Getting a full Marine Corps Class-A green uniform together took more work than I expected. My report date was for the next day, as there were no free or lull days in Marine Corps life. I had been determined to be available for duty and ordered to my duty station. Whether I was somehow entitled to more recuperation time, I did not, and could not figure out how to know. That was it. The PUHLES report was to be ‘appended’ to my orders as available, whatever that meant. For the time being, no matter what the state of my wounds or recovery, I was deemed fit for full, albeit temporary, duty.
My uniform, which had been nearly too tight prior to my leaving for the Nam, was now too loose, and there were no tailors either available to work on such a specialized outfit or the money to pay for the needed adjustments. My wife and I decided that bandage packing was the only way I could pass even the most cursory of inspections, and there was little doubt, from Trainer’s nickname, that I would have to go through such an inspection.
Yeah, we’ve all met them, the eternal bureaucrat who knows he will never be in combat, and wants to shit on anyone who has been.
In your story line, you continue to break my heart, wanting things to be better for you. All the way from the first day. Seems you have a never-ending path uphill through decaying fecal matter.
Ah, but I know how most of it goes, as you continue to work, in one fashion or another, for the “gummit”.
Deeply appreciate you writing of all your pathways through life, and also show us that it can be done.
Semper Fi, Pal.
Thanks again, Craig.
Semper fi,
Jim
Must be a relative of Captain Casey.
Nice comment, Chuck. You are paying attention to the whole odyssey.
Semper fi,
Jim
The whole odyssey is so riveting how could I not pay attention to every detail? That’s why I have read each book twice.
Thanks Chuck, I wasn’t sure when I started that any of the vets would want to read the Cowardly Lion.
I have been amazed.
Your long friendship is much appreciated.
Semper fi,
Jim
Damn…Welcome Home Lt.
Thanks Christopher, good to be here!!!
Semper fi,
Jim
Everybody has a lighting dick in their Coros excperience
It was hard to get by a three year commitment and not run into more than one higher officer like that.
Semper fi, and thanks for the comment.
Jim
James,
Looks like the Corps treated you worse than the civilians did. Thanks for another great chapter.
Semper Fi!
The Corps was a lot like the civilian population back in that time. The war was unpopular
in so many ways and that rubbed right off on the guys and gals who fought it.
Semper fi,
Jim
James. I really like the work you do in your writing you keep a person inside of your life every page it is like being with you living the struggle .
Thanks James, some say I do have that talent, but to me it just comes out.
Appreciate the comment and your writing it on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Luckily I was assigned to a training company at Edson range. Everyone there had was recently released from hospitals on TDAs with“profiles” so when we did have any type of exercise or conditioning only maybe a third of the company could participate. Was very surreal to see that most of us were waiting for recovery, so that we could be “released” from the Marine Corp. Again we were treated with respect and compassion. Incredible the BS that you had to endure. Semper Fi.
Thanks for the instructive post and your own life experience laid out here Bob.
Semper fi,
Jim
I believe you need to take more of my money. Or my curiostiy needs more infomation. Good read Sir!
Well, that would be ever so nice, as we are only a bit over half way in paying for the coming September rendezvous around the nation.
Glad you like the work.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, Well, a “dick” is a “dick” in any branch. At least your actions to keep the enlisted out of the field of fire, especially in a small “command”, seem to be noticed & appreciated. At least there’s that. Regards, Doug
Take care of the Marines and they will take care of you…as long as you really are all about taking care of them
and have the time and experience to show it.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT, Colonel Lighting Bolt reminds me of the company First Sargent when I first got to Vietnam. He was a horrible man, hated by everyone, cursed at the top of his lungs at everyone when he talked. Old Army who had no idea on how to handle people. He was gone two weeks after I got in the company as someone supposedly threw a grenade on the roof of his hooch. It rolled off the hooch landed between the barrels and building and went off. We had a new First Sargent in a couple weeks with a whole different attitude.
You seem to fall in the worst situations thru no fault of your own. Or is somebody in the Marine Corp. making life miserable for you. Like maybe a certain General from way back when?
Interesting analysis, JT
Thanks for your loyal support
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow, nice welcome home.
I’ve always hated superior officers or bosses who thought they were God Almighty. Would loved to have met them in combat. Accidental friendly fire.
There was a lot of that, as covered by 30 Days!
Semper fi,
Jim
Lt, I am amazed by the assholes you encountered! My experience, fortunately, was the opposite, Cpl, 75-79. I had my share of personal fuck ups, but was mentored by both enlisted and commisioned higher ups through them. I even enjoyed an evening in my unit commander’s home along with his personal driver. The Colonel’s wife cooked for us to assist his attempt to persuade my buddy and I to reup at Quantico. It was weird, but considerate!
thanks Bruce, your support and understanding means more than you might think. Thanks for the great compliment and your writing it on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
James…You should have signed and ruber stamped about twenty folders a day. Isn’t that how the military and goverment do things?
James, Well we can add Vince Lombardi to the list of famous folks with whom you have
crossed paths. It seems Lighting Bolt met the Peter Principle criteria back around the time
he made Captain. Shame on those who approved his promotions. I’ll wait for you to tell us how you dealt with the situation. Pointing him out to your biker friends crosses my mind.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
and ordered to my duty station, whether I was
Maybe make that two sentences – period instead of comma plus capitalize the “W” in
“whether”
and ordered to my duty station. Whether I was
pointing at single closed door
Maybe add “the” before “single
pointing at the single closed door
I
opened the door
Just a format issue. Backspace the “opened” to follow “I”
I do not know if you want a blank line after the “Enter” line.
I opened the door
Had to read it several times to catch the “C” and “see.”
That also means your late.”
you’re instead of “your”
That also means you’re late.”
as the Colonel ‘Bolt’ indicates
Maybe drop the “the” before “Colonel”
as Colonel ‘Bolt’ indicates
The investigation did not site such things as if the military
Maybe “cite” instead of “site”
The investigation did not cite such things as if the military
the vertical position I had to attempt to remain in order to read.
Seems it needs a second “in”
Maybe add “in which” before “I”
the vertical position in which I had to attempt to remain in order to read.
“Did I speak too loudly?” I whispered over to the Sergeant Church.
Seems “the” before “Sergeant” is extra
“Did I speak too loudly?” I whispered over to Sergeant Church.
I’m not putting you on notice that you have fifteen days
Maybe “now” instead of “not”
I’m now putting you on notice that you have fifteen days
“
Fake ship?”
Quote mark not lined up and maybe need a blank line after Pugh’s remark
“Fake ship?”
I’m not sure of the rules concerning capitalization of military rank. It seems there are several instances when colonel should be Colonel.
Blessings & Be Well
You are amazing and so appreciated, Dan.
I think all corrected.
Semper fi,
Jim
Geez LT you couldn’t catch a break could you. Keep it coming, this has to end on a good note sooner or later, (I hope it did). Sure he loved hearing colonel Dick!!
How did you stand this situation?
“You’ve forgotten one thing, my inexperienced friend,” he went on. “No matter what the PHULES chart and instructions are, you must still perform the mission you were assigned and I’m not putting you on notice that you have fifteen days to complete all the work on those backed-up files or you will indeed be court-martialed for failure to obey a lawful order, and quite likely the corporal and sergeant along with you.” Where he says “I’m not putting you on notice” I think you meant to type “now”. Keep up the great work, Lt.
Thanks, Tom, So corrected.
Semper fi, Jim
“Enter,” I heard through the door; a man’s voice, deep and gravely
gravelly
********************
I
opened
might wanta fix that
************************
was the fifth one down, in order of importance.
Going out through the door I couldn’t think about
space between paragraphs
***************************************
The investigation did not site such things as if the military would ship
cite
********************************
“That would be great sergeant, but what about leaving your duty station,” I replied.
station?”
**********************************
Thanks again for all of your support and help, Arnie.
Corrected.
It was a ‘late night’
Semper fi
Jim
Why in the hell would they treat you like dog shit??? Guess they had no idea about your experience and the end result of your your. I only hope somewhere down the line the dipshit in charge got his just reward. Having to put up with all that bullshit after what you went through is just uncalled for. How you conyto write is beyond me, all I can say is I hope you find inner peace with all going on.
Thank you agon, Pete, for your support and encouragement.
Sometimes bringing this to ‘top-of-mind’ is not the best of feelings
Semper fi,
Jim
Always happy to contribute in some small way, LT.
\
You are appreciated.
Semper fi, Jim
Damn LT! You had a real assholr there! Thanks for the new chapter, reads like I am right there with you.
In a way, Joe, you are right there with me. I count on that, and the other guys and occasional gals on here who are with me too.
Thanks for that comment.
Semper fi,
Jim