2 1/2 more years
2 1/2 more years man....
Just
A
Little
Longer.....
Oh, and I'm still a freakin E-5!!! DO NOT tell anyone to go to respiratory therapy school (68V) because you WON'T make E-6 unless you can get 798 
all my kids are girls to and its not easy my oldest is havinga boy so that will be different im so used to girls it's gonna be strange having a boy around but your wife is incrediable and she's got a wonderful husband. i have my own little fleet here at home thanks
Never a need to apologize for not serving in the military. You serve every day by bringing up good citizens and providing a great service to society.
As for having babies. During her eleven years of active duty my wife had three kids. One she had to leave when she was only 18 months and the other she almost had on a warship. She was a de facto single mother through flight school for the other one. It has really taken a toll on her. She is kept motivated knowing she is a great role model for her daughters (the sixth female Marine Pilot and first mother to go through naval flight school).
Jerry - all you have to do is ask. :)
I actually took my ASVABS while in the milt and was told by the Army recruiter that I could've chosen any field since I scored so high. Which kind of surprised me. That's my only regret in life - not going into the Army.
Tree88
i never thought about any military cause i was to busy having babies sorry guys but if thnigs would of went diferent maybe thats where id be i do think what yous do is very wonderful thanks
Funny you mention alot of Milt Marines. I actually went to the recruiting office after I graduated high school (Southern/South Philly High) and got some info on signing up. But, my grandfather answered that one for me. NO. I was debating between Army and Marines. My grandfather was a lifer in the Army so I passed it by him as to which one. He told me neither. I'm not going to mention his reasoning but I didn't want to make him mad at me so I let him make my decision for me. I guess even though we hate all of the rules and regulations....when we grow older I think we tend to seek them out more and realize it was for the better.
I am not going to welcome you as long as Tree promises to kick my butt 
Tom - I hope you know that we would love for you to come back to Homecoming! I remember your name, but not your face. Of course I'm getting older, so that could be the reason. :) Like Eric said, there are no clicks at Homecoming just what can I get you to drink? It's so true! I am friends with soo many people now that I would've never thought we'd have anything in common with. And it wasn't that I didn't like them in high school, it was just that we were into totally different things. So try it! I promise that you'll be welcomed with open arms! And if not, then I'll kick the butts of anyone who dares be mean! :D
Tree88
Yeah nothing feels like the milt but the marines to me too man, because no matter where you go a marine will always help another marine no matter the race, age, or gender. Im proud of you man, you did good, so have alot of us milts, i'm always glad to hear we made it after all the obstacles that tried to stop us, and your right a milt should always try to help one another because we stuck together and loved each other and in the end it was us against the world there. That's probably why some of our loved ones and friends just dont get the bond that we have.
Andre 86
Dre, There are a lot of Milt Marines. A lot of servicemembers for that matter. I think when they kick us out after graduation we all look for that camaraderie and sense of brotherhood (to include our sisters). I thought I had it in the Navy ROTC and college football. Then I tried to find it in Rugby and a fraternity. I was not fulfilled until I enlisted in the Marine Corps.
A few years ago I won an award for being one of the top four attorney’s in the DoD. I was featured in the local San Diego newspaper. I attributed my success in defending the “little guy” to being a former enlisted Marine and the dedicated spirit inspired by Milton Hershey. I got an email from my commanding General, General Zilmer, congratulating me for my award and telling me he was also a Milt Marine along with his Sgt driver. He won the Alumnus of the year award in 2005 or 2005 I can’t remember. It is a lot like the Skull and Bones without the money and the power. This site will unite us and everyone should take the time to reach back and help another Milt whenever you get the opportunity.
Stay motivated and keep your head down.
damn jerry that's what up man, damn are you an officer too like your wife,damn if so ya'll be pullin in the loot. I'm glad your ok though, ya know marines are always first to go. Damn and your wife's a kick derriere too. yeah i'm just here to finish my last 5 years, if i would of went straight through i would have retired last year with 20. Oh well when i'm done in the guard i'll have 7 years left with my civilian job, i'll have 30years then with them. Tell your wife to let you go up to shoot the 50 cal, i'm telling you there's nothing like it. Man you know i'm in the guard, only thing i guard is our own shop at the gate with some marines. See in munitions here we are always 3 or more miles from everyone so if we mess up we only kill ourselves 
, but thank GOD nothing ever blew up, people usually die or get injured by flares. At least one thing is good out here all our money is tax free OOOOOOOOOH Rah Devil Dog.
Semper Fi
Dre' 86
Hey Andre -- I didn't know you were a reservist during Desert Storm. I got called up too. I was a Forward Observer and ended up stamping orders for people going forward at Camp Pendleton. We packed up and got on the boat to head to Korea, but it was called off. Great embark practice though.
I am still in the Marine Corps 17.5 years later. My wife is a 53 pilot. She is actually on AT now. I just got off a Company Commander tour and am now the Deputy SJA for the recruiting command west of the Mississippi.
Good luck with munitions and the Air Guard. Don't let them send you on patrol.
Semper Fi,
Jerry Stevenson '88
Well for starters i was in the marines for 8 years, all reserve time, went away for desert storm, but i went to okinawa japan to take the place of the marines from there who went to the desert, but we almost had to fight the koreans, it was a mess, but we wanted to fight becuase what is the since of training if you never see action, i was a door gunner on a heavy marine helicopter(53's), i shot the 50 caliber gun, big derriere nice gun. While i was there we saved phillipino's from the erupted volcano. I was on typhoon crew when we had 3 typhoons come through okinawa, but the cool part was before the typhoon came the wind was real strong so we would tie our sheets to our ankles and wrist and jump off this hill and before you would hit the bottom and almost seriously injured you would open up and the wind would blow you straight back up the hill it was cool as Washington, DC. After i got out about 6 years later i joined the air national guard under the air force and not i build bombs,rockets, missles,flares, i store c-4 and anything else that blow up,all depends on what base your at and what aircraft you work on what munitions you work with.I had a chance to blow stuff up with c-4 it was cool, my job is called munitions, i love this damn job. Now i'm in IRAQ at a marine base they call camp cupcake because nothing happend in here in the last 2 years and they have a.c.,swimming pool,movies and tv shows on the computer, game rooms, this place is cool, but you still have to be on your guard,never know when shit can happen. I'm suppose to be home around sept. 20th, hopefully i'll make it there, you military guys know about delays when it comes to coming home, at least i'll be there next year if i dont make it this one. May we all be home safe and sound and job well done to all my military brothers in arms.
Andre Redmond 86
i never came back to a home comming cause i was scared and after reading some of the things yous write i guess i was the dumb one i do go to the school alot it give me a peace it's weird i know ..i was a pond person and i smoked cigs and other stuff but now i dont care what people think because as long as i wake happy for what i've done and become thats all that matters...
I was an OPP and a Band Geek. I must say....our band didn't really do too many nerdy things on those long bus rides! Anyone remember?
ahem...we can take that to One Time In Band Camp
Hey I was in a click . . .
Pond Person (Rena and Sue Gore will attest)
Band Geek
Choir Queen
Shop Guy
Vikki Gable
Class of 89
I think I might have to have you kill't Jerry.... No one was supposed to know about the USMC turning me away
Oh yeah man, Tom lemme tell ya. The "click" thing is GONE at homecoming. Now it's "what're ya drinkin" and "here lemme get that beer for ya". I never knew I had so many friends
The "clicks" that form at homecoming change daily because you tend to gravitate to whom you identify with NOW, not then. All us military milts will start out together for about an hour or so swapping war storys, then wander out amongst the civies and try impressing them with our feats of bravery and career achievments (which against Dusty, Jerry and Devvon aint CRAP so as long as we keep them in the corner, the rest of us will be ok ) arriving at long last to topics which peak our interests. You will be surprised at who you surround yourself with.
I hadn't been back in 15 years. Not even once. (Mostly do to service conflicts, but still). I was a little apprehensive at first cause I was a big pencil neck geek (see Jerry's comment and re picture for confirmation) in school. NO ONE CARED!! (See homecoming 2004 pics for confirmation)
Point is, if you CAN make it for our 20, your derriere better be there!!!
"In school so many people fall in to the clicks and rude behavior, once they grow up they realize they were jerks"
Hey I was in a click . . .
Pond Person (Rena and Sue Gore will attest)
Band Geek
Choir Queen
Shop Guy
and I participated in rude behavior. Is it because I have not grown up that I have not yet realized that I am a jerk? That is probably why my wife keeps saying . . . why don't you grow up -- you jerk!
I never thought I would get the answers to all my marital problems on THEMILT.COM. Thanks Murphs!
Tom -- Now that you left the Navy and came at least a little closer to a real service, I can say I still like you and want to be your friend. If Eric can feel he can show his face at Homecoming with that senior class mug he had (Now I see why he joined the Army -- The Marine Corps would never take someone with glasses like that:-) than I am sure you will have no problem feeling right at home, at the home.
feel like you did or do about not belonging while they were in school. But I assure you that those same people who go back to visit experience something far better. In school so many people fall in to the clicks and rude behavior, once they grow up they realize they were jerks, and all of us were undergoing alot of pressure. They usually grow up and welcome everyone at homecoming. So give it a try and let me know if I am right. Oh yeah Welcome to the site, were glad you found us.
Hello.
I graduated in 1989, and enlisted in the Navy in 1991. I spent my entire tour in Europe (Scotland, Sicily, trips to Spain) before getting out and going to college - fully intending to graduate with a degree in journalism, and maybe a minor in creative writing. Turns out I excelled in partying. This was understandable, since I'd been under 'restraint' for a majority of my life to date. After the Milt and the Military, college was the first time I really got to figure out who I was.
Anyway, when times got lean in 2001, I enlisted in the Coast Guard where I'm now serving as a Public Affairs Specialist. That's a five-dollar, all encompassing term for journalist, photographer, disaster media relations guy, and whatever else they decide to throw at me. It's a great job, sort of like having a backstage pass to life. Presently I'm serving in Juneau, AK - I transfer to Washington, D.C. in a few months.
I've not been back to the Milt since I left. I suppose that I felt I didn't really belong there as a student, so it would make even less sense to return as an alumni. (Oddly enough, our class seems to have dropped off the surface of the Earth. I know of several who have passed on already...)
Oh, yeah. And I was one of the Pond People.
That's all for now.
Sincerely,
Thomas McKenzie
How come I don't remember that? Where did we go? I'm assuming it was back when you and Mom came down right? I don't really remember when THAT was :-o
He was sharing with Bill his riding experience he had with you.
You rock dude!!
... and :: POOF :: it was so!
I remember that!!! Damn that sucked, my commander at the time was female so she wasn't real happy check'n out the guys.
They had a real issue with my Ankh. They thought it was racist, not religious.
Now this can get funny. Calling one and all who served in the military ever. Instead of the drama that can happen in our armed forces (it would make alot of people realize that their lives aren't bad), bring to the table funny/memorable stories that you've lived.
For instance, racism is a bad thing, especially when you commit a felony because of it. Well, the funny thing after the "Skinhead" incident of '96 was we all had to stand naked in the company area while the Commanding Officer checked us for Tattoo's that may be gang related. How can you top that? Well, one dude in our unit actually had a set of Cherries tattooed on his scrotum...OUCH...and when asked if it was racist? His response was. "If the chaquita Banana woman is racist for wearing fruit, then I suppose I am."
The inspection was immediately finished after that.
Maybe we should get a military forum.... HEY ADMIN!!! LOL
... and :: POOF :: it was so!
Eric, I'm glad I have nothing to do with medical except for trauma stuff. You're a biker too? Sweet. Seems like most of us milts who join the service are bikers. Probably because it's our way of being rebels. 2 1/2 to go huh? That rocks. I have 6 left. After my instructor time, I'm on my way to go out with a bang. Not sure what that looks like yet, but on my 20 year (-) terminal leave, I'm out!!! We have people asking where our loyalties are in my branch when it comes to retirement. I already told them. I'm going 20 and not a day longer. I've been shot as numerous times every single year. I know I've earned it....
He was sharing with Bill his riding experience he had with you.
Sharing what with whom?
Jordan was just sharing your "love for the track" experience with him the other day!!!!
I keep trying to get a Harley but I want the Ultra Classic and I just can't afford it yet. Plus, I LOVE the track so until I'm too old to do it, I'll keep my sportbike.
JM school sucked for me because my knees were already pretty bad and in typical "joe" fashion, never went to get them looked at. So during my JMPI final when I squatted to do the reserve on my last jumper (thankfully hollywood), my knees gave out and I fell on my derriere but because they popped so loud the black hat stopped the watch to make sure I was ok and then restarted it when I got back up. I finished in time too. Thinking back on that I don't know how I thought I could make it through SFAS if my knees were so bad... just doing a 20k with 35lbs makes my knees swell like grapefruits. How was I going to finish a 40k with 65lbs?
What was really awesome about JM School is that I graduated 7 years to the DAY that I graduated basic airborne school. AND the first person I put out as a JM was a CPT who was a Cadet with me in airborne school.
Maybe we should get a military forum.... HEY ADMIN!!!
Yeah, I'm an 18 series guy but not a D. Guns are my thing. I'm a Harley Guy too, of course, most of us are. JM is pretty easy. I like getting credit for putting 1 dude out and the rest of the stick hits pay loss. .
Glad to see you learned how to Quote too...
.I did try SFAS once but got med'd out for a busted toe. After that I decided that being a jumpmaster was as "huah" as I was gonna get.
No, I meant our original posts. I'm a moderator on a motorcycle BB and everyone can do that.
Click on quote at then bottom of the comment you want to answer. It will pop up in the Comment section and the quote will be there. You can then just delete the stuff that you don't want there and go about answering.
, It'd be so much nicer if we could edit our posts....
oh well,
Linda, the "MEEEEEE" was to the original question as to who was a pond person.
The other post was to answer Dave's question as to whether I had retired from the military yet, (no I haven't, I've got 2.5 years left), my current rank of Sergeant(SGT {pay grade E-5}) which I made in 1993 and the reason why I haven't been promoted to Staff Sergeant (SSG{E-6}) or Sergeant First Class(SFC{E-7}) in the last ~13 years.
Eric, you lost me at "MEEEEEE" and I am still not following the E-5 stuff...you should elaborate so the rest of us can feel included. 
Thank you for your words, Teresa. That's very kind of you.
I don't know why I never bothered to come back. I guess I just didn't see the point.
I've been keeping tabs on the school and every so often I'll Google Earth my way around the campus, trying to connect memories with places and deal with the changes in architecture. (!) I hardly recognize the area around what used to be Catherine Hall anymore. It's odd how the moments in time we occupy seem to be the only ones that matter, and we fill them with all of the passion and vitality we posses, everything we are at that moment. But those memories aren't preserved anywhere else except in our heads. Even then, when we scoop a memory out of the river, we shape it to our hands and mold it to our perspective. There is nothing precise about it. Photos are good anchors, but the moments leading up to the click of the shutter - and typically those following immediately after - are blurred. Only the image is sharp, like a pinprick in the night sky. And even the details fade. "Who is this person? Is that me? When was this taken?"
Time is the box we keep memories in.
TWM