usmc2427765
US Veteran
I turned 70 this week and for one reason or another, I have been thinking about the things i have done and places I have been. The first thing i realized is that, for all of my adult life, I have carried a weapon in defense country and state. i will use this time to reflect on just what I carried.
USMC 1968-1972
During my tour in the Corps, I spent 21 months in Vietnam serving with "C" Co. 1st Tank Bn 1st Marine Division. I arrived a PFC and departed a Sgt. I carried or used the usual variety of weapons including M-16, M-14, Colt 45 acp, 1919-A4 and my favorite, " Maw Duce" .50 caliber MG. We also had an M-2 .30 caliber carbine and a LAWs rocket in the event the Comm. bunker was over run. I served with some of the finest young men this country produced and despite what Ken Burns believes, we did not return home and become anti-war protestors. We simply went home and tried to get on with our lives in a somewhat hostile stateside environment.
LEO 1972-1980
I entered law enforcement in 1972 and my primary weapons were a S&W 19, S&W 37 and M-1 carbine. The 37 also served as a backup and off duty weapon and I still have all of them. I worked a primarily Hispanic and black district so we were always busy and chased and caught our fair share of bad guys. I worked mostly evening and night shifts in those years and when you are young and full of pi** and vinegar, it was great fun. During this time I realized something was wrong and it turned out to be a very long battle with PTSD and depression. We didn't talk about this in those days and mostly suffered in silence and it took a great toll on my family. I did not get help until 1993 and by that time I was very sick. Professional help and the right medications made all the difference and while it is still somewhat of a struggle at times, I have a great wife and son who stayed with me through all of this and probably saved my life. I mention this so that any young LEO's out there that have just returned from the "sandbox", there is help available from your department, The VA or private Doctors. Don't put yourself and your family through the hell that we went through.
Firearms Instructor 1980-1992
I really enjoyed this part of my career and realized i was really very good at this. I was primarily involved in inservice training which was annual re qualification of veteran officers. There are man interesting stories to be told here and I will post a few of these later. I forgot to mention that some of these officers had not fired their duty weapon in 20 years!! More on this later.
Back in patrol 1992-2007
During this time I transitioned to a 1911 45 acp and .38 super and I never went back. The bad guys were better armed and we had to keep pace with them, however I always had my S&W 37 as back up. The M-1 carbine was retired for an AR-15.
Office job 2007-2011
I finally figured out I was too damn old to chase bad guy's and took an office job until I retired in 2011.
I loved being a Marine and an LEO and I tried to do what I felt was right and honorable in every situation. I lost friends in both places and will still toast to their honor on some nights like this one. God bless those who have served and are still serving.
USMC 1968-1972
During my tour in the Corps, I spent 21 months in Vietnam serving with "C" Co. 1st Tank Bn 1st Marine Division. I arrived a PFC and departed a Sgt. I carried or used the usual variety of weapons including M-16, M-14, Colt 45 acp, 1919-A4 and my favorite, " Maw Duce" .50 caliber MG. We also had an M-2 .30 caliber carbine and a LAWs rocket in the event the Comm. bunker was over run. I served with some of the finest young men this country produced and despite what Ken Burns believes, we did not return home and become anti-war protestors. We simply went home and tried to get on with our lives in a somewhat hostile stateside environment.
LEO 1972-1980
I entered law enforcement in 1972 and my primary weapons were a S&W 19, S&W 37 and M-1 carbine. The 37 also served as a backup and off duty weapon and I still have all of them. I worked a primarily Hispanic and black district so we were always busy and chased and caught our fair share of bad guys. I worked mostly evening and night shifts in those years and when you are young and full of pi** and vinegar, it was great fun. During this time I realized something was wrong and it turned out to be a very long battle with PTSD and depression. We didn't talk about this in those days and mostly suffered in silence and it took a great toll on my family. I did not get help until 1993 and by that time I was very sick. Professional help and the right medications made all the difference and while it is still somewhat of a struggle at times, I have a great wife and son who stayed with me through all of this and probably saved my life. I mention this so that any young LEO's out there that have just returned from the "sandbox", there is help available from your department, The VA or private Doctors. Don't put yourself and your family through the hell that we went through.
Firearms Instructor 1980-1992
I really enjoyed this part of my career and realized i was really very good at this. I was primarily involved in inservice training which was annual re qualification of veteran officers. There are man interesting stories to be told here and I will post a few of these later. I forgot to mention that some of these officers had not fired their duty weapon in 20 years!! More on this later.
Back in patrol 1992-2007
During this time I transitioned to a 1911 45 acp and .38 super and I never went back. The bad guys were better armed and we had to keep pace with them, however I always had my S&W 37 as back up. The M-1 carbine was retired for an AR-15.
Office job 2007-2011
I finally figured out I was too damn old to chase bad guy's and took an office job until I retired in 2011.
I loved being a Marine and an LEO and I tried to do what I felt was right and honorable in every situation. I lost friends in both places and will still toast to their honor on some nights like this one. God bless those who have served and are still serving.
