I joined the Marines in 1969 because I had a drug problem and decided to do something drastic. My high school friend Jeff Rich had enlisted and asked me to speak with his recruiter so he could get an extra week of leave after boot camp. I did and I joined, to his immense surprise. In 1976 our reserve unit, 4th Tank Battalion, was activated and we went to Ft. Irwin to train with the Army. I was discharged as a Staff Sergeant and my service is one of the things I’m proud of doing.