How long did you serve in the Corps

[JITB]

How about a little background on what you did in the Corps and how long you served?

[cmyr]

well, let's see..... it's been a while.....

Along the way, there were stints as a legal clerk, an RS waivers clerk and then the RS Ops Chief, a central files clerk, and the job of being in charge of assigning graduating DIs to the battalion that they would serve in. There was a stint as a Regimental S-3 clerk during the rewrite of the SOP to align the training between the two depots. Then there were jobs as a Squadron Admin Chief, the orders/passport clerk while in Okinawa, and the early morning jobs of working up the daily message board for several COs. And how could I forget the many classroom hours working with receiving and graduating recruits, making sure the paperwork in their SRBs was correct.

Just some of the jobs I held while being an admin pogue during my enlistments. :)

[Cpl Miller]

Joined the Corps in 1964 at the young age of 16, hit boot camp (San Diego) 30 days after my 17th birthday.
After boot I was attached to the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton (Supply company, Supply Bn).

On June 1st 1965 the 1st Marine Div. packed up and shipped out to Viet Nam on troop ships.
Hit Okinawa on June 23rd where anyone under the age of 18 were re-assigned to shore companies, you had to be 18 to be in a combat zone, I was 7 DAYS short of my 18th birthday so didn't make the beachhead landing at Da Nang, Viet Nam.

Re-assigned to Supply Bn, Supply company at camp Sukuran just down the road from Kadena air base where I stayed From 1965 to 1968. Then just after the 68 TET offensive I was re-assigned to the 1st Marine Division back at camp Pendleton where I stayed until my discharge in 1968.
Spent two years sweating it out on inactive reserve duty until final HONORABLE discharge in 1970.

So there you have it.....


Carry On Marines!!

[Chuck]

What can be side about lifers? Do you want a book? It did not start out that way. I enlisted as a Senior in high school, The day I graduated I was sent to MCRD San Diego, Platoon 280. That was May 1956.

I started out as a grunt 0311 rifleman with the 4th Marines. I was then transferred to a 60mm mortar squad and worked my way up from 3rd ammo carrier to gunner.

Because I was very good at math and figuring angles for distance my CO thought I was too smart to be a enlisted man. One of the things they kept looking at was that my military IQ was 137 and when checked was perfect in math. I was sent to disbursing for a interview and was at once transferred from my line company to disbursing as a disbursing clerk. I was then offered two different officer candidate programs. (I was able to pick). At the time there was the scientific education program that would mean going to the Naval Academy and a temporary commission as a 2ndLt or... I could sign up for a brand new program where I could go to the college of my choice and upon completion receive a permanent commission as a 2ndLt as a Disbursing Officer. That turned out to be a no brainer and I took the one that lead to a permanent commission as a Disbursing Officer.

The only catch was that I had 4 years to complete college and get my degree and I had to carry a full work load while going to college. I also had to reenlist for 6 years. I agreed and then I had to go before a officer candidate review board. That was set up and I went before my commanding officer and four other officers where I was questioned about a lot of different things. I passed the review board. I started college at the University of Hawaii. At the end of my first year I was rotated back to Camp Pendleton under spacial orders to go to a college of my choice that would give me a degree in accounting. When I arrived at Camp Pendleton I was assigned to the disbursing office at main side. They were going to keep me there. I requested permission to talk to the base commanding general and explained my problem with him about my special program and he agreed at once and within 30 days I was transferred to 100 Harrison street in San Francisco where I completed my college within the time limit. The day I received my degree I was discharged (early) and the next day I was commissioned a 2ndLt. I stayed with my unit there was a opening at TBS.

When I went to Quantico that was the one and only time I was ever east of California. After TBS I was sent back to the San Francisco area. Later after being promoted to 1stLt I was assigned to the budgets section and attached to the 12th Naval district. I spent the rest of my career doing budgets for the western area.

I retired in 1976 at the rank of Major (O-4) and started a 2nd Career as a insurance adjuster/investigator. In 1983 I started my own company and I'm still at it today 32 years after retirement from the Corps. The Marine Corps was so long ago for me as it is for a lot of you. But I am still a Marine today, 52 years after stepping off that bus from the airport and walking on those yellow foot prints in the middle of the night.

Those are only the highlights... If you want more you will have to read my book that I have yet to write.

[devildog-64012]

In the Beginning...
Enlisted 1965, PISC Grad Sept. 1965(plt 255).
First duty station PISC, Depot Band.
Nam in Sept 66 till 1 OCT 67 w/1stMARDiv Band(2 months) and 3rd MARDiv Band (rest of tour).
Re-enlisted in jULY 1969 for the Computer Field and got Married at the base chapel at Quantico(stilll Married to the same lady) the next month and started Computer School the next week.
Reported to the MCCDPS in Kansas City in JAn 1970 and stayed till late summer in 1973.
Then to III MAF on OKI to help man a new deployable Computer Center.
Returned to Kansas City in fall 1974 and stayed till Aug of 1980 when I transferred back to Quantico to be an Instructor at the Computer School.
IN NOV 1983 it was off to be the ISMO Chief at I MAW.
Returned to MCLB Albany, Ga in 1984 and transferred to the FMCR 30 NOV.1985.
Moved back to Kansas City and found a Job as a Computer Programmer and in 2006 having reached the ripe age of 59yrs and 6 months I retired again.
Now I do Volunteer work 3 days a week at a local Hospital and bug my wife the rest of the time.

[JITB]

I'm always impressed with Marines that have served whether it be for one or two tours or career Marines that retired from the Corps. I think I began to respect career Marines even more after I left active duty because I kept up to date on what the Corps was doing and joined a number of Veteran organizations.

I, myself am a one tour Marine. I joined in 1958 and came out of Parris Island with a 0800 MOS. But, in the infinate wisdom of the Corps, my first duty station was Marine Barracks Norfolk. The fact that my first duty was working outside of my MOS worked against me later on.

I spent about a year standing duty on the gates and other posts on NOB and NAS. Because I was one of the few Marines in Marine Barracks that could get a Final Top Secret clearence, I was sent to the Marine detachment at Armed Forces Staff College where I stood duty for about another year. I had made LCPL fairly quickly and was put in for a meritorious promotion to CPL in 1961. Although I was qualified for the promotion (I had taken all of the required MCI courses), the fact that I had never worked in my primary MOS knocked out the promotion. When I finally got into an artillery unit, ranks in the 08xx field were frozen for a few years.

I ended up getting a manditory transfer to Camp Lejeune in 1961. Because I was now an 0811, I was sent to Force Troops which had a number of heavy artillery units at that time. The clerk I talked to at Force Troops headquarters asked me if I wanted to do a little traveling. He said he had a platoon in one of the batteries that was starting to gear up for a Med Cuise. I said "Sure!" and he assigned me to 2nd 8" Howitzer Battery (SP).

When I reported into the platoon, I was shocked that close to 80-90% of the platoon was made up of LCPL's or CPL's because of the freeze on promotions in artillery. When my CO saw that I had a Final Top Secret clearence, he said he couldn't waste that. He got a waiver to enable me to be sent for training on the nuclear round at the Navy's Nuclear Weapons Training Center. The guidelines for acceptance to the school was supposed to be that only SGT's or above were to attend.

What was funny about going to the school as soon as I reported to Lejeune was it was at NAS in Norfolk! When I reported into the school, a Navy clerk told me that, because I was a Marine, I could either stay at a Navy barracks near the school or stay at Marine Barracks. I opted for the latter which shocked a lot of guys at the barracks when I showed up a few weeks after I left.

I see I'm getting kind of long winded so I'll add some sea stories later.

[Chaz3]

when I saw your post it was in blue ink...hey, did you post about your little accident and hygiene issues? LOL

[JITB]

If you are seeing text in a message in blue, it's probably because the vBulletin style your login is set up for is vBulletin 2 Style which is the version Gary is presently testing colors on and most text is currently in blue.

[LarSim]

One tour: 4-years on active duty and 2-years ready reserve, 1959-1965.

Combat Engineer (1371).

Served with MAG-16, 1st Marine Air Wing on Okinawa; TAD to the Sea-Bees for 10-months while they finished construction of MCAF, Futema in 1960.

Deployed to Northern Thailand (Udorn, about 20-something miles from the Laotian border) in 1961. We were attached to the Southeast Asian Joint US Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG). We provided ground support and security for an Air America Helicopter Squadron running missions for the Laotian Government (Laos, that other SE Asian war).

I was a Corporal with the 2nd Pioneer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune when we deployed to the Caribbean in October, 1962, in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Released from active duty in 1963. Honorably discharged in 1965.

- LarSim :cool:

[Chuck]

LarSim.. My brother was in Cuba during the missile crisis from October 1962 to March 1963.

He was with Amtrak's then. We joined the Corps on the same day with my cousin. The three of us went to boot camp together. We had orders to go to Alaska and they sent us to cold weather training from ITR. At the end of cold weather training our orders were changed and the three of is were sent to our first duty station together with the 4th Marines at Kaneohe Bay Hawaii of all places after being in cold weather training to good old tropical weather..

I went to A company, 1st Battalion. My brother went to Amtraks, and my cousin went to the motor pool.

We stayed together for another 2 years before we were split up. I came back to California to go to college. My cousin went to Japan and my brother went to the Philippines.

After that we were never together again except some times meeting when they would pass through the San Francisco area going to or coming from a foreign port.

My cousin retired 5 months before me and my brother retired 3 months after me.

[colormaster]

just under 5 years, had to extend for MSG duty. spent two years in Jamaica, first year was okie, I was in supply. spent a short time in PI in special services then to MSG school in Arlington. this was 65 to 70 .

[GunnyMack]

Served on Active Duty from Sep 72 thru Sep 94. Started off as a grunt 0351 ended up as an MP 5811. Still bleeding green as far as the Doc can tell.

Semper Fidelis,

GunnyMack

[govern4]

4 years active,2 years inactive
bootcamp P.I. July 1980,ITS ,0351/52
29 Palms,1/4 A Co.WPNS plt 80-82
then 3/6 Wpns Co. Dragon PLt 82-84
then 4TH Mar. :cool:Div 84-86:cool:

[Subic76]

Boot Jan 75-Apr 75 MCRDSD 2014
MAGS-38 MWCS-38 El Toro Apr 75-Sept 75
July 75 TAD Wire school Camp Pend.
Sept 75-Aug 76 A Co. Marine Barracks Subic Bay NAS Philippines
Aug 76-Jan 77 Special Operations Branch Office of Provost Marshall Subic Bay
Jan 77- Jan 78 Comm Spt Co 9th Comm Blt 29 Palms Calif.
Jan 78- July 78 MSG Schools and Courses
July 78- Jan 79 MWCS 38 El Toro

[bhanse]

Went to San Diego July 58.....Plt 260 in the old q-huts...... and no cars on the grinder.....couldn't have the recruits running around cars now could we!....After ITS I bounced around a bit till I got to Golf 2/5 in Mar/Apr 59 to lock on for West Pac.....I was a 0311 but in Golf Co I was made a 0331 machine gunner light .30...... Based out of Camp Schwab but roamed the western Pacific....."Operation Blue Star" on Formosa.....the usual spots....Subic Bay @ the old C-B huts up next to Cuby Point.....the airfield was not in use except for the aero club and maybe a transport once in a while....Olongapo, dirt streets and bouncers with shotguns and Thompson sub-machine guns @ the door.....Hong Kong....Fuji Japan. Came back in Dec 60 went on leave then to Alpha Recon for my last 5 months. Got out in July 61 recieved my Honorable July 64.....6 yr obligore....done!.....Went back into the active reserves around Dec 64.....only this time I went as a helicopter mech.....Memphis in Oct 65..... Active duty April 66.... Nam in Aug 68/Sept69...Santa Ana 69/72 HMH 363..... KMCAS HMH463 72/76.... NAS Alameda HMH 769 76/79.... KMCAS HMH 463/262 and Career Planner Mag 24 79/83.... SOI Camp Pendelton 1st Sgt 83/85 Retired Aug 85 with 23 yrs total....I'd do it all over again even knowing what I had to go through....Bruce

[drfenders]

30 Years, 2 months and 2 days... they wouldn't let me stay any longer than that.

[Jenks]

One tour 4 years active 2 years reserve 1959-1965
MOS 0311 and 5811
Started off at RCRDSD July 1st 1959 while on mess duty I came down with blood poison and spent two weeks in the hospital had to pick up a new platoon when I got out. Dont remember my old platoon number but my new one was 152 I graduated Oct ? 1959 then on to 2nd ITR at Camp Pendelton. March of 1960 boarded a ship for my first duty station K bay F/2/4. Shortly after arriving I again boarded a ship this time destination Kao-Haiung Taiwan where we were to play War Games against the 3rd Mar Div from Okie. We spent about a month there and then boarded ships for R and R in Yokuska Japan I had just turned 18 and was Japan a blast. After two weeks we boarded another ship for the ride back to K Bay. When we got home we pulled manuvers on the other Islands to keep us ready. In 1961 we again boarded ships this time for Camp Pendelton Ca to play War Games against the 1st Mar Div. Two nights out we turned around and were headed for Okinawa. We heard that the 3rd Mar Div had boarded ships and were heading for Udorn Thailand for ground support and security for Air America and we were to be in reserve. We spent two weeks anchored up in a Bay off Okie . We were allowed Cinderella Liberty and not knowing the going rate there we spent what they said. Well nothing happened at Udorn so off we went back to K Bay. I had a friend that was stationed on Okie at the time and he told me when he got back that the going rate was higher and that the guys were pissed at us. Oh well. Back at K Bay I spent a tour with the Military Police and then back to F/2/4. Rotated back to Camp Pendelton March 1962 and then went to China Lake Ca as a Military Policeman. Finished up my tour there and got out March 1963. Transferred to the 4th Mar Div Reserves Honorably discharged July 1st 1965. Would I do it again you bet in a heart beat. Got to love the Corps Thats my story and I am going to stick with it. Semper Fi

[crmlthndr]

6 yrs, 4 mths, 18 days. But, Who's counting

[caltrap]

Why the hell does it matter how long I was in the Corps!!!!!!
Is this another one of those damn forums where you are not a real
Marine unless you have a purple heart?
Somebody needs to do some damn explaining why this Question was even asked.
Is this a brotherhood or a smearhood?

[Jenks]

I personally think it is just a question to find out what our brother and sister Marines did while they were in our beloved Corps. Nothing else my friend!
Semper Fi

[JITB]

Yup! caltrap! Lighten up! Anyone that earned their Eagle, Globe and Anchor is welcome. It's not our policy to look down on any Marine. Just because somebody asks a little bit about you doesn't mean they are out to get you.

[Cpl Miller]

how long you were in the Corps, a Marine is a Marine. Like Jenks says, this question is a simple way to tell others what kind of experience you had in the Corps, nothing more.

Carry On Marines!!

[JITB]

Yup! There are many Marines that certainly have bragging rights because of what they did. There are many Marines that didn't experience the things that other Marines have. Just about all Marines have "Sea Stories" to tell. We respect and honor all Marines and enjoy whatever they have to say. One of the things I enjoy the most about being in the Marine Corps League is our little get-togethers after our business meetings where sea stories are frequent and we hear what each Marine did while they were in the Corps.

[GunnySan]

I don't believe any Marine has "bragging Rights" except possibly those with the MOH and I've never met a man with the MOH who wasn't quiet and humble.

[JITB]

GunnySan, you apparently didn't know Mike Clausen! He pulled around eight wounded Marines that were stuck in a minefield and in a firefight in Vietnam. He got the MOH but nobody that knew him would call him "quiet and humble". Sadly, he passed away a few years ago but his name still comes up over at TWS and Poppasmoke often.

[GunnySan]

True, I never knew him. I was referring to humility and quietness regarding their combat actions. Maybe he was the exception?

[JITB]

Mike was proud of what he did to get his MOH and wouldn't hesitate to show somebody a copy of his citation. He often filled in some of the things that were not mentioned in the citation. Like telling the pilot of the chopper that he would blow his head off with the 45 in his hand if the pilot took off before Mike got all of the Marines aboard.

But, I do know what you mean. My father in law was in the 101st Airborne when they were trapped in Bastogne. He told me many of the things he did while he was in. But, it was one of his buddies in the unit that told me that Ed took out a German tank with a satchel charge. When Ed heard him tell me about it, he told me he didn't like to tell people some of the real crazy stuff he did.

[Ricbak]

Started on the Footsteps in November, '67 MCRDSD. After ITR and Schools at Pendleton, It was off to MTM co, 1st FSR/FLC DaNang RVN until April, 1970. My MOS was not critical (3516) and was released back to the "World". Honorably Discharged, August 1973.

Semper Fi

RHB

[Jenks]

Ricbak welcome home. Job well done. Semper Fi

[GunnySan]

. My MOS was not critical (3516) .

Semper Fi

RHB

Every MOS is critical when needed. Men and supplies can move on foot, but it's a hell of a lot faster with MT and a lot easier on the bodies. A bit rough hauling 105s and 155s without trucks.

[JITB]

I had a disagreement with a former Recon Marine when a Marine Reserve truck driver joined our MCL detachment back in 2004. He had made a comment that "truck drivers" didn't see real combat. I pointed out to him that a large percentage of the Marines getting wounded or killed in Iraqi Freedom were being killed or wounded by IED's and attacks on trucks. Today's Marines face challenges that past Marines didn't experience at the same level. The Corps can take credit for the training all Marines get whether they are in combat units or not.

[papatazmatt]

I was in for six years all in a supply Mos but pulled security Guard duty for a year and did my final two years at Parris Island running cash sales in Mens clothing and then six months in housing because of a disagreement with a butterbar right out of OCS.

[WhiteWO]

Four years. 1986 - 1990
MCRD San Diego
MP School at Lackland AFB Mar Det B Camp Lackland
MWSS 272/PMO MCAS New River 2 1/2 years
MP Co. 3rd FSSG Okinawa for the last year. Spent most of the year FAPed to PMO and was assigned to Joint Services by the Gunny who thought I needed a break from the road after New River. I was caught up in troop cuts as an MP and had to get out. I miss it every day especially the Brotherhood.
Semper FI

[CharlesH]

PEBD of 13 Mar 1969
AD from 06 July 1969 to 01 Oct 1975.

[FormerWM]

Interesting, the differences between saying "A Marine is a Marine" and the way people REALLY react when they find out someone wasn't in very long.

Take me.
One year. That's it.
Husband had orders as a single guy, we got married, I was pregnant and he was leaving in a week. Time to get me into a place out in town? Nope. Stay in the baracks? Not with a baby which was due before he returned. So out it was.

Do I feel any less a Marine than the rest of you? Not at all. My heart was given to my Corps the day I earned the title.

But the real point is, for many, many people who say "there's no difference", I see it in their eyes when I tell them "A year". Like I shouldn't be so in love with my Corps, now 29 years later. Like somehow I'm not Marine 'enough'.

So, just food for thought. Semper Fi, brothers.

[GunnySan]

I can understand your feelings. I served 22 years active. Sometimes I relate differently to others who also served to retirement as opposed to those who served a hitch or two. It's our nature. It does not mean I think less of those who served less. The important thing is they completed Boot Camp, earned the title and SERVED as MARINES. How long the service was doesn't really make a difference. We all get a 3-volley salute and TAPS.

[JITB]

I think one of the reasons I ended up focusing so much on the Marine Corps League out of all the Veteran organizations I belong to is because everyone is accepted based on the fact they earned the EGA. Many Marines in the MCL have gone on to high positions in the League even though they may have only did a couple of years in the Corps.

[GunnySan]

That's exactly right. When we enter the meeting hall all ranks and TIS, combat or non-combat stays outside. Makes no difference, 90 days or 90 years, Male or Female, everyone equal.

[JITB]

Yup! In our detachment, we have a number of one tour Marines, Reserve Marines that were in at a time when it was unusual to have more than a couple of months of active duty and an assortment of retired Staff NCO's and Officers. I've always been impressed with how much effort some Marines will put into charitable efforts of the detachment. In many cases, the Marines with the least amount of time in the Corps put in the most effort.

[rtwangler]

Fifteen years, half of that active duty, and it was quite a ride. I served in 2/1 1st MarDiv from Sep 76 to Jun 81 as both a mortarman (0341) and armorer (2111, though not a primary mos for me). Moving to the other side of the Land of the Great PX, I served as both a mortar section leader (81mm) and again as an armorer in 3/2 (Jun 81 to Mar 83).

I joined the Illinois National Guard (forgive me Chesty!) from Feb 87 to Aug 90; came to my senses and got back in the Corps, serving in VMGR-234 (Aug 90 to Feb 93). VMGR-234 moved from NAS Glenview to NAS Dallas, so I went back to an infantry unit - Weapons Company 2/24 in Waukegan IL where I served as an enlisted platoon commander.

I was in college, and transfered to the University of Illinois in an engineering program. When I made the move from the community college I attended, the bar was raised significantly, and I had to pull several irons out of the fire, so after 15 years total time (12 in the Corps), I hung my blues in the closet permanently.

No regrets, and I'd do it again in a freaking heartbeat. I miss it (not all of it - and those who've served know what I'm talking about), especially the Marines I served with. Sure, there were some morons along the way (who generally didn't last long), but on the whole, I was honored to serve with and stand in the company of great men.

Semper Fidelis,
Dick Wangler

[GunnyDago]

23 years, 2 months, 28 days. Boot Camp at PISC in 1977, then tours in Quantico (78-80), recruiting duty (80-84), Cherry Point (84-86, 87-91) Okinawa (86-87, 96-97) and Twentynine Palms (91-96, 98-00). Went to Desert Shield/Storm in 90-91, and four times to Norway for NATO exercises. I miss it every day.

[dickusmc@cox.net]

Are your shorts to tight around your neck.

Rtd MSgt Richard Beck 54 -85

[GunnyDago]

Ummmm, what??

[danno2621]

20 years, 1 month, 12 days.....the hours I'm not sure of LOL.....they all went very quickly!
Glad I did it, and like everyone else here, I'm proud that I did. Doesn't matter whether you spent 2 or twenty, or even 30, we're all still Marines and will be for life! Semper Fi!

Gunny Dan

[msgth]

Started out as an 0351 with 3/9, 3/8, 1/8, 2d Tanks then 3d FSSG, 2d FSSG, CSSG-1 ended up in the Comm/IT MOSs

Parris Island 1978
Camp Pendleton ITS 1978
Camp Schwab 78-79 (Camp Fuji, Korea)
Camp Lejenue 79-83 (x2 Med Floats)
Camp Kinser 83-86 (Korea, Philippines)
Camp Lejeune 86-88
Camp Kinser 88-94 (Korea, Philippines),
29 Palms 94-96
Camp Foster 96-2000
FMCR 1 Apr 2000

[Easyrider]

Parris Island : Dec 1976
Millington Tenn- "A" School-1977
Oceana, Virginia- "B" School-1977
Iwakuni Japan-1978
Yuma AZ-1979, 1980
MOS-6042 Airframes Mechanic
Metalsmith, & Hydraulic Systems
Hon Discharge-1980

[Jenks]

Interesting, the differences between saying "A Marine is a Marine" and the way people REALLY react when they find out someone wasn't in very long.

Take me.
One year. That's it.
Husband had orders as a single guy, we got married, I was pregnant and he was leaving in a week. Time to get me into a place out in town? Nope. Stay in the baracks? Not with a baby which was due before he returned. So out it was.

Do I feel any less a Marine than the rest of you? Not at all. My heart was given to my Corps the day I earned the title.

But the real point is, for many, many people who say "there's no difference", I see it in their eyes when I tell them "A year". Like I shouldn't be so in love with my Corps, now 29 years later. Like somehow I'm not Marine 'enough'.

So, just food for thought. Semper Fi, brothers.


Semper Fi Sister Job well done

[Eli]

I was medically retired out in Oct of 1970. I served 1/2 of a 13 month tour in RVN 1968. Kilo 3/5 and 2nd CAG, wounded in both, spent months in the hospital. I was sent to Camp Lejeune in late 1969, Hdqts Security Co., had a heart attack in the Summer of 1969, I was sent home. Eventually retired out. I went through Boot camp at Parris Island, in 1967.

[Cpl Miller]

WELCOME HOME Eli,

Thanks for your time serving our Corps and this nation.

[Dick Shewmake]

Hello to all,
I joined the corps in 01-13-64 to 67.One tour of Vietnam 65-66.Left on my 20th birthday out of Danang. Since I only went in for three years,I'm referred to
as a Kiddie Cruiser.I went through MCRD-Plt 305 San Diego (Hollywood Marine).I remember when I joined I was a Smart a$$ 17yrs know it all.I was invited to join or see the inside of Chino Prison in southern ca. I was just another kid with a chip on my shoulder until I recieved my first COME TO JESUS talk from my DI Sgt Jack Coen.One sermon and I saw the light.I went through boot ok and second ITR at Pendelton.My first duty station was El Toro where I was a 3531 truck driver. I was up at company ever week signing on the list of tranfers.You know Join the Corps and see the world.Only tranfer was 8-65 to Vietnam 13 months and back to Ca. Camp Pendelton EOE 01-67.They wanted me to re-up for another tour of Vietnam,wife said no and I agreed with her.I didn't realize how much the corps directed me in life until I looked back at my career.Once A Marine always a Marine-Semper Fi

[JITB]

Dick Shewmake said:
"I was invited to join or see the inside of Chino Prison in southern ca."

Back in the 50's and 60's, a fair percentage of Marines were kids that were given the choice of the Marine Corps or prison. The Marine Corps turned many young men into men that went on to a productive life in or out of the Corps.

[FrankD]

Hello All.
26 years, 1 month Active Duty. Retired 1 July 09

[Dick Shewmake]

Hi All,Sitting here on memorial day, reading YFP's about our MOS while in the Corps.After
so many years later,I remember what the title of MARINE meant to me.Think about it as you talked to people,the look on their face when you said "I was in the Marine Corps".They usually don't ask what you did,they knew. Any other branch of the
services didn't get the RESPECT the title MARINE got then, now and always.That can never be taken away from you. Semper Fi to all you Devil Dogs.Thanks for your service...

[251rigger]

I`m a one tour man
hit san diego in april 1960
turned 18 in bootcamp
ended up in the air wing 7113 parachute rigger
spent the whole time in the same squadron (vmf251 mag32 )
pretty much spent my time drinking beer ( someone has to do it )
in beautiful beaufort by the sea

[Skosh59]

Dick Shewmake said:

Back in the 50's and 60's, a fair percentage of Marines were kids that were given the choice of the Marine Corps or prison. The Marine Corps turned many young men into men that went on to a productive life in or out of the Corps.

I thought I was unique..... :D Been ther done that. I owe my existence to the Corps. I am however a quick learner, only took one tour to square my butt away.

[JITB]

The Corps can take credit with turning many a kid around no matter if it was a judge or the kid's own decision to join the Corps. A friend of mine Gene Alvarez, who is a noted Marine Corps author and historian, joined the Corps as a high school dropout at 17. He spent a couple of tours in the Corps, was a PI DI twice, got a GED, got out and went to college. He didn't stop there as he went on to get a PHD in History. He ended up as a college professor while he wrote a number of books about Parris Island, Jack Webb and contributed to other books about Parris Island.

[stan wahl]

How about a little background on what you did in the Corps and how long you served?

I served from June 66 to June 70...I did two tours in Viet Nam as a field radio operator(mos 2531) 67 and 68..Went to 29 Palms for 6 months and then to NAS whidbey Island at Mar.Bks where I got my discharge..SEMPER FI...

[gkmoz]

Actually it was 23 months/30 days, I went in on Friday (Aug23,1968) and they let me out on a friday(aug.22,1970) but that is what my DD214 says. As I get older and life has started to go really fast now, i look back quite often at my time in the corps. It was a GREAT experience ! Bar none ! Would do it over again in a heart beat S/F/ Moz a.k.a. Gary :GI10:

[stan wahl]

I served from June 1966 to June 1970

Was with HqBn 11th Marines DaNang from March 67 to December 1968
3rd 155 Guns 29 Palms December 1968 to May 1969
Marine Bks NAS Whidbey Island May 69 to June 1970

[USMC6265]

Why the hell does it matter how long I was in the Corps!!!!!!
Is this another one of those damn forums where you are not a real
Marine unless you have a purple heart?
Somebody needs to do some damn explaining why this Question was even asked.
Is this a brotherhood or a smearhood?

Geez...why so paranoid ? Seems like everyone agrees....just interested in our fellow Marines and getting to know each other !