as years go on the world changes around me but hearing Marine Corps stories reassures me that Marines will never ever quit doing stupid shit when they're bored or angry.

After that incident at 29 Palms, CMC at the time was General Al Grey, he went to every Marine Corps Base in and out of CONUS to talk to every Marine SNCO & Officer (at least that's what I was told) .. I was at KBay at the time he came through. All SNCO's and Officers were to report to the Base Theater for a CMC Lecture!!...I was a Sergeant back then, I snuck into the backside of the theater to listen to General Grey's speech..It truly was one for the books, he emphasized to all that it was "Our fault that LCpl was left behind and died, it was our responsibility and we failed him, It is the responsibility of every Marine Officer & SNCO and every Marine regardless of rank to account for each and every Marine regardless where your at and what's going on"....mind you he said and emphasized much more, and in very colorful language to boot....His words (to me) hit home hard later while in the Saudi & Kuwaiti Desert. USMC from 1980 to 1991...EAS after my return from Desert Storm...Never Forget: 19yr old LCpl Jason Rother!...

In 1984, I was in Fort Benning for jump school. I asked a Marine who was also in the school about promotions in the USMC. He said that he had 4 years in, no NJPs and was only an E-4. You tell some wild stories and your experience is relatable to many of us during that era of service. People seem to forget that the post-Vietnam era wasn't a popular time to be in the US Military. Especially the Marine Corps or US Army but someone had to do it. Remember the US population is over 350 million but there are only 18 million veterans. AATW!

Hey Cali, I think they should rename Camp Wilson to Camp Rother. Place a memorial and story of the commands failure as a lesson for others to see, not just hear.

I do appreciate interviews like this, because you can tell that nobody would lie about any of this stuff. There's no bloating or bragging or anything like that, it's just an hour and a half of real talk.

I was in Army OCS when that went down at 29 Palms and it was a big deal, not just in the Corps. Accountability is the most important job senior NCOs and officers have in the military.

And thank you for the story. I never heard the truth in my 20 years in but damn it I finally hear it in 2024

I remember hearing the story of that Marine that had died in the Stumps. They don't tell you who, what, when. I thought it was during my time, much later, and had no idea it was in the 80s. Thanks for the details and shedding light on the situation. RIP Rother 🙏

Brother , thank you so much for doing this video. Jason Jay Rother will always be remembered by those who love the Marine Corps. It still sickens my heart to think we left him out there. Did my time in the late 80’s in “stumps” I remembered the news breaking on the base. I couldn’t believe it. All posted positions like that should have radios. I hope things have changed for the better. To Jason family, we are truly sorry. He deserved the very best recuse, and we blew it.

I went in in 93-98 I Did three separate floats on 3 separate boats with MSSG-31. Each time was a kick in the ass. I got my shellback on the 2nd float. Did it all while stationed in Okinawa My first and Last duty station. I never made it stateside in the fleet. I Pinned on Sgt two months after my 4 year mark! Becoming a Marine was the best thing I ever did. I sure Miss those guys they made my time in so memorable. Especially before picking up NCO it was all fun and games from E1-E3. That was the best time of my life. I have regretted not staying in in fact. I got a call 2 months later from one of my Corporals saying my unit was being sent to Iraq. It was another 3 months when I got a letter that we lost 35 guys in an ambush. I knew each and everyone of them. Gone but not forgotten! Semper Fi Brothers! Till Valhalla we meet again. We all trained for the call I just happened to EAS out before it came. I'll live with that for the rest of my life. I truly felt I should have been there with my Marines!

I was a 4 year Lance 0311 also. 1987 to 1991. We heard about a Marine left to die at the Stumps. I was 1st Marine Div and the only thing I remember is being told about it as a way to say the 2nd Marine Division was unsat. They made no effort to warn us it could happen or explain how it happened or to who. The Senior NCO's only told it as a way to crap on the 2nd Division. I remember thinking at the Stumps that you could easily get killed around there in training. Especially CAX. I and some guys in my squad almost got run over by an Amtrak that ran through the area we were bedded down for the night in.

Thanks for sharing your story, Lance Corporal of the Marine Corps Wilson!

The Rother incident is one that I taught every class during my time as an instructor of future Marine Corps officers and every leadership course I was part of.

Right I remember the incident at the Stumps, with “Rother”. We knew it didn’t smell right and his command let him down. Thanks for keeping his name and memory alive. Of course the Corps didn’t learn, late ‘91 we were at CAX doing normal CAX shit one of our birds flew over a broken down hummer with 2 Marines, we picked them up and brought them back to the airfield. Lucky they were out of water and on their last MRE. They were out there for 2 days and told by their CC they would get picked up. Our Major (acting CO) was a mustang with Vietnam as a grunt Sergeant. He went to their command and from what I understand dressed down their CC in front of everyone.

My dad joined the Marine Corps in 1952 and retired as a 1st. Sgt. in 1983. He was a Korean and Vietnam vet. He spent about 10 years in the Reserves between wars. He got out as soon as he had his 20 active in. He had E-9 locked in. All he to do was reup for 3 years. He told me that the Marines were going to shit and he didn't think it was worth it. RIP Dad. You wouldn't believe this world now.

To everyone who served in the forces, thank you for your service.. 💜☝️

Great interview. I’ve been an active duty Marine for over a decade. I’m an infantryman. And I’ve been to 29 palms many times. I’ve heard the story of the Marine left behind multiple times each time we left to train in 29 palms. I never knew his name, his unit, his MOS, etc. Which is weird since it is one of the most notorious incidents in the history of the Marine Corps.

Thank you. Glad you took the time to share this. God bless

Short story. I enlisted in the Army to become an Airborne Infantryman or as a Paratrooper. Got screwed by the Green Wiene to mechanized infantry in Germany for 2 years and 1 year at Ft. Carson Colorado. I had to re-enlist for 6 months to make my dream come true to be in a Paratrooper in an Airborne Battalion in Panama. I got there and enjoyed jumping out of airplanes and helicopters and do Paratrooper shit. December 1989 did my first combat in the Panama Invasion, missed the first Gulf War but made it to the 2nd Gulf War from 2006-08. The rest is my personal history, good stories but around 2017 when on Face Book I got in touch with friends from my Airborne Company from Panama. At 50 years old I went to Texas to meet up with them and jumped out of a WWII vintage C-47 every year up till 2020. Even as an old dude like me it brought me tears to my eyes as I jumped with my friends as like young Paratroopers. I love your stories as a young Marine, Army Infantrymen and Paratroopers are no different from you when we did Shenanigans... I cherish those memories of us as being horny young men chasing after pussy anywhere in the world. I think for our generation we as young men with Dads from the WWII, Korea, and Vietnam generation were passed on to us to be wild, strong men. I don't know what broke down with young boys today? I had many young guys as Millennials as soldiers under my command during 2006-08. They became fathers and now grandfathers. I don't blame the kids for not joining now. I truly discourage them because boys and men should make an informed decision for themselves in joining the military or go into combat when Iraq and the Stan was hot back then. Honestly after Panama 1989-90 I fully understood what my Dad had experienced about combat at the end of WWII and Korea and my 2 Uncles in Vietnam who were with the 101st Airborne and later with new recruits from the new brigades out of Basic and Infantry School into Vietnam because they became squad leaders and platoon sergeants. My Uncles as NCOs had to bitch slap new Officers to how combat conditions were like in combat. When I was in Iraq conditions were different as first of the beginning of the conflict, there were 2 classes of soldiers like in Vietnam. The FOBBITs were the soldiers who stayed behind the wire or POGs, us the Infantry, combat engineers, tankers, SF, or guys attached to or assigned to convoy security got to experience some IED attacks or combat got to become casualties. I got to experience some horrible stuff but not as hard as my Dad or my Uncles from Vietnam. Sorry it got long, it's just memories i have, everyone is different but tell the same story. I did love my times before the Panama Invasion of chasing women and having a good time at my young life back then.🤣🤣🤣😍😍😍💪💪💪👍👍👍

Hello, Fellow Alum! I showed up to 3/2 as a total boot Grunt about 6 months after you. I was in India Co. I recall all the Rother lore as well. Absolute tragedy and avoidable as hell. Thanks for remembering him and his cautionary tale. I ended up retiring from the Suck and that lesson stayed with me. That Okinawa deployment was my first real deployment. Some of your pics brought back lots of old memories from that time and some of the faces seemed familiar to me. Korea absolutely blew balls. And that live fire...WTF was leadership even thinking (trick question, they weren't). That investigation was brutal. But we did find out who actually pulled that trigger. The guy who figured out that HE was the one was inconsolable. He had partied with Newsome. We had to hold him down so he wouldn't harm himself. But again, the Bn leadership was atrocious and more concerned about solid PFTs than solid small unit tactics. As for the terminal LCpl rank, it also seems to me that quite a few dudes in that unit ended up like that.

I was a Plt, Cmdr, at 3/2 (Lima, Wpns, and Kilo) from Aug. '85 - Apr. '87, before going to work for the Bn S-3 that summer. I recall when the new batch of 2nd Lt's arrived that summer and briefly meeting Lt. Lawson. If I recall, I had transferred to the regimental HQ"s Co., at the time 3/2 headed to their CAX, and was working for the 2nd Marines, Regimental Cmdr., when word arrived that 3/2 had lost a Marine while at CAX (I had forgotten it had taken 4 months to recover his remains). While everyone was stunned to hear of what actually happended, it hit those of us who'd served at 3/2 hard. 3/2 had been a damn good battalion. It was the first USMC unit to put an entire battalion on skis and take it to the Brits, Norwegians, and Dutch, during a NATO exercise in northern Norway in March '87. The Brits especially didn't expect us to take the fight to them up in the hills. While still at 3/2, and concluding w/the NATO exercise, I may have had issues w/the Bn Cmd itself, but all the S shops and company commands were solid, manned by good officers, SNCO's and NCO's. It was stunning how fast the Bn leadership had deteriorated over the span of a few months that summer. It turns out Lt. Lawson was a genuine shit-bird who should have never been commissioned. A simple head count at the end of the exercise and verification of who was on working parties could have prevented this tragedy. Apparently none of that was done. Lcpl. Rother, your brothers failed you, but your efforts to save yourself until you couldn't go any further, set an example for us all. Your death gave us the hard lesson on how leadership and accountability, are inseparable. RIP Brother.

I remember when this happened as an NCO this incident was used to hammer into us to keep accountability of your Marines. Even when I became an SNCO I related this story to my NCO's. Thanks for giving the Marine's named.

I was there for that operation and remember it well. It was crazy, kid was from Minnesota. There really wasn't a hard search for this Marine. And lot was swept under the rug.

I remember the lost Marine story when I was in boot late 88. I reheard the story again when I hit the fleet and went to 29 Palms from Tustin during training.

Kevin. Great interview. I learned a lot. Semper-Fi Brother.

I was in boot camp MCRD San Diego Sept. ‘74-Dec. ‘74 Plt. 3105. I went in at 165 at 6’0” and came out 6’1” at 135. Initial PFT.: sit-ups 60 in two minutes, 0 pull ups, run 3 miles in 27:58. Final PFT.: 102 sit-ups in two min., three pull-ups, 3mile run in 21:30. M.O.S. 0311. Got out in ‘76, worked security jobs at different places over a 10 year period until I decided to go to a pre-service police academy. Completed that and began a thirty plus year career in Law Enforcement. Now retired, I have time to sit back and enjoy life with my lovely wife. The Marine Corps taught me a lot and I have used that training during my entire career. My wife STILL doesn’t understand why when to old Marines meet in the store or restaurant of someplace else, we talk to each other like we’re long lost Brothers. It is a Brotherhood like no other, forged in boot camp and remains that way during the rest of your life. Law Enforcement is not just a career but a life style as is being a United States Marine. Semper Fidelis, Marine!

Wow! I am overwhelmed by your life story and your energy! Thank you for putting this out there. I would love to hear an interview with you and Jesse Dollemore, another retired Marine! Wishing you all the best!

I walked into the recruiting office said I wanted to join the Infantry and leave as soon as I graduate, the Gunny sat up and said "Out Fuckin Standing", "Go down to the pu**y ass Army, tell then you want to join and they will take you up to MEPs tonight, they will buy you a nice supper, then when you get back come straight to my office, F**k SGT Neff, he is a punk" I said ok Gunny. Walked over to the Army office, told SGT Neff I wanted to join and he was pumped, told me to be back there at 5 that evening and he would get me to MEPs, I show up, test, sure enough he buys me a steak dinner, gets me a big old beer at 17, then we back to the recruiting center, the Marines office was to the right of the hallway just before the Army office door on the left. I was walking and then made that right turn into the Marines office. SGT Neff says "What the hell" and the Gunny waits for Neff to try walk in and Gunny yelled "F**k you Neff" and slammed the door in his face and started laughing his ass off. That was my start in the Marine Corps, the day I graduated, I walked across the stage got my diploma, went home and the graduation party was going on and 25 mimutes later my recruiter pulls up, I grab my bag hug mom and dad and off I went. 0331 0311 for 12 years saw some of the worst of combat and lost brothers, but miss the brother hood everyday

Fabulous story telling and so sad about the forgotten marines.

Does Kevin remind anybody of Tom Sizemore or is it just me? (Sizemore was in Saving Private Ryan, Blackhawk Down) Great interview, super honest and forthright. I lived 42 miles west of where Rother was found in Newberry Springs as a kid. I later went on to be a paramedic on a private ambulance in Joshua Tree, and I knew that area well. To walk that far in July is truly astonishing. To perish only minutes away from Hwy 66 is heartbreaking. Hats off to the San Bernardino County S&R volunteers who looked for, and found, his remains. Next time I'm out that way I will stop at his memorial and remember.

Didn’t get a free lunch! But got a free ride to the MEPS center 😂

I distinctly remember the story about Rother's death. I was in my 5th year in the Canadian infantry. We were stunned that a top military force like the USMC would abandon a man alone in the desert like that. I'll admit we were pretty smug about it while not admitting to ourselves that we'd done some pretty dumb shit ourselves.

So you were the don corleone of the E3 Mafia?

Hey KW, I had a friend that rode cruiser class out of Indio in about the same time period, Mark Salmon. Did some time in the army after school. Just wonder if you might have crossed paths. It’s going back a few years but looking back, it’s a small world. Cool to hear of your adventure, after my tour I wound up a trucker as well. Local, doesn’t pay as well but home every night. Hammer down, brother.

I was at 29 Plams with 3rd AAV's when this happened.May that Marine still be resting in Peace.

I went to 29 Palms for EMV it 2010 and heard Rother's story in a safety briefing at Camp Wilson before they sent us out to the field. They did mention him by name and told pretty much the same story you did. Side note: the Marine who was supposed to be with him, Lance Corporal Key, was place at a different road that had not been accounted for when they planned the mission. When they picked him up, he told them that Rother was nearby and they needed to make sure he had been picked up. He was told bey the Lieutenant to shut up because he was a Lance Corporal. Some truly tragic stuff.

I enlisted in the Marines in 1974, after graduating from infantry school as 0341, I was assigned to Marine Barracks Guam in Dec 1974. In May 1975 the Mayaguez Incident occurred. The last casualties of the final battle of the Vietnam War were 3 Marines (from 3rd Mar Div Okinawa) left behind on Cambodia’s Koh Tang Island. Men being left behind happens. As does friendly fire. I have always believe the cause to be the result of ‘loss of command and control due to not having situational awareness.’ USMC retired.

Man i retired from 29 Palms in 2015. 20 years just to retire from that shit hole. I didnt even want a retirement ceremony i was just ready to go down the big ass mountain to get to i10. Lol

Loved hearing his wisdom. Thank you for sharing your story Wilson. @urbanvalor i really miss your old interview style. These new interviews feel so rushed. I miss hearing your little bit of commentary as well. These feel like mtv interviews now. Please go back to the old style.

I really enjoyed listening to this underachiever. He has quite a personality.

The story of Rother......passed down thru the years. I was in from 1995 thru 2015 and every single time I went to the Stumps we heard this story. Many different variations of this story exist but 1 thing for sure it will never be forgotten nor explained in a million different variations

I was in 29 Palms CAX in 1994. They gave us maps, extra water containers that we had to carry. We had a long briefing about keeping up with your fellow Marine. We were told about this situation and had to take extra survival classes. It is so crazy how your story relates to my experience in the USMC.

What about his fireteam leader, his squad leader, his platoon sergeant? Every one of them must have known that he was assigned that post. They also then knew that they had never relieved him from it. The Lt. probably expected his Staff NCO(s) and his NCO's to do thier job without him having to hold thier hands. Just like every other Platoon has been forever. It's taught from day 1 in boot and is absolutely second nature by graduation.

Followed similar path to you, but a few years later. Norfolk 94-96. Later with 1/2 99-04. Loved hearing your story.

I just looked up Rother a few hours ago and then this episode popped up on my KZfaq. I remember when he went missing we went to 29 palms to do a CAX a month later working up for float in ‘89. We used to call it Lifer Lance. I had 36 months as one. Since MCI answers were floating around the barracks it was easy to fatten up your cutting score. I got in trouble once, so the only thing I had on my record is a summary courts Martial . Got that two weeks before my three year mark. So no good conduct for me. But I Did get promoted to Cpl six months before I got out. I had a shitty RE code and my career jammer told me I could reenlist but probably only get one more contract so I got out in Jan ‘90. Saadam who? Invaded where? I wish I would’ve gotten a heads up so I could’ve stayed in. Don’t know about you, but personally the whole Thank you for your service makes me uncomfortable because I didn’t do anything. I missed my war.Nukes, Pattaya beach ,even Pasadena and the Cult. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. 2:20

This guy has lived a life. Great Stories. He is entertaining. I am sure of many more adventures for his future.

Thank you for sharing your story , ☺️

Brother I did 6 years active duty 86-92. Stationed at MCAS El Toro. I was a 5 year corporal...senior Cpl in the Corps when I got out. My MOS was closed for 4.5 years, so when my enlistment was up, I got out. Took a couple of scrub jobs and went to college. 10 months after I got out, I took a job in Kuwait setting up their F-18 program. Went back to El Toro and recruited 10 buddies that I knew were getting out to come work with me. Our good times just continued on, except now we had money. It was awesome. I loved the Corps and the brotherhood, but hated the Bullshit. Been working Aviation for over 30 years now, mostly contract maintenance. Ohhhh-Rahhhh!

Great stories. Thanks for posting.

I was a west coast helicopter crew chief and did SAR duty out there. Rescued a couple of people from the desert. Bearmat-Bearmat

This is my kind of guy. Especially the end, I was a war-time Marine and I did not like being in. I am proud of my time though. He's got some great stories.

4 years in . No money to even pay to check a bag. This guy is real special

That is a good recount of the Rother story. I was a radio operator with regimental headquarters for 2nd Marines at the time. And believe it or not, I was the first person to reach Rother’s gear and the arrow he made with rocks. It is true that they said he went UA. The captain who was with me said that, but I think he got that from some meeting they had with the folks at 3/2. Nevertheless, I told him that didn’t make much sense because if you wanted to go UA you could just leave the base in a vehicle and not come back. He was a bit of a dick and acted like that was the dumbest thing he had ever heard. The only thing I would say that might be a little different from this story is that we did have a search and rescue dog team out there on the search, but that was probably 3, maybe 4 days, after he was missing. He was already dead at that point. The 3/2 battalion commander was a total asshole. I forgot about the guy who later got killed with the M-60, and I, too, heard that General Gray said exactly what this guy said he said. This story takes me back…

I was a Cpl. at Pendleton when the Marine went missing at 29 Palms. Sad and messed up.

I was in when this incident happened. EVERYONE heard about it. After that incident we couldn't go anywhere without doing a head count. Quite a sad story, and yes, they did screw that Marine over by leaving him.

I was on my 10 day boot leave when Rother died. I reported to SOI Pendleton in the first week of September 88. We did one of the first training evolutions of MCT (it was 34 days at the time, if memory serves correctly). I did my first CAX with 3/9 at the stumps in early 1989, and that's when I heard the story. That Marine got royally fucked by his unit. Fair winds and following seas Rother. As for Okinawa, I was back there from 2012 to 2016 as a civilian (had been before on a UDP to Schwab). I absolutely LOVED it as a civilian. Hoping to go back for another 3 years. Miss that place badly. (Regarding Thailand, you were part of Operation Cobra Gold 😉)

I setved in the Marines from '85 to '90. I remember that incident at Camp Wilson. I was on Sea Duty at the time. I was an 0811 with 2/10 and did two CAXs at Camp Wilson.

I feel him on the promotion, Ive been in the Army almost 5 years and still a Corporal. Leadership wont promote if you're not kissing their ass the right way. On my way to Fort Couch in the next couple of months!

Great stories. I was in the same time as you. I actually tried to join the navy out of HS but was disqualified at MEPS because of a heart issue I told my recruiter about. My dad was originally from Scotland so I bought a one way ticket to the UK and joined the British Army. They discovered my heart issue during a physical while in training so I was booted out 6 months later. About a year after returning to the US I got a call from an army recruiter. I told him I was rejected from the navy. He told me that they only kept records on the "active" computer for 18 months then it was taken off the computer and put on microfiche (this was the days of magnetic storage) so to come down and retake the ASVAB. I did and walked into the Marine recruiting office in Anaheim, CA after my ASVAB score came back and the army recruiter verified I was no longer on the "active" computer. I couldn't do that today as storage is digital and limitless so I'll always be on the "active" computer. The doctor at Camp Lester Naval Hospital in Okinawa discovered my heart issue on my exit physical when I was getting out of the Corps...LOL! The fact that I was in the Marines made the LAPD doctor overlook my heart issued when I tried to join the LAPD and he signed off on my physical. The USMC opened the door to a wonderful 26 year career with the LAPD. No shame in being a 4 year Lcpl. I got out as an E-3. That was the era when the Corps was big on the contract corporal program. If you signed on for 6 years you were guaranteed E-4 in 18 months. Because of that the E-4 billets were being constantly filled. I was an MP and as an MP the only way you'd see E-4 before your 4 years was up was meritoriously or you MIGHT get it a couple of months before discharging if you maxed out your composite score (maxed MCIs, PFTs, rifle range, etc...). I was also on a CAX at 29 Palms around the same time as the Jason Rother incident. I don't recall if it was the same CAX as they were always running CAXes back to back. What they didn't report, after they found his remains, is that they didn't find his skull for around a year after. Apparently the coyotes had carried it off. I only know about it because I read about it in the newspaper when they found it. Semper Fi, Marine!

Respect for that time in grade!!!!

I was at a CAX with VMA-242 shortly after this happened( cant remember exact year) .We were working out of the airfield at Deadman Dry Lake.We were told the story during a “ safety briefing”…the whole “ arrow” part….true. We were told he was found under a bush where he had rigged up a shade /shelter with his “blouse”. He had apparently expended all of his blanks to thward off coyotes…….but they eventually got to him.

He is The Lance Commandant

Thanks for taking me down memory. I was at the wire the same time that you were. The lock down after the missing M16 was so fun...

"Senior Lance Corporal of the Division" = biggest screw-up in the Division.

Excellent Content.

I remember this incident. I was with 1st Recon Bn. at the time when it happened. We were training at Twenty-Nine Palms when we heard about the kid just left at a dirt road intersection after directing vehicles. Total lack of accountability at the time.

Memories. MarDet, USS Coral Sea (when Marines were assigned to aircraft carriers on Sea Duty). Did on load, off loads in my 3 years with the Marines of MB Alameda and DOE. . Fast forward 8 years, MB NSB Bangor Wa. Standing M8 in the wire as the OD. Many times those black vehicles visited us in Washington. The Ghost of LCpl Jelly lives on. Was there that night right after it happened and had one of my Sgt’s relieve the SOG that night. Very rewarding tours in my 21 years.

Thank you for your service sir!

What a great story. Yes, a regular Marine but a Marine indeed. Semper Fi from an old Vietnam Veteran.

I wish I could’ve served with you Kevin. You’re a legend! Haha surfing and drinking miller lites 👊🏽

I was stationed in The Stumps w 3d Tank Bn when this happened. Learned more from this video about what really happened than all the rumors that flew around base for months. RIP Marine

I was the guy who always knew the story but not his name. Thank you. Rother. Won’t forget.

RIP Lance Corporal Rauther 😢

This guy is a great storyteller. Very entertaining.

How random, I grew up in Glendale CA too. Not that it’s a small town or anything, just crazy to hear from someone else from my neck of the woods!

Guy was a really good interview Double Subscribe

very honest interview

There are a lot of parallels between the peace time marines and the peace time army. I spent some time at NTC with the first Cav division and remember the missing marine story. It’s unfortunate that it was true. Not a myth. His stories tell how dangerous even the peace time military is.

Senior Lance Corporal sounds great to people who know no better.

Great talker. Interesting 💯💯

I had just left 29 Stumps a couple of days before they found him. I totally remember this. USMC 88-92 Semper Fi

You learned a valuable lesson! There are no free meals.

So, Brother: I have you. My date of rack for L/Cpl was 01 May 1983. I made Cpl 01 September 1985. I got out August 1986. I reenlisted 03 April 1989, The MARINE CORPS in it great wisdom said I had to go back to L/Cpl. So the Top(MSgt) says to me I need a date of rank for the paperwork. What do you want to put there, I said 01 May 1983. So I was a L/Cpl 5 years 11 months, and two days time and grade, with no page 11, no office hours, or court martial. They made me wait 13 months for Cpl (damm I was getting a attitude). So my second date of rank was 01 May 1990. I had been a E-3 L/Cpl with 7 years time and grade.

My 'Duffle Bag' bottom read "Don't Laff Lady, Your Daughter May be in Here!"

Dude, ....Almost the same exact scenario. Except I went Army. 1989 1st Cav, Ft, Hood Tx 😊 We used to always go out to NTC near 29 psalms in Mojave.

Oh my gosh!! my husband and I were stationed out in 29 Palms California when that happened around 1990!! we were stationed there from January 1989 until January 1992 and I believe it was 1998 because I was pregnant 1989. I PRAYED Over and over that they would find a young man and they had helicopters and planes flying all day and night, looking for him, and they couldn’t find him. He was a reservist from what I remember, and I couldn’t understand how he got separated from the unit.. I couldn’t understand why they couldn’t see him, except it was in the desert, and he was wearing desert camouflage, but it was heartbreaking!!

My dad was a Marine and he blew his top when he found out I wanted to go into the Navy. Shortly before going to MEPS my recruiter told me he couldn't get me in doing what I wanted to do so I backed out. I regret that move to this day.

My recruitment into the Army was the same in 83 - 84. I signed up in Aug 83 and never heard a word til Mar 3rd 84. On the 3rd my recruiter called and brought me a bus ticket to get to Meps the next day. When my oldest joined the Navy yrs later it was like he had a job that didnt pay the whole time he waited for his leave out day....

The Rother incident changed the Marine Corps in a profound way. I believe it was 3/2.

I miss Camp Schwab, I was there in 2019. It was a lawless little wasteland... it was beautiful

Terrifically told !!! This guy should public speaking. I watched intensely for what seemed like a short story. Absolutely gr8 👍. If this guy ever wants to come visit Toronto I'll take him to some pro fights and sparing sessions with pro's. It's all about doing it and the story ✌️.

Thank you for your service brother i appriciate you very much and this story was great btw you kind of look like david koechner lol

I rememberhearing about those deaths. 3/2 earned the nickname "2 or 3" because of all the irresponsible losses back then.

I remember this incident of course it was told throughout the Corps, My unit had conducted a CAX sometime after this incident, we lost a couple of our own in that heat of 29 palms.

WOW, man we probably crossed paths. I was at Marine Barracks Norfolk, I worked out at the wire. That was 84-86. My CO was Colonel Geraghty. I remember another Marine shot some sailor on Gate 3. I went to Station Guard after the Wire, because I got removed off PRP. There is a reunion I used to go to. It was great to hear your story, amazing to run into a guy who was at Marine Barracks. I went to 1/4 B Co Wpns Plt in 86 after Norfolk. Semper Fi.

Anyone know where to find the quote of Gen. Gray saying 3/2 not getting bread quote?

I was asked to extend just to go to CAX when that happened. I declined to extend and got off of Active Duty.

BMX, surfing and skateboarding in the 80s 👍

Im also gonna say i was 2/1 2001 to 2005, we STILL got that story....it hasnt been until the more "updated" internet that we were afforded what really happened......

My hometown is Va Beach. Great place to grow up. I left when I was in my forties. Moved to the mountains in Va. Not a fan of Norfolk. Or Portsmouth. But Va Beach is fun and there's always something to do. Places to go. Miles of beach. Muliple places to access the beach. Not just the main beach area. Lots of nightlife. But it's gotten very crowded. And people still buy houses around the base Oceana then complain about the jet noise like someone snuck in in the middle of the night and dropped a base near their home. If you buy a house in Va unless you go to the outskirts towards Chesapeake you're going to have to deal with jet noise. It's a master airbase. And it's important.