Formative years in the United States Marine Corps

[Willow]

The uproar over my reference to the finest fighting force got me to wondering how many of my brothers ride Valkyries and served in the Corps.

I served 1968 to 1980. I ended my experience as a Gunnery Sergeant.  RJ always referred to me as Gunny.  It's still one of my favorite titles.

I would encourage my friends who are likewise curious to start threads to see who served in the Army or Navy.  I don't suppose we have any Coast Guard veterans.       

[baldo]

My uncle retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant. He's a pretty tough hombre.....

[Rams]

My draft number was 38 the last year of the draft, I was a freshman in college.    Had previously told my friends and informed my parents that if called upon, I would be a Marine.   The draft lottery picked my birthday as described, I immediately went over to see the Marine recruiter and signed up on a delayed entry plan in order to finish my semester at school.   Spent two years active then went back to college.   Some of my proudest days were while serving in the Marines.   

During my junior year of college I joined the Army ROTC on campus.   Was commissioned Regular Army upon graduation.    I wanted to fly helicopters and as they correctly advised me, the US Army has more helicopters than the other services combined and therefore have a greater need for pilots.   Flew Scouts, Hueys and Cobras as a pilot and then later as a test pilot.    While I look upon my Army time with fond memories, I'll always be a proud Marine.

[Earl43P]

78-84 with the last 3+ years as a Sgt (but don't call me that).
I did get selected for E-6 3 months after I got out, but I never got to wear that.

Worked Avionics and QA on CH-53Ds and CH-53Es and have worked for the manufacturer on various H60s ever since. If I were independently wealthy, I'd do it for free! 

Ooh-rah.

[Wizzard]

i thought I remember from the Whiskey river ride there was someone there who served in the coast guard in Louisiana.

[LandElephant]

69 to 93 in the Marines. First Marine Division Vietnam.  Recycled to the Airwing as a Electronic Countermeasure Tech in 73 with VMF 323 then moved over to VMFP-3 in 75. Spendt a lot of cruise time on USS Midway, Ranger, and Kittyhawk.  I & I duty at  Marine Corp Headquarters washington. 84 -86 at VMA 41 NAS Willow Grove Pa. Deployed on USS Blueridge and USS Nimitz.  Finished out from 86 to 93 at Camp Pendleton. Deployed on USS Tuscaloosa and Dubuque.  Retired a MSGT.

Pounded the ground and swung with the wing.

We are the finest fighting force available.

Charlie Morse

[John Schmidt]

Well, in 1956 I tried but couldn't pass the physical at the time. I had been attending Jr. Coll. on a football scholarship, got clipped real hard a few weeks into the season and ripped up my foot and knee. Foot flopped around like a leaf in the wind so I'm told, I had passed out from the pain. Result, the scholarship went bye-bye since I could no longer play, let alone walk. Finally got to walking fairly good after the cast was removed from the foot so being an 18 yr. old know-it-all, I left school and hit the recruiters. First stop was the Marines, I think that dude slept at attention. He kinda egged me on and I responded in kind, he started to chuckle and then told me I needed to get a physical since he had watched me walk in....still had a limp. He had given me some preliminary tests and was pleased with what he saw but eventually a no-go on the foot. Crap!  Went next door to the Navy, I think the MC recruiter called him because it didn't take ten minutes and it was a no-go. A few days later I checked with the USAF, got a preliminary OK but only if their dr. said the foot was healing fine. Went through that, got the OK but not before January(it was just before T'ksgiving). Told me they wanted the foot to be stronger, I told them my number was most likely coming up but it was pushed back, apparently someone went to bat for me. So, I spent the next six years as a flyboy fixing electronic gizmos after doing other more intense activities. It was relative peace time from '57-63 so new stripes were scarce, especially if you weren't part of Sgt. Kanavich's(our shop NCOIC) clique....which I wasn't. With high reviews and three yrs. TIG, myself and others simply couldn't get another stripe so shortly after the Cuban Crisis I let them know I was leaving in January. They offered me the moon including a new station(wanted to go to Colorado), but no stripe. So....bye-bye! I was willing to re-up but only with the stripe before that time came, no way was I going to re-up on the "promise" of a stripe. Looking back, probably not my greatest decision.

[Misfit]

Lee aka Rusty retired from the Coast Guard. 

[Rams]

Lee aka Rusty retired from the Coast Guard.  

Coast Guard.

If I could go back and do it all over again, I'd seriously consider going CG versus Army.   The reason is the R/W aircraft they fly.   They've also got  a very interesting/challenging/difficult mission in both war and peace.   Yeah, I like the CG.    

[Varmintmist]

18th Bday in boot, 82-86.

[RP#62]

My wife and I were both Navy brats.  All we heard growing up was Navy lingo.  I didn't find out that they were really called marines until I was 10.

-RP

[Rams]

While I feel the Marines have the best whole package, there is no doubt, it takes a team effort.   Without control of the airspace above the battlefield, the ground force is screwed subject to greater challenges and loss of life.   I'm told the current military thought process is that tanks are no longer needed.   I question that but, I'm old school.   All military services contribute to winning the battle, all MOSs are needed to make the battle unit whole and effective.   From Admin to cooks to medical to armorers and beyond, they are all necessary for a complete fighting force.  That's why, the Marines have their own artillery and aviation and other assets and yet, they still hope for naval gunfire and air support to assist them when needed.   Naval gunfire is by far the most accurate fire support available, bar none.  I've called fire for just about every indirect fire system and most direct fire systems out there during my time.    Regardless of all of the banter, we need each other.   The Marines just need a lot less than others.  

[Jess from VA]

I guess my formative years were in the Corps (literally).  I was conceived at Camp Lejeune.  

Then, corporal dad and mom and me lived in the one room maid's quarters of an officer's base house.

It was cheap, and mom and the officer's wife took turns taking care of their two babies, so one or the other could get a break from poopy diapers, and go for a walk or food shopping.

When dad went on terminal leave, we moved to WVU married housing so he could finish his schooling.  He was still on active duty for a month or so.  They wanted him to stay, even talked OCS and helping with school.  He didn't stay.  Made SSgt in under 3 years, in the early 50s.  

When I went in at 31 (JAG), I talked to the Navy, Marines and USAF.  The Marines wanted me, the Navy never called back.  I chose the USAF because they had the best deal for direct appointments (by far), and the most bases worldwide (by far), and I did want to see the world, as well as being a JAG (off).

During my last tour at March AFB CA (Riverside), the wife and I would pack up for the weekend and run down and get a cheap Q room at Camp Pendelton.  Drank beer and ate free food and sang terrible Karaoke with fellow (Marine) Jr officers at the San Luis Rey Club in some memorable parties. Then hit the Pacific beaches on base for the rest of the weekend.  (You did need to keep an eye on your wife in her tiny bikini, lest the local jar heads attempt make off with her)

I also attended two San Diego MCRD (basic) graduation ceremonies during this time, and they beat anything I ever saw the USAF do by a country mile.  Semper Fi. 

[Raider]

Retired from the Corps three years ago!  The Valk was my retirement present to myself.   

9 years enlisted as an Artillery Meterologist; 12 as an officer (Combat Engineer) retiring as a Major.  Deployed twice to Iraq 20(03 & 2008) and once to Afghanistan (2010).

Loved my time in the Corps and still work for/with them as a GS employee.  We should get together sometime and greatly exaggerate the stories!

Jerry

[Rams]

We should get together sometime and greatly exaggerate the stories!

Jerry

Jerry,
Where are you located?     There is (no doubt) a Valkyrie gathering that a group could meet up at.   Where and when is the question.

[Raider]

I've been to one of the Inzanes and plan to go in the future.  The transition from active duty to contractor, adn finally to GS has challenged me with building a vacation surplus.  Soon, though!   

[98valk]

I was never able to join due to health issues, bad asthma when I was 16-20, couldn't run 100 yards. So went to design school and eventually got hired by the Dept of the Navy (My dad was navy man during WWII so he was proud and of my sister who is retired Army).
Been helping to keep the Marines' taxis going for 33 yrs 2 months as of the end of this September when I will retire from duty.
The longest time I was at sea was 4 1/2 wks in the Persia Gulf on a CVN, did hundreds of one week inspections at sea on various Naval ships, hurricanes and all.
I salute all of u vets, Thank you for your service.

[VMODON]

Marine Corps 1967-1971... OV10A mechanic... DaNang airbase 1970-1971... out as E5 SGT... got to do and see a lot of stuff.... SEMPER FI.... Don...