Since this my first thread and that i'm quite sure that no one else has posted it. I thought i would jump right in, and ask my fellow member WAB Vets their thoughts and experiences.
I might as well start out with mine, short though it may be:) My first tour overseas was on the Rock, (Okinawa) Japan. Based in Camp Foster in 91, stayed there all that year attached to 3rd MAR DIV in an Arty Unit. My main MOS at the time was 3521, basically a diesel mechanic. I have to admit, I had a great time while I was there. My unit worked hard and afterwards we definitly played hard as well:) I got my PADI certification to scuba dive and dove into some of the most spectacular waters in the world. Then a few months later all hell broke loose. Two stupid Jar Heads and a Squid raped an Okinawan girl. Needless to say, the **** hit the fan, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps was personally apologising to the Govenor of the island. I quickly learned that the fallout from that crime would affect everyone serving in uniform on that little island. No more visits to the "Buy Me Drinkie Bars" in downtown Naha. Cinderella Liberty, even for the Marines living off base with thier girlfriends. The locals were furious at us, calling us monsters and what not. It was pretty bad for a couple of weeks there after, we even scaled back alot of our training in the field to keep a low profile. The protesters surrounded the bases for a time till things cooled a bit. I have to say, things weren't the same afterwards. The base had closed after I had left the island and gone back to the States. And it was later given back to Japan and the Okinawans.
Come to think of it, i believe it happend again, not too long ago, that a rape acurred and a Jarhead was involved. I forgot the details but im sure it was a major diplomatic incident. Reflecting on it now, I do not believe we need such a large military presence on the island. But that is my opinon, Japan can easily defend itself. I'd like to hear from other WAB members if they had similar experiances good or bad. Thank you:)
I might as well start out with mine, short though it may be:) My first tour overseas was on the Rock, (Okinawa) Japan. Based in Camp Foster in 91, stayed there all that year attached to 3rd MAR DIV in an Arty Unit. My main MOS at the time was 3521, basically a diesel mechanic. I have to admit, I had a great time while I was there. My unit worked hard and afterwards we definitly played hard as well:) I got my PADI certification to scuba dive and dove into some of the most spectacular waters in the world. Then a few months later all hell broke loose. Two stupid Jar Heads and a Squid raped an Okinawan girl. Needless to say, the **** hit the fan, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps was personally apologising to the Govenor of the island. I quickly learned that the fallout from that crime would affect everyone serving in uniform on that little island. No more visits to the "Buy Me Drinkie Bars" in downtown Naha. Cinderella Liberty, even for the Marines living off base with thier girlfriends. The locals were furious at us, calling us monsters and what not. It was pretty bad for a couple of weeks there after, we even scaled back alot of our training in the field to keep a low profile. The protesters surrounded the bases for a time till things cooled a bit. I have to say, things weren't the same afterwards. The base had closed after I had left the island and gone back to the States. And it was later given back to Japan and the Okinawans.
Come to think of it, i believe it happend again, not too long ago, that a rape acurred and a Jarhead was involved. I forgot the details but im sure it was a major diplomatic incident. Reflecting on it now, I do not believe we need such a large military presence on the island. But that is my opinon, Japan can easily defend itself. I'd like to hear from other WAB members if they had similar experiances good or bad. Thank you:)
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