It’s Saturday so I shall take a time out from the looney tunes and Village People today for something personal. For those who have not yet read my book—shame on you—please allow me to elaborate. Sixty-two years ago, on 6 March 1958, my HS friend, Teddy Wood, and I having just quit school a few days earlier, boarded a train at the Baltimore train station bound for a place that will live in infamy with me—Parris Island, South Carolina. When we disembarked the train around midnight at a place called Yamasee, South Carolina, my life immediately changed forever!
Teddy did his four years and left the Corps and has since transferred upstairs to guard the streets. While I, on the hand, became consumed by it all and by the end of my four years I had developed into what we young upstart enlisted Marines referred to as a “lifer.”
The rest is history and well documented in the book: We’ll All Die as Marines – One Marine’s Journey from Private to Colonel. It’s not actually an autobiography, but more of a chronological series of stories about life’s ever challenging experiences inside the Marine Corps, and of the amazing life-long brothers and sisters with whom I had the pleasure of serving, as well as the host of professional mentors I was lucky enough to have had throughout my nearly thirty-six years.
A pictorial trip through a blessed career.
It amazes me how many of those brothers and sisters I am still in contact with today—in fact, many are followers of this blog. Several of you on here were my “turds” (LOL) long ago in the early 1960’s. How neat is that. For those of you reading this who did not have the opportunity to have served in the Corps, this all may seem strange to you. You see, we are a “family!” We served together through good times and bad, war and peace, we laughed and cried together, we got knee walking, commode hugging, snot slinging drunk together in foreign ports of call and helped each other back to the ship or base. We never ever left anyone behind. To all my eternal brothers and sisters who were always ready to lay down our lives for one another—God bless and Semper Fi; Jim aka “Sgt B.”
PS. If you looked at the photo captions closely you should have noticed a name change. Why? Sorry, you’ll have to read the book. LOL
Originally posted 2020-03-07 13:30:24.
Sonny – Your success is testimony to true grit and stick-to-it-ive-ness. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to meet, work with and befriend a fair share of Marines. Once a week I have breakfast with a retired MGySgt (Aviation) who ended up as the Crew Chief on the Commandant’s plane.
From a former Navy guy, BZ my friend. Don
Thanks Don, Semper Fi, we love our Navy Brethren, that is as long as there are Air Farce and soldiers to beat up on. LOL
I thought Sea Duty was your worst assignment. Recruiting the hardest. What was most fun? Hard to compare, I know. In some ways the farther down the pay chart the better is was, yes? Of course, higher meant you could get more toward the mission and assure justice was done for juniors. Memories. Tad sends.
Yes, I agree with your assessment of the toughest and the worst Tad. Best would probably be MB, Lemoore, albeit the first year was unbearable at times and required a so much of my time and energy, which surely caused my second divorce, but as I look back it was a good thing. LOL. I am certain you had been asked the same question as I was during our rise in grade. “Col/Major/whatever, you have been a Pvt through GySgt, and Second Lt through whatever, what was your best rank?” Without any hesitation, and to the questioner’s astonishment my reply was always “Sergeant!” Of course, next came “Why?” Of course, you know the answer to that Tad. It was fun, close to the troops, where the rubber met the road, and filled with excitement, challenges, and camaraderie daily. As one progresses up the ladder he acquires many lower level leaders, shields between him and the “rubber.” Of all my grades, there was nothing at all “fun” about being a Colonel. Any lingering amount of “fun” ceased to exist when I removed the silver oak leaf. I then entered into the political realm of the Corps, for which I had no desire in which to engage. By law I could have remained for four more years and finished up at 40 as I was only 52, but the fun was gone. The excitement was gone, and so was the sheer motivation that for 36 years kept me awake at night because I could not wait to get up at 0500 every morning have another day of excitement. Oh yes Tad, what memories we have had.
Jim
VERY interesting write Jim. I wish I could have known you better in, but at 19 I was lucky to know which way was North.😊.
Simper Fi.
In vietnam
Come on Brad we all knew which was north………I think? LOL Thanks for the comment. Have you read the book?
Oh yes read about a year past, now just trying to figure out how I can get an autograph.
By the way 6 Sept 1965 for me…55years past,
Semper Fi
Come on, Jim. Admit it. Serving on the USS Chicago CG-11 was the highlight of your long and illustrious career. You will always be our beloved Lt. BOMBURST to Gary and I.
Your reminisce is well earned, our friend!
Ltjg Doug Horan
Boilers’ Officer
CG-11
LOL, Yes, the “Mighty Chi” your is well remembered for many things, mostly bad, but becoming friends with you and Gary made the tour almost enjoyable.
Many Thanks Jim for your posts I have read all of them since I found you and have enjoyed all of them. Semper Fi
Thank you Lewis!!