I joined the USMC at age 17 and it was the best thing that I could have ever done at the same time, just like you. It actually led to me getting my GED and eventually getting a BA and MPA degree later. I don’t think I would ever have made it into college without joining the Marine Corps at age 17 and I have always been very proud of my service in the USMC.
19 comments
Yep! Sounds just like me! I tried to enlist when I was 16 in 1957. The recruiter caught on and I had to wait until I was 17. I quit school and later received a GED while stationed on Okinawa. I did the four years (1958-1962) and separated as a Corporal E-4. I kicked around doing many different jobs, but always thought of the Corps and being back in. In 1966 while Vietnam was in full swing I re-entered as a PFC. Went to my first year in Vietnam and returned as a Corporal. Was transferred to Albany Ga. where I promoted to Sergeant shortly after. I was a Sergeant for six years (Frozen MOS). Had orders to ‘Gitmo’ to work with the Minefield Maint. team in 1972. My years tour lasted five months because I was selected for the Warrant Officer Program. I retired in 1982 as a CWO-3… When I retired in 1982 I started with the Marine Corps JROTC in New Jersey and Florida. Retired from the school in 2007…I wore the Marine Corps Uniform for 46 years!!!!! I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN !!!!!!
In reply to Bob.
I was the Platoon Commander of Platoon 374.
In reply to Philip Kercher.
Know what you are sayin’! Same here, only I flunked out Spring quarter at UGA in 1954. Worked construction work on a road building project, joined the Corps in Oct. 1954, got off P.I. January, ’55, then ITR at Camp Geiger. Lucked up and got Sea Duty! Two med cruises and then Camp Lejeune, N.C.. got out in 1957, went back to college, graduated in 1960, and also credit the Corps for helping me grow up become a man. Gung Ho and Semper Fi!!!
My Dad died when I was just shy of my 16th birthday. It was a major blow for me for we were extremely close. Hardly a day when I didn’t hear Marine stories from his WW II Pacific war experiences and the wounds that eventually took his life after many years of being handicapped. I signed up for the Corps at 16 in April and was due for Parris Island in a couple of months. It was right after my 17th birthday I got to PI. I’m glad I did for I strongly believe that had I not quit school and all that I wouldn’t have “made” it in life. The Corps actually became a father of sorts to set my path for my Life’s journey.
I also enlisted the week I turned 17, I quit high school in ’53, went straight to MCRD San Diego. A week later I thought “Good Grief, what, pray tell, have I done? After 3 years in the Marine Corps and 14 months 23 days in Korea, I knew what I had done. I got out in 56, finished high school, went on to get a BA and never looked back. God bless the USMC! Semper Fi!
You all make me feel ancient, I also joined at the young age of 17 back in 1959. Best thing that I ever did. I was headed down the wrong path but the Corps got me quickly realigned. LOL
Quit hi-school in 54, joined the corp, would never thought I would amount to anything, the Marine Corp made me into a man, changed my life, summer of 54, at mcrd San Diego, Plt. 289, in 76 my son went in and got out in 82, I think all kids should join, makes them into a better person, it did me,
I joined when I was 17, and the lessons about never quitting and seizing your objective got me through law school, and I have been practicing law now for over 28 years. I testified numerous times in my state legislature, Texas, about maintaining the death penalty for 17 yoa Murderers. When the Supreme Court said that 17 was too young to be a conscious killer, and that the 17 year old brain hadn’t developed to that point, I retorted with my experience of being in a platoon where 65% of the recruits were 17, and that we were very capable of being extreme professional killers. Eleanor Roosevelt was correct in describing the Marines as being” Over-sexed, under-paid, teenage Killers”! In my perspective, a great compliment!!!
I am so proud of what I have read – following my comment/comments above. What is/has been written is such a magnificent testament to our Corps. As all have written, it has given us the strength, fortitude, guidance and perservence to go forward – every day, year end, and year out. It has been a Mother/Father to us all. We learned that quitting was/is never an option – Marines never give up. We all know that the Corps is so ingrained into our souls that we are all one. God Bless Our Courps – today – tomorrow – and forever. Semper Fi
I joined in `73 at 17, just to get away from home, so much a Navy brat I was born in a Navy Hospital. Went Motor T. 3522. It was a fun time. Looking back knowing what I know now, I would have stayed for the long haul.
Kenneth W Shannon says, I signed up for the 6 month delayed program while I was a senior in high school, Many of my friends said that I would never make it thru boot camp. I graduated the 24th of May 1962 and the 28th of May I was standing in the Receiving Department, MCRD San Diego, Calif. looking out the window watching the men on the big grinder marching and doing the drills. I told myself at that time I was going to prove all my friends wrong, and I did just that. Spent time in Viet Nam came back to States. Made Sgt. upon return. I thank the Marine Corps for everything they made me, and I would do it all over again, I”m proud of being called a Marine. God Bless the Marines and everything it stands for. SEMPER FI
I am also a member of the 17 year old Marine Corps “club “. Quit school and joined in 1967. MCRD San Diego, Platoon 1012. Went to Vietnam and came back a Sgt. E-5. Got my GED in the Corps and my college degree when I got out. My oldest son joined the Marine Corps in 1988 and was in Desert Shield. His son just graduated Marine Corps boot camp last October 2016. So proud of my 3rd generation Marine grandson. As he prepares to deploy to Afghanistan may God bless our young men and women who continue to step forward to protect the USA and our way of life. Semper Fi Marines.
Every one of you is singing from the same hymnal as I am. Although I graduated high school before enlisting, I could hardly wait to get out of school and surely would have flunked out of college. Being in the USMC ’69 to ’71 matured me to the point where I thrived in college, graduate school, and in my profession. None of that would have occurred but for the leavening the Marine Corps gave me. Semper Fi, brothers and sisters.
ralph receveur jr says, I joined 9/11-56. 12 days 17. quit high school after 10 th grade. got my ged while in the corps. went to pi weighing 110 lbs, 5ft 6in. left weighing 145lbs and 5ft 9in, in 3 months. my. mos was 6481, helicopter mech. at new river n.c. got out and got a job at boeing helicopters in Pennsylvania as a tool maker on ch-47s and the v-22, retired after 40 yrs. I’m now 78 and back to 5’6”. I have a lot of great memories of the time I spent in the corps. 3 yr tour. semper fi
Story is almost the same, quit high school at 17, my recruiter had me take the GED prior to going to MCRD in December of ’66. Could believe it, I got 3 squares (all I could eat), new cloths (looked just like everyone else) and they paid me! Unbelievable! Made PFC out of Boot, Vietnam (Chu Lai) April 68 – May 69. Early out September 70 to go to College on the GI Bill, bought a house in ’72 on with my Cal Vet loan, became a Fire Fighter and now I’m retired. None of this would of happened had I not joined our beloved Corps. Semper Fi, Brothers and Sisters and God Bless America
In reply to Thearle Lacey.
TJ Lacey……….Trying to get back to you on a couple of older posts…I was in Plt 339 w/you in ’61…..I still have my grad. Book. A little ragged after fifty + years…..I can text your dress blues grad. pix or mail to you…Need your contact imfo. Semper Fi…….