Woman Marine - US Marine Corp Enlistment in the 60s

It was an idyllic time back in the mid 60's. Although the Vietnam War had begun, it was not noticeable enough to even catch the attention of the majority of the young people of our country, unless you were part of it or part of the demonstration scene. Life was bell-bottoms, platform shoes, peace and love. Suburbia was at rest and teens and young adults were looking for their place in the world.

Summer of '64 was coming to a fast close. My days were filled with shopping trips with my girlfriends (no, we didn't have malls, but we managed). My friends were wrapped up with the activities and excitement of starting college in the fall. I had determined that college at that time was not the way I wanted to go, but where I wanted to go was beyond me.

Back then you either left for college, got married, or you moved out of your parent's home. I was floundering on the day we walked past an Army recruiting office. Since my father was retired Army, maybe this was the answer. I gave it about 5 minutes thought and then decided this was for me. BUT... I didn't like the uniform. The Marine Corps uniform on the other hand was soooo "CUTE". So I enlisted without another thought. Now I had plans too!

I thought my dad would come unglued, so I waited till the 'perfect' moment to tell my parents. They took it fairly well but kept asking if this is what I really wanted to do. My dad found humor in the whole concept and as the days approached his words kept ringing in my ear...."OK, but you won't make it through the first week of boot camp. You'll be back." Those were fighting words!...and they are what pushed me beyond what I thought was my limit all the way to boot camp graduation.