Bittersweet story - this homeless Marine vet not slated to 'regroup in Hell'

[Solus]

Hello to all;

     Keep in mind the time frame 1965-66. This could have been a COMPLETE 2 yr stint in the Corps. Also keep in mind that there are people who graduate and are assigned to stay at their repected MCRD. He having been from Alaska originally could have been in Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego and his first and only duty station could have been Parris Island, There are many who fit this possibility. There was also a program to allow people to get out prior to serving thier required 2 yr minimum tour.

     Back in "the good old day's" rank was hard to get and harder to keep. Promotion is/was  not an automatic thing. 1 O'chit wiped out many "atta boy's".

     He also would have not recieved a Military Funeral    anywhere   had his service not been under Honorable conditions.  

     The buildup in Vietnam was not as high then as it was in later years and he may have been "short" in time to have been deployed/ordered to Vietnam.

     Also, there was a program called "Project T" or transition from active duty service to civilian life back then, this was a project to allow "short timers" to go and work in/for local civilian companies in an effort to allow Military Personnel the ability to get a job in the "real world" after Military separation.

     Also keep in mind   George C. Scott  was a Marine whose only duty station  was at Arlington National Cemetery and he dived into heavy drinking because of all the pain he witnessed at all those funerals he had to participate in.

     It makes no difference for some people   Combat or not, it is the expierence(s) thrust upon them that affects them. A lot of Vet's have those unseen scars within. Some people/Vet's just cannot shake away the military life/style regardless of time served.  

I thought about this.  1965-1966 could mean two months or two years depending on dates.

But, back then an enlistment was 3 years minimum and a draft was 2 years.  I don't think the Marines were drafting back then, if ever.  So being less than 3 years seems to show it was cut short.

And yes, rank did not come automatically.  Completing boot camp, which for the Army back them was 2 months plus 2 months additional MOS training did not get you E2.  In the army you got no stripe till E3 for Private First Class.  I believe the marines got a stripe at E2.  E1 and E2 in the Army were both Privates.

So depending upon the terminology by the author of the piece, he could have been E1 to E3.

[tombogan03884]

 The article says, Private DURING 65 and 66 not "Through" and since the Marines WERE NOT taking draftee's that early his enlistment was cut short, Being from Alaska is not THAT relevant to where he went to boot camp, I'm from NH and was given the option of San Diego but CHOSE PI, The Rank structure in the Marines then as now, was Private = E-1 PFC = E-2 and Lance Corporal = E-3 . The ranks of Lance Corporal and Gunnery Sergeant had been done away with for a time but were brought back after the Korean War.

[Pathfinder]

Given the nature of his post-stint jobs and subsequent substance abuse problems, he may also have been viewed as someone maybe not in the Corps best interests, and they let him walk with an honorable.

Just guessing here, as are we all.

Can anyone suggest a way to obtain his official record?

[Solus]

Given the nature of his post-stint jobs and subsequent substance abuse problems, he may also have been viewed as someone maybe not in the Corps best interests, and they let him walk with an honorable.

Just guessing here, as are we all.

Can anyone suggest a way to obtain his official record?

Convince folks he is Joe The Plumbers father or Sarah Palin's God Father and they will be reading us his life story on MSNBC.

[tombogan03884]

Generally that all falls under Privacy act.
Path, if they tossed him it would be a General discharge

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

You can still have a millitary funeral with a General or Bad Conduct Discharge. Anything but Dishonorable. He may have been kicked out and still get a military funeral.