Just joined

[griffsigsRM]

Hi there, just joined after surfing and finding site.

[yellowwing]

Hiya Steve! How did you find us? Word of mouth, search engines?

Anyway welcome aboard!

[griffsigsRM]

Just happened to be surfing after a couple of hours on onceamarine web site, found a few commercial USMC sites and then found Leatherneck. Thought I would take a look and then registered. Spents 15 years in Royal Marines, had A USMC Gunnery Sergeant as Troop Sergeant and USMC Captain as Company Commander in Lima Company 42 Commando (his name was Richardson).

Griff

[yellowwing]

An RM! I can fix your rank up if you give me a clue.

[griffsigsRM]

I joined the Corps in 1975 and left in 1990, served in either HQ & Signal Squadron of 42 CDO RM. I left the Corps as a Sergeant S1 (Signals Instructor) due to family commitments, a decision I regretted a few years later (another story)

Griff

[griffsigsRM]

Just to add some detail, Service No. P035065K, joined with 216 Troop October 1975.

[yellowwing]

Is that rank proper now? Three stripes?

[griffsigsRM]

That's the one many thanks, will add more as I get used to the site, now 2200hrs here time for coffee and some shut eye. Be back later.

Griff

[ricky30091]

Hiya Griff,
Maybe we crossed paths; I joined in '72 and left late '86.
Now living in CT, USA and enjoying the freedom...............
Hope all is well in that wonderful city of yours.
Ricky

[griffsigsRM]

Hi Rick

My service from 76 after training was 41 Cdo until 78, HMS Nubian t 80, then Sigs training followed by HQ & Sigs, various courses until 83, then 42 Cdo until 87, then CTCRM as Sgt Sigs instructor until leaving in 1990.

Griff.

[ricky30091]

Maybe not as I was in RM Poole '75 - '79
Cdo Logs '79 - '83
DRORM '83 - '85
DCGRM '85 - '86
Take care
Ricky

[alexb8654]

.... Spents 15 years in Royal Marines, had A USMC Gunnery Sergeant as Troop Sergeant and USMC Captain as Company Commander in Lima Company 42 Commando (his name was Richardson).
Griff

Hello mate, welcome to the forum. You won't believe this, "Capt Richardson" was my operations officer when I was based at the Marine Corps Maintain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Ca. in 1988.

Also, Capt Richardson (AKA K2) was our team leader for our 1989 expedition to Mt McKinley Alaska. I believe he was with the Royal Marines Exchange program after serving with 1st Reconnaissance battalion.

Last time I saw him was in 1996 with the Special Operations Training Group in Camp Lejeune NC as the OIC. If this is the same individual the rest of the story is not good; 3 years ago he retired from the Marines and went to work for Blackwater in Iraq and was killed by an IED. I received the news in 2006 from a friend from my old Recon days and 6 months later from an email from his siter in NM.

[griffsigsRM]

Alex

Many thanks for the reply as sad as it is. It certainly sounds like the same man as he was an excellent mountain specialist, very fit and determined. He kept our Company very fit, I was his Signals Corporal until I left for my Sergeants course. He was an excellent soldier and leader, may he rest in peace.

[2ndCEBSupply]

This is a awkard thread i want to see how this plays out.

[griffsigsRM]

He was a well known and liked commander, I have posted a copy of the reply on 'Once a Marine always a Marine' website