Happy 247th Birthday

[CaptRehkopf]

Happy 247th Birthday.

Robert Rehkopf USMC Sergeant; USNR Captain (O6)
USMC MOS 63XX A4's
Navy 5105 Civil Engineer Corps (RET)

[60aviator]

Same to you Jarhead!

USMC Sergeant MOS:7242
Army CW4(R) MOS: 153DO

[6322]

Happy birthday and thank you all for your service.

[CaptRehkopf]

Happy birthday and thank you all for your service.

Wildland Firefighter, Retired, Riggins, ID And thanks for your service!

Ride Safe, Think Fast!
Robert

[akbeemer]

From America’s Senior Service, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

K. L. Huddy, LTC, US Army, retired.
Rangers Lead The Way

[CaptRehkopf]

From America’s Senior Service, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

K. L. Huddy, LTC, US Army, retired.
Rangers Lead The Way

Kevin,
Thanks and Happy Birthday to you.
Robert

[98lee]

From a retired employee of the service that chauffeured you guys around all those years, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[CaptRehkopf]

Lee,
Thanks for the Birthday wishes. Did y’all move to CA?
Robert

[98lee]

Lee,
Thanks for the Birthday wishes. Did y’all move to CA?
Robert

Yeah, 70 years ago. There are several Lee’s on here. I’m the other one.

Moved here from Seattle at 2 1/2. Couldn’t stand all the rain. Now, I wish for rain.

[brownie0486]

Semper Fi

USMC E3 MOS:0844
69-72

[glenfiddich]

Prior to my first deployment with Marine infantry (2/9) my company was inspected by a Major General from HQMC. As a corpsman (HM3 at the time) I had never been through an inspection by a Marine flag officer, so asked my Marines what sort of questions to be prepared for. Based on their advice I memorized the specs of every weapon in our arsenal: muzzle velocity, range, sustained rates of fire, etc. So I felt prepared standing in ranks, and when those two stars stopped in front of me I thought I was ready for anything. Till he asked (in a booming voice) "Doc, when is the Navy's birthday?"

I had no idea! Aside from bootcamp all my time had been with the Marines. But of course that wouldn't have been an acceptable response. Thinking fast - and motivated by desperation - I blurted out

"SIR! The only birthday that matters to me is Ten November 1775, SIR!"

I could hear the collective gasp in the ranks surrounding me. The First Sergeant looked like he was going to have a stroke. The Captain had a constipated air. But the General burst out laughing and slapped me on the shoulder so hard I nearly fell. "Dammit, Doc! You'll go far!"

I went on to serve independent duty on an attack sub, a cruiser, and a minesweeper before finally returning to the Corps as a Physician Assistant (CWO2). It felt like coming home.

[CaptRehkopf]

Prior to my first deployment with Marine infantry (2/9) my company was inspected by a Major General from HQMC. As a corpsman (HM3 at the time) I had never been through an inspection by a Marine flag officer, so asked my Marines what sort of questions to be prepared for. Based on their advice I memorized the specs of every weapon in our arsenal: muzzle velocity, range, sustained rates of fire, etc. So I felt prepared standing in ranks, and when those two stars stopped in front of me I thought I was ready for anything. Till he asked (in a booming voice) "Doc, when is the Navy's birthday?"

I had no idea! Aside from bootcamp all my time had been with the Marines. But of course that wouldn't have been an acceptable response. Thinking fast - and motivated by desperation - I blurted out

"SIR! The only birthday that matters to me is Ten November 1775, SIR!"

I could hear the collective gasp in the ranks surrounding me. The First Sergeant looked like he was going to have a stroke. The Captain had a constipated air. But the General burst out laughing and slapped me on the shoulder so hard I nearly fell. "Dammit, Doc! You'll go far!"

I went on to serve independent duty on an attack sub, a cruiser, and a minesweeper before finally returning to the Corps as a Physician Assistant (CWO2). It felt like coming home.

At Parris Island bootcamp the DI's created the initial terror of the final inspection by making us put away a complete set of underwear to be worn at final inspection! I couldn't believe they were somehow going to strip us and inspect us down to out underwear, BUT I dutifully set mine aside and worn them only once in 18 weeks!
Ride Safe Think Fast,
Robert