Upon graduating St. Charles High School I joined Uncle Sam's best, the 'United States Marine Corps.' Before the second week was up, I wondered what the hell did I get myself into. Basic was very, very hard. I could feel my brain being sucked out of my head.

---

After basic and a year of learning my MOS (2142-Heavy Equipment Mechanic) at Del Mar, Calif., I was stationed at Camp LeJuene, N.C.

---

I spent the remainder of my duty there with the exception of a NATO mission in the fall of '76. Here, aboard the USS Ticonderoga with PFC Musselwhite, quarters are cramped. Note the small lockers in the background. We did have fun, though!