Worm Island

I went to basic training at NTC/RTC San Diego, July 11, 1978. I was only 17 years old. My first experience there was when we were sent across the bridge to the Camp Nimitz part of RTC/NTC. (soon to be the East Hotel Section). About 100 of us were formed into Company 105. We quickly learned that the nickname for this section of RTC was called "Worm Island", which came from company commanders yelling at recruits to stop moving when in formation, that they looked like worms. We would do endless push-ups when someone in our company was caught "worming around". After three weeks, our company was sent over to the other side of RTC where, as more seasoned recruits, we no longer moved in formation.

We were told that "Worm Island" was bordered by (Marine Corps Recruit Depot), and a canal that separated the two NTC camps. If we jumped the fence over to MCRD to escape, the Marines would catch us and send us through their boot camp. And, sharks had been sighted in the canal. I overheard a fellow recruit say that he would take his chances with the sharks.

John A. Kidder
AT1 USN(Ret)
San Diego, Ca.

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