So. Off He Went to Work in His Marine Corps Uniform Today
…for the last time. After 30 years, 5 months and fifteen or so days. He’s always been a Marine’s Marine, fiercely protective of his troops and his Corps, and so damn proud to wear that green. It’s like his second skin. From the time he was a young leatherneck ~ bluntly answering the CG’s innocent “How’s it going, Corporal?” with “It’s all fucked up, General” ~ to a mellow Captain assuring Bell V-22 Osprey mucky mucks that their vaunted program was “a train wreck”. And then he was the major ~ 2 weeks removed from massive shoulder reconstructive surgery ~ who wound up being the senior Marine on station when Ivan wiped out the command’s buildings. He’s always been the common sense, ‘take charge’, ‘straight scoop’ guy people turn to immediately. Ebola and I adore him beyond all reason.
And we’re so damn proud of him. We always have been.
OO-rah, love. And Semper Fi.
Military Thingies | tree hugging sister | 
February 16, 2007 9:22 am
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Ooh-rah, Major Dad!
Salute, Major Dad. Well done, sir.
Thanks for everything, Major Dad.
Aside from serving our country with distinction you’ve been the bestest brother-in-law a feller could ask for.
Man that’s some shiny stuff on those shoulders.
Even as a former Marine I still envy people like Major Dad. I only did 8 years (and most of those in reserves), not 30+.
He has my utmost respect and I salute him!
Congrats! We’ve never met but I heard so many stories about you so many years ago when you were a warrant officer.
The President talks about the thanks of a grateful nation; I can only talk about me. You have the thanks of one grateful civilian. Semper Fi, Sir.
My eternal thanks for your distinguished service, Major Dad.
Good job, Major Dad. Semper Fi.
Happy retirement to my favorite major. I can say I knew you when and can dig up the embarrassing photos to prove it.
Thanks for all the years of service, Major Dad. I trust you have something lined up to…er…uh, get out of the house once in a while.(ahem)
You must be extremely proud and rightly so.
Congratulations, Major Dad!
and Semper Fi!
Major Dad – thak you for your service.
THS – when are y’all moving on up to Indiana? 😉
Mardi Gras Saturday etc …
It’s Mardi Gras Saturday in southeast Louisiana. Endymion rolls tonight. Afraid I’m going to miss it. Congratulations to Major Dad. Made a few changes around here in a last ditch attempt to minimize the incessant Internal Server Error messages everyone…
Congrats, and all of the best, Major Dad!
And now you’ll have a lot more time for reading, cooking, and drinking. Pass along those recommendations! Thanks so much for your honorable service to our nation and for being a great brother-in-law.
Congratulations, Major Dad, and thank you. Your loved ones are lucky people.
Congratulations, Major Dad, and thank you. Your loved ones are lucky people.
Congratulations, Major Dad, and thank you. Your loved ones are lucky people.
Apologies for the triple posting. It wasn’t letting me see anything. I blush with embarrassment.
Many congratulations, Major Dad! Best wishes for a happy retirement. We are grateful – make that VERY grateful – for everything that you’ve done.
Stand easy, Major. And Hoo-ah!
No need to apologise RebeccaH, the good Major deserves that kind of praise times three. 😀
Semper Fi, Major Dad. Congratulations and thank you for your years of fine service.
Many thanks and best wishes for the fruture from a grateful citizen.
Very well done, sir. Many congratulations and good luck on civvy street.
(Sent over from Tim Blair’s)
cheers!
All the best in your new incarnation. Still, once a Marine, always a Marine. I’ve had the honour of working alongside some of Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children, some in uniform, some “retired”, but you can no more retire from the USMC than you can from your Family.
Again, best wishes, from Zoe in Australia
Thank you for your service.
Congratulations on your retirement.
You look like the sort of man your family is lucky to have within it.
Bravo Zulu, Major! But I’ll bet the Dad part is equally rewarding.
From a Navy Wife, Navy Mom & Soldier Mom
Bravo Zulu, Major, and thank you!
Bravo Zulu
AFTER OVER 30 YEARS of service to his country, milblogger “Major Dad” has retired. Go thank him for his service….
Another “well done” from Australia.
Congratulations on your retirement, Sir.
BZ.
Well done and thanks!!!!
I went through WOBC from September through November, 1988. Is that the year you went through?
TD
I thank God for you and those who, like you, stand in harms way for those of us who can’t and even those who won’t.
It may be hard to get used to but the Marines will take it from here, you’ve left them in good stead.
Come on over to Florida, Sir, and you may have my Marine Corps license tag that reads “04
DAD.” Semper Fi, Marine!
Semper Fi Jarhead! Thank you for your service to a grateful country!
Congratulations and thank you, Major.
Semper Fi!
Shit Hot Sir, enjoy the time off, you have earned it!
Okay, okay…I am extremely humbled by all the kind words. THS will pay for this as will Bingley (my favorite pencil neck). I never thought I would do 30 plus heck I was getting out after 4! I have about equal time as an officer and as enlisted, sergeant, gunny and major being my favorite ranks. I am blessed with a killer wife, son and a tour of duty that has been incredible. I will miss it so. My hope is that I will get a job helping Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Coasties to defend our country and way of life. I’m not political, I want the best for all Americans. To all of you Semper Fidelis.
Major Dad.
Fair Winds and Following Seas to a Brother Marine.
Semper Fi and Good Luck!
Fair Winds and Following Seas to a Brother Marine.
Semper Fi and Good Luck!
Congrats Major Dad! Thank you for all your years of service!
(Oh, he IS, ricki. He IS. And we know it. {8^P)
Thank you Major Dad for your long years of service! May you and yours enjoy your ‘retirement’ for many years to come.
Thank you, Major Dad, for your dedicated service on behalf of my family, and thank you to your family, for supporting you throughout your career.
Thank you so much for your service, and all the best to you and yours in the days ahead!
Thank you for your service to this wonderful country and for making the world safer for my family.
And just when you were really getting good at the job, too!
Congratualtions and thanks!
Sempi Fi, Marine!
This is my first time to your site. Thank you Major Dad and your family for the selfless sacrifices each one of you has endured 30 years wow God Bless you Sir…
Sincerely
Cathy
Soldiers Angel
Semper fi, do or die.
Congratulations Major, you made it- and thanks for your service.
My thanks and best wishes, too, Major. Semper Fi!
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
Molte grazie, Major Dad. And many happy returns.
Are ya gonna drive your bride crazy now?
Thank you so much for everything!
Thank you & congrats, Sir!
Congratulations and thank you for your service. Enjoy the next stages of your life! God bless!
Major Dad, you have earned it, and also a heartfelt thanks for your years of service. You will be missed. Thanks again for your service, and thanks also goes to your lovely wife who stood by you all this time.
Carry on.
Well done, Sir, and thank you!
Thank you for your service, and best wishes for a wonderful life going forward. Those of us who enjoy the life and freedoms you and all who serve make possible are in your debt.
Thank you for your 30 years of service sir. You are the definition of a patriot. Semper Fi!
These thanks and congratulations come from a soldier who is grateful to have had you in his sister service. God Bless and enjoy the days ahead.
Major Dad (since we’re both Majors, do I just call you dad?)
I know it’ll be hard waking up tomorrow, and realizing you don’t have anywhere in particular to be, there are no Marines waiting on your orders, and the corps, for better or worse, will make full steam into the future. You don’t have to watch your midsection, you don’t need to do another mile, another pull-up, or walk anywhere long enough or far enough to even consider growing a blister.
After 30 years, it’s as if you’ve got the whole world on a string again, starting as fresh as a new recruit, albeit with a worse back, knees, shoulders, a lot more experience, and perhaps a bit wisdom, and definitely more bills.
I think the hardest thing about retiring will be the assimilation into polite society, where the “F” word isn’t just an adjective/noun/verb used around the watercooler, where subordinates don’t necessarily jump when they’re told, and superiors don’t usually listen to the bright guy with 30 years experience doing too much with not enough.
But don’t worry about any of that. When you wake up early tomorrow morning, smile, roll over, nudge the Mrs., and keep saying “you wanna?” until she relents. Then take her out for McBreakfast (or Dennys, or wherever) fill up on carbs and protein, and go back home. Lather (no pun intended) rinse (again, no pun) repeat. Do this until the kids come home.
Enjoy your new life.
Chuck