Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/dear mr. grabill i am doing...

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Expert: - 5/31/2005


Question
dear mr. grabill
i am doing a school project on the US Marine Corps and i want
to ask someone who has actually been in the military a question
or 2 about their experience

question 1: have you ever fought in a battle? if so, what was it
like to find out that you had to risk your life fighting against
other human beings?


question 2: how long did you train for before you actually got to
be in the army or the marines?


thank you very much

-kevin diffily
La Salle Academy, Providence, RI
class of '10

Answer
Kevin:  First, I apologize for the delay in answering your question, having computer troubles.

Question 1:  Yes...sorta.  I was at the Pentagon on 9/11.  The best answer I can give is it's scary, but you do your job anyway, so as not to let your buddies down.  Being in a battle or gunfight is kind of like telling someone how to ride a bike.  You can read about it, tell them to read about it, give them the bike manual, and everything else, but unless they actually DO it, they don't know what it's like.

Question 2:  I didn't train at all prior to joining;  however, once you enlist, the Recruit Training for the Marines is 13 weeks long.  After that, I had Infantry Training School for another 6 weeks.  

Hope that helps, and again, sorry for the lateness of my reply to you.

Best Regards,
Jason Grabill

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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