Howdy folks!! Long time since I have posted!

[mtb1bkr]

Good day to you all. It's been quite some time since I have posted here, though I lurk occasionally. The Marine Corps has kept me busy out here in sunny, well, not so sunny right now, California. My time here may be coming to an end in the next couple of months. For the past three years, I have been teaching basic electronics to mostly 18 -21 year old young men and women fresh out of Recruit Training. It's been a pleasant time getting to put my finger on the pulse of the next generation of great Marines.

Earlier this year, I was thinking about where I would go from here. I decided, after some thought, I would like to do something even more important for the future of the Corps, so I volunteered to hit the streets of America as a recruiter. I'm currently in the middle of training to become a recruiter, attending school aboard the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. I'll graduate mid December and be off to hopefully do great things. I'll find out next week where the Corps will send me. I put in my first choice to stay right where I'm at, in the High Desert area or maybe down around Palm Springs or Riverside. I never considered that I would stay in California after this tour, or thought I would really request to stay here. Well, my kids are in a great private school, and we love the area. I have been doing Search and Rescue in the wonderful Joshua Tree National Park for around 2 years now and would love to continue with them.

I haven't had a whole lot of time for guns since I have been here, though I have picked up a few. I have only been out shooting a few times, and haven't had much time for loading ammo either. The next 3-4 years on recruiting will even further limit my time for guns, unless maybe I'm fortunate enough to get out into a more gun friendly location, then I'll be prowling the shops between canvasing the high schools and malls for prospective applicants.

I see a lot of familiar folks around here and plenty of new ones as well. It's great to know that this site is still thriving and I lift my mug to Lee and all he's done here since taking the reigns!! I'll try to check in a bit more often. Thanks to Sam for keeping tabs on me and reminding me that I haven't been in here for some time.

Bill

 

[redlevel]

Welcome back!
Don't stay away so long again!
Thanks for your service!

My pastor, a Vietnam era Force Recon Marine, told me that those West Coast "Hollywood Marines" just stand around wearing sunglasses, waiting to be discovered. Anything to that?

 

[TACC1]

mtb1bkr, glad you're carrying on the good work. I'll be looking
forward to the new experiences you post. TACC1

 

[Iggy]

My son was on recruiting duty in OK when they blew up that building. His office was destroyed along with his partner. He was out on the job when things went to hell.

He is presently at Camp Pendleton and not too far from retirement. I was told my presence was required at the Birthday Ball this weekend. The Msgt. din't give any options. He said be there. So I reckon I'm gonna partake of some Marine Tradition Friday night.

 

[mtb1bkr]

Red, I'll have to get back to you on that. Though I think us folks who were "born" at PI all like to think we are tougher than the Hollywood Marines, I know for a fact they do a lot tougher hiking around. I have hiked and biked all the crazy hills in Camp Pendleton, and they are tough. The biggest hills on PI are the ones which tend to build up behind your boots when the DIs are "helping" the young men and women become stronger!!

Iggy, good to hear the Master Sergeant is going to get you inline at the Ball. Sadly, we missed the ball this year. It was last Friday night in Vegas. I just couldn't see driving from San Diego to my house in Joshua Tree, 2.5 hours in good traffic, of which there is no such thing. Then driving the 3+ hours to Vegas. I did get to partake in a great Birthday feast at the Recruit Depot though. I'm sure you will have a great time at the Ball.

Bill

 

[girl-in-blue]

We were stationed onboard MCAS El Toro for 4 years, I grew up in the OC.. Graduated from Irvine HS, I miss the "Hollywood" Marines from Tustin, El Toro and Camp Pendleton. You do know that Clint Eastwood filmed Heartbreak Ridge on Camp Pendleton, and in San Juan Capistrano.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I wondered what had happened to you. Good to hear that things in California turned out well.

My wife and I actually live on PI still.

 

[smitholdtimer]

mtb1bkr

Glad to see you here once again, just let us know how things are going and what you are into when you do get situated. Sounds as though you have adapted well to the California experience, hope you get to stay if its where Uncle Sam needs you the most! Don't be a stranger, you are among friends!

 

[pawncop]

It is good to hear from you Bill. Congratulations on your committment and diligence. Stay in touch, let us know where you are and share stories. Stories are a gift of this forum.

 

[mtb1bkr]

GiB, I remember El Toro and all the hub-ub it caused when they closed up and moved south. I never made it there personally.

Gator, great to hear from you. Does your wife work at the medical clinic for the Depot? I know the one here in SD is always packed with young recruits, she probably gets her fill of being called Ma'am about 2 seconds after she walks in the door.

Smith, I'll for sure try to be around here more often. I still have a collection of grips I need to move and a couple of sets I need to find. If I don't get CA, I'm kind of hoping for somewhere a bit more rural. Maybe out in Utah or Wyoming, but it'll all depend on the needs of the Corps.

PawnCop, indeed, stories are one of my favorites about this site, well that and all the great pictures of guns, food and other great locations!!

 

[GatorFarmer]

Yep, Martti works at the branch medical clinic. She does the PPD reads and epidemiology work (too lazy to spell check). Comes home with some interesting recruit stories and apparently some of the DIs will show off to impress her. Passes the time. She's pregnant with number four now though, so complains that the recruit smell is starting to bother her.