Our legacy lives through the stories we tell. The Suck Life wants yours! Make Chesty proud!
Welcome to TheSuckLife.com, a blog dedicated to the raw, unfiltered reality of Marine Corps life.
“The Suck” is a term every Marine knows well. It’s the tough days, the grueling moments, the situations that push you to your limits, and then some. But more than just enduring, Marines learn to embrace “The Suck” as a badge of honor, a testament to resilience, grit, and camaraderie. It’s about thriving in adversity and finding humor, strength, and purpose in even the toughest circumstances.
The Suck Life is a place where Marines and Corpsmen of all eras are called to step up, register, and share their story, no matter how small, no matter how rough. Every grind, every moment in The Suck, deserves to be told and never forgotten. Your story matters because together we carry the legacy forward. Register, submit your story, and join the ranks of those who’ve owned The Suck.
At TheSuckLife.com, you’ll find stories from boot camp and deployments, reflections on leadership and brotherhood, and honest takes on life in and after service. This is a space for all Marines and Corpsmen to add their voice, bridge the worlds of grunt and civilian, and keep the spirit of The Suck alive.
Whether you’re a boot fresh from recruit training, a seasoned veteran, or somewhere in between, this blog is your platform to connect, reflect, and be heard. Share your memories, your lessons, your humor, and your hardships.
Originally started as “The Marine Guestbook” in 1995, before being rebranded as “THEFEW.COM”, then “TXDVLDG.COM”, and now “TheSuckLife.com”, this blog is dedicated to PFC Paul Beddoe, 3rd Recon, KIA in Vietnam in 1968 [Panel 35E, Row 2].
Please read Paul’s story. As long as the fallen are remembered, they will never be forgotten.
I’m also @thesucklife on X. Be sure to follow!
Semper Fi
Cpl. Beddoe, USMC ’81–’85
Marine Corps Blogger. Chronicling the legacy of the Corps.
MAG-12 Iwakuni, MAG-16 Tustin
MOS 3073 Computer Systems Operator
POPASMOKE.COM Webmaster 1997-2023
No Brass Endorsement
This site wasn’t greenlit by the Department of Defense or any branch of the military. Every word here is mine, not Uncle Sam’s. Nothing you read here reflects the official stance of the DOD, the USMC, or any command.
General Info Only
What you read here isn’t professional advice, just a Marine’s take. Trust, but verify.
Semper Fidelis
Dear Marine, just wanted to say I follow ya on twitter I’m @Life_In_Jordan. I really like this blog and I do appreciate you doing this for us. I been our lince 1997 and I did my boot in PLT 4026 PCO MCRD PISC. Im married to my (Jordanian Special Forces) best friend and husband, Fouad. How we met is a long story. We are very different culture wise but we love each other. I have a daughter who is 7 months old. I was born and raised in South East Colorado near a small town called Simla (population a two horses and a haystack ). miss home, miss those ole country songs dad used to play. Well just thought I’d introduce myself. Semper Fidelis, and God Bless
Semper Fi, Devil Dog! I follow you on Twitter, as well
Hello. Sgt. Sens from the Univac to Honeywell conversion in your write up. I did the Unival schooling at Mare Island and then when stationed in Beaufort SC went to the Honeywell training in Virginia. The whole experience was so cool as we were all on the so called cutting edge of tech and the transition of Univac to mini computers. I have now been in technology for 40+ years and the bit bytes, gates mare island training set me up for many years of a creat tech career. I met many people/marines along the way that i learned many life lessons from and just kept on the technology train for years after. I am so glad i did the Marine corp gig and luckily ended up in computer technology.
Hi, something you posted on twitter brought me to ur site. I have only read the about me entry. Thank you for keeping it real.
Hello, my name is Pamela Bullock. I am PFC Paul Beddoe’s sister. Thank you so much for your blog and post about Paul.
Have spent about 2 hours total on this site. Let me give it a grade of MOST EXCELLKENT. Just want to say if the need arises, you can use any of my postings on popasmoke. Well done Marine.