I suddenly miss the Marine Corps

[honestabe]

I started having flashbacks to my time in the Marine Corps as I lay in bed tonight. I got so depressed I had to broadcast this to all my Marine friends and I hope you guys will understand. This makes me very sad and I even had to put my uniform back on just to remember how it fealt.

As I lay here in bed, a civilian again, I can't help but think of all the good and bad times I've had as a Marine. What it fealt to be someone important. Someone that is respected. Someone that has meaning in life. From the wild party with Josh to my run-ins with the XO and CO. I can honestly say that I miss the life. Even if it did suck at times, I miss it. I miss the people, I miss the life. I would give a lot to be with you guys right now. To see Justin's daughter and wife, to see Becca with Dannon, to salute CWO3 Boutte again. I miss the life.

God I miss the Corps.

 

[savannahashlee]

my ex went through the same thing when he left the Marine Corp.. its like leaving your family behind.. Most of those guys are your brothers..

 

[Yellow 13]

Go join again?

 

[drunk_medic]

What you are experiencing is not uncommon. More than half of the people in my "shop" are former Marines. The ones I work with, for the most part, you cannot tell that they REALLY miss it, but there are a few who we work around or integrate with who truly miss it. The worst case that I have seen is a guy who was in for awhile and was medically separated. He keeps his hair close to bald, smokes his cigars, expects everyone on-time for his "muster" no matter what [traffic and hold-ups occur in the shop - sometimes it takes 5 extra minutes to drive the 30 miles between sites!]. He even bought a cake for the Marine Corps birthday, and followed ceremony of oldest/youngest. He also gave me crap because he can't understand why after I was in the service he "can't understand how I can grow my hair so long".

It is easy.

I got out, got a job that I really like, and realized that I am not owned, but am still an important asset, and that i can make my own decisions.

 

[AF1JZ]

Just remember...once a Marine, always a Marine. So, don't forget what you have done for our country As long as you know inside that you are important, that's all that matters.

I am separating from the Air Force in about 5 months. It will bring me to 8 years. I will miss the Commaradery. But, there is plenty that I'm not going to miss one bit.

 

[mkIIIman089]

LOL. Just get over it, you may have felt important; the reality is that you are just as expendable as any other armed forces member.

 

[AF1JZ]

LOL. Just get over it, you may have felt important; the reality is that you are just as expendable as any other armed forces member.

Are you or were you ever Military???

 

[honestabe]

I fealt closer to my fellow Marines than anyone else I know. I got medically separated after 3 1/2 years (5 year contract). I am now permanently disabled at 20% by the VA for my shoulder, back, and left knee.

 

[AF1JZ]

I should hopefully be getting 50% for sleep apnea. Half of my base pay as an E-5 is pretty nice

 

[GrimJack]

Leaving the forces has been tough for a lot of the kids I know. Seriously, it's set up to be a perfect life support system - they pay you, feed you, provide a place for you to sleep - hell, they even provide you friends that you can trust with your life, literally.

Some folks find a job on the civvie market working with other vets, some just don't seem to have a problem, and quite a few have gone back. Realistically, there's nothing wrong with going back.

 

[AF1JZ]

He got medically discharged though. Military won't let those folks join back up.

 

[GrimJack]

Join the local veteran's club, that will help a lot.

 

[savannahashlee]

AF1JZ, thank you for asking that question to that guy...
Grim, the problem with around here where Abe and I are at, there isnt much for veteran affairs.. We have Legion, VFW, etc but most of the people that belong to that are older then jesus.. I am sure though, if he does contact the Veteran Hospital we have in Roseburg, he could find activities.. Maybe even search online..
Abe, if you ever need to talk, let me know..

 

[honestabe]

Savanna is right, there isn't much in the way of support for veterans around here. The only military base we have is a National Guard base on the coast. If I have time, I will stop by the Legion that's down the street from me. Problem is, I have almost no free time what-so-ever.

It feels really wierd leaving behind a huge extended family that basically brought me into my adult hood. I got my drivers liscense as a Marine, my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Supra as a Marine, my 1st car, my 1st demotion, even a suspended liscense (2 1/2 years) and 3 speeding tickets as a Marine. It changed who I am, and made me a better person. Without my training, I wouldn't have been told that I was better than the last 6 people my company hired after only working there for 1 day.

Savanna, thank you. I may just take you up on that offer.

 

[figgie]

Hi gents (and ladies!)

I know exactly where you are coming from.

I myself loved the Air Force. Especially the technical side of it (worked avionics on the B-1b and B-2 bombers). I loathed the politics though. When I got out in 96 it was odd as AF1jz mentioned, they fed me, provided "brothers and sisters" where we could watch out for one another and shelter. But what ended happening was that I found something that continued what I started in the Air Force and that was computers Been in computers ever since and have not looked back.