MY BUDDY OF OVER 50 YEARS IS A MARINE WHO NEVER WENT TO BOOT CAMP. HE WAS IN THE NAVY DURING WWII & WAS DISCHARGED AS A CHIEF PETTY OFFICER AFTER THE WAR. ABOUT 1947-48 THE MARINE CORPS OPENED A SPECIAL PROGRAM TO RECRUIT EXPERIENCED VETRANS WHO SERVED IN OTHER SERVICES. THESE PEOPLE WERE NOT REQUIRED TO GO TO PI OR SAN DIEGO. THEY WERE ASSIGNED TO THE 22ND MARINES WHICH WAS ACTIVATED AT MCS QUANTICO VA. TO ACCUSTOM THEM TO THE MARINE CORPS WAY OF LIFE. SO FOR A WHILE FRED WAS A MARINE PRIVATE WITH A HASH MARK.
