I joined the Marines in Nov 1973. I had a BA in Math when I went to enlisted boot camp. 1st day I wanted to quit. Not because I couln't run or do pullups etc. I was in excellent shape, age 22 ran Marathons, ran 3 mi in 17 min, 20 pullups etc. I just hated boot camp the 1st week. DI told me I can leave boot only 3 ways: successfully do boot camp, or get in trouble, go to brig etc get a bad discharge, or 3 DIE!! So I chose to finish boot camp, 94 days in boot camp. Winter very cold in Rifle Range Camp Pendleton. They tried to make me a squad leader but I messed up on the "Column of files, to the left! Hut!" column of files, from the right etc. I messed up, DI asked me Do you want pvt Perry to replace you? I said That's Fine Sir! I got fired of course from squad leader, had to go to one day Dirt CC Correctional Platoon if you will. I still did finish boot, went to Disbursing school in NC Camp Lejeune, SwaMP Lagoon. Then Kansas City Mo MCFC Marine Corps Finance Center, I made Cpl did 2 yrs , got out came back did 2 more yrs, went to OCS as a Cpl from KCMO. I chose to not finish OCS DOR Drop on Request. Later I returned to the Marines just for fun, KCMO and Okinawa. CC 30 days Correctional custody for petty BS no violence. I lost 30 lbs in 2 wks at CC it was fun. Now retired Dept Water Power LA Calif with a pension equal to that of a LT Col