thedrifter
07-07-03, 07:08 AM
Eric D. Schwehm, USMC
... and USN, USA & USAF
By Lance Cpl. Lameen Witter, USMC
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, NORFOLK, Va. — When Staff Sgt. Eric D. Schwehm, U.S. Marine Corps Marine Forces, Atlantic, raised his hand and took the oath of service into the Navy in 1979, he had no idea it would be the first of four different services he would join.
As Schwehm walked through the halls of Hunterdon Central High School in Flemington, N.J. his sophomore year, he knew he wanted more.
"I was tired of school and looking for an adventure," said Schwehm, a special security office administration clerk.
That desire for adventure took him through the U.S. Navy, Army, and Air Force and eventually to the Marines.
Schwehm began looking into the military for career opportunities, influenced by his father's prior service in the Navy and his belief in serving his country.
"My friend ended up joining the Marines," Schwehm said.
However, Schwehm's father told him the only service Schwehm couldn't join was the Marines. Consequently, Schwehm only looked at the Army, Navy and Air Force for a possible career. Schwehm developed an interest in aviation through stories of his father's military career as an air crewman. As a result, any service that guaranteed the job of aircraft mechanic would land Schwehm in its ranks.
The Navy had that guarantee. Once in the Delayed Entry Program, Schwehm finished his last year of high school, attained his pilot's license and went to Navy recruit training.
Schwehm said he marched in front of his family with pride during his recruit training graduation. "I was thrilled when my family came to see me graduate boot camp. It was the beginning of an adventure, and I was looking forward to learning more," said Schwehm.
The Marines learned alongside Schwehm at Naval Air Station Memphis in Tennessee as he trained in air mechanics. "They were like anybody else. As a matter of fact, I remember having quite a few friends that were Marines," said Schwehm.
Shortly after his class graduated, Schwehm was told he had been chosen to go to aircrew school. "Aircrew school was a lot more fun for me. It was what I thought Navy boot camp would be like," he said.
While at aircrew school, Schwehm learned he had bad eyesight and was told he had to choose a different type of aviation specialty. He chose to be a C1A technician, which allowed him to work on the World War II-era aircraft engines.
During his first tour on board the USS Midway, Schwehm visited Iwakuni, Okinawa, mainland Japan and the Philippines.
After reenlisting, Schwehm was stationed in Philadelphia, Penn., working as an air crewman mechanic. After 10 months, he terminated his shore duty and went to the USS Independence, which had a C1A billet in Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Penn.
"It was interesting, because my father went through Navy boot camp at NAS Willow Grove in 1950. It turned out I lived in the same barracks he did," said Schwehm.
In April 1988, Schwehm's enlistment was up and he decided to come out of the Navy. He was about to turn 26 and was ready for a change. "I wanted to get on with my life and go to college," he said.
While still in the Navy, however, Schwehm went skydiving and a change occurred. "I was up there in a parachute and I was thinking, 'this is great. It's me, John Wayne and the whole 101st on 'The Longest Day.' Why should I pay to do this? They should be paying me. Where could I get paid to do this?'" said Schwehm.
He learned he could get paid to skydive if he joined the Army, so he joined the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Arizona State University in August, 1989.
"I wanted to be an Army officer and jump out of airplanes," said Schwehm. He enlisted as an Army reserve cadet and was technically contracted to the Army Reserves for eight years. However, after attending training similar to Marine Combat Training, Schwehm realized he didn't want to be in the Army after all. He said the officers' program he was enrolled in was terminated and he would be a cadet in limbo.
His desire to get out the program increased when he learned of a Navy reserve unit that was deploying to the Gulf War. In February, 1991, he was dropped from the program and reenlisted in the Navy Reserves.
"I looked at all these guys that I had trained together with and I said, 'man, they're going away to another adventure. I want to go,'" said Schwehm.
Unfortunately, the unit Schwehm wanted to join had already been deployed. As a result, Schwehm continued to work as an air crewman in Ireland.
At the time, Schwehm wanted something more. He had been a petty officer second-class for five years and was unsuccessful in getting promoted. Influenced by his brother and brother's wife, who are active-duty officers in the Air Force, Schwehm began to consider joining the Air Force Reserves. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1996, and earned his Bachelor's of Science Degree at University of the State New York Regents College.
"I wanted to get back working on airplanes," said Schwehm, adding that the transition was easy due to his prior knowledge of the military culture.
He was able to maintain his rank as an E-5, but was then addressed as a Staff Sergeant. Schwehm said he was eventually unhappy with the amount of traveling in his new Air Force job and rejoined the U.S. Army by going into the Reserves in March, 1996.
He was assigned to a motor transportation unit and learned to drive trucks. His job was to drive behind the artillery and armor units and supply them with ammunition. While in the reserves, Schwehm had been trying to get back on active-duty.
"At that point I didn't care if it was Army, Navy or Air Force. I just felt I had something to offer," said Schwehm. "Plus I just missed the camaraderie, the adventure, the fact that you never knew where you were going to end up," Schwehm continued.
He called the Army, Air Force and Navy. The Army would have taken Schwehm, but he would have had to go through Army Boot camp again and have his sergeant rank reduced to a specialist. "I had gone through all this training and been a sergeant too long," Schwehm said.
The Navy and Air Force said they weren't taking prior service at that time. Schwehm even called the Canadian Embassy, who wasn't taking any Americans due to budget cuts. Then he tried the Australian Consulate in California, but as he thought about their offer, Schwehm realized that joining the Australian military would mean too much traveling for his taste. Finally, Schwehm decided to call the Marines.
He lost his rank of sergeant, but was guaranteed the rank of private first class upon his graduation from boot camp. The loss of rank didn't bother Schwehm so much. "For the Marines I could drop down to a PFC (private first class)," said Schwehm.
After graduating boot camp and earning a meritorious promotion to lance corporal in Marine Combat Training, Schwehm was stationed at Fleet Combat Training Center Dam Neck, Va., for Navy, Marine Corps Intelligence training.
Before coming to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic, as an Intelligence chief, Schwehm had been stationed in such places as Camp Lejeune, N.C. and revisited Okinawa, Japan via ship.
While at a Navy blood drive when he was still in Dam Neck, Schwehm met a female sailor, who he would later marry. Schwehm's wife already had a son before he met her, but Schwehm said he has loved the now 11-year-old boy as his own. His marriage has survived long distances and deployments, much like his career.
Today, Schwehm, who was recently promoted to staff sergeant, reflects on his career. "I'm happy the Marine Corps let me come back into active duty," said Schwehm.
He said he feels honored he was able to experience so many services, because it gives him an appreciation for each one and what they can do. However, if he could go back, Schwehm said he might have joined the Marines sooner.
"I would've planned my career better, maybe gone into infantry," said Schwehm.
Still, he said he's happy with his life.
"It was interesting," said Schwehm. "Like Jerry Garcia said, 'it was a long strange trip.'"
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/apr2002/pri041802a.jpg
A man of many uniforms: Eric D. Schwehm (clockwise, from top left) in the U.S. Navy, Army, Marines and Air Force.
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
... and USN, USA & USAF
By Lance Cpl. Lameen Witter, USMC
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, NORFOLK, Va. — When Staff Sgt. Eric D. Schwehm, U.S. Marine Corps Marine Forces, Atlantic, raised his hand and took the oath of service into the Navy in 1979, he had no idea it would be the first of four different services he would join.
As Schwehm walked through the halls of Hunterdon Central High School in Flemington, N.J. his sophomore year, he knew he wanted more.
"I was tired of school and looking for an adventure," said Schwehm, a special security office administration clerk.
That desire for adventure took him through the U.S. Navy, Army, and Air Force and eventually to the Marines.
Schwehm began looking into the military for career opportunities, influenced by his father's prior service in the Navy and his belief in serving his country.
"My friend ended up joining the Marines," Schwehm said.
However, Schwehm's father told him the only service Schwehm couldn't join was the Marines. Consequently, Schwehm only looked at the Army, Navy and Air Force for a possible career. Schwehm developed an interest in aviation through stories of his father's military career as an air crewman. As a result, any service that guaranteed the job of aircraft mechanic would land Schwehm in its ranks.
The Navy had that guarantee. Once in the Delayed Entry Program, Schwehm finished his last year of high school, attained his pilot's license and went to Navy recruit training.
Schwehm said he marched in front of his family with pride during his recruit training graduation. "I was thrilled when my family came to see me graduate boot camp. It was the beginning of an adventure, and I was looking forward to learning more," said Schwehm.
The Marines learned alongside Schwehm at Naval Air Station Memphis in Tennessee as he trained in air mechanics. "They were like anybody else. As a matter of fact, I remember having quite a few friends that were Marines," said Schwehm.
Shortly after his class graduated, Schwehm was told he had been chosen to go to aircrew school. "Aircrew school was a lot more fun for me. It was what I thought Navy boot camp would be like," he said.
While at aircrew school, Schwehm learned he had bad eyesight and was told he had to choose a different type of aviation specialty. He chose to be a C1A technician, which allowed him to work on the World War II-era aircraft engines.
During his first tour on board the USS Midway, Schwehm visited Iwakuni, Okinawa, mainland Japan and the Philippines.
After reenlisting, Schwehm was stationed in Philadelphia, Penn., working as an air crewman mechanic. After 10 months, he terminated his shore duty and went to the USS Independence, which had a C1A billet in Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Penn.
"It was interesting, because my father went through Navy boot camp at NAS Willow Grove in 1950. It turned out I lived in the same barracks he did," said Schwehm.
In April 1988, Schwehm's enlistment was up and he decided to come out of the Navy. He was about to turn 26 and was ready for a change. "I wanted to get on with my life and go to college," he said.
While still in the Navy, however, Schwehm went skydiving and a change occurred. "I was up there in a parachute and I was thinking, 'this is great. It's me, John Wayne and the whole 101st on 'The Longest Day.' Why should I pay to do this? They should be paying me. Where could I get paid to do this?'" said Schwehm.
He learned he could get paid to skydive if he joined the Army, so he joined the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Arizona State University in August, 1989.
"I wanted to be an Army officer and jump out of airplanes," said Schwehm. He enlisted as an Army reserve cadet and was technically contracted to the Army Reserves for eight years. However, after attending training similar to Marine Combat Training, Schwehm realized he didn't want to be in the Army after all. He said the officers' program he was enrolled in was terminated and he would be a cadet in limbo.
His desire to get out the program increased when he learned of a Navy reserve unit that was deploying to the Gulf War. In February, 1991, he was dropped from the program and reenlisted in the Navy Reserves.
"I looked at all these guys that I had trained together with and I said, 'man, they're going away to another adventure. I want to go,'" said Schwehm.
Unfortunately, the unit Schwehm wanted to join had already been deployed. As a result, Schwehm continued to work as an air crewman in Ireland.
At the time, Schwehm wanted something more. He had been a petty officer second-class for five years and was unsuccessful in getting promoted. Influenced by his brother and brother's wife, who are active-duty officers in the Air Force, Schwehm began to consider joining the Air Force Reserves. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1996, and earned his Bachelor's of Science Degree at University of the State New York Regents College.
"I wanted to get back working on airplanes," said Schwehm, adding that the transition was easy due to his prior knowledge of the military culture.
He was able to maintain his rank as an E-5, but was then addressed as a Staff Sergeant. Schwehm said he was eventually unhappy with the amount of traveling in his new Air Force job and rejoined the U.S. Army by going into the Reserves in March, 1996.
He was assigned to a motor transportation unit and learned to drive trucks. His job was to drive behind the artillery and armor units and supply them with ammunition. While in the reserves, Schwehm had been trying to get back on active-duty.
"At that point I didn't care if it was Army, Navy or Air Force. I just felt I had something to offer," said Schwehm. "Plus I just missed the camaraderie, the adventure, the fact that you never knew where you were going to end up," Schwehm continued.
He called the Army, Air Force and Navy. The Army would have taken Schwehm, but he would have had to go through Army Boot camp again and have his sergeant rank reduced to a specialist. "I had gone through all this training and been a sergeant too long," Schwehm said.
The Navy and Air Force said they weren't taking prior service at that time. Schwehm even called the Canadian Embassy, who wasn't taking any Americans due to budget cuts. Then he tried the Australian Consulate in California, but as he thought about their offer, Schwehm realized that joining the Australian military would mean too much traveling for his taste. Finally, Schwehm decided to call the Marines.
He lost his rank of sergeant, but was guaranteed the rank of private first class upon his graduation from boot camp. The loss of rank didn't bother Schwehm so much. "For the Marines I could drop down to a PFC (private first class)," said Schwehm.
After graduating boot camp and earning a meritorious promotion to lance corporal in Marine Combat Training, Schwehm was stationed at Fleet Combat Training Center Dam Neck, Va., for Navy, Marine Corps Intelligence training.
Before coming to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic, as an Intelligence chief, Schwehm had been stationed in such places as Camp Lejeune, N.C. and revisited Okinawa, Japan via ship.
While at a Navy blood drive when he was still in Dam Neck, Schwehm met a female sailor, who he would later marry. Schwehm's wife already had a son before he met her, but Schwehm said he has loved the now 11-year-old boy as his own. His marriage has survived long distances and deployments, much like his career.
Today, Schwehm, who was recently promoted to staff sergeant, reflects on his career. "I'm happy the Marine Corps let me come back into active duty," said Schwehm.
He said he feels honored he was able to experience so many services, because it gives him an appreciation for each one and what they can do. However, if he could go back, Schwehm said he might have joined the Marines sooner.
"I would've planned my career better, maybe gone into infantry," said Schwehm.
Still, he said he's happy with his life.
"It was interesting," said Schwehm. "Like Jerry Garcia said, 'it was a long strange trip.'"
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/apr2002/pri041802a.jpg
A man of many uniforms: Eric D. Schwehm (clockwise, from top left) in the U.S. Navy, Army, Marines and Air Force.
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: