James Barksdale:  

Life I enlisted into the United States Marine Corps during the spring of my senior year on the delayed entry program. After taking the summer off, I went to Recruit Training at Parris Island South Carolina (Boot Camp) and graduated in December that same year. After graduating from my Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) School, I was off to my first duty station, Okinawa Japan, I was an eighteen year old, on my own for the very first time. I had the time of my life that first twelve months in Japan. I became efficient at my job, and met some outstanding Americans at the same time. Those outstanding Americans became lifelong friends. That first twelve months in Okinawa Japan was the beginning of my military career. Initially I only enlisted for eight years, four years on active duty and four years of reserve duty. This was my idea of seeing some of the world, outside of Maryland, while at the same time saving enough money for college. Howe...Expand for more