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I was 12 years old when I decided to join the Army – as I thought of military service at the time. I didn’t know the right words, but I was sold on the concepts of going on adventures, learning new skills, and making friends for life that I saw in Army commercials on television. At 17, when the time came for me to sign up for one branch, a single thought wouldn’t leave my mind: “Could I make it as a Marine?” Would I always wonder the answer if I chose another service? I went ahead and found out.
It has been over 20 years since I graduated from Parris Island and 12 years since I last put on my cammies. Despite the flow of time, I still think of being in the Marine Corps as one of the best times of my life. I did learn skills, I did have adventures, and I did make friends for life. My time in the Marines still influences how I view myself and how I view others.
The standards I use for myself were solidified in the standards I was held to while in service. When I criticize myself, it’s my gunny’s voice that I hear saying “C’mon Burns!” The way that I lead others is a direct result of trying to emulate what I saw in my supervisors. I’ll never run another fitness test but I still beat myself up over my three-mile time. My affinity for Marines expanded to my affinity for veterans and that affinity led to my wanting to help veterans file claims with the VA.
I try not to let “Marine” be my only identity. I’ve done other things and I have other identities. However, it’s difficult for “Marine” not to be dominant. Some of my best and longest friends are Marines or Marine veterans. I love to bring up the Marine Corps whenever I learn that someone else served. I wear my old unit t-shirts to the gym. I mention my service in my work as a VSO representative at Navy Mutual because it adds to my credibility for clients. I’m still so proud of having done what I did.
This post was supposed to be about what being a veteran means to me, but I almost never say I’m a veteran. While I love veterans, and helping them and their families is a job that I love, I always say I was a Marine.
Happy Birthday, Devil Dogs. Don’t forget one for the Commandant, one for the Corps, and one for Chesty, wherever he is. Happy Veterans Day to all Veterans!
To learn more about my employer, Navy Mutual, and the services they offer the military community, visit https://rly.pt/3NOtlLh
It has been over 20 years since I graduated from Parris Island and 12 years since I last put on my cammies. Despite the flow of time, I still think of being in the Marine Corps as one of the best times of my life. I did learn skills, I did have adventures, and I did make friends for life. My time in the Marines still influences how I view myself and how I view others.
The standards I use for myself were solidified in the standards I was held to while in service. When I criticize myself, it’s my gunny’s voice that I hear saying “C’mon Burns!” The way that I lead others is a direct result of trying to emulate what I saw in my supervisors. I’ll never run another fitness test but I still beat myself up over my three-mile time. My affinity for Marines expanded to my affinity for veterans and that affinity led to my wanting to help veterans file claims with the VA.
I try not to let “Marine” be my only identity. I’ve done other things and I have other identities. However, it’s difficult for “Marine” not to be dominant. Some of my best and longest friends are Marines or Marine veterans. I love to bring up the Marine Corps whenever I learn that someone else served. I wear my old unit t-shirts to the gym. I mention my service in my work as a VSO representative at Navy Mutual because it adds to my credibility for clients. I’m still so proud of having done what I did.
This post was supposed to be about what being a veteran means to me, but I almost never say I’m a veteran. While I love veterans, and helping them and their families is a job that I love, I always say I was a Marine.
Happy Birthday, Devil Dogs. Don’t forget one for the Commandant, one for the Corps, and one for Chesty, wherever he is. Happy Veterans Day to all Veterans!
To learn more about my employer, Navy Mutual, and the services they offer the military community, visit https://rly.pt/3NOtlLh
Marine Corps Birthday
Navy Mutual Aid Association
Veterans Day
Edited 3 y ago
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 18
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Happy Birthday Devil Dogs! And to all my veteran buddies...thanks for your service regardless of which uniform you wear/wore.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi - There Was A Time In My Life When I Said To Myself: " I Think Ill Join One Of Our Military Services."
BUT, When That Time Came, I Changed My Mind And Joined The Air Force, Instead
BUT, When That Time Came, I Changed My Mind And Joined The Air Force, Instead
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi - ........
Did You Not See The Humor In Which I Intended?
Translated : "My Air Force Enlistment Was So Good,
I Didn't Realize I Was In The Military Service".
I Loved It... ONLY Reason I Didn't Make It A Career, Was The Crappy Wages Back Then.
I Could Not Afford To Reenlist.... My TOP Pay Was $173.00 Per Month NET
Did You Not See The Humor In Which I Intended?
Translated : "My Air Force Enlistment Was So Good,
I Didn't Realize I Was In The Military Service".
I Loved It... ONLY Reason I Didn't Make It A Career, Was The Crappy Wages Back Then.
I Could Not Afford To Reenlist.... My TOP Pay Was $173.00 Per Month NET
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CPT Jerry Lucas
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney - I heard a rumor that in next year's defense budget they were going to make the Air Force part of the military. ;)
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Sgt Meredith Burns From one Marine to another, Semper Fi and thank you for your service. "Once a Marine, Always a Marine!" I'll never forget my Marine Corps Days and how they took a seventeen year old boy, taught him how to respect authority and be proud of his accomplishments. Thank you United States Marine Corps. What I learned I have carried me though my life to be the person I am today.
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We all served a different part in the fight. Didn't matter who's supply chain U were in, we all served the piece of pie we needed to.
My father was QM in the early 50's, Air Force. My brother Tom and sister April both served as communication assets in the Navy. Me, well I served the combat arms of the US Army as a helicopter mechanic/Crew Chief. Did Operation Paul Bunyan in Korea 1976.
When I was on the last leg of my career I went to Afghanistan twice. That's where we all served. By then I was in Public Affairs telling the war fighters' story.
My father was QM in the early 50's, Air Force. My brother Tom and sister April both served as communication assets in the Navy. Me, well I served the combat arms of the US Army as a helicopter mechanic/Crew Chief. Did Operation Paul Bunyan in Korea 1976.
When I was on the last leg of my career I went to Afghanistan twice. That's where we all served. By then I was in Public Affairs telling the war fighters' story.
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SGT Carl Blas
1SG Mark Rodgers - In 72 at Bragg, I just got promoted to PFC. And, then, I was always the one sent out to bring in the choppers, and thought to myself, wow, this has responsibility.
The platoon sergeant would always tell me, get out there and bring in that chopper, and don't let it crash, or your A$$ is mine!
After a couple of times bringing in the choppers, I figured it out, why it was me out there, I was the stupid FNG, with the dirt and sticks in my eyes.
The platoon sergeant would always tell me, get out there and bring in that chopper, and don't let it crash, or your A$$ is mine!
After a couple of times bringing in the choppers, I figured it out, why it was me out there, I was the stupid FNG, with the dirt and sticks in my eyes.
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1SG Mark Rodgers
At least I was capable of discerning when things were off kilter. I never looked for Prop Wash or a can of squelch.
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SGT Carl Blas
1SG Mark Rodgers - This was the events on how it was on the ground side, when choppers were due in, word for word.
RTO: Sir, choppers are 5 mikes in!
Lt: Sargent, get those choppers in!
Platoon Sargent: Pop smoke!
Squad Leader: Popping smoke, purple!
RTO: Flight lead, Smoke identify!
Flight leader: I identify, purple!
RTO: You're ok to come in!
Flight leader: Roger!
As the lead chopper is identified, and coming in:
Platoon sergeant: Blas, get your F##king A$$ out there, And, don't let it crash, Or your A$$ is mine!
FNG Blas: "Roger"
Squad Leader: Get the F##k out there now!
FNG Blas, gets chopper wash in eyes, and ready to do it again tomorrow. Hahahahahaha!
"Beer, is on me" 2nd to none!
RTO: Sir, choppers are 5 mikes in!
Lt: Sargent, get those choppers in!
Platoon Sargent: Pop smoke!
Squad Leader: Popping smoke, purple!
RTO: Flight lead, Smoke identify!
Flight leader: I identify, purple!
RTO: You're ok to come in!
Flight leader: Roger!
As the lead chopper is identified, and coming in:
Platoon sergeant: Blas, get your F##king A$$ out there, And, don't let it crash, Or your A$$ is mine!
FNG Blas: "Roger"
Squad Leader: Get the F##k out there now!
FNG Blas, gets chopper wash in eyes, and ready to do it again tomorrow. Hahahahahaha!
"Beer, is on me" 2nd to none!
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1SG Mark Rodgers
Those were the days! I didn't join till Feb 1975, rolled out of AIT and headed to 2nd Infantry, B Co, 2nd Aviation Bn, Camp Casey, Korea. Let the good times roll drinking Slow Gew.
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