In 62-just when the Vietnam war was heating up I was in the Marine Corp's PLC (Platoon Leader Course) and nearing my senior year in college. Had I not gotten sick I would have gone to Quantico for training and been commissioned a 2d Lieutenant upon graduation. Then-of course-to the war in the far east. However, my sickness caused me to miss my finals and that postponed my graduation. The Marine Corps -as a matter of policy-treated my "incompletes" (grades) as F and I lost my status in the USMC. At the time I had a student deferment and upon graduation (one semester after my normal grad date) I married and Barb became pregnant and I received Kennedy's family deferment. Truth be told I have mixed emotions about not serving. OTOH I know the attrition rate of the 2d Lieutenants during that part of that war and the chances are I would never have lived to see my wife, my son grow up, my grand kids, etc. I think about that a lot whenever I visit Wash. DC and visit the Vietnam Memorial down below the Lincoln Memorial-especially late at night if I'm alone.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2019 10:35AM by waterfield.