Roll Call: Sergeant John Beeman, 1964-1970

The Journey Begins

I was working for the Pennsylvania Railroad; had a girlfriend. I was taking instructions to convert to catholic religion. The Priests cautioned me about getting married so young. So I visited all the recruiters and the Marine Corps recruiter had less BS. I had a friend who had just returned from boot camp. So I signed up on the 120 delayed entry plan.

Lessons That Stick

Mission completion. Setting goals and reaching them.

Explaining The Suck

All the above.

What You Miss Most

The comradery

What Civilians Don't Get

The discipline that the Marine Corps instills into Marines.

A Marine I admire or would want with me during a firefight

There are several. Dave Magee; Roy Brush (both passed), Bruce Crow and George Johnson.

Advice to a someone joining the Marines

They really are NOT trying to kill you. It just seems that way.

Mental Health Perspective

I suspect that many Vietnam service Marines came home with PTSD, but no one paid any attention to it then. Hopefully, it's better now.

Conflicts

Vietnam

Duty Stations and Units

KyHa, Qui Nohn, Danang, Iwakuni, Dong Ha, Jacksonville NC, Veagus.

Favorite USMC Movies

Heartbreak Ridge, Sands of Iwo Jima, A Few Good Men, The D.I.

Final Words

It's been 60 years now, but my time in the Corps totally shaped my life. It impacted and shaped everything I’ve done. My time in the Corps was the most consequential thing I accomplished.