"Have you lost your mind???"

[Jarhed]

Dont worry Woodman, they are going to have to arrest me for stalking, and so will every Marine Reserve unit within a day's drive from me. I dont give up easy. I change my mind, but I dont give up. When people tell me something is not possible, I keep going at it til I'm either successful, or arrested.

The PSR working with me seems to be very positive about it, although he does wonder exactly why the hell I want to get back in. My guess is that he's on is first or second enlistment with no broken time. Those of us with broken time know the deal. Those of you who have never gotten out of the Corps, cannot possibly understand.

We all know the dreams, the feeling of failure when you watch the news and see Marines in Iraq, the guilty feeling of being unfaithful when you see a Recruiter step out of his car in blues, the feeling of missing your family when you drive by two Marine Corps bases during a drive down the 5 freeway on your way to Tijuana to get drunk, the feeling of regret when you realized that you had it made in the Marine Reserve, but put your bodybuilding career ahead of what was supposed to be a long and fruitful Career in the Marine Corps, something you dreamed about since you were in 8th grade.

How does one explain that to a PSR in an hour or so face to face meeting? How does one just shut off that feeling of needing to be in uniform when I can go to the gym and pound myself silly under a bench press, or under over 450 lbs on a squat rack, or under 1200 pounds on a leg press? As an able bodied, trained determined Marine, why shouldnt I volunteer that energy and youth to serve my country in the Corps? How does one explain the fact that I could not wear any hair style longer than a high and tight for the past 23 years since I left Parris Island?

Semper Fi brothers, I'm comin back, one way or the other!!!

[woodman]

Jarhead,
If I can help in any other way let me know. I know exactly how you feel. The day I got out iraq invaded kuwait and I had to sit and watch friend after friend ship out. Had alot of guilt and ened up leaving the CA pd I was with and moving back to colorado To convince myself I made the right move. Two line of duty injuries make doing what your doing impossable so I envy you a little.

Semper Fi

[outlaw3179]

I think its cool that your going back in ...just remember the Corps you left back in 88 is definetly the not the same club youre going back into now. Find a unit thats coming over to Iraq, get some and then see what you think . Youll have a good time, but dont burn any bridges in the civillian side.


Semper Fi

[Jarhed]

Originally posted by outlaw3179
I think its cool that your going back in ...just remember the Corps you left back in 88 is definetly the not the same club youre going back into now. Find a unit thats coming over to Iraq, get some and then see what you think . Youll have a good time, but dont burn any bridges in the civillian side.


Semper Fi

Yeah, I'm sure it's a different world now. I saw things change quickly in the 8 short years I was in. I welcome the change! I've been following very closely the changes that have happened in the years since. The weaponry, the uniform, the vehicles, etc... Have a few friends that just got out and a couple still in and they give me the skinny on some of the weirdness going on now.

I figure whatever I end up doing, I'll be in a Reserve unit to begin with (since it's too late for me to get Active). If we get activated, cool. It'll be a change from the pencil pushing bull**** I'm doing now. No burning any bridges, but if given the opportunity, I'd go back in the Corps full time ANY day. I can always get another civilian job if I'm forced out. Never had a problem with that. My degree and my resume' will see to that.

[BHABIT]

Jarhead...

I would give up that and more to be back in greens...at least I'd know where I stand and who's coming at me!

Semper Fi!!!

[jo1753]

I'd say do it...........if thats right where your heart is then let it be done. Marine don't worry about who may or not think you lost your mind..........S*it Bro.... Let the Corps worry about that when you go to Meps.

Jarhed..........I know we've scraped or locked horns on a couple threads.......!!!....... 4 me np.......no biggie really...!!!

I totally agree with you......when you say.........and this is not a quote,by the way...... Hey i'm X yrs old and still in good physical condition. I should be a great value to my Corps and country.

Heck bud...........i'm envious of you to be honest. I only wish I could put the uniform on again and fight along side my kid right now. But the truth be known........ I'm to da*n old. I was to old 10 yrs ago. Like I mentioned in an earlier post on this thread. Sir I take my cover off to you, and guys like yourself. Who won't say die.............. Thats the Marine within you trying it's best to once again come to the surface.

And for that I salute you..!!!

Semper-Fi

God bless the Corps

[Jarhed]

Thanks Jo!!!

Really though, it's not me that deserves a salute, it's Marines like you who DIDNT abandon the Corps and who served in Vietnam helping to write the colorful history of the Marine Corps. We can lock horns, thats ok. We are allowed to disagree on political things. But we do agree on the important ones: that is being a Marine is a lifetime marriage, not just a fleeting job that spans a couple years.

No matter how much any Marine denies it, you will never shake that fire in your belly. Too old? haha!! I scoff at that!!! NO Marine, even the Commandant can convince me that I'm too old to do the job given to me in the Corps! Yeah, I'm a little more bruised up, but thats mostly from being under a squat rack or trashing my knees on a leg press. More tired? Yep, you bet! But hell, I LOVE a challenge!!!

Fact is, I have something to give. I've given all I could to my wife, she still doesnt appreciate it. I've given everything I could to my son, now I want to give him more. I want to give him a good example, I want to help give him the security to live as he wishes. I've been to other countries as a kid and as an adult, just as you all have. I know damn well that this country is well worth defending against any camel-humping, sandal wearing, baby killing, towel head asshat who wants to cause harm to any American! They wanna kill someone? They should come kill me! Cause I'm DAMN sure going to kill them!

I'm telling you guys, the Corps is not impossible to return to. The PSR would not spend this much time with me getting paperwork together, emailing me PT events, charts for height/weight/bodyfat etc if he didnt think I had a snowball's chance in hell of getting my uniform back on! He has inspired me just with his positive attitude and committment to providing me all of the information I need! And the regular recruiter invites me to run PT with the DEPS twice a week.

NEVER GIVE UP

[jo1753]

Jarhed............only the words Semper-Fi....could fit in here

God bless the Corps

[CplCrotty]

Jarhed - You have to let me know what happens. Know this - you've got my support, for what it's worth. My track record is about the same as yours - Marine Corps Reserve from '82 -'88, "broken track record" in college, but finally graduating, wanted to go PLC but got caught up with girls, car payments, apartments, etc., etc.
What are they telling you regarding passing the PFT, i.e. the minimum for a 40 year old?
I'd be there right with you. What's holding me back is my wife and two young daughters, plus my own business with a big business loan. Semper Fi brother!

[Jarhed]

Cpl,

The PFT will be administered by the Reserve Unit I join when they do their annual PFT. I'm still getting ready though, my luck I'll get into a unit and the first damn weekend will be the PFT. HAHAHA

I'm not a good runner. Still trying to get 3 miles under 30 minutes (my max for my old age). I'll get there. I need a running partner to motivate me (pronounced: kick my azz). Also, my damn right knee gets stiff and sore. This sux, but I'm still going to win, or die trying! I want a 1st class PFT. Some folks say thats nuts, but if someone last year would have told me that I'd be running 1.5 miles non-stop this year, I would have laughed in their face.

Yes, Cpl, your record is EXACTLY like mine. Even ran a business or two (a couple of them into the ground). Never got a business loan, always started on a shoestring and by emptying my bank account and maxing credit cards. My 2 year old isnt holding me back, he's motivating me, as is my 14 year old in PA. The drinking was given up a few years ago thank goodness, but I still have to reduce my level of bill payments (he said as he waits to close on a new house...)

[Jarhed]

CPL, by the way, when did you graduate Parris Island? What Battalion and Series where you in?

I was June-August 1st 1982, 3rd Bn, Plt 3042.

[CplCrotty]

Jarhed - I was in 3052, 3rd Bn., "I" Company May- July 1983. Do any of the following Drill Instructor names sound familiar: Gearhart, McKnight, Payne or Bailey?

I know what you mean about sore knees. I started running again not too long ago.

[Jarhed]

Bailey sounds familiar. May have been a DI in another platoon of my series the year before.

[yellowwing]

I was in 3052, 3rd Bn., "I" Company May- July 1983

I was in 1064, 1st BN, A Company then! I probably marched by you on the way to the rifle range.

I didn't see you, I guess your platoon was in The Pit at the time!

[CplCrotty]

We probably were! It's just a matter of which pit we were in. Our Drill Instructors liked to alternate between two of them.

I probably saw you in the 1st BN mess hall. That's where we pulled mess duty week, but then again I spent most of my time back in the pot shack.