2 posts tagged “marine”

PFC Jones Graduation Photo 1985

December 10th, 1985 saw the release of a bunch of hard-charging "shower-shoes" onto this world as the members of Platoon 2097 stepped off of the Parade Deck of Parris Island, South Carolina (a.k.a., The land that God Forgot). 

Among that gaggle of green, amphibious goo, was one Private First Class Jones.  That was a long time ago, but that date continues to resonate across my body and soul to this day as this was the day I entered into a life-long fraternity, a brother-hood, a family unlike any other.

Although having celebrated my 18th Birthday at Parris Island, we were on our path to becoming men on December 10th the minute we lined up on the yellow foot prints on September 12th, 1985.  Despite the fact that it has been 22 years, to the day, I still recall it as if it were only yesterday.  Snippets include:

Private Bernard strong arming Private Hoffman for his Chits
Private Jiminez playing pop-goes-the-weasle for Sergeant Galbreath
3rd Phase Movie Night -  "Rambo, First Blood"

And that graduation, the pride, the honor coursing through all of us.  I don't think any of us were cognizant of the pain and struggle that we had been through.  All that mattered now was getting off of the island and introducing the world to this new group of warriors fresh out of the "Pit."

PFC Jones with Drill Instructors

There are only two days that remind me of the significance of the phrase "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."  November 10th, the Marine Corps Birthday, and today, December 10th.  To all my brothers from Platoon 2097 onwards that I may have lost contact with over the years, know this, you are still with me as you were then.  When we cross paths, it will be as if we never lost contact.  It was an honor to serve with each and everyone of you.

My Journey as a Marine (9/12/85 ~ 8/4/93)
Platoon 2097 (Recruit)
Charlie Battery, 1stBn, 10thMar, 2ndMarDiv (2512-Field Wireman)
HQ Battery, 1stBn, 10thMar, 2ndMarDiv (2512-Field Wireman/0121-Personnel Clerk)
JPAO, MCB, Camp Lejeune (4313-Marine Broadcast Journalist)
AFPBS Det. 5, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan (4313-Marine Broadcast Journalist)
FEN (AFN), MCAS Iwakuni, Japan (4313-Marine Broadcast Journalist)

PFC Jones with Drill Instructors

I was a United States Marine!  There is a lot that people say about Marines and most of it is true.  One thing that I have always carried with me that I never understood growing up with my Father who was also in the Marines is the sense of, as they call it Esprit d` Corps.  The phrase "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" is one that is taken very litterally.

My memories of the 8 years I spent in the Corps is sprinkled with many memories, some bad, but most great.  The first three years were hard.  Very hard.  In 1985 I joined and graduated boot camp in on December 10th.  Exactly one month after the Marine Corps Birthday of November 10th.  So it is easy for me to remember.  Those three months were what you might expect from Marine Corps boot camp so if you want to know more, just watch the first half of Full Metal Jacket to get a taste. 

I eventually settled down at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where I was assigned as a Field Wireman for an Artillery Battalion.  The running joke at the time was that in most cases a Marine's job was rated by how long your life expectancy was in a combat situation.  For an infantry man it was something silly like 5 seconds.  Oh and if you are really lucky and end up as a wireman, that was like 3 seconds, because EVERYONE KNOWS you have to take out the communications first.  This was just one of those unique Marine jokes that would float around when you were given your assignments. 

Charlie Guidon

Honestly, It wasn't that bad.  Yes it was hard physical work and many deployments involved, but I met some great friends who I unfortunately have lost contact with over the years.  At some point however, I realized that in respect to my longer term career ambitions (didnt' really have many at 20 years of age) there was not really much growth for me in supporting and Artillery unit.  I wanted to do something else.

Surprisingly enough, I found out that there are hundreds of Jobs in the Marine Corp, some that have equivalent occupations in the "real world."  It was one of those that jumped out at me so loud that I was completely shocked and amazed that it even existed.  It was that of a Marine Broadcast Journalist or Combat Correspondent.  I jumped all over it.  I am in the middle of a series of blogs about that transition, so I won't go into it too much here.

It is this series that has made me look back to my time in the Military, and with the help of Google and some other blogging communities I have begun to find and re-connect with long lost friends and fellow servicemen/women I served with.  At the same time, I put forth the effort to pull out the old photo albums and begin scanning memories from that period in my life.  The result of which can be seen on my Flickr site here.  As well as the VOX group I just created called U.S. Marine Corps.

This past week I was "found" by another former Marine I served with in Japan.  Some look back on the past in terms of avoiding mistakes, I value the opportunity to look back as one that allows me to recall the joyous roads I have taken in my life that have made me who I am today.  If I can reach back now and pull into my life again some of these individuals that I laughed and cried with in the best and worst of times, then I am truly blessed.

Rik "The Ruler"

Check out the pictures... you might end up with a giggle or two.  And if you know of any current or former military broadcasters, point them over my way!