MARCAD

Dear Tom:

I signed up for MARCAD on 10 January 1969. I was on a delayed entry. I arrived at MCRD/SDiego 1 March 1969. On 7 March 1969 the Senior Drill Instructor formed us up. He asked if any of us were MARCAD Candidates. Myself and a few others stepped forward.

It was like that old joke about "Whose mother is still alive..." "Not so fast Martin !".

The Senior Drill instructor announced that the MARCAD program was closed. I received my very first interrpretation of "...as the needs of the Marine Corps require...."

That answers at least a part of your question. Mike "Moon" Mullen may be able to help with others. He went through MARCAD and was one of the first MARCAD CH-46 pilots.

Best regards,

Jim

Marine Aviation Cadet Program (MarCad),

FYI

Well before 1955, the Marine Corps accepted a number of graduates from the Navy's Naval Aviation Cadet (NavCad) pilot training program. These men went through flight training as cadets, and received their wings and commissions on the same day. After completion of flight training, they reported directly to a squadron.

In 1955, the Marine Corps instituted the Aviation Officer Candidate Course, and by 1957 the Platoon Leader's Class (Aviation) had been added. Upon completing brief training periods at Quantico, men in these programs received their commissions and reported directly to flight school.

In 1959, the Marine Corps stopped accepting NavCad graduates and created the Marine Aviation Cadet Program (MarCad), which operated in the same manner as NavCad.

As a result of these programs, by 1965 the majority of Marine naval aviators had not attended the Basic School.

"US Marines in Vietnam - 1968 - The Defining Year"
page 569

Marcads

Hi Jim,

I can't shed much light on the question personally. I went through bootcamp at MCRD San Diego in August of '65 (Platoon 270); went through ITR and 0311 training at Camp Horno at CamPen. I went through NAVTRA in class 14-66 in Third Battallion; our DI was a Marine Staff Sergeant who later died in combat during the Tet Offensive in RVN (1968). I remember that there was at least one class after ours with Marcads, but the actual names and dates escape me... I ended up going through pretty fast, and got my wings after helo transition at Ellyson Field in July of '67. I was in RVN with '262 by November of '67.

Take care my brother (and college roomy),

S/F,

Moon

Another MARCAD story!

My story is similar to Mike 'Moon' Mullen's. I quit college after three semesters and enlisted for 4 years "Aviation" guaranteed. The recruiter was a retiring Master Gunnery Sergeant and coached me on what to expect when going to boot camp. I enlisted on a delay program that was called a "J" program (don't have a clue why it was called that). My enlistment date was February 15, 1965. My MCRD San Diego Platoon was one of the last 13 week boot camp, 238. Went to ITR at Camp Pendleton, Camp Onofre and upon completion, was put in Casual Company awaiting orders. I had taken all my tests except for my flight physical during Boot Camp. My first flight physical was 1st week of ITR, got my nose broken Labor Day weekend boxing so had to go back two weeks later to take it again. Shipped to Pensacola 18 November 1965. Completed flight training at Ellyson Field and received my Naval Aviator Wings and Commission 11 May 1967. Vern Sharpless and I received our Wings and Commissions the same day.

You all need a copy of this book! "Marines and Helicopters 1962-1973"

First MarCad's ordered to Pensacola started 1 July 1959.

Feb 1961, "Combat" Clyde "O" Childress became the first MarCad to be commissoned.

In the next 10 years 1296 MARCAD's won their wings. 22 Mar'68, 2/Lt. Larry D. Mullins was the last MarCad to be comissioned.

I was one. 11 Feb '64 got my wings and commisson. Served two tours in VietNam, Hueys and OV-10's. Good, clear times.

LANNY

Lannie is on the mark once again. I remember Clyde "O" being the first MarCad commissioned. I started 4 months behind him in Nov '59. Other MarCads from that immediate timeframe included Jim Griffin, Al Freisenda, Mike Tunney (whom I believe was the first MarCad KIA in 'Nam, circa 1962), and Mike Ripley. All went the helo pipeline except Ripley, who wound up in jets.

Semper Fi

MARCAD - Not So Fast

I was one of those fringe enlistees that was told I was going to MARCAD - but actually signed up for a 4 year "Aviation Guarantee." My drill instructor laughed his a** off at me in front of the platoon. All of this in March-May 1966. It took me 18 months to get to and go through ECP - OCS and after TBS went to Army flight school (a whole 'nuther story). Got my wings of gold almost 3 years after I thought I was going to MARCAD.

Paul Pratt -