The things I carried

usmc2427765

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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.
 
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Hey Marine,

Not being a Marine myself, I started reading this historical novel that was showing up in my FB feed. While it's a compelling read to me, I just can't believe it wasn't VERY embellished. I've had room mates staying with me over the years who were all Vietnam vets, either Marines or Soldiers,a and a Marine cousin who was with 2/9, 66-67, and I didn't get the sense that things were THIS screwed up.

If you have a few minutes, read a couple chapters from this book and let me know what you think.

Stay safe for the holidays and happy birthday!

Thirty Days Has September: First Ten Days - James Strauss
 
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Semper Fi and Happy Birthday Shipmate. It's good to hear that you have those demons under control. I'll be turning 70 myself in Feb and on nights like tonight, I'm not sure about mine. We all have them to some extent and probably always will. I'm looking forward to reading more of your postings and more of your story.
 
Thanks for your memories, you & I have traveled a similar road. I went to Nam in 1966, began my LEO career in '68, retired in 1997, office job until 2005 when I took a second and final retirement. I turned 71 earlier this month, and 43 years ago this coming Sunday was involved in a gunbattle with three armed robbery suspects. Lots of reflections and lots to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
 
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.

First of all - Happy Birthday to you! And many thanks to you, Fordson, Old Cop, and many others here who have helped to secure our country and safeguard our communities so that myself and others can enjoy our many freedoms!

You've pretty much covered the whole gambit of firearms that we dream of, and SOME get to shoot.
Only thing I didn't see mentioned was a shotgun. ;)

Again, Happy Birthday, devil dog!!!
 
I, too, am entering my 71st year. Must be something in the water, as I have had similar ruminations segmenting my life into chapters, from collge to USMC, to grad school and my career, rising through the ranks to CEO. Retirement is beckoning, again, for the third time. Maybe it's time to slow down and see what I've missed or overlooked....
 
First off let me thank you for your service.
I have a question regarding weapons in Vietnam. I've have others tell me they would run across some unusual stuff such as WW II leftover German Mausers and the like. I also have had others tell me that Thompson sub guns were commonly found. As far as Thompson's go what was your experience as to why they were there since the U S Military was no longer issuing them?
I have my own theory that I'll explain later.
Jim
 
We saw many different weapons over there and the Thompson was one of the good ones, heavy but good. Mostly officers and staff NCO's had them and most probably the weapon arrived in country in the late 50' and early 60's when the USA was sending many of their obsolete weapons to prop up the ARVN government.
 

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