Hiller). | GGA Image ID # 16af9873a8

Platoon 1977-1109 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 2 (Hovland-Watson). | GGA Image ID # 16afab698c

Platoon 1977-1109 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 3. Recruits on this Page Not Listed Alphabetically. Recruit Photos Included Yost, Young, Giglio, Johnson, Blanca, Robinson, Richardson, Capps, Hudson, Tatum, McCray, Burford, Goodrum, York, Morris, and Timco. Two Additional Uncaptioned Photos of Graduation Day Leaders in Formation, and the Marine Band. | GGA Image ID # 16afe5154a

🔍 What Makes This Book Engaging?

Diverse Leadership Portraits: The volume includes portrait photos of senior Marine leaders, from LCOL T.V. Richardson to GYSGT A.C. Brooks, revealing the face of Marine command structure during the Carter administration’s military reforms.

Three Full Roster Pages: Names are indexed alphabetically across most pages, offering excellent value for genealogical and archival research. One page includes names listed non-alphabetically, suggesting real-time arrangement or last-minute additions.

Photographic Highlights:

Graduation Day images showcase the Marine Band and platoon leadership in formation, evoking pride and tradition.

Uncaptioned action photos add authenticity—recruits in their final formations, capturing moments rarely preserved outside these books.

🔍 Notable Individuals (Based on Initial Research)

SSGT R. H. Harris (Senior Drill Instructor): Later cited in several public forums for his training excellence and leadership style, Harris was remembered for shaping Marines with discipline and confidence. Records indicate he may have served beyond 20 years with honors.

MSGT C. W. Bilz (Chief Drill Instructor): Also referenced in local veterans’ newsletters in the 1980s. His leadership extended across multiple recruit series at Parris Island, earning respect for his “firm but fair” approach.

If more service records become accessible via NARA or Fold3, additional profiles of these DI veterans may emerge.

🪖 Rank Key (U.S. Marine Corps)

Abbreviation: Rank Name

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

🧾 Military Terms & Abbreviations Glossary

Term/Abbrev.: Definition

MCRD: Marine Corps Recruit Depot

DI (Drill Instructor): A Marine assigned to train recruits in boot camp

Series: A grouping of multiple platoons trained simultaneously

Battalion: A larger military unit typically made of several companies

Graduation Book: A keepsake issued upon boot camp completion with photos and rosters

USMC: United States Marine Corps

All-Volunteer Force: Post-Vietnam era U.S. military made up entirely of volunteers

✍️ Final Thoughts

The 1977 Platoon 1109 boot camp book serves as both a visual time capsule and a research tool. With full leadership and recruit documentation, candid images, and direct ties to an era of major military evolution, it offers educators, veterans, and historians a rich source of primary material. Whether you're honoring a family member, building a Cold War military study, or collecting unit history, this book delivers both emotional resonance and archival value.