Be careful what you wish for........

RACastanet · Post by **RACastanet** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 12:17 am

To all: Often I have wished that back in 1974 I took a different path after graduating from college. Instead of going directly into private industry perhaps I should have joined the armed forces.

A few months ago, the combined armed forces began an awareness campaign aimed at improving their visibility, acceptance, recruiting rates..... Part of the program was to allow anyone to apply to any service branch. To walk in the shoes of a soldier. The USMC in particular was looking for that one special person that might have been missed over the years.

The program is over and more than 3,300 persons applied. Five were selected. The Marines have chosen........

HEADQUARTERS, U. S. MARINE CORPS, Washington D.C. – Richard Castanet, 47, of Richmond, Virginia was announced as the Marine Corps' winner... Castanet, an engineer, who also teaches martial arts and self-defense, was the Marine Corps top selection.
The military services - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard – each reviewed the entries, then selected a winner. The winners will take part in a hands-on military career orientation particular to the service branch selected. The Marine Corps will present "The Basic School Lieutenant" as their military career challenge, where the winner will be able to test their physical and mental leadership capabilities as a junior officer September 4-9.

So, I will get my chance, however brief, to be a Marine. This is the real thing starting at Quantico for an orientaion, 'haircut' (and saying goodbye to my mustache) and then heading down to Paris Island to join in the fun with the recruits. Live fire, the three plus mile long combat training couse, all night humps in full gear and more. If I survive it ends with a helicopter drop before participating in the graduation ceremony of the real Marines on the island.

And, it gets better. During my final interview I mentioned that I hoped my son would be interested in a military career. When offered the slot, they also offered my 17 year old a chance to join me. And he will!

So this is how I will end my summer.

Any real marines out there reading this please reply with advice and guidance.

Wish me luck

Rich

[This message has been edited by RACastanet (edited August 08, 2000).]

david · Post by **david** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 12:21 am

Rich,

GOOD FOR YOU!!! Not everyone gets a second chance at something they have always wanted to do but didn't.

Have fun, even as they bust your chops.

david

Lori · Post by **Lori** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 12:30 am

Rich: Congratulations and Best of luck! What an honor and a father/son experience never to be forgotten! I wish you both a successful and rewarding time!

Lori

JOHN THURSTON · Post by **JOHN THURSTON** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 2:46 am

Rich:

Good luck, and tell me all about it.

JT

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gjkhoury · Post by **gjkhoury** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 3:02 am

You're an amazing guy, Rich!

Good luck, my friend!

Gary K.

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 3:26 am

Wow__ what a glorious opportunity. It will add ten years to your life.

Maybe you can show them a thing or two about shooting?

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Van Canna

RACastanet · Post by **RACastanet** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 3:47 am

Thank you all for the encouragement.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Marines on the selection committee picked up on my Uechi-ryu background. Also, it is my martial arts training that gives me the confidence to consider training with a platoon of teens and 20 somethings.

From what I have been told, I will experience the 'Crucible', a miles long course of unexpected obstacles that must be overcome. Every 2nd lt. (even me) will lead a fire team through it.

Every Marine is also a rifleman so much time will be spent on the range. I will also get training in light machine guns, grenade launchers, live grenades, explosives, and the 9mm Baretta sidearm (oh well, nothing is perfect). And, I get to field strip and clean all of the above (not the expolsive devices).

Then there is some exercise that entails exiting a helicopter via a long rope while rather high up.

Apparently the USMC does not think it has a liability problem.

Oh yes, there is mud, mud, mud, sand fleas, mud, heat, humidity, DI's.......

Can't wait!

Regard, Rich

See you all at camp.

Post by **gmattson** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 12:34 pm

I'm impressed Rich... Do you get to eat bugs and snakes?

Personally, my fantasies tend to include beautiful women, fine wine and sandy beaches.

Congratulations on achieving your dream vacation Rich. Will you be able to post updates while undergoing survival training?

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GEM

Jackie Olsen · Post by **Jackie Olsen** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 2:20 pm

Wow, another chance to take "the road not taken." I've often wondered what I would have done differently had I followed my dreams as a teenager!

Good luck to you ... I'm so happy to hear that your son will be with you. As a single mother of a 17-year old son, I wish my son would have the same opportunity to bond with his dad.

Jackie

Panther · Post by **Panther** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 3:27 pm

Rich-san,

Sounds like a great time and an excellent opportunity!

However, as much as I've always enjoyed "blowing $h*t up" and running around in the woods

... I have to express my concurrance with Professor Mattson on where my primary fantasies lie!

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 4:17 pm

I am proud to have presided while Rich has grown both physically and mentally in karate. To those who wonder, Rich is an amazing individual both in the talents he possesses as well as the limitations he works with. To see a gifted and yet very human individual do well in life is to see ourselves and the possibilities that lie before us. What is it that Rich has that many do not? Follow closely - there's plenty we all can learn.

I'm beaming with pride for having had the opportunity to work with Rich. The best students ultimately end up being your best teachers, and Rich has taught me much. I know that even better things lie ahead.

- Bill

Paul? · Post by **Paul?** » Wed Aug 09, 2000 11:59 pm

I went throught boot camp at Paris Island 10 years ago and I still remember those sand fleas.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Semper Fi!

student · Post by **student** » Thu Aug 10, 2000 5:14 am

Good luck, Lieutenant.

Should you decide to make this permanent, can the Corps make an exception for their age requirements in your case?

LenTesta · Post by **LenTesta** » Thu Aug 10, 2000 5:59 am

Congratulations and good luck to you and your son.

P.S. Eat well before you go.

Looking forward to meeting you at Camp.

Scott Danziger · Post by **Scott Danziger** » Thu Aug 10, 2000 11:27 pm

Totally Awesome! Good Luck! And practice waking up at o'dark thirty rather quickly.

It will be an experience you will never forget. Ask any vet.

Scott