Adelman, David, SgtMaj

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS?
It is a family tradition for 5 generations. The 5th generation being my two retired Marines sons-in-law.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
My career went the whole nine yards. It began at PISC on June 5, 1952 when I went through Recruit Training. In 1953 I found myself as a machine gunner. When I got to Korea there were slots open for aviation and I put in for it. My primary MOS was 6511, Aviation Ordnance due to n the fact I had attended the Aviation Ordnance School earlier. After Korea I returned to MCAS El Toro. Instead of working as a 6511, I was assigned to the rifle range for duty. I spent the next 2 1/2 years there advancing to Assistant Range NCO. My next assignment was the Marine Corps Air Station Quantico and I really thought I would finally get to work on a real live plane. The Corps however had other plans. I was assigned as the Air Station magazine and storage areas NCO.

In 1961 I was selected to attend the Advanced AvOrd school with further orders to WestPac. Upon reporting to NAS Atsugi, I was appointed as the Station Training NCO, (sound familiar???). Upon returning stateside with orders to Cherry Point, I figured here is my chance as there were aircraft all over the place. I was whistling a snappy refrain of the Marine Corps Hymn as I reported in to the Station Ordnance Officer who promptly suggested that I could best serve the Corps as the Station Training NCO. In that capacity, I would run the station's gas chamber. It was in my service record book that I attended NBC Training at the Army Advanced CBR School. It was here that I was taught the different methods of aerial delivery of chemical agents. I lasted 10 months on that assignment when the call went out for Drill Instructor School. I applied and was accepted.

In 1964 I began the first of two tours at Parris Island, SC.I went to RVN in 12/66 to 01/68. while there I did a lot of different things. Group Training NCO. Built and ran a rifle range for use in transiting from the M-14 to the M-16. Senior Instructor for the Headquarters Squadron Aerial Gunners School and some aerial drops of chemical weapons. After I left country it was back to Parris Island for my second tour under the hat. In 1970 I was the 1stSgt of Transport Company 9th Motors at Camp Hansen. When I returned home I was assigned to the I&I staff, Jacksonville. This was an Amtrac Company. 1976 found me back on Okinawa as the SgtMaj of MACS-4. My next assignment was the Marine Reserve Unit at Andrews Air Force Base. After the Andrews tour, I was assigned as the SgtMaj at Gitmo.

I came back to the states with 10 months to retirement. I was TAD from CLNC to FMFLANT where I served as the FMFLANT Inspector SgtMaj and retired August 1982. I am proud to say that I enjoyed every assignment. I was fortunate that my Seniors allowed me the latitude to due the assignments as I saw fit. I honestly believe I left each and every assignment in better shape then it was the day I reported in. As a note: On my 14th year in the Corps, it was discovered I was color blind and could not hold an aviation MOS so it was voided.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
It was in the 'Nam and we had to auto-rotate in a helicopter. It was the first one I experienced and I thought this it, I'm dead. The thought that remained in my mind was, I waited nine months for an R&R that I was going on the following week and now I wont ever get to go. Go figure.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
The Combat Aircrew Wings mean a lot to me. I had severe reservations about height. My time as a Gunner helped me to reassess that short-coming and I was able to accomplish my primary mission. (Which I will attempt to describe when I do the career service section).

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
There was an Ordnance Officer at Quantico who my OIC. His name was Capt. O.C.Locke. This Officer was the real deal. Being a Mustang, he came up from being a MSgt in WWII. He always took the time to know each and every one of his men. He was my Marine Corps father figure. He taught me more about being an NCO and a leader then any other Marine I came in contact with in 31 years. I met up with him at Da Nang and he was a Major by then. It was absolutely amazing that his entire Unit felt the same way about him as I did. A great tribute to an outstanding Officer. I'll never forget him.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
When I retired from the Corps I applied to the Airport Police in Norfolk, Virginia for a position. I was accepted and at age 48 I went through the Police Academy. I started at the very bottom of the department as a Street Officer. I stayed with the department for 22 years and was fortunate enough to be the Deputy Chief/Acting Chief a few years before I retired. It was relatively easy. All I did was apply the leadership principles I had honed while I was in the Corps.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
Definitely. Most civilians and those who chose to serve in another branch of service have no inkling of a Marine's make-up. By applying the leadership traits and principles learned in the Marine Corps you will go far. It worked for me, it should work for you too.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Stay the course and always be ready to accept additional responsibilities. Do the best job you can do regardless of how menial or important it may seem at the time. Have faith in your Seniors and hope that you are fortunate enough to see the sun come up tomorrow morning. Stay off the ridgeline and in the shadows if possible.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?

TWS and the US MARINES

It put me in touch with many Marines I have served with. Old friends are best friends and without TWS I would have missed out on lots of fond memories.

*J*