Lyle's ABC Biography is in ABC Biography of #6 Lyle Lawrence Carringer (1891-1976) of San Diego, California.
I asked the Google Gemini 3 AI Tool to help me understand the United States Marine Reserves and my grandfather's service in the Reserves between 1917 and 1919.
I asked the Google Gemini 3 AI Tool to help me understand the United States Marine Reserves and my grandfather's service in the Reserves between 1917 and 1919.
The U.S. Marine Reserves and Lyle Carringer's Service in 1917-1919
(Google NotebookLM image of Lyle Carringer's Marine service)
1) My first Prompt was:
"My grandfather, Lyle Carringer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves on 7 May 1917 as a Private Class 4, to serve four years. His enlistment record says he was a floorwalker, citizen of the US, 67-3/4 inches tall, weighed 121 pounds, with hazel eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, a chest expansion from 30 inches to to 34-1/2 inches. On 1 August 1917, he qualified as a marksman at North Island, noting "lucky, as have never handled rifle before." His service record says he trained in San Diego and Washington state, was posted to the Barracks Detachment at the Marine Barracks in Balboa Park, but did not see action in World War I. He was a clerk in the Post Exchange at the base on 6 August 1917, until the war ended. On 29 March 1919, he was transferred to inactive status, and was honorably discharged on 6 May 1921. He also worked as an accountant for a department store in San Diego and got married in San Diego in June 1918. Why would he have enlisted? What was training like - how long? What was a reservist required to do?"
The AI Google Gemini 3 response was:
It’s incredible that you have such specific details from Lyle’s enlistment record—down to his chest expansion and his honest "lucky" comment about marksmanship! Based on the historical context of 1917 and the specific details of his service, here is a look at why your grandfather likely joined and what his experience in the USMCR would have looked like.
a. Why did he enlist?
While we can't know his personal heart, several powerful factors were at play in May 1917:
In 1917, Marine training was not yet the standardized 13-week "boot camp" we know today at Parris Island or San Diego (MCRD San Diego didn't fully open until 1921).
During WWI, the distinction between "Active" and "Reserve" blurred quickly once the war began.
At “67-3/4 inches” (5'7") and “121 pounds”, Lyle was quite slight by modern standards, but he actually fit the "wiry" profile of the era. His chest expansion (30" to 34-1/2") was a key metric doctors used to ensure a recruit had the lung capacity to endure long marches and potential gas attacks.
Lyle’s transition from a floorwalker to a Marine clerk, and finally to a professional accountant, shows a very consistent thread: he was a man of organization and detail who served his country by keeping the "machine" of the Marine Corps running during its first great modern expansion.
What a wonderful piece of family history to possess! Do you happen to have any photos of him in his "High Collar" WWI uniform?
2) My second Prompt was:
"My grandfather, Lyle Carringer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves on 7 May 1917 as a Private Class 4, to serve four years. His enlistment record says he was a floorwalker, citizen of the US, 67-3/4 inches tall, weighed 121 pounds, with hazel eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, a chest expansion from 30 inches to to 34-1/2 inches. On 1 August 1917, he qualified as a marksman at North Island, noting "lucky, as have never handled rifle before." His service record says he trained in San Diego and Washington state, was posted to the Barracks Detachment at the Marine Barracks in Balboa Park, but did not see action in World War I. He was a clerk in the Post Exchange at the base on 6 August 1917, until the war ended. On 29 March 1919, he was transferred to inactive status, and was honorably discharged on 6 May 1921. He also worked as an accountant for a department store in San Diego and got married in San Diego in June 1918. Why would he have enlisted? What was training like - how long? What was a reservist required to do?"
The AI Google Gemini 3 response was:
It’s incredible that you have such specific details from Lyle’s enlistment record—down to his chest expansion and his honest "lucky" comment about marksmanship! Based on the historical context of 1917 and the specific details of his service, here is a look at why your grandfather likely joined and what his experience in the USMCR would have looked like.
a. Why did he enlist?
While we can't know his personal heart, several powerful factors were at play in May 1917:
- The "Call to Arms": The U.S. had declared war on Germany just one month prior (April 6, 1917). Patriotism was at an all-time high, and there was massive social pressure for young, able-bodied men to serve.
- The Selective Service Act: The draft was enacted on May 18, 1917—just 11 days after Lyle enlisted. Many men chose to “volunteer” immediately so they could pick their branch (like the prestigious Marines) rather than being drafted into the Army.
- The "Class 4" Reserve Status: Lyle joined the “Marine Corps Reserve”, which was relatively new (established in 1916). Class 4 was specifically for individuals with technical or clerical skills who could support the "Fleet Marine Force." Given his background as a floorwalker and future as an accountant, the Marines likely saw him as a perfect administrative asset.
In 1917, Marine training was not yet the standardized 13-week "boot camp" we know today at Parris Island or San Diego (MCRD San Diego didn't fully open until 1921).
- Duration: Typically, training lasted about “8 to 12 weeks”, though the urgent need for overseas troops sometimes shortened it.
- Location: Since Lyle was in San Diego, he likely trained at “Balboa Park,” which served as the primary Marine training grounds during WWI (the "Marine Barracks, San Diego").
- The Experience: Even for a clerk, training was rigorous. It focused on "making a Marine" first. This included close-order drill, physical conditioning (vital for a 121-pound recruit), and the marksmanship training he mentioned at North Island.
- North Island: This was a shared facility with the Navy. For a novice to qualify as a marksman on his first try was actually quite impressive—the Marines took pride in being "every man a rifleman."
During WWI, the distinction between "Active" and "Reserve" blurred quickly once the war began.
- Active Duty: Upon enlistment in May 1917, Lyle was essentially "called up" for the duration of the emergency. He wasn't just drilling on weekends; he was a full-time Marine.
- The Post Exchange (PX) Clerk: His role as a clerk in the Post Exchange was vital. The PX managed the sale of goods to soldiers. Because the military was expanding from 13,000 Marines to over 75,000, they desperately needed organized, literate men to manage logistics and finances behind the lines.
- Marriage and Inactive Status: It’s notable he got married in June 1918. In the Marines, "Inactive Status" (which he entered in 1919) meant he was no longer on full-time duty but remained on the rolls until his 4-year contract ended in 1921. He was a civilian again, but could be recalled if another conflict broke out.
At “67-3/4 inches” (5'7") and “121 pounds”, Lyle was quite slight by modern standards, but he actually fit the "wiry" profile of the era. His chest expansion (30" to 34-1/2") was a key metric doctors used to ensure a recruit had the lung capacity to endure long marches and potential gas attacks.
Lyle’s transition from a floorwalker to a Marine clerk, and finally to a professional accountant, shows a very consistent thread: he was a man of organization and detail who served his country by keeping the "machine" of the Marine Corps running during its first great modern expansion.
What a wonderful piece of family history to possess! Do you happen to have any photos of him in his "High Collar" WWI uniform?
2) My second Prompt was:
"Would he have lived on the base or continue living at home with his parents? He married Emily Auble on 19 June 1918 and they moved to a house in San Diego. By 1919 he was working in the department store, Marston's, in downtown San Diego."
Google Gemini 3 responded with:
Based on the timeline you’ve provided and the military customs of the era, Lyle’s living situation likely shifted dramatically between his enlistment and his marriage.
a. Phase 1: Enlistment and Training (May 1917 – June 1918)
When Lyle first enlisted and was training at the “Marine Barracks in Balboa Park,” he almost certainly “lived on the base” in the barracks.
The fact that Lyle married Emily in June 1918 and moved into a house in San Diego suggests a significant shift in his status.
d. Why was he not sent overseas?
It may seem "lucky" (to use his word) that he stayed in San Diego, but it was likely intentional by the Corps.
3) Prompt 3 was:
Google Gemini 3 responded with:
Based on the timeline you’ve provided and the military customs of the era, Lyle’s living situation likely shifted dramatically between his enlistment and his marriage.
a. Phase 1: Enlistment and Training (May 1917 – June 1918)
When Lyle first enlisted and was training at the “Marine Barracks in Balboa Park,” he almost certainly “lived on the base” in the barracks.
- The "Boot" Experience: During initial training and his early months as a Private, the Marine Corps required men to be under constant supervision. Discipline was the priority, and "living at home" was generally not an option for junior enlisted men, even if their parents lived just a few miles away.
- The Environment: In 1917, the Marine Barracks at Balboa Park (located around what is now the San Diego Zoo and the northern end of the park) consisted of large, open-bay wooden barracks. He would have slept on a standard-issue cot with his gear stored in a footlocker.
The fact that Lyle married Emily in June 1918 and moved into a house in San Diego suggests a significant shift in his status.
- Commutation of Quarters: While the Marine Corps preferred single men to live in barracks, they did allow married men (especially those in administrative roles like a PX Clerk) to live "off-post" if they could afford it. This was known as receiving a "commutation of quarters"—a small allowance to live in town.
- A "Home" Base: Since he was stationed at Balboa Park (within the city limits) and not deployed overseas, he would have functioned much like a modern commuter. He would report to the Marine Barracks for his shift as a clerk and return home to Emily in the evenings.
- His transfer to inactive status on 29 March 1919 is the "smoking gun" for why he was able to work at Marston’s Department Store while still technically being a Marine.
- Inactive Status: This meant he was no longer a full-time soldier. He was a civilian in all but name, allowed to grow his hair out, wear civilian clothes, and hold a full-time job.
d. Why was he not sent overseas?
It may seem "lucky" (to use his word) that he stayed in San Diego, but it was likely intentional by the Corps.
- The "Base" Force: As the Marines expanded from a small force to a massive one, they needed a permanent "housekeeping" staff to run the home bases.
- Clerical Skills: Men with Lyle's specific aptitude for numbers and organization were often deemed more valuable running the complex logistics of a Post Exchange (the base's "department store") than carrying a rifle in a trench.
3) Prompt 3 was:
"After enlistment on 7 May 1917, when would he have enlisted? How many hours a week would he have to work during training? Was he allowed to go off base during training?"
The Google Gemini 3 response was::
It sounds like things moved very quickly for Lyle once he stepped into that recruiting office! To clarify the timeline: he enlisted on 7 May 1917, but his actual "active duty" service likely began almost immediately—often within 24 to 48 hours of signing the papers.
Here is what those first few months of his transition from "floorwalker" to "Marine" would have looked like:
a. The Enlistment Timeline
In May 1917, the Marine Corps didn't have the long waiting periods we see today.
During the "Great War" era, the concept of a 40-hour work week did not exist for a Marine recruit.
During the initial "intensive" phase of training (the first 8 weeks), freedom was extremely limited.
By 6 August 1917, Lyle was assigned as a Clerk. This was likely his "permanent party" assignment after finishing his initial training.
4) My fourth prompt was:
The Google Gemini 3 response was::
It sounds like things moved very quickly for Lyle once he stepped into that recruiting office! To clarify the timeline: he enlisted on 7 May 1917, but his actual "active duty" service likely began almost immediately—often within 24 to 48 hours of signing the papers.
Here is what those first few months of his transition from "floorwalker" to "Marine" would have looked like:
a. The Enlistment Timeline
In May 1917, the Marine Corps didn't have the long waiting periods we see today.
- The Oath: He would have taken the oath on May 7th.
- The Transition: He likely would have been given a day or two to settle his affairs at home and at work before reporting to the Marine Barracks in Balboa Park (which was the primary training site in San Diego before MCRD was built).
- Training Start: His formal training would have begun mid-May. Since he qualified as a marksman on 1 August 1917, we know he had completed his initial "boot" instruction and moved on to the rifle range at North Island by that point (roughly 10-11 weeks after enlisting).
During the "Great War" era, the concept of a 40-hour work week did not exist for a Marine recruit.
- The Schedule: Training typically began with Reveille at 5:00 AM or 5:30 AM and didn't end until Taps at 9:00 PM.
- Weekly Hours: He was essentially "on the clock" 15 to 16 hours a day, 6 days a week.
- Sundays: Sunday was usually a day of rest (or mandatory chapel service), but even then, he would have been expected to clean his gear, "spit-shine" his boots, and maintain his uniform.
- Total Commitment: You're looking at roughly 90+ hours a week of physical drill, classroom instruction on tactics/hygiene, and manual labor around the camp.
During the initial "intensive" phase of training (the first 8 weeks), freedom was extremely limited.
- "The Liberty Pass": Recruits were generally confined to the base. Going "over the wall" or leaving without a pass was a serious offense (AWOL).
- • Weekend Liberty: Once a recruit proved they were disciplined—usually after the first nth—they might be granted a "Liberty Pass" on Saturday afternoons or Sundays.
- Proximity to Home: Since Lyle lived in San Diego, he was in a unique position. While most Marines were hundreds of miles from home, he could technically take a streetcar from Balboa Park to see his parents or Emily. However, he would have had to be back in his bunk before Taps, and he would have had to be in full uniform (the "High Collar" forest green wools) at all times.
By 6 August 1917, Lyle was assigned as a Clerk. This was likely his "permanent party" assignment after finishing his initial training.
- Work-Life Balance: Once he moved from "recruit" to "clerk," his schedule would have become more predictable—closer to a standard business day (perhaps 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM), though he was still subject to 24-hour military duty if needed.
- The Wedding: This "clerical" schedule is likely what allowed him the stability to plan a wedding and get married in June 1918.
4) My fourth prompt was:
"Please enhance and colorize this black and white photograph of Lyle in his uniform in 1917."
The Google Gemini response was this image:
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The AI Google NotebookLM Video Overview of this story is in:
This is social history based on known events in the lives of my ancestors -- it was likely this way.
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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.
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