Gary Winstead
So You Want to Be A Marine?
Description
I fully expected to make a career of the Marines but was soon faced with unbelievable sadism, arrogance, incompetence and outright brutality. The Marine Corps I had hoped to love proved to be an organization run in an authoritarian, “Because I said so” manner, not at all like I had envisioned. If you were a suck up you were promoted; should you question the obvious it was either Mess Duty or lack of promotion or worse, Vietnam. Such is my story.
There were characters that came in and out of my life like actors in a Woody Allen movie: W.B. from Pittsburg, “Born to lead, not to be led so don’t be mis-led.” Disappeared one day and never returned. There was the drug smoking Pitt who, while on guard duty in Vietnam, decided to get high and leave a Chu Lai New Guy high and dry at an outpost.
Thieves, liars, drug addicts and more pulled at my heart strings until I made the ultimate decision.
I endured four years of indifferent and sadistic leadership coupled with the absurdities of an organization that rewards group think and obedience over individuality and integrity.
Where did the idea for the story come from?
My four years as a Marine during one of Americas most turbulent times.
Please summarise your book in ten words.
Arrogance, ineptitude, stupidity, incompetence, do as I say, or else.
Give a quote from the books, one that says little but speaks volumes.
The third worst job in the Marine Corps is E-3 or below, a dishwasher or waiter has it better.
Where are you based?
Beautiful Southern California
Karen J. Mossman 