I spent thirty-three years and four months in active military service as a member of this country's most agile military force, the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from Second Lieutenant to Major-General.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I joined the Army at 19 as a soldier and spent about four and a half years with them. Then I broke my back in a freefall parachuting accident and spent a year in rehabilitation back in the U.K.
I served two tours in Iraq, in the Marine Corps.
I spent one semester in Air Force ROTC, as I wanted to be a pilot.
The Marines gave me a really strong sense of discipline and a work ethic that kicks in at my job.
After I was discharged from the military, it was difficult trying to become a civilian.
In those days, reserve duty lasted for six years, which, I might add, was three times as long as service in the regular army, although to be perfectly honest, I was unable to fulfill my entire obligation because I was taking acting classes and they said I could skip my last year.
I served in all commissioned ranks from a second Lieutenant to a Major General. And during that time, I spent most of my time being a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street, and for the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism.
I was a Marine for 41 years, and it wasn't long enough. We enjoy putting on that uniform.
I served my country in uniform for 26 years.
I stayed in the Navy until July of 1946.