My life in USMC

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 read more

Haircut

It was requal week at the rifle range, and I had yet to qualify. Fustrating to say the least. Thursday came and went, and I relaxed more on the range, but not enough to shoot well on anything but the rapid-fire. After getting inventoried mid-day, I was told by Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Morgan, I needed a haircut. My bob cut was too long and touching my collar. Ordered the scribe to write a walking chit to the salon for me. read more