U.S.M.C.

After being raised in a military environment, and having family members in the military, it was inevitable that I join the ranks of those who have gone before me to serve this great country of ours.  I was considering the Air Force, but didn't like the goody two shoes image.  I kind of considered the Army, but for whatever reason decided it wasn't for me.  I didn't have any interest in the Navy due to all the gay jokes.  Same thing with the Coast Guard.  So, what's left?  The Marine Corps.  A good friend of mine and his brother both joined the Marines, so after a few times hanging out at the recruiting office with them, I decided that's what I wanted to do.  At the time I was only seventeen, so they would need a parent's signature in order for me to join the DEP (Delayed Entry Program).  So, I told my mom I was going to enlist in the Marines.  She almost fainted.  She was thinking Army or Air Force, but when I told her I chose the Marine Corps, she thought I was nuts...but she supported my decision.  I left for boot camp in San Diego, CA in August of 1989, and graduated four months later.  It was the toughest four months in my life, but it was the definitely showed that I could practically do anything I put my mind to.  I continued after that with a month of grunt training.  Basically, hiking up big hills, sleeping in the field, shooting big guns and doing night maneuvers.  After that, I went to Electronics School in 29 Palms, CA for about four months, then I went on to Shepard Air Base in Wichita Falls, TX for another four months to complete my training.  Finally after a year in the Corps, I'm looking forward to going to my first duty station.  The kicker is that I graduated tech school on the same day that Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait.  Four months later, I'm in the land of sand playing with cables and phone/communication systems.  After we kicked ass and came back home, things were practically normal except for running every other day, standing guard duty, and going on a 15+ mile hike with full pack and weapon every month.  I spent my last year in Okinawa, Japan.  It was a nice peaceful little island.  Before that, the only time I've heard about the island of Okinawa is from watching "Karate Kid Part II".  Lots of good times were had over there, but my four year enlistment was coming to an end, and I did not have any intention of reenlisting.  If you're a kid in high school that's not exactly for sure what to do after graduation, I'd recommend the Marine Corps.  I don't regret the experience, however once is enough.

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