Welcome to what's your story?

[Cpl Miller]

Over the years we've received a number of letters and emails from you Marines talking about why you joined the Corps, or your experiences while in the Corps.

With the goal of collecting historical information it was decided to offer you a place where you can talk about those experiences. Hence this new forum......Enjoy


The Yellow Footprints Team

[Cpl Miller]

Here is Sgt Sel Wongs story sent to us via snail mail.

Enjoy.

[rollingthunder]

Being a 17 year old child in 1975 was some what difficult for me. My Dad was a Navy WW2 Vet and his Brothers were WW2 and Korea Vets. Being the youngest male of 3 brothers and 5 sisters gave me only one choice. Take the ASVAB and see if I could qualify to join the Marines. I wasn't a bad kid and I knew that I would pass the physical requirements with no problem. I was 17. HS grad 5"8 and weighed 137 pounds. My vertical leap was 39 inches. I could run 3 miles in 16:45 and my my test scores was 127. My choice was 0311!! Why you may ask, Because I needed to prove to my Oldest Brothers ( Vietnam Vets) that I could do it. Then again, One was an Army Ranger and the other was Arty. They both did their tours alive but not the brothers I once knew. The Marine Corps in my eyes was in a drastic transition. When I left PI and joined my unit in N.C. I was disgusted with the leadership of the Corps. Then again, I was 17 so what the hell do I know? After 3 years and 3 deployments to the Med. I had orders to Okinawa Japan to serve my last year. Camp Schwab !!! I put up my Freedom Bird calender and counted off the minutes,hours and days!!! One day I was in the swimming pool jumping off the platform and someone yelled at me!!! It was my old Plt. Sgt. Gy Sgt Peters. ( Vietnam Vet) my mentor. He was an African American 5 ft 5 inches tall on a good day! He asked me if I would like to deploy again to Asia has his right hand man. I was 20 years old with three Meds. and a East Coast Marine. Some of you can understand that Hollywood and Parris Island is different. Hollywood has the cameras and hills and Parris Island is where it all begins. )) Anyway!!!

[rollingthunder]

Originally Posted by rollingthunder

Being a 17 year old child in 1975 was some what difficult for me. My Dad was a Navy WW2 Vet and his Brothers were WW2 and Korea Vets. Being the youngest male of 3 brothers and 5 sisters gave me only one choice. Take the ASVAB and see if I could qualify to join the Marines. I wasn't a bad kid and I knew that I would pass the physical requirements with no problem. I was 17. HS grad 5"8 and weighed 137 pounds. My vertical leap was 39 inches. I could run 3 miles in 16:45 and my my test scores was 127. My choice was 0311!! Why you may ask, Because I needed to prove to my Oldest Brothers ( Vietnam Vets) that I could do it. Then again, One was an Army Ranger and the other was Arty. They both did their tours alive but not the brothers I once knew. The Marine Corps in my eyes was in a drastic transition. When I left PI and joined my unit in N.C. I was disgusted with the leadership of the Corps. Then again, I was 17 so what the hell do I know? After 3 years and 3 deployments to the Med. I had orders to Okinawa Japan to serve my last year. Camp Schwab !!! I put up my Freedom Bird calender and counted off the minutes,hours and days!!! One day I was in the swimming pool jumping off the platform and someone yelled at me!!! It was my old Plt. Sgt. Gy Sgt Peters. ( Vietnam Vet) my mentor. He was an African American 5 ft 5 inches tall on a good day! He asked me if I would like to deploy again to Asia has his right hand man. I was 20 years old with three Meds. and a East Coast Marine. Some of you can understand that Hollywood and Parris Island is different. Hollywood has the cameras and hills and Parris Island is where it all begins. )) Anyway!!!

I will continue Marines because I need to vent out my story to assist me in my healing. Semper Fi always and TY Cpl. Miller

[rollingthunder]

As we all know in the Corps we have some favorites. After 23 years ( Enlisted) OK!!!! For some you I was a Lifer!!! I don't drink coffee and I have saved more Marines from NJP and Court-martials then I can count. I was sent a email from one of my troops last week who just retired as a Sgt. Major and told me that all the fox holes (fighting Holes) that my Marines had to dig a Barracks replaced them and he placed a stone in for me under the Barracks. I asked if they drank a few beers to celebrate this occasion and he just said Semper Fi!!! That was enough!

[rollingthunder]

Moving on Marines!!!! Asia was a great tour for me!!!! I was part of the Inspectors General Team just moving on. After my tour in Okinawa I reenlisted as a Sgt. and moved on to Security Forces ( Barracks Duty) in NLON Ct. Sub Base.