Wes,
What camp were you at in Oki?
We did Hansens, the open bays by the lower Chow Hall, empty pool at the Very edge of the base. Just a side wall divider for a cubicle, and when it rained heavily, it would flood., glad I got a top bunk
I did a stink at Camp Courtney, the HQ 3rd Mar Div for a bit and they gave me a room! Damn! They had carpeting, bathtubs and TEAK cabinets for wall lockers and real furniture, again some kind of nice hardwood desks and talbles and even a nice refrigerator. It was like night and day from where I had come.
Paul, you are kidding even when I was in Hawaii in the 90s many of us were living in open squadbays <a couple that had been condemed since the 60s>
As for pay per day, we would sit and do the math.
As a L/Cpl before taxes we got about $34 a day which well when we thought about it, it was rather demoralizing. I recall many a time guys saying "For the hours I work it comes out to half minimuim wage. Phuc, I'd be making more flipping burgers." But then again, it wasn't about getting rich, it was more about chasing women, riding fast in helos and boats, shooting automatic weapons and blowing things up. AHHHH, even the memories have a slight adrenaline rush