Camacho, Ricky, GySgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
I needed a change in my life, working a factory job wasn’t fulfilling so I decided to join the military. At the post office bldg., all the military branches had an office. When I decided to visit the Army recruiter he was out of office, and so was the Navy and Air Force. The Marine office was open so I went in and the rest is history. I joined in 1989 and retired in 2011, the best choice I ever made.

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 came in an open contract and became a food service specialist. It has been a rewarding career.

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?
I participated in Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Global War on Terrorism in Coto Bato, Zamboanga, Philippines.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The best times I had was while I was stationed in Okinawa, I went there various times accompanied and single for 11 years of my 22 years of active service.

I have one memory, it was during breakfast chow and I was the Chief Cook. I was running out of ham online so I yelled at one of the new cooks to go slice some ham on the meat slicer. After a few minutes, I heard this pounding noise so I went to investigate. The Marine I sent to slice some more ham was slicing a stick of ham on the meat slicer, but he forgot to plug it in, so he was forcing the ham to cut on the blade.

What are they teaching these guys in the basic food service school?

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?
My personal awards were because I did not work toward earning them, they were a surprise for what I thought was doing my job.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
There were many outstanding Marines I worked for, but I chose to take a little from each of them, so many people impacted my career.

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 will stick with what I know best when I retire.

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?
I have more confidence, I know what I want and how to get it. Knowledge is power, so I will continue my education and go to college.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Be like a sponge, take everything the service has to offer.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I have had the pleasure to re-connect with Marines that I had worked with in the past.

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