35 Years Ago Today…
On this day March 2, 2023 marks 35 years since stepping off to Bootcamp at Parris Island, SC to earn the title, United Stares Marine. I salute the young 19 year old who had the courage to make a change as the current scenario wasn’t gonna cut it. When I left for bootcamp as a brand new 20 year old, I was playing for keeps with NO intent on looking back!
•
I did it for my Son, I did it for me, I did it for US❤️
•
As I’ve been traveling down memory lane this morning, I’m reminded of how many times obstacles popped up on this journey from the outset. Just being able to enlist required a CG level waiver as a single parent.
•
Only 7 months into Air Traffic Control, COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIANS School,
I received a phone call at the barracks from my Grandmother, which pretty much set the tone for my next 20 years on active duty. My Mother was gravely ill and in a secret cancer battle refusing any further treatment. I needed to come back home and get my Son🥺
•
I still had 5 more months of Comm Tech School, which was electronics, until I graduated. So, I went home during Christmas break, got my Son, and brought him back to Millington,TN. We got an apartment right off base called the “mudflats”. They were calling it the “projects” and I was like hell no. I left the projects in Philly which were just like the movie New Jack City. My little two-bedroom place with all donated dishes and furniture was GREAT‼️🤩
•
I didn’t even know how to drive! So, I got a bike from a yard sale that had a baby seat on the back and I stuffed my 3year old, soon to be 4 year old in it, and most mornings that’s how we got on base. Many times my classmates gave us rides, but when it was PT formation I had to ride us on base, drop my son off, then catch up as they were running or doing whatever.
•
The schoolhouse was great and made accommodations as I was an excellent Marine and wasn’t trying to skate out of anything.
.
My next duty station was a whole different story for a different post. I despise that place to this DAY! WORST DUTY STATION, WORST PEOPLE ever, save for the one friend who was a real one. My Son rags on me to this day for not keeping my West Coast option that I’d originally picked!
•
I made up for it with my second duty station in Hawaii. He still gushes about it. As a broke Corporal, then Sergeant as a single parent then also, caretaker for my Mother, Hawaii was just so-so for me. When you gotta make $175 stretch between paydays, well🤷🏾♀️
•
I wouldn’t change a thing. As I close out my studies on my 2nd Masters' program in 2wks with GWU, on my GIBILL, all I can say is that I’m grateful 🙏🏾
#womenshistorymonth
#militaryservice
#marinecorpsbootcamp
