Assignments and Experiences

Just out of boot camp, with an MOS of 100, I was assigned to AIT (Advanced Infantry Training) at Camp Pendleton. This training was specifically to prepare us for Vietnam. We learned hand-to-hand combat. We learned to fight with bayonets, which in our case was "Pugle Sticks" These were large poles with heavy padding at each end.

During one of our outings, we all circled around a large sand pit. There we were each assigned to fight someone. I was assigned to fight a tall, skinny black boy, who was a friend. I was determined to prove I wasn't afraid of him and could win, even though he was twice my size. So, when we were told to start, I rushed out into the sand right at him. But, on the way I tripped and landed on my knees. He came up to me and hit me with the padding right under the jaw, knocking be backward. The Captain congratulated me, saying "You've just been killed." While at Pendleton we also learned how to search simulated Vietnamese huts for booby traps. I remember I was killed 11 times in one day.

While I leave I talked to my army buddy. I told him I had done as instructed but they gave me an MOS which was by contract. He told me to tell the legal department I was going to sue them. I did so on my return back to Pendleton. The legal officer said I couldn't. I told them to look at my contract and he'd see that the Marines had broken the agreement. He did so and said he would get it fixed. A week later I was pulled from training and assigned to work in my 0100 MOS at battalion headquarters. I was still there when the rest of my company and buddies were shipped off to Vietnam.

About a month later I was returned to MCRD in San Diego where I was put into Aviation Electronics School, which was part of the Communications and Electronics Battalion. As I was processed, the Sergeant Major (the highest enlisted person) reviewed my file and told me I could work in my original MOS anytime I wanted.

I really didn't like electronics, but decided I'd give it my best shot. I'm not very good at mechanical things or theories. I have to see the practical application. They tried to teach me trigonometry, but I couldn't catch on. When the school was over about 6 months later, I graduated but was at the very bottom of the class.

I requested the Captain of the school transfer me back to my original MOS. He said no. I told him the Sergeant Major had told me I could go back, and he still said no. He was very hard to get along with and dictatorial. So, I went over his head to the Sergeant Major. He said he'd fix it and he did, over the Captain's objections. He put me to work at battalion headquarters.

About a month later I was told I was going to be trained as an admin chief. I was sent to Admin Chief's school at Paris Island South Carolina. I was there for 3 months. I went to church there, met a cute southern girl and some great people. I hated to leave. I was there during the summer. Sometimes it was so hot I would sit in my barracks, under a ceiling fan, in a desk-chair and drip sweat into puddles underneath my chair. At times like these the base would fly a black flag and no one was allowed outside.

I finished school at the top of my class and returned to San Diego where I went back to work at my normal job. About a month later I was assigned to be the Chaplain's Assistant to a Catholic Chaplain and a Baptist Chaplain. I was officed right between the two of them. I was also assigned by my church to be the group leader. So, on Sundays I would attend recruit services with my cousin, get Catholic Mass ready for the Priest (Chaplain), attend my regular church away from the base, attend my group meetings on base, have dinner with my cousin's family and go back to the base where I attended Baptist services. My job was to help the Chaplains with all of their duties. And, because I was a Mormon and there was no Mormon Chaplain on base, I was called to do the duties of a Mormon Chaplain. I served in this position until the fall of 1969.

A few months after getting this assignment, the Captain with whom I had problems, who was my Captain at Electronics School, became my Commanding Officer. I knew I was in trouble. Even though the Chaplains gave me high marks, my C.O. gave me low marks in fitness, which kept me from being promoted for a long time. I was promoted to Corporal but couldn't get above that rank, even though my time was in and in all other aspects I had earned it.

In the fall of 1969 I received orders to go to Hawaii. I was excited. I bought new luggage and made all the arrangements. Then, the orders were rescinded and I was really disappointed. So, I returned the luggage. Then, two weeks later I received orders for Japan. I didn't want to go, but had no choice. Looking back on this assignment, I'm sure it was a coincidence.

I went to Japan just before Thanksgiving 1969. I was sent to Marine Barracks, Yokosuka, Japan and when I arrived it was night. All I could see was squatty houses and ditches which ran in front. But, it became a great experience. After a few months as a clerk, I was assigned to be the Marine Barracks Historical NCO and Public Relations NCO. I traveled with the Drum and Bugle Corps, organized VIP dinners and Parades and wrote news articles for the Stars and Stripes and the Naval Base newspaper.

While there I was promoted to Sergeant (E-5), received an award for Marine of The Year for the entire country of Japan and a month before I left they threw me a party and presented me a plaque, showing appreciation. It was great duty.