Fox, Craig, GySgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
As a young child, I always looked up to military personnel. During summer vacations near Grayling Michigan, the National Guard were there to do training. In my 9th-grade Civics class we had a career week and when this Marine Gunnery Sergeant walked in our classroom he filled the doorway. Crew cut hair, broad shoulders, large biceps and forearms with a trim waist, just the opposite of what the Army Staff Sergeant looked like.

I did a paper on the Marine Corps because I found the most material on the subject. A few years later I had a friend say to me I would make a good Marine. I laughed and didn't give it much thought until I met my girlfriend who had four uncles who served in the Marines and one still active duty. I looked at all branches of service except the Navy. The Marine recruiter didn't mix words, in fact, he continued to say "IF you make it through Boot Camp".

My father served in the Army during WWII and was in shock for several hours after I left with the Old Gunny to the bus station to go to the induction center. A year after my father passed away I sat down to watch the movie with Mel Gibson "The Patriot" within thirty minutes I understood my father shock, his youngest son had just left his home to join the Marine Corps and Vietnam was still going on.

The Gunny told my girlfriend the dos and don'ts on letter envelopes which surely saved my bacon after seeing what others enjoyed. Plus she had four uncles in the Marine Corps, here are two of them, left Uncle Burdette Silver Star, Bronze Star, 2 or 3 Purple Hearts served 10 years got out as a Sergeant, grunt and Korean veteran.

Right is Uncle Jim NBC MOS, Korean and Vietnam veteran served 21 years retired Master Sergeant.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I took several different paths during my career which made the twenty years interesting and challenging.

Since Vietnam was coming to an end in the summer of 72, but I figure I'd go with the best and be a grunt with a combat bonus. After boot camp, the infantry training school in San Onofre was overbooked the overflow was assigned to Golf Company 2nd Battalion 5th Marine and the instructor staff from Division Schools came to Camp Margarita. Commanding Officer Major Livingston (Medal of Honor recipient) and we stayed in the field Monday through Friday with live fire of weapons 3 to 4 times a week. We fired more live ammo than most Marines who went to Vietnam plus the living in shelter halves in the rainy season added to the fun.

Alfa Company 1st Reconnaissance Battalion was reforming and they came to get fresh new blood. I wasn't part of the first selection, but they were looking for a few volunteers so I went for it. It was a super opportunity to be with a close net unit and outstanding leadership and the unique training was unmatched from my other units.

Weapons Training Battalion, Edson Range to train marksmanship to recruits, they fired the B-Modified Course on the two and three hundred meters line. This was my first contact with Marine Gunners who were Range Officers for each range. Both of mine were competitive shooters Gunner Peterfort AKA Mr. Perfect was the first individual to fired a perfect score of 300 at the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio shooting an M 1903 Springfield at the 5-V targets back in the '40s or '50s. My Line Gunny also was a competitive shooter and took me under his wing and gave me an opportunity to learn the sport.

From there I was stationed at Camp Schwab, Okinawa rifle range where I instructed re-qualification shooters. After that tour I served with Marksmanship Training Unit, I was NCOIC of Coaches and Preliminary Marksmanship School for the 1st Marine Division. I was surrounded by some of the Marine Corps best Marksman and a few of them organized the sniper school for the 1st Marine Division. With four years of marksmanship, it was time to move on.

Prior to my return to the infantry, I severed as a Staff Platoon Commander at the 1st Marine Division NCO Leadership Course which involved three weeks garrison and four weeks of infantry leadership. This period prepared me for a real infantry unit or so I thought it would, nothing in this world is quite like an infantry battalion I soon found out.

Charlie Company 1st Battalion 1st Marines 1st Marine Division I served as a platoon guide and platoon sergeant, but not in that order. I joined the unit at the buildup for a six-month deployment to Okinawa. When senior Marines report in, I went from Platoon Sergeant to Platoon Guide. The best thing about that was I was (S/Sgt select) Sergeant Pede Platoon Guide, he had been awarded two Silver Super Squad Medals and this is when the Corps only gave out three medals each year. The time I spent with (S/Sgt select) Sergeant Pede had the most impact that lasted the duration of my career and it didn't come from a book or some school.

The final major change in my career was to make a lateral move to food service, in the early 80's Headquarters Marine Corps restructured staff manning in food service to include Staff NCO's and troops. Personnel almost double from previous years, no longer would cooks work day on stay on and this gave way for training and time off even weekends and some holidays.

The next twelve years I learned food service the hard way until I worked with a Gunnery Sergeant on his watch as his assistant Chief Cook. We both agreed to operate the shift according to the West Coast Food Service Management Team, the perfect system which I continued for the rest of my food service career. This consisted of accountability of every pound, gallon, a piece of food prepared to include leftovers. The night before the West Coast Food Service Management Team years later as the Gunnery Sergeant Chief Cook I was checking the paperwork and found an error when I questioned the cook I knew he had discarded 16 pieces of pork chops and accounted incorrectly. The other caught on he was busted and he went dumpster digging, which never happened again.

The posted picture is Uncle Phil he was in Food Service and in many ways our careers mirrored each other, Navy Achievement Medal Combat "V" Combat Action Ribbon Vietnam veteran served 25 years retired Gunnery Sergeant.

Those same skills were applied when I worked with the Michigan Department of Corrections. Uncle Phil talked me into this job as I was preparing to retire.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm: I remember sitting in the Chiefs Mess on the USS Peleliu LHA-5 as we were in route home from a six month WESTPAC 90. I was talking to a Viet Nam veteran saying I had only two years before retiring and I'll never see a day of combat. The Gunny looked at me and said: "Two years left is plenty of time to get you in combat, just watch the news." Two weeks after my return home August 2, 1990, I was changing into civilian attire to take my wife out for dinner. CNN reported the small oil-rich country of Kuwait was invaded by Iraq with a force of over 100,000 troops. I told my wife I was going to WAR and she laughed and said: "It's going to be over in a week!" Something inside told me she was wrong this time.

The next day at work I spoke with my two Staff Sergeants about preparation for the possible deployment. They each had ten troops with NCO's as Team Leaders just like the grunts. We had multi-missions to complete such as their body, personal gear, and field mess gear to load. Weekly inspections were held and I was pleased with the leadership shown by all, even though the troops would break out laughing when I'd say "If we go to war." Within a few weeks, a large portion of 1st Marine Division deployed to Saudi Arabia.

1st Battalion, 1st Marines received a new Battalion Commander LtCol Fallon and rumor had it he was a combat veteran with a lot of experience in the Middle East. He held a meeting with all Officers and Staff NCO's and issued us a copy of the book War Fighting. His expectation was for all of us to lead from the front and any lack thereof would be cause for removal from command with a terminal Fitness Report.

It was great, all the typical B--- S--- didn't exist and mine set was 1) what do we need, 2) when will it arrive, 3) everything packed and ready. In mid-November, my Company's 1st Sergeant called and told me to give all staff annual leave because we were deploying sometime after Christmas. I called for a troop meeting when I began to speak there was no laughter from the men and you could have heard a pin drop. I gave them their annual leave dates, told them to have an early Christmas and tell the ones they love you, even those not on speaking terms, you care. I saw most troops shake their heads in agreement of that importance and some with teary eyes finally realizing things were going to happen that would change their lives forever. The battalion had a six-mile run and gathered at the Camp Horno Gymnasium for Christmas Carols and a prayer from the Battalion Chaplin.

The time came to say goodbye to the family, I entered the barracks and requested family and loved ones to leave. A young lady with tears in her eyes walked toward me and put an arm around me saying "Bring my Ronny back with you." The Corps had never taught me how to handle this situation; she wasn't but two years older than my own daughter! I turned to her like a father and put an arm around her walking to the door telling her, " I'd bring him and all my boys back", they were my second family. I loaded the troops on the bus and off to Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino, California.

Twenty-eight hours later we were on the 747 jets to Newfoundland, Spain, and landing in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. From there we were bused to Camp 13 to hot chow, showers and issued desert uniforms and transported to 1st Marine Division Forward.

For the cooks, we went to the 1st Marine Division Field Mess about fifty miles away. At the highest count, this mess hall prepared food for 30,000 twice a day, this took 250 cooks and 350 messmen working 24 hours a day. It supported the Marine, Navy and an Army Airborne unit and each unit provided its own truck and crew to load the food. Because of my grunt background, I handled the security element, this became more intense once we moved north before the ground assault.

Every other night I went with the truck to feed the battalion, go to a meeting and get the word. During a meeting the Bn. Cdr. said he hadn't heard when the ammo ships were coming in. It just so happened that I was told that by the Division Food Service Officer that morning and shared it with all. The large audience busted out laughing to think the Bn. Mess Chief knew something the Cmdr didn't, the Cmdr was quick and asked "Anything else Gunny." He brought the best out of his men let them know he appreciated their efforts.

One night I thought maybe I stepped in the crap; it was after January 17, 1991, so the bombing was on Kuwait and Iraq. It was a cold moonless night, riding in an 813 5 ton truck bringing chow to the battalion. Close to the battalions a Chevy Caprice in the oncoming lane with four Arabians passed and made a U-turn and headed toward us. The truck at 70 mph with canvas flapping about my driver and troops in the truck all telling me what just happened, plus I knew from the side mirror.

The driver and senior Lance Corporal asking what to do, 1) driver asked if I wanted to stop, I said "Hell no!", 2) Senior Lance Corporal "Do you have rifles and magazines?" him, "Yes", me: "Lock and load, point barrels out the tailgate if you see any weapons open fire!"

Next, I see the car quickly stop and sand rolling 25 feet high. At the battalion entrance, I informed the Sentinel what just occurred and proceeded to see the Bn. Cmdr. a bit nervous about an international incident and maybe a Court Martial. But at that moment I preferred to be judged by twelve, rather than be carried by six. LtCol Fallon had a big smile and said: "Good job Gunny, the Brits patrol that road so if they were the bad guy they'll take care of them." My second thought later was, if they were not the bad guys then they just got the crap scared out them and nothing more ever said.

Once the Division moved forward to the elbow of Kuwait the second Division Mess Hall was in full operation and my troops and I had that growing tension inside. One section of my cooks and I were to go on the assault attached to the Battalion Log Train. The night before I held an all-hands meeting and it turned out to be emotional for a few of the troops. A prayer was requested and I prayed for a quick end to the war and safety of my troops, I managed to keep myself in check and not show my inner feelings (It wasn't the time). We ended with the Lords Prayer and said our goodbyes; I made myself available for questions. When I departed the meeting my senior Lance Corporal from the truck incident approached me, "Gunny I need to go with Ronny, I promised his fiance, PLEASE!!!" I told him it was too late and no changes would occur and I had made the same promise.

The word passed of possible 35% casualty rate, all of us were tense to say the less.

Day One consisted of traveling in an 813 Truck, with mostly stopping and going in line to go through the breech and seeing a large formation of Field Ambulances rushing to the front, Team Leaders had troops cleaning their weapons one at a time per team. The first evening we received friendly artillery fire fifty feet in front of the cook's position, thanks to the early warning we were in our holes. Controlling troops from firing their weapons became an issue with a couple of my Marines, they thought they should shoot at vehicles with there lights on that were forward units.

Day Two the battle at Al Burqan Oil Field Task Force Papa Bear came under fire from an Iraqi Brigade, from a Mechanized Division. The Moment of Madness was soon to be at our location, my first time for real after 18's year of service. Due to the fog and technical problems with some of the high-speed equipment the enemy camp, came up without notice. They were engaged with attack Cobras with Hellfire Missiles, TOWs and fixed wing. My section dug in and humped 81 Motor rounds as the ground shook. Once all the explosions stopped the cooks handled EPWs and assisted in the escorting of 1400 EPWs to the assembly area controlled by the 25th Marines.

I ran into a Master Sergeant who was an interrogator and he saw my Dunhill cigarettes and wanted them to impress the Iraqi Officers. I told him "These smokes may kill me, but I'm not giving them up for any Iraqi Officers." That evening as I was talking with a troop the 1st Tank Bn. was on the move through 1/1's location, I identified them as M 60 Tanks even though my troop became nervous from the events of the morning.

Day Three was more stopping and going and sounds of distant firefights and an NBC alert and we all were in MOOP Four until it was cleared. That night I remember this football field size area covered with debris that looked like roofing square size pieces. On my driver side of the truck was a huge hole that looked deep, my driver couldn't see the bottom of the hole it was so deep. It made me wonder if a 15,000-pound bomb had been dropped, I heard three were used.

Day Four attack on Kuwait International Airport the close-up vision of battle vehicles and bodies plus buildings with signs of heavy fire upon them. While an attempt to get a shave I watched an Iraqi Tank ordnance fire off when the sniper alert came. That evening we had a Scud Missile attack seven clicks in front of the battalion's position, this was confirmed by the Division G-2. Later that night I spoke with the Bn. Chaplin he needed someone to talk to, he told me when he first arrived at 1/1 hearing Marines called Warriors bothered him. In the past four days that was no longer the case, he was grateful for their professionalism.

The next morning at 0800 from the airport speakers we heard Louis Armstrong song "It's a beautiful World"; it was a crisp, sunny, windy day and a great day to be alive. We fed the battalion a hot meal with the use of the Field Mess equipment we hauled in the trailer with the .50 cal machine gun barrels. Five days later I went to the rear to lock down feeding arrangements and told the Division Food Service Tech I was willing to take an assignment that may cause a longer stay so other Mess Chief could go home. It was my turn; I was home for Christmas and arrived four months after everyone else.

My assignment was the 1st Marine Division re-deployment cell mess hall to feed the units going home and the cleanup details for all the vehicles and equipment to be embarked for stateside. Colonel Lilly Division G-4, he was in charge and was a Mustanger who was in the Corps before I was born; he was sharp as a tack.

On my return home, our stop at Ireland was warm; the locals were at the pub and as we walked in the airport a lady in her sixties stood up in a clear loud voice said "Let's hear it for the yanks!!! Hip Pip Horary! Hp Pip Horary!, Hip Pip Horary!" and they applauded us. One Russian General was walking around and if he would have suddenly stopped there would have been a train wreck with all his Staff Officers following him so close. The Irish did not pay any attention to the Russians.

We landed at March Air Force Base, California, we loaded buses and stopped just outside the gate, the VFW and other veteran groups were lined up passing us snacks and beverages. I remember the Vietnam veteran who gave me a case of Budweiser, he shook my hand and said: "Thank you!" I said "No" "Thank you, you did not come home to this." I looked in his eyes and he felt my meaning. The Bus Commander was a Marine from my Division Marksmanship Training Unit days so we caught up the 14 years, he was retired and called back to active duty. Once at Camp Honor, my Battalion Sergeant Major gave me a ride.

At my home I noticed my children acting strangely they were nervous and not sure how to talk or ask a question. I said "Kids, Dads' OK; I was not involved in anything over there and saw no dead Iraqis." Yes, I lied; they did not know the details of war they needed things back to normal.

Years later I sat down with my son and told him about my combat experience and he understood why I did not share it with him earlier.

I received an unexpected moment of kindness; I was moving out of base housing and needed to replace a few mirror plumbing parts. The plumbing fixture store in San Clemente was close and I explained to the floor person what I needed. He asked why was I moving and I told him I had orders to be an instructor at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He said, "I bet you just came back from some action over there." I said "Yes" I went to pull my wallet out, he stopped me shook my hand said "Welcome Home and Good Luck!"

In this section is Uncle Ed 2 or 3 Purple Hearts, he and a Red Chinese bayoneted each other, he survived because he remembered to slash left to right, he was on the bottom covered with blood. Korean veteran served four years in the U.S.Army and six years in the US Marines got out as a Sergeant. He married my wife's, Aunt Rosemary.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Marksmanship Training Unit, 1st Marine Division. Meritoriously promoted to Sergeant and became the NCOIC of Coaches and Preliminary Marksmanship School for the 1st Marine Division. The first in my career I had a 0800 to 1630 work hours on the most part with two hours PT/Lunch hours if the training schedule fit it in.

The Gunny of the Division Shooting team asked me if I was interested in shooting matches on weekends and practice with the team, "Chances are you'll learn how to shoot better. Talk about a dream come true, I'm no gold medalist only better than most average shooters. Sure my goals were much higher, but the facts are the facts. Noontime recreation fired at the designated pistol range to fire three or four boxes of .45 cal. ACP hardball ammunition and routinely assist other re-qualification shooters with pistol marksmanship. Today that is more than $100.00 worth of ammo and a bit pricey now.

Range inspections were conducted and sometimes that would get real interesting if the Range Officer wasn't up on the Marksmanship regulations which were usually revolved prior to departure of the range. I guess it was that report to the G-3 that had some impact for non-complies.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
As part of the Coaches and Preliminary Marksmanship School, we showed the training film LtCol. McMillan (as Captain) a Gold Medalist in the 1960 Olympics. He does some trick shooting with a diamond ring, splits a bullet on an ax, two swung coffee cups shot same time all with

LtCol McMillian

a Colt .38 cal officer revolver.

I was shooting an International Pistol Match at the San Diego Sheriff Department Pistol Range and I'm shooting my new custom built hardball Colt Series 70 .45 cal automatic pistol. The target next to me was open until this distinguished gentlemen walked up 6ft 4in, 250 lbs, haircut longer than Marine Regulation, white shirt, green wooly pully sweater and khaki trousers with loafers. I was used to shooting next to civilians, but this guy was different. We greeted each other and I told him I was trying out a new gun, he said: "Me too right out of the box from Quantico, Va." He was shooting a Smith& Wesson Model 52 .38 cal wadcutter automatic pistol. I'm saying to myself "Who is this guy he must be somebody."

During the slow fire, I'm drilling it with one wild shot and this guy did the same thing but his shot was all in the x-ring and touching except for his wild one, new trigger. We both had a good laugh about the one wild shot. I'm scratching my head and looked at a senior team member who said: "You don't recognize him, you show his film." I said, "That's LtCol McMillan." He said, "Sure is." Yes, I was shooting next to one of my heroes and now I could ask him about what kind of revolver he shot in the film. When I asked LtCol McMillan if he had used a Smith& Wesson revolver and he said "No" and pulled his pistol tray out and pointed to the Colt revolver earlier mentioned "That one."

We move to the rapid-fire line and this string of fire required you to hold your pistol at a low ready and raise as the target moved to face you for a few seconds. He could tell I had never fired that course before, he coached me and I even fired the same score on a sting as him. He said, "Good job Sergeant I think you got." Needless to say, I was pumped from his remark; the next sting of fire the front sight flew off my new pistol and finished the match with my team pistol.

Six months later I'm at the Base Theater for the Western Division Rifle and Pistol Match LtCol Mc Millan spoke on competitive shooting. As the last speaker of the day, he dismissed the shooters and took questions on the side. By the time I got there to ask a question, a group had already surrounded him. I stood in the back and listened on as others had questions, a Marine asked him about weapon problems, LtCol McMillan looked and gestured to me and said: "Just like the day we were shooting that match in San Diego." He explained the situation and the whole group gave me that look "He must be somebody to be addressed by LtCol McMillan." It was a moment in my career I never expected to be recognized by someone who was such a famous person in such a small community of history-making shooters of the time.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
No medal for valor, but for a food service person the next best thing. I was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for being the only Division Mess Chief to feed his Battalion a hot meal prepared at Kuwait International Airport after 100 hours of combat operations.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
All the decorations and ribbons from my service years mean a lot to me and especially those from Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The deep inner person of my being would say it is my Expert Rifle and Pistol Badge. November 10, 1972, was my boot camp rifle qualification day. I went unqualified, the worst day of boot camp and I was ashamed until I shot Marksman eighteen months later.

I was talking to my neighbor who just so happened to be a Distinguished Marksman with rifle and pistol, he wore gold shooting medals and you can't get them at the PX. He was the first of many mentors of shooting in my lifetime and that is when the light turned on inside me and I enjoyed helping others learn the skill. I earned all three badges and once after a long track of expert award bars I shot a string of 300-yard line rapid fire on the target next to me, because of that two of us fired Marksman and one of us didn't expect too!

My father showed my brothers and me on several occasions his marksmanship ability, but he never shared it with me until I was in the Marine Corps. During his service in WWII, he had been assigned to a security unit stationed in the shipyard of San Francisco, CA he never talked much about it. The special training, the mental and physical plus the marksmanship requirements I'm fairly sure he was involved in sabotage detection/prevention. It wasn't until I was shooting with the Division Team that we finally spent a day to share skills with a few revolvers and pistols, he was pleased (The apple didn't fall far from the tree) it was a sense of a passage. My brother Tom and I met a different father and we both speak of that great afternoon, seldom was he ever that relaxed.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
The time I spent with (S/Sgt select) Sergeant Pede had the most impact that lasted the duration of my career and it didn't come from a book or some school. He taught me the day in, day out life as a grunt the true picture you usually don't experience. I used to the spit polish and well-structured organization with a daily schedule that had a beginning and ending. I had never bonded with troops I'd give the shirt off my back for these young men. I'd bring a couple extra packs of smokes to the field knowing at the end most troops would be out. That smoke from the party pack was welcomed before the humpback. I learned how to deal with people who don't need any more B--- S--- in a bad situation. You lead from the front, not the rear, all eyes are on you, but keep your eyes and ears open too, because it's amazing how much I learned from the troops.

During training in CTA with (S/Sgt select) Sergeant Pede for some reason we didn't bring shelter halves and sure enough, as we were getting ready to crash it started to rain steadily. I remember leaning on a bush sitting up with a pouch and starting to get wet. Pede yells out "Sgt. Fox are you wet?" I replied "Yes," He asked if anyone else was getting wet and a couple troops answered up and he called us over. We took our ponchos and poncho liners from the wettest to driest and laid them flat on the ground and with the best poncho and each of our extra boot lace we had overhead cover thanks to nearby trees. The four of us laid out like sardines and the next morning we were dry, felt well rested and in a much better mood than the rest of the platoon. Some guys had talked a lot of crap about us setting our poncho shelter because we were getting wet while setting things up. That morning four dry Marines had the smiles and the last laugh.

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?
I would just like to say to me there were so many funny incidents throughout my career involving recruits, real shooters, cooks and grunts on many different occasions. What I may consider funny in today's world would probably offend others so I'll pass on the side of caution.

I have one story about equipment that is neutral and this occurred when the Division Mess Hall moved forward. In the early 90's we started to use the new huge Dragon Wagon, I'm not sure of the technical name. On-site there were several freezers that needed to be re-located these were not used for food. Helicopters and Dragon Wagon arrived near the mess hall and my troops helped to guide the loading and ensure safety.

The trucks used the same area one after the other; this was in the middle of a sand-covered lake. After 5 or 6 trucks, a truck became stuck; we all cracked up because this was not supposed to happen. The Division staff took pictures for a report to send to the manufacturer and a wrecker arrived to free this truck. At Eaton proving ground this vehicle passed their test; this is located near my home in Michigan.

Two years later I'm getting a haircut by a barber who was a National Guard we both were having a good laugh. I noticed a distinguished gentleman in his later fifties raise his eyebrows and finally, he spoke looking at me "We fixed that!" I would dare say he was an engineer or a high ranking Eaton employee. Man, was he red faced it was an embarrassment; I still cannot help it but laugh to think of the millions of dollars spent to create a truck that would not get stuck.

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?
I went to prison!!! To work! I remember when I received my request to lateral move to food service back approved. I realized from the start I'd get flax from most grunts and I did. My Battalion Sergeant Major heard a marine talking crap to me about becoming a cook and he straightened him out quickly. He said, "It's like this, we get out and work for Mickey D's as labor and Fox will be running the place." The military schools and years of doing the job and dealing all the extra crap were priceless. To all of you who put those extra challenges on me all those years Thank You!!!

I served fifteen years with the Michigan Department of Corrections as a food service manager for two different facilities at the same time. My large operation feeds 1752 prisoners and staff in a Secure Level I prison this is next to the lowest security level.

The Michigan Boot Camp, a former Marine helped develop the structure and had the first class of drill instructors go to Quantico, VA. These correction officers were trained by the drill instructors from OCS. The camp had a maximum population of 400 prisoners and they were assigned to platoons. They were fed a menu close to Marine Corps standards which is a lot of food compared to regular prisoner rations. In order to go to Boot Camp, you have to be fit to handle the physical training which is done daily. Also, they were put down for push-ups for a minor infraction.

As a level 12 Food Service Director I had a level 11and 10 Assistant Food Service Directors, sixteen Food Service Prisoner/Leader E-9's who were direct floor supervisors and over 300 prisoner workers. I ran my operation close to how the Corps way with a mix of what the Business Manager wanted for his reports. Waste, cost, and theft were my concerns; the safety of my staff was the top priority and to have all of them go home at the end of their shift.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I intend to join the Marine Corps League now that I'm retired. I've tried others, but traveling for work was in the way to become an active member. After many attempts to join some organizations I have found them disappointing at best and lacked leadership. I hate to say it, but the Marine Corps League in my city was the biggest disappoint of all.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
You take nothing for granted at any time and you live each day to the fullest. You have a deeper appreciation when things are going good and the strength to bare it if things go bad. Through the twenty years, my wife and I had so many field operation and deployments and our reunions were always special. We worked to have a balance with children and ourselves and since my wife worked outside the home we were afforded the opportunities to enjoy most of what Southern California had to offer.

During one of the many visits to Disneyland, my family was featured on a TV advertisement showcasing my daughter at age seven and son at age three. It showed us going down the Matterhorn, my daughter helping her brother out of the log, holding hands and big smiles. The only words spoke was "When was the last time your family spent a day at Disneyland." KTLA aired the advertisement and I was the only person in the house to see it. Years later I contacted Disneyland to see if I could get a copy and they declined to state we waived our right to any publication produced in Disney Parks. Nearing forty years of marriages we still look back to those fond memories when our children were young.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
If you love what you are doing, stay in as long as you can. There is no place like the Marine Corps in this world! I still have not completely adjusted to this civilian life, too many people out here are not interested in hearing the truth or to call it as it is. True leadership is few and far between with those who are your supervisor.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I have come across a few of my troops I served with and it was interesting to hear how they were doing. It is interesting to chat with those of the same unit, but a different era.

DS 12/18/18