While I get the feeling that you would not want to be thanked for your service due to your leadership style. For the many praises and thanks you give both past and present Marines.
I must thank you anyway. I thank you for taking such great care of our Marines and our Corps.
You are a Marine that we all aspire to be.
I, like you, got out of the Corps and stayed in the civilan world for over a year. I joined the US Army and immediately realized to late that I had made a terrible mistake. While the Army is a proud and needed service to our country I knew immediately that I just did not belong. USMC was etched into my heart and soul. Nothing could replace that.
After Army service I didn't care if I returned to the Corps even if it was as a Private. Just let me come back. The Corps gave me another chance and I ran with it.
While not active duty but reserve my life was complete and retired in 1998.
I will probably never be a true civilian but quite frankly I don't want to be.
