Some of the stories about bad Marine chow brought back memories. I was with 1/1 3rd Mar Div in 1983 for a 6 month tour on Okinawa. After being on "the rock" for two weeks and eating less than stellar chow at the camp Hanson chow hall, I couldn't wait to go out to Kinville and get some chicken fried rice….no onions on most evenings. Anyway I was with H&S Company Supply and had to go to Kadena AFB to pick up some equipment. I grabbed a guy from Motor T with a jeep license and off we went. I picked up the equipment and since it was almost noon the Motor T L/Cpl asks me if I'm hungry. Hell yes I said. When aren't Marines hungry? He said he had eaten at the Kadena chow hall & the food was damn good. So off we go to the chow hall. I could not believe my eyes. You had more than ONE choice of entrees. WTF? As a matter of fact there were FOUR main entree choices. The dessert choices seemed endless!!! After filling my plate, I turn around to get a seat at a table and low and behold…..There are actual TABLECLOTHS on each table with salt & pepper shakers and napkins on each table. (I think I died and went to chow hall heaven). But that's not all. I was told that you could go and get SECONDS if you were still hungry. Well, being a good Marine, I had to test that rumor and found out it was TRUE. Needless to say I tried to get to Kadena AFB as often as possible. Man those fly boys had it good. I often wondered if the Marine Corps chow was so bad to keep us Devil Dogs pissed off and ready to kick some azz. Just a theory.
Semper Fi.
Cpl Toby "Stump Stearns
1982-1986
1/1 1st Mar Div
1/1 3rd Mar Div