I joined the USMC at age 17 and it was the best thing that I could have ever done at the same time, just like you. It actucally led to me getting my GED and eventually getting a BA and MPA degree later. I don’t think I would ever have made it into college without joining the Marine Corps at age 17 and I have always been very proud of my service in the USMC.
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YES I DID THAT EXACTLY AT 17
Doug I went in at 17 yr and 4 months
I signed up and tested in April 1961 at age 16, exactly one year after my Dad passed away. I quit school and tested and passed, was worn in after passing test with high marks, sworn in again at 17 birthday, June 10, 1961, again July 6, 1961 at Logan Airport before boarding plane to PI and again at PI July 7, 1961. Only regrets were that I had not waited and graduated high school in 1961 for at PI, one of the tests a damn near aced and in private conversation with S/DI S/Sgt Rushing was advised to get my GED for I had technically qualified test wise for OCS. At Camp Lejeune, 1962, while in the field training on various bridges, I was fire team leader and was getting ready to follow team on the single strand bridge via the ‘monkey crawl.’ As I started across on that ‘bridge,’ the guy behind me from the next team got on the rope too soon and to do so he jumped onto the rope. The force of the jump popped the rope upward just as I was reaching for it and I missed it and fell almost 50′, subsequently fracturing my back at the waist in four places. I just had a fusing operation on 4 vertebrae in my neck where it was believed by the surgeon that the front sights of the M1, crushed a vertebra in my neck and compressed three others. It was a level three operation that lasted 5 1/2 hours. I was in a neck brace for 90 days and a soft neck brace for another 30. I still wear it occasionally to rest my neck. But for that incident in the field, I would have been at OCS and could have graduated to become an officer with a career in the Corps. I was never able to get past that lost. I had wanted it so badly that I never investigated other ways of lifed. Two DI’s had helped to get to the point of beginning my dream. I’ll never forget them for giving me a purpose.
I did the samething in 1960, joined the corp and never regetted it. Looking back the only thing I screwed up on I got out, I wish now I would have stayed in. Have a grandson going in next year after finishing school. I will work on him to make a career of th corp. Semper fidelis
Bill you sound like my right guide from Plt 372 Gung Ho Bob Hanne serial number 1928317 and now day its OOOHRAHHHHH
I was the Platoon Commander of Platoon 374.
Upon graduating from high school in 1969 I went to college the following year and hated every minute. So after my freshman year I joined the Corps – best thing I ever did. Upon my discharge I returned to college and sailed through. I have had a very fortunate career and not a day has gone by that I don’t credit “our” Corps to that success. Semper Fi (forever)
Know what you are sayin’! Same here, only I flunked out Spring quarter at UGA in 1954. Worked construction work on a road building project, joined the Corps in Oct. 1954, got off P.I. January, ’55, then ITR at Camp Geiger. Lucked up and got Sea Duty! Two med cruises and then Camp Lejeune, N.C.. got out in 1957, went back to college, graduated in 1960, and also credit the Corps for helping me grow up become a man. Gung Ho and Semper Fi!!!
I too quit school at 17,went on to votech school.opens 3 successful business, later went to work for the govt.happily retired.Thanks you Marine Corps.always grateful for lessons learned. 1966-1970.
Same-same water buffalo! There is no greater place to set your mind straight than a tour with the Marine Corps. It should be required to all when they finish high school or definitely if they don’t. I had my own business for 42 years, built 2 beautiful homes, put my two children through school. It was stamina that I learned from the Corps and that any goal can be reached if you want it bad enough. My tour with the Corps was over when I was 22. I’m still involved with the Marine Corps League in my area. If you want to still help with different charities in your area JOIN the League in your area. We Marines has a great time giving back.OOH-RAH and Semper Fi.
Went to PI upon graduation from HS in 1957. Best thing I ever did . I was a spoiled punk , kid from an affluent family in the NE. PI and four years in made a man out of me .I went to a good college and had a successful business career , and most importantly I have a wife of 53 years , two daughters ,and six grandchildren . God bless the USMC . Semper Fi !
Finish high school went to Corp. Best thing that ever happen to me got out 73 . Had a great heating company ran it the corp never give up never give in retired at 54yrs old. Thanks to the corp
Went in after I graduate high school, June 1970-74! Got out and they seemed to hate use Vietnam Vets and wouldn’t hire us! So I applied at NOB Norfolk, thinking they might hire a MARINE! Told me the only job I qqualified for after being a NCO Machine Gun section leader was a laborer job throwing garbage cans! Did that for a year then went in the apprentice program to learn Heavy Mobile Equipment repair! Retired Civil service after 37 years! Glad to see the American people have a better view on their returning Vets!
Yep! Sounds just like me! I tried to enlist when I was 16 in 1957. The recruiter caught on and I had to wait until I was 17. I quit school and later received a GED while stationed on Okinawa. I did the four years (1958-1962) and separated as a Corporal E-4. I kicked around doing many different jobs, but always thought of the Corps and being back in. In 1966 while Vietnam was in full swing I re-entered as a PFC. Went to my first year in Vietnam and returned as a Corporal. Was transferred to Albany Ga. where I promoted to Sergeant shortly after. I was a Sergeant for six years (Frozen MOS). Had orders to ‘Gitmo’ to work with the Minefield Maint. team in 1972. My years tour lasted five months because I was selected for the Warrant Officer Program. I retired in 1982 as a CWO-3… When I retired in 1982 I started with the Marine Corps JROTC in New Jersey and Florida. Retired from the school in 2007…I wore the Marine Corps Uniform for 46 years!!!!! I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN !!!!!!
My Dad died when I was just shy of my 16th birthday. It was a major blow for me for we were extremely close. Hardly a day when I didn’t hear Marine stories from his WW II Pacific war experiences and the wounds that eventually took his life after many years of being handicapped. I signed up for the Corps at 16 in April and was due for Parris Island in a couple of months. It was right after my 17th birthday I got to PI. I’m glad I did for I strongly believe that had I not quit school and all that I wouldn’t have “made” it in life. The Corps actually became a father of sorts to set my path for my Life’s journey.
TJ Lacey……….Trying to get back to you on a couple of older posts…I was in Plt 339 w/you in ’61…..I still have my grad. Book. A little ragged after fifty + years…..I can text your dress blues grad. pix or mail to you…Need your contact imfo. Semper Fi…….
Hot Damn!! Tom, after years of looking I am so GRATEFUL to hear from you. I can finally give a copy to my sons, especially my Marine son (SDRD 1995) the picture to make our records almost complete. My email is TJLacey@comcast.net and my home address is 9 Winding Road, Nashua, NH, 03062. I am also on face book as Wolf Lacey in honor of my Native American heritage and National Chairman of The Metis Nation of the South. My health is shot and very quickly so I was very concerned for my “future at gaining the picture. Heart my be screwed up but right now it’s Happy and filled with a joy I haven’t had in years. Did you see where Sgt Patterson eventually made 1st Sargent? Between him and S/Sgt Rushing, I was able to finally get my life in order after having lost my father. These two Marines gave me things to help my shape my life with confidence and fairness in myself. My wife just stated how wonderful and “it shows you that it’s good when you never give up.” Can’t wait to hear from you again as I can finally complete my Marine Corps three generation site for my son. Thearle James Lacey, JR. and I thank you — Semper Fi
I also enlisted the week I turned 17, I quit high school in ’53, went straight to MCRD San Diego. A week later I thought “Good Grief, what, pray tell, have I done? After 3 years in the Marine Corps and 14 months 23 days in Korea, I knew what I had done. I got out in 56, finished high school, went on to get a BA and never looked back. God bless the USMC! Semper Fi!
You all make me feel ancient, I also joined at the young age of 17 back in 1959. Best thing that I ever did. I was headed down the wrong path but the Corps got me quickly realigned. LOL
Quit hi-school in 54, joined the corp, would never thought I would amount to anything, the Marine Corp made me into a man, changed my life, summer of 54, at mcrd San Diego, Plt. 289, in 76 my son went in and got out in 82, I think all kids should join, makes them into a better person, it did me,
I joined when I was 17, and the lessons about never quitting and seizing your objective got me through law school, and I have been practicing law now for over 28 years. I testified numerous times in my state legislature, Texas, about maintaining the death penalty for 17 yoa Murderers. When the Supreme Court said that 17 was too young to be a conscious killer, and that the 17 year old brain hadn’t developed to that point, I retorted with my experience of being in a platoon where 65% of the recruits were 17, and that we were very capable of being extreme professional killers. Eleanor Roosevelt was correct in describing the Marines as being” Over-sexed, under-paid, teenage Killers”! In my perspective, a great compliment!!!
I am so proud of what I have read – following my comment/comments above. What is/has been written is such a magnificent testament to our Corps. As all have written, it has given us the strength, fortitude, guidance and perservence to go forward – every day, year end, and year out. It has been a Mother/Father to us all. We learned that quitting was/is never an option – Marines never give up. We all know that the Corps is so ingrained into our souls that we are all one. God Bless Our Courps – today – tomorrow – and forever. Semper Fi
I joined in `73 at 17, just to get away from home, so much a Navy brat I was born in a Navy Hospital. Went Motor T. 3522. It was a fun time. Looking back knowing what I know now, I would have stayed for the long haul.
Kenneth W Shannon says, I signed up for the 6 month delayed program while I was a senior in high school, Many of my friends said that I would never make it thru boot camp. I graduated the 24th of May 1962 and the 28th of May I was standing in the Receiving Department, MCRD San Diego, Calif. looking out the window watching the men on the big grinder marching and doing the drills. I told myself at that time I was going to prove all my friends wrong, and I did just that. Spent time in Viet Nam came back to States. Made Sgt. upon return. I thank the Marine Corps for everything they made me, and I would do it all over again, I”m proud of being called a Marine. God Bless the Marines and everything it stands for. SEMPER FI
I am also a member of the 17 year old Marine Corps “club “. Quit school and joined in 1967. MCRD San Diego, Platoon 1012. Went to Vietnam and came back a Sgt. E-5. Got my GED in the Corps and my college degree when I got out. My oldest son joined the Marine Corps in 1988 and was in Desert Shield. His son just graduated Marine Corps boot camp last October 2016. So proud of my 3rd generation Marine grandson. As he prepares to deploy to Afghanistan may God bless our young men and women who continue to step forward to protect the USA and our way of life. Semper Fi Marines.
Every one of you is singing from the same hymnal as I am. Although I graduated high school before enlisting, I could hardly wait to get out of school and surely would have flunked out of college. Being in the USMC ’69 to ’71 matured me to the point where I thrived in college, graduate school, and in my profession. None of that would have occurred but for the leavening the Marine Corps gave me. Semper Fi, brothers and sisters.
ralph receveur jr says, I joined 9/11-56. 12 days 17. quit high school after 10 th grade. got my ged while in the corps. went to pi weighing 110 lbs, 5ft 6in. left weighing 145lbs and 5ft 9in, in 3 months. my. mos was 6481, helicopter mech. at new river n.c. got out and got a job at boeing helicopters in Pennsylvania as a tool maker on ch-47s and the v-22, retired after 40 yrs. I’m now 78 and back to 5’6”. I have a lot of great memories of the time I spent in the corps. 3 yr tour. semper fi
Story is almost the same, quit high school at 17, my recruiter had me take the GED prior to going to MCRD in December of ’66. Could believe it, I got 3 squares (all I could eat), new cloths (looked just like everyone else) and they paid me! Unbelievable! Made PFC out of Boot, Vietnam (Chu Lai) April 68 – May 69. Early out September 70 to go to College on the GI Bill, bought a house in ’72 on with my Cal Vet loan, became a Fire Fighter and now I’m retired. None of this would of happened had I not joined our beloved Corps. Semper Fi, Brothers and Sisters and God Bless America
These stories sounds like we all joined at 17 years. I to joined after graduating from high school in 1959, went to MCRDSD. Joined 3/5 in October 1959, went tp Okinawa. Did all sorts of things for the year 1960 throughout SEA, some good, some things bads by myself (as ordered) and with others (as ordered). Joined 1/1 upon return to US, sent to 5th MEB for the Cuban Missile crisis, went to Cuba. Joined 2/23 active reserves, became Platoon Sargeant and acting Platoon Commander. Left in 1968. Went to work in the Aerospace industry. Became a Manager after 3 years and for the next 24 years managed many departments. My Marine Corps leadership training was used effectively in managing every department I took over, which made me an assest to the company in every facet of aerospace business (technical, legal, business, technology, etc.). Was assigned as technology representative to work with 10 companies/10 universities for 8 years. Critiqued presentations given by the 10 universities on many facetes of aerospace subjects. Lectured Masters and PhD students/canidates during these 8 years. Legal expert on aerospace lawsuits for the company. Retired in 1994. Went to college, got degree. Spent additional 14 years attending college classes. This is what the Marine Corps did for me. My grandson served in Iraq and Afganistan. My greatgrandson just deployed in November 2016. God Bless the USMC. Semper Fi to all Marines where ever they serve/served (past, present and future). We are the BEST!!!!