User:SGTMAJUSMC

I am a retired E-9 (Sargeant Major) from the United States Marine Corps. I spent 33 years of my 57 years of life doing something that I loved. I entered the Marine Corps in January, 1967. Spent my first 21 years as a Marine Corps Kit Carson Scout Sniper. I spent three years in Vietnam without going home to the USA.

I did not have a choice about going into the Marine Corps. At the age of 16 years, I shot another cajun kid in the head, with a 22 caliber rifle at 200 meters (about 260 yds) It was over bayou hunting area that my family did not want to share with the Dubrocks'. Bobby Dubrck spent a few days in bed and lived, thank God!

Judge Foot of the Superior Court did not thank the same way my mother did. My mother was mad because Bobby lived. The Judge looked down at me as I stood in front of the court room full of people. He said, "Son, if the rifle was used to kill food for the family, why did you shoot Bobby Dubrock. Without giving me time to answer, he asked me,  "Was you going to drage Bobby home to your mom for eating. The people in the court room lauged for almost a minute. Then the judge said, "I see your 17th birthday is coming up next month. He waved to someone in the back of the courtroom and up marched this Gunnery Sargeant, USMC Recruiter.  He stepped smartly up in front of the judge, next to me.

Judge Foot looked at me and said, " This USMC Recruiter will be getting all the information he needs from you and your mother as soon as possible. You, will enter the Marine Corps a few days after your birthday.  If you fell to do so, I will send you to prison and all your crazy, cajun, bayou friends if I have to.  We do not shoot our neighbors in the head for any reason.  I furthermore am giving the Recruiter a speical recommendation that you become a military sniper too put the best part of this situation to good use.  "Atleast, I'm sure the Marine Corps can find you the real enemy to shoot in the head"!

So it goes that I became exactly what the judge recommended. I became part of a Marine Corps Legend later during the Vietnam War. About 16 years later, I was able to talk to the Judge and we both laughed about it but he would have sent me to prison, no joking about it!