My friend Wayne and myself enlisted in the Corp in mid Aug 1970. I was born with a partial paralysis of my left foot but played football baseball and was above average in sports. When we took the physical to get in notes and discussions were made and was decided that I was physically fit. After arriving at Parris Island on the second day had another physical As we all did. Was picked up a couple of days later by our D.I.’s after a week maybe, had to go see a Navy orthopaedic doc who suggested I may not be fit for duty.
Went through 23 days of boot camp had a heat stroke and spent a couple of days in the infirmary. A couple of days after rejoining my platoon received orders to go to second battalion reassignment where I was placed in a casual company and 2days latter went to a medical board of the one doc i had seen previously and one other doc and was told I was being discharged. They also said had it been a couple of years earlier that I have been cleared to serve but however at this time the Corp was having somthing like a two hundred thousand man draw down and was not neneeded only taking “perfect” individuals at that time.
My father was a career Navy Corpsman of WW2 and Korea was assigned to the 1st Marines in Korea. After being discharged felt like I had let my friend the Corps and my family down. Wayne and I remain friends like brothers all this time, about 2 years I finally confessed to him about the shame I had felt all these years and he told me there was nothing to be ashamed of because I had joined and wanted to serve, but he could understand because he never served in Vietnam and felt that way about our brothers who did.
A few months he gave me a gift that means more to me than most things I have.
One thing I never try to do is tell anyone how they should feel. I have been told by many that i should never feel guilt. “Don’t tell me how to feel” I would say, but in this case, it sounds to me that you did everything right and you tried, that’s more than I can say for a lot of others during that era . You should be proud that you a least tried! SEMPER FI! Bill
No shame top be had Marine. You were discharged because the Corp was cutting down as we were leaving the Nam. Hold your head high brother, Semper Fi!
Service as a Marine is not only the physical, but the heart and mind. You have the heart of a Marine, and as far as I’m concerned, you’ll always be a Marine. God made you in a certain way and it’s not for us to question his Will. Doing the best with what you have is mind over matter. Be proud of your fellowship and Brotherhood, Marine! Semper Fi!
Total understand, I enlisted in 79 was sent to MCRD San Diego I made it through the 1st week of orientation my 3rd week into training I hurt my back I was told I had a supplication, the vertebra in my back slipped apart and pinched a nerve. Very painful, I eventually had to have surgery and they pinned it back together. I hated having to leave but wasn’t given a choice.
You volunteered to go to Parris Island. As far as this old timer is concerned, you are a Marine and have been for the last 50 years. You will always be one of us.
Siempre fi!
Went through similar situation spent 93 days on PI in 1977, short 2 inspections and 15 miles hike away from Parade grounds, all due to an MVA 3 months before leaving for PI.
It wasn’t until 38 years later I got help, had a young Marine gift me the EGA he received that really made my day.
If they want a ship-shape Marine. I joined in September of 1963 I was the outstanding Marine of platoon 375. I was a E4 when I landed in Vietnam on Xmas eve 1965. I killed a few of the gooks & I loved it. I was in a fire fight in 1966 I was very intent to kill as many I could, that’s when I hit a land mine that took off both of my legs above the knee. I am 75 now & still ready to serve the corps.
SEMPER FI BROTHERS
Hi I joined September 63 myself platoon 272. Graduated 12/11/63. We probably did close order drills on the grinder at some point at same time. You must be a very strong willed person. Semper Fi brother
To: Bill McGovern
I was in PLT 272 at MCRD San Diego from Sept. to Dec. 1963. Senior DI was SSgt. Busch if I remember correctly.
I had to get in on a waiver as my eyesight was poor. They told me I probably could not hit the broad side of a barn and my TO weapon should be a shot gun. I qualified with a 236 score. Funny, I did have a shotgun while in Nam.
Nothing to be ashamed of brother! You tried like like hell to join while many others at the time were trying to avoid serving their country. I am sure especially with your family history of serving that you would have made an outstanding Marine and I consider it an honor to say ‘Semper Fi’ to you and your family.
No shame. Be proud of your intent. You did your part. Thank you for your service and Semper Fi!
Same thing happened to a friend of mine. In 1968 we went to join the Marines and he flunked the physical. I NEVER knew it bothered him until a few years ago. He even went so far as to go to another state to try and get in but flunked again.
Don’t ever worry about what other people think or say. As a Marine corpsman iI came home and for over 10 years I didn’t tell anyone I was in Nam. I don’t regret how I acted but later on I said F**k it and just didn’t care if anyone knew. To be honest it didn’t make any difference to my FRIENDS.
Just reading your comments on my way to comment to Shame, had to stop and say I’ve always had the utmost respect to my 8404’s friends on the green side. Your guys always held the highest esteem to me now and during my days of the Corps. Thank you for making a difference in our lives.
Semper Fi.
Robert
1st day or 6 years in it feels pretty much the same and it doesn’t make you less a Marine. In 73 I twisted an ankle about two thirds of the way through boot. Senior DI turned a blind eye and let me finish. Never could run much after that, Doc’s gave me a medical profile a couple of years later and some NCOIC’s and OIC’s new I could do everything but run and I made Sergeant in 33 months (still proud of that one) but approaching my sixth year while serving as a Career Planner, I applied for a Career Recruiter position (don’t have to run for that one – I thought). well, after starting the training the ankle came back to haunt me and they said “NO run”, “NO Marine”. That was 1979 and it has bothered me ever since, but I like you can claim the title of a United States Marine! Semper Fi
You had an awesome Senior DI to do that for you, thanks for sharing your story with us. That saying of us being a band of brothers never dies does it!
Semper FI
Robert
You DID serve in our Corps and did your best. I can understand your guilt. Though different, I have my own to carry around. Semper Fi, Brother!
–Michael Helms
(0311) E/2/4 1967-68
No shame in your game Marine. You gave it your best, that is all anyone can ask, it was taken out of your hands and the decision was made. Be proud of what you did and hold your head HI always. Semper Fi! Thom C. V.N. Vet. 66-68.
im told all the time im not a vet cause i never went to combat f..k the vfw i have a dd214 i served so screw em all
First of all Stand Tall and be proud of the fact that you are a Marine. I spent an intial enlistment of 4 years and then later in life joined the reserves. During that time I learned that Marines are made up of a close group of young men and women who stand ready to defend their country and a moments notice. You had the courage and fortitude to to join that group and while the Marines may not have been willing, at that time for allow you to do your duty, you were armed and ready to serve. Hold you head high as you should be recognized for the sacrafice that you were willing to make.
Semper Fi My Brother
Sgt. T. Golden
My Grandson earned his EGA ,had shin splints at graduation. He came home on his 10 day leave.
after returning to San Diego, he was given another physical and found to have a bone spur on his
hip. He requested to “push through” which was denied. They discharged him one day before he was
eligible for his VA benefits.
He came home feeling he let everybody down and doesn’t consider himself a Marine. I told him to be proud of the fact that he earned his EGR which means he is a US Marine, and no one can take that away.
went thru the same thing. I enlisted in the marine corps in 1970,september. I was into about one month at parris island. was having my eye exam. They told me that i had partial blindness in my left eye.I was really pissed. I told them that i wanted to stay,but they refused to let me finish out boot camp.I felt really embarrassed and ashamed,as i come from a marine oriented family. I went to see colonel tewey and he gave me an honorable discharge and home i went. My brother being a marine himself knew what had happened and told me i had nothing to be ashamed of because once a marine always a marine. semper fi.
Similar story here-discharged in 1969 in the 6th week due to physical problem. I feel the same guilt as you but after thinking through the circumstances that got me to Paris Island in lieu of my intended PLC enlistment at Quantico, I now feel it Devine intervention. Probably saved my life. Trying to contribute I looked into the MC League and learned that they require a minimum stay in the Corpse for full membership. The only EGA that I received is imprinted at the top middle of my Honorable Discharge. I now do what I can for the troops through other organizations. I remain proud of my time at Paris Island and of all the Marines that served in my place. Thank you for your service and for my generation, welcome home!
Hey Marine,
Hold your head up high. It’s all the luck of the draw. We say we’re willing and the Corps says what it needs or doesn’t need, where to go, when to go, what to do, etc.
I reported to OCS at Quantico the day after Labor Day 1967. Many back then were looking to avoid service or to find an easier, softer way. They would have exploited your situation. Not you.!I had the privilege and honor of serving 13 months in RVN as Rifle Plt Cmdr, XO, & CO. I would’ve liked to have you in one of my units. You would have fit in nicely with some outstanding Marines of K/3/27 & E/2/4
Wow man, look at all the brothers that have responded to you! It is so fitting after all this time that your brothers come to you with such respect and understanding and I do the same. I truly hope this board has lessen your pain of the past.
What caught my attention wasn’t only the circumstances but the time of your ordeal, you see I too arrived to PI in Aug of 70, to be specific the 27th, I picked up 3rd Batt. (3000) some time in early Sept. and was forced to sick bay on at least 2 occasions for my flat feet for treatment. But man, it is totally possible you and I were in holding before we got our platoons and may have crossed paths with the same doctors……Wow, what a thought.
But anyway, I made it thru boot, never went to Nam, I guess they need remington raiders so damned bad they kept me. I wrote about my guilt and non combat service on this forum here. https://blog.grunt.com/blog/non-vietnam-vet/
I want you to stop feeling guilty of that event my brother, I’m sure I was there with you and witnessed the bravest and at the same time most scared a kid could be. As we all were.
Let us feel peace and pride of our accomplishments! We don’t have to tell the world, but we can tell each other.
Semper Fi
Robert
I can understand your guilt. I served 18 months in Nam and I also feel the guilt that I made it back alive when my buddies did not. Semper Fi brother. You are still a Marine.
always a marine . i got ot nam xmas eve 1969 also did my thing as a 0331 you know at hill 55 any body else.
I went in at peace time I enlisted 04/October 1976 scrambled but did it all in 1 day wow what a whirlwind the day was I was picked up in the 1105 series ply 1105 then cut out and placed in 1108 where all the lessers went in this series if the instructors thought you were less than the others 5,6,or 7 thought this you went to 1108 anyway long story short we started wit 67 at pick up and at graduation there were less than 50 some went out with medical and some in other ways to not be a part of our class but in a short the ones forced out with medical are just as much a marine as myself or anyone else that earned their EGA I’m proud of the fact I was in right after my 17th birthday and there was only 1 younger than I for the NOV birthday for my mother and farther slate timing it was mountain climbers begin for not being 2 weeks younger
But as a scared kid going in and a marine that graduated on January 07 of 1977 my brother you are a marine and you always will be that Marine don’t feel guilty or shame for things beyond your Controll just know that you will always be ! Simper fi brother
And you are that you’re a part of this brotherhood of crayon eaters Hold that head up as you’ve earned it
Have no shame! You raised your right hand and volunteered to serve. You did more than many.
I went in in 1969, and had flat feet. They only asked me if my feet hurt, and I said no. I then was told helicopters take you most places anyway, reducung the hiking!
In 1969 if you could put mist on a mirror (you were alive) you were good to go.
You are a Marine!! Never doubt that. You volunteered and enlisted. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.
I was not a Marine. I was just a Corpsman, NEC 8404, in the First Marine Division from 1961 to 1966. I had enlisted for a four year active duty and two year reserve enlistment. I was due to be discharged from active duty in May 1965 but I was involuntarily extended in 1964 due to the “hostile actions in Southeast Asia”. I was honorably discharged in 1966 as an E-5, HM2. I never served in combat and I’ve always felt some embarrassment for that. However, every time I meet someone wearing a USMC insignia on a hat or shirt, and I say Semper Fi and then tell them that I was not a Marine, but a Corpsman, I am greeted with the utmost respect as a “Doc”. I am very proud of my service with the Marine Corps and you should be even more proud of yours.
Del Powell
Largo, FL
“I was not a Marine. I was just a Corpsman.”! What? Your guys hold the highest esteem in my eyes. Doc, please don’t say that about yourself. Hold your head as high as you can knowing you served on the green side and every one you served with as an 8404 considers you a Marine too. I love you guys. I wish I could give you a devil doc challenge coin. I’ve made comments in the past of how I feel about my beloved Marine Corpsman and Vietnam as well. https://blog.grunt.com/blog/non-vietnam-vet/
Semper Fi
Robert