Bourlotos, Greg, LCpl

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
naturally all of the movies, documentaries play a part to make me aware of who and what they stood for but the service of my Grandfather in WWI father and two uncles in WWII play a major influence in my joining. Vietnam was still going hot anf heavy and I didn't want to be drafted when I turned 18 sio at 17 I joined the Corps to make sure I would have a good chance of coming back. The Marine Corps fighting is legendary. Who wouldn't want to be part of a legend!

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?
The sefvice played an important part in my career after I was separated. I joined the Army 6 months after leaving the Corps to take Computers. After my time in the Army, I spent 29 years in the computer industry reaching Executive Vice President of Information Security.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
In retrospect, Parris Island hold some fond memories. Not ever being involved in sports, this was the first time I ever felt that camaraderie and it was very exciting. Camp Garcia, Vieques Island , Puerto Rico was the best duty. Having never been out of New Jersey except for boot camp, this was a foreign place filled with lots of girls, partying and learning. My MOS was a truck driver but I learned to drive many different vehicles and a 10 ton tractor trailer. I was 17 and having a blast.

The worst was Camp Lejeune after coming back from Puerto Rico. Marines were pulling out of Vietnam and the base was overflowing with short timers from Vietnam and there was a "in country" attitude and discipline was non-existant. There were race riots, fighting, drugs and poor moral.

Being assigned a driver for 2nd Force Recon at Lejeune was a great way to keep focused. I didn't have to but I ran with them, PT'ed with them, ate with them (partied with them). I was 18 b then and they liked my motivation and think I earned their respect when they snuck me on board their chopper and let me jump once with them. The Gunny knew it, the XO knew it and half the platoon knew it. I was petrified and I say this NOW with honor. I pissed myself.

Yeah they all laughed but they said I had a lot of balls. I was not going to do it but I didn't understand what they meant when they said "don't worry, you'll make the jump" . I was second to last and the Gunny was behind me. Need I say more?

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Graduation from Parris Island, becoming a MArine. No one was there to see it because I was not expected to make it.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Qualifying as Expert with both the M-14 and M-16

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?
Ditto, Rifle expert.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Corporal Larry Mason, Gunner (WO) Clark, SSGT Fish (PI Senior Drill Instructor)
SSGT JOhns while in the Army.

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?
Electric spoons! We had a dumb SOB from Arkansas, Pvt. Fulks, who claimed he never had shoes until he joined the Corps. He played the spoons but decided he was going to make electric spoons.He stripped the wire from a lamp and taped each end to a spoon. When he started to play, the minute the spoons touched they welded together and Fulks was being electrocuted. He was shaking and his body was vibrating on the floor.

We started to laugh so hard. I couldn't walk or move I was laughing so hard. Thank God one of us unplugged him before he died. It took 15 minutes to bring him back to consciousness, but he was OK. The Duty NCO cam in and wrote us ll up. We all got Office Hours and were fined $100 each and had extra duty for a month. But damn, that was funny to see.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
American Legion(Past Commander) , Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Association. It took many years to finally join and up until retirement, membership was off and on in all of them . There is just no time while supporting a family, making babies and working

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?
Marines have a Core value they never loose. Giving everything you do 100%, never quitting, Being honest, Having a certain amount of discipline and raising my kids to show respect for their elders, when to stand up for themselves and others.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Don't get caught up in the chicken shit nonsense. You're in the Corps, not the Army , Navy or Air Force. We have a reputation. The pride, honor, duty and strength of character are on loan to you. They are passed down from the first Marines from Tun Tavern.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
lol, reading others accounts, deeds, and experiences brings back memories of a time in the past. Also I found a few people