“MOS 0317 formerly 8541”

Submitted by: Lance Corporal (Ret) David Odeen

Sit down maggot! This was my greeting late in 1986. I was 20 years old. A little older than most scum, but I was still considered non-human, and I knew it.

“They say you can see down range maggot,” Gunny X said as he looked down on me.

I replied, “I have no idea sir”

I could hardly believe my ears; “Are you a fudge packer then?” Gunny X yelled his spittle on my face. “Do you Yankees think you are smarter than me?” the Gunny asked.

“ Sir?”

“Do you like to be alone?” Gunny X screamed louder.

“Sometimes,” I said.

“Where did you learn to shoot recruit?” Gunny asked.

“Sir?”

“They tell me you are college educated!” Gunny shouted.

“Sir I think they wanted me in chow soon,” I stared at the floor.

I slid my chair back wanting to run for my life. Gunny X was not all that large, but he made me fear him by the look on his face and the fact I was never alone with anyone so near to God. I literally had to piss so bad that I could not concentrate.

“Are you married?” asked Gunny X.

“Hell no Sir; I left my girlfriend at home. She would not follow me here. She’s a student.”

“Do you think you are magical with your eye sight?” “Crossed eyed I swear.”

“It says here you can see 20/10 or better. Are you magical?” he asked.

“Sir?”

He stood over me and glared. I leaned back as far as I could. I never did like the in your face stuff. I like my space. Unless you are a pretty smelling lady ready to smooch me, I don’t like you less than 5 feet from me. But I was learning. I came from a private home to a community of insanity. I was convinced I had made the single stupidest mistake in my life and could fill six more life filled mistakes with this single decision.

What the hell am I doing here?

“I said do you think you are a God and are smarter than me?” Gunny X again shouted.

“Hell no sir!!” I exclaimed wanting to shrink into a pea.

Do you like California grunt?”

“Yes sir, Gunny.”

“Here is your orders; I’ll see you in three weeks. Be ready to test those eyes and Yankee education like you never imagined!”

“Yes sir”

“Get to chow maggot!”

“Sir, Yes sir!” I ran to the door!

Semper Fi,

Lance Corporal (Ret) David Odeen, USMC 86-92