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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
MGySgt Scott R Welch U.S. Marine Corps (Ret) (1976-2001)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS?
 It was more of 'who' than 'what' influenced my decision to join the Marines...and that was my father. At about the age of 10 or 11, I tried on my dad's herringbone utility jacket and his service green 'Eisenhower' battle jacket; I was hooked. My dad served with Able Co, 1st Bn, 7th Marines in Korea. He was wounded twice and was later medi-evaced out of the Chosin Reservoir on 4 December 1950. Although he wanted me to go onto college after high school, he respected my decision to enlist in the Marines. In September 1976, my birthday was on Sunday, Monday was Labor Day and on Tuesday I enlisted in the Marine Corps.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
When I enlisted, I was undecided of what type of career/MOS or occupational field I wanted to get into. So at the age of 17, I joined the Marines under an 'open' contract. During boot camp, so many said I was stupid and that I would end up being a grunt. My point was I was going to be a Marine, everything else was secondary. In third phase of boot camp when the DIs were going over contracts and MOSs, I was called up and told that if I didn't screw up I had a good chance to go to Marine Barracks 8th & I, since I was recognized to be good at drill and was the right height and weight for the Drill Team. Well, that never happened and bothered me for years. From boot camp I went onto Communications School at 29 Palms and stayed in the comm field for the rest of my career. Oh, and years later, the reason I was not selected to go to 8th & I was because of my age. Since the Marines at 8th & I are taken from the combat arms field, which you have to be 18 years old. I was only 17 when I graduated from boot camp.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
There were a number of memories that stand out; however, I have to say my last duty station at Headquarters, Marine Corps serving as the Occupational Field sponsor for the communications field (25xx/06xx) was the pinnacle of my career.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE ONE(S) MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 The most meaningful would have to be the Joint Service Commendation Medal. It was my first personal award that I received after serving in the Republic of Korea (ROK) with Commander, Naval Forces Korea at their Marine Detachment in Po Hang on board the Korean Marine base that was the home for their 1st ROK Marine Division.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
There was no one, other than my father that influenced and had the biggest impact on my career. Yet there were a couple of outstanding Sergeant Majors I have served with.
SgtMaj Seagriff only had to say a few words that helped me 'survive' recruiting duty for three years and those were "they'll be on your back about numbers, just remember Quality over Quantity", which I used to 'survive'. I was the first recruiter to last the full three years, while the five before me were all relieved of their duties.
SgtMaj Al McMichael, later the 14th SgtMaj of the Marine Corps (SMMC), was the 31st MEU's SgtMaj when I served with him. One time, while the MSSG-31 CO and 1stSgt were deploying on the USS Germantown, I was the senior enlisted for the MSSG-31 Marines deploying on board the USS Belleau Wood. During a meeting, SgtMaj McMichael asked me why didn't I go the 1stSgt/SgtMaj path. I told him something to the effect "that I am doing the same thing a 1stSgt/SgtMaj could do and still serve as the Communications Chief for my unit. Yet, if I became a 1stSgt/SgtMaj, I could not serve or step in for a Communications Chief." A couple of years later while he was a HQMC - Manpower Division and I was at HQMC-C4, we had some great discussions and even about the Marine Corps leadership considering him to be the 14th SMMC. Later, I was invited to attend his posting at 8th & I as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
I cannot finish without mentioning the 13th SMMC, Lewis Lee. In one of his Newsletters, he respected my opinion enough to publish my comments and emphasize our misuse of terminology. As a GySgt at the time, my issue was the terminology referring to "Senior" SNCOs (plural). My point is that there is only one "senior" SNCO in a unit. The example I used, was when on a Navy ship there is the Chiefs' Mess, basically only the pay grade of E-7 and above can enter this hallowed space. When he was coming on board with Commandant Krulak, he was going to speak to the enlisted in the hanger bay and the SNCOs in the Chiefs? Mess. As the senior enlisted for the MSSG, I fought to get the SSgts in the Chiefs' Mess since they were in fact SNCOs. The Sergeant Majors of the HQ, Combat and Air elements were not seeing it my way and could seeming care less about their Staff Sergeants. So being an initiated Honorary Chief Petty Officer, I went directly to the ship's Command Master Chief. He allowed the Marine Staff Sergeants to enter his Mess for this one-time special gathering. Thank you SMMC Lee for backing me up.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
 Too many to mention. Okay, the first one has to be when I was in boot camp. We were preparing for a force march at Camp Pendleton. In my footlocker, I found some unused remnants of C-rations that included a package of Kool-Aid. So I get my canteen ready with something fruity juice to enjoy during the march. Now, how many recruits were in our platoon, 60-70? It doesn't really matter. On one of our rest periods, Drill Instructor Orozco has to take my canteen from all the other ones to pick and drink from. Needless to say, I was wearing the Kool-Aid all the way back and still paid later without a doubt.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
 After retiring from the Marine Corps, I wanted to start a second career with the federal government. With no one hiring, that first year was a bit difficult, so I took a job at the County Juvenile Detention Center. A year later after dealing with the county's juvenile delinquents, I was called by the Immigration and Naturalization Service and was hired on to serve as a Program Analyst in their office of Internal Affairs. This office and agency became the Office of Professional Responsibility with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. My last federal position was serving as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Liaison to INTERPOL's U.S. National Central Bureau in Washington, D.C.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Marine Corps League, for the camaraderie. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, to fight the battle on Capitol Hill. The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, for preserving the Marine Corps heritage and history. I was in attendance the day the National Museum of the Marine Corps was dedicated on 10 November 2006; a great experience.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
 It is the "no nonsense" approach. Sugar coat nothing. Make a decision and readjust if necessary; otherwise move on and never second guess yourself. Forced to retire from the federal government because I was diagnosed with a Stage 4 Glioblastoma multiforme, an astrocytoma, brain tumor in December 2010, could have resulted in quite a setback in my life; yet it was time to readjust. I could have been killed instantly in a car crash and not prepared to be on the Streets of Heaven. Save no rounds; in other words, say what you have to say. My kids don't like me using the "Bucket List" scenario, yet I don't plan on having an empty bucket at any time.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Being a Marine, you are part of a legacy; so make those that served in the Marines before you proud.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I was first invited to TogetherWeServed by a fellow federal employee, a former Marine, that knew I was in the Corps. This website has been and continues to be great way to connect and communicate with Marines I served with at past duty stations. Currently, I have been creating Fallen and Deceased Remembrance profiles on Marines and find it fascinating what they and their families experienced. 60, 70 years ago, families had to wait months and even years to hear from or about their loved ones fighting in a battle around the world. Today, we hear within minutes, hours and days. The TogetherWeServed website is a military version of social networking and more. It has an ever growing historical value.
Note from Admin: Sadly on Jan 7, 2013 our friend Master Guns lost his valiant battle with cancer. He lives on in the hearts and minds of the many Marines he touched.
Semper Fi.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
This edition of Marines Voices was supported by:
Marines.Togetherweserved.com
Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful. It's more than a motto. It's a way of life. TogetherWeServed.com is a unique, feature-rich resource helping Marines stay faithful to the Brotherhood of the Corps. This is a place where Marines can re-connect with lost Brothers, share memories and tell their Marine story.
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