Weaver, Alfred, Cpl

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
I had 3 brothers in service. 1 -USMC,1- US Army Reserves and 1- Air Force.

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?
74-78 USMC.
78-79 OK Ar National Guard.
79-86 US Army.
86-87 Ok Ar National Guard.
87-90 US Army.
90-2001 OK Ar National Guard.
2001-2005 Retired.
2005 voluntary recall to active duty Djibouti Africa.
2006 Retired.
2007 present USAR.
Currently in the Wounded Warrior Transition unit Ft.Sill,OK.

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?
During the period 1 Feb 75 to April 30th 75, I was assigned to 3rd Bn 4th Marines at Camp Hansen ,Okinawa. The unit was alerted for operations Eagle Pull and Frequent Wind. During this time frame I was TAD to 3rd Recon Bn Ona Point Okinawa as an RTO with ComSec equipment and received training in jungle warfare,mines and booby traps, and helo borne ops/rappelling. Although personally I did not go in country I was with the unit of which the majority were selected to go by the infamous "hey you" roster. After hostilities ceased in April of '75 I was still with the 3rd Bn 4th Marines as an RTO and continued with my tour with POC (port of call) in Subic Bay Philippines for 6 months after which I returned to Camp Hansen and eventually returned to American soil where I finished out my tour at 1st Bn 7Th Marines Hq Company as Chief of Embarkations for the Communications Plt.

I was honorably discharged June 27th 1978.

On October 4th 2008 I volunteered for an assignment with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as a construction Rep and Force protection gunner for the Corps civilians in Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan. I had over 100 missions my first year and was privy to my fair share of IED's in close proximity on operations to gather information and take pictures of assigned road projects and other building projects that the USACE had in this AOR.

During this time I had gained and extensive knowledge of the area and the projects involved. I extended my tour for another 365 BOG. I had such a desire to stay because I felt such a need to give as much as I could to help the USACE help the Afghan people. The many conops I was involved in I spent in the gunners seat of the many different vehicles at the time of any given conop. From that vantage point I could get a better view of what could possibly come at any given time plus I had a better angle to take the required pictures needed for any specific planned "stop" where I needed to take progress photos and or get out of the vehicle to take measurements and pictures of damages either by inferior workmanship or by IED's. I successfully completed 21 consecutive months before my deros.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
My time with 3rd Marine Recon in '75 and 1st Bn 7th Mar Camp Pendelton 76-78.
From Nov 08 to June 2010 with USACE in Zabul province Afghanistan.

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?
Ordinance pin, because it denotes the importance of the people who maintain the material that keeps the military going. Defense Meritorious Service Medal because it denotes my accomplishments in a combat theater of operations. Marine Corps Good Conduct Meda l- any questions? Anyone who can endure 4 years of the Corps without Captains Mast or other NJP has to be an accomplishment.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
That would be the many different Drill Instructors in the Marine Corps who taught us all what we needed to survive and fight in any given circumstance under the most of austere conditions.

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 be returning to my job as telcom technician after my release and retirement from the Warrior transition unit. Once retired I will work part time as a security guard.

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?
It has taught me to handle personal affairs and business with a firm yet flexible hand and always keep a wary eye.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Finish your time and then decide if you want to stay in during these trying times and of the on coming apocalypse of our the Lord our GOD! Take care of your families and keep GOD first in your lives!

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
That has yet to be determined since I just joined.

DMR
DK