Current/Last Primary MOS
2591-Operational Communication Chief
Current/Last MOSGroup
Communications
Previously Held MOS 9900-General Service Marine
2500-Basic Operational Communicator
2531-Field Radio Operator
5831-Corrections Specialist
8411-General Recruiter
2537-Radio Chief
I've been employed by Schnieder Natl.,Swift Transportaton & Averitt Exprsess.I started as a Driver,before becomming a Driver Training Engineer and later worked as a Field Recruiter with Human Resources,Risk Management and Saftey. What a way to see The Country and get paid for it.My travles took me Coast-to-Coast,East to West-North to South and to many Military Bases as I was Looking for a Few Good Men and Women to enter the transportation industry upon completion of thier tour of active duty. Currently I'm simi retired-that means I do not drive the big rigs anymore. Instead I ride my dressed out,Honda VT-1100 Shadow Sprit in this wonderful AZ weather.I can not afford a Harley.(because my ex gets half of my Marine Corps retirement pay).
Other Comments:
I am a LIFE MEMBER of The MARINE CORPS LEAUGE. I've served as Past Jr.Vice Commandant,Adjutant and Chaplin.I have been involved with The Toys for Tots program and The Marine for Life Program. The White Water Valley Detachment of The Marine Corps League,Richmond,Indiana is The Original Home Detachment of then National Commandant,Diana DILLS of Centerville,Indiana.I have a picture of 1stSgt Larry Hansen and I when we had the privilage of escorting The Marine Corps Birthday Cake and cutting a piece and presenting it to our guest speaker,GySgt Carlos HATHCOCK USMC Retired. He is the famous Scout Sniper known as "White Feather" during The Vietnam War.He's the author of; "One Shot,One Kill". As tradition has it, we cut the second piece of The Marine Corps Birthday cake with a NCO Sword and passed it to the oldest Marine present,who passed it to the youngest Marine present.(Of which I was niether). Upon relocating I transfered my membership to The Marine Corps League in Northern Ky Detachment 1006 and since moving to Arizona I am now a Life Member of The Marine Corps League's Old Breed Detachment 767 of Glendale,AZ. We are active in the Greater Phoenix Metro area and travel annualy to The Gila River Indian Reservation in Sacaton,Arizona,which is the ancestral home of Cpl Ira HAYES USMC,a Pima Indian who was one of The Flag Raiser of Mt.Suribachi during the battle for Iwo Jima & to Honor all the Brave Souls,& The Navajo Indian Code talkers of WWII. The Greatest Generation of true Americans.
Best Friends 1stLt Harry S. VANN & GySgt ENGLE (retired as a Captain) GySgt (Slect) Michael COLLINS,chose to accept a Commission as 2nd Lt instead. I ran into him later in Okinawa, Its a shame how the Marine Corps treats Lt's. When I asked him ...he said he did it for the $$$
Best Moment When I moved from out in town into Mike COLLINS'S former house, base housing, in Berkly Manor SNCO Quarters on board Camp Lejeune. worked out He's in OCS in the mud going thru Officers Boot Camp at his age & getting his but kicked...for the $$$
Worst Moment 23 Oct 83 Beruit The Marine barracks got Blown Up killing 241 Marines,some of them mine...Comm Plt also lost L/Cpl Rudy HERNANDEZ in Beruit during a mortar attack prior to the bombing of The Marine Barracks. We also lost a Lt in Cuba in a mine field accident. The unit spent part of a winter at Ft Pickett,near Blackstone,VA. Also when Harry VANN turned down his augmentation and got out.Lt COLLINS and Lt VANN were both fine Officers
Chain of Command Commanding General for 2D MAR DIV was Major General Al GRAY,ee went from the Enlisted ranks to General. His call sign was"Pappa Bear" later known as,The Commandant of The Marine Corps.A True Mustanger,an Enlisted Marines, Marine. The Bn Cmdr LtCol James A. BRABHAM retired Brigader General after the 1st Gulf War.I worked with him again at Hq.U.S. Centeral Command),SgtMaj.POLK (former Recon Marine),1stSgt JAMES (later my SgtMaj at 2nd FSSG HQSVC Bn),1stSgt KIDD,Plt Cmdr 1stLt Harry S.VANN
Other Memories Shortly after The Marine Barracks Bombing in Beruit, Major General Al GRAY had the entire Division on the parade field for inspection & review.President Ronald REAGAN came to the old 2d Division HQ bldg.#2 on a cold,gray rainy drizzel of a Carolina November afternoon and said "Where do we find such men?" Reagon also said,"Some people spend an entire life time...wondering if they have made a differance to this world...The MARINES,do Not have that problem." There will probably never be another Pappa Bear or Ronald REAGAN. One thing is certain our current(now former) President George W. BUSH is trying to make a differance,with Gods help, along with The Marines and other service members.God Bless AMERICA.
