European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 7, 1968, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Lieutenant wears sergeant s chevrons while acting As platoon Leader. Tractors teach students right and wrong Way to disarm opponent with a Guna Boot and a chop May save a student s life when he s in combat As infantryman. Auto tire serves As substitute for enemy s body in close combat training. Leatherneck Basic 12 the stars and stripes a a Busy air strip in Vietnam a Marine corps colonel climbed out of his Al and was met by a visiting newsman. What s your Job asked the Porter. I m a Rifleman said the colonel but right now i m flying  to an outsider the answer May sound strange but to the men of he corps it s a logical reply. Every Leatherneck officer or enlisted Man knows that he May be called upon at any time to pick up a Rifle and serve of the Basic unit in War the infantryman. The Marine picks up this skill the Basic school at Quantico va., where these Marine corps photos were taken. Today a new second lieutenant no matter How he won his bars faces a 21-week test to prove that he can take the responsibilities hat go with the rank. In More Normal times the training lasts 26 weeks a with Vietnam making its demands on the corps the speedup is Neces pry but not a Cut in Quality As actual instruction hours have been in leased. While much of the training is geared to combat in Southeast Asia we re not working just to make Rice Paddy marines but to prepare them for 30 years in the corps pointed out one instructor. However 80 or cent of today s graduates go to Vietnam after completing training i a another 15 per cent going into aviation training As pilots flight a _ it 1 _ -1 Mem 0rirttrt4observers or As air control officers. Goodmand voice is must of Marine officers.1968 Marine corps photos Young officers face realistic problems Here flush out Trench with tear Gas. The stars and stripes Page \3