Charles McNeal:  

Life Hey all where should I began well after playing football and runnning track and graduating from Plantation high in 86. I joined the most Elite Force in the World. The Few The Proud The Marines serving 12 years and doing many different tours in different countries and states. During my tour of the Marine Corps I was inspired by many influential Marines such as Gunnery Sgt Mayfield and Sgt Major Kokensparger. I spent 3 months in Marine Corps Boot Camp Parris Island South Carolina getting drilled and whipped into shape both mentally and physically by the best the Corps had to offer, One of my Drill Instructors grandfather fought in the Chosen Resevoir War in Korea. I remember when we were going through ITC (Infantry Training Course) deep in the back woods of Parris Island,SC He would tell us stories about his grandfather fighting in Korea, He would always remind us that the sand fleas were there to instill discipline in us. Which is something you would need when you are fighting in harsh combat conditions, But every now and then he would allow us the opportunity to slap the sand fleas away from us. And let me tell you i think those damn sand fleas were immune to that skin so soft- with alcohol because it didn't always work. After graduating from boot camp I went on to Camp Geiger, NC to Infantry Training School,after graduation went to my 1st Unit in Camp Lejeune 2nd Marine Division Charlie Co 1/6 as a rifleman (0311) and machine gunner both heavy and light (0331/ 0332) While serving with 6th Marine Regiment I had the proud honor of wearing the distinguished French Fouragee a Green and Gold braided rope that we wore with our full Alpha uniform the 5th and 6th Marines were the only ones who wore it. I got married in december of 87 which was way too soon especially since I had just graduated from high school one year ago. However we live and we learn and boy was it a eye opening learning experience. My first tour overseas was with Cold Steel Charlie Co. 1/6 to the Phillipines, Hong Kong and Okinawa Japan. As a PFC fresh out of Infantry Training School My 2nd tour in Okinawa Japan was with Lightning Lima Co 3/6 at Camp Schwab humping up and down Jungle trails getting bit up by mosquitos and keeping an eye out for the venomous Habu snake, I served 4 tours in Panama with Charlie Co 1/6 Cold Steele Charlie, conducting Jungle Patrols looking for Noriegas Macho Demonte soldiers and protecting the fuel tanks. In 1990 after returning from Okinawa Japan Lima Co did a few more operations. On a cold December morning in 1990 during a division parade. The Commandant of the Marine Corps General Al Grey came up from Headquarters Marine Corps,to speak to us. He stated during his speech about Marine Corps history and all the many Wars the Marines have fought in from the battle of the Chosen Resevoir to Beirut Lebanon and his famous last words were. "You will go where your Commandant tells you to Go" within 6 hours later my unit Lima Co. 3/6 was called to duty. For Operation Desert Shield / Operation Desert Storm Gulf War, Before the end of the day we were on our way to the Armory getting weapons and loading the 5 tons with supplies and heavy weapons that we couldn't carry on the bus. By the time 20:00(8pm) had rolled around we were loading the buses and on our way to Cherry Point NC. to load up and fly out on a Boieng 747 Airline Jet with the two decks. That cold december night when were loading the plane made me think about a song we use to sing when we were on a long hump "Mama, Mama Can't You see what the Corps has done to me, Put me on a Silver Jet the air was cold the ground was wet" My unit returned back from the Desert Storm War in 1991. When we were sitting on the border getting ready to cross over into Iraq thats when they called the cease fire. Many of us in my unit had said if we were not permitted to continue the mission, We would not only find ourselves back but our children and possibly their children. And here we are some 18 years later still after the fact because we were not permitted to finish the job. I still have some very close friends that have done about 4 or more tours since we were there in 1990. This war is much more destructive due to the loss of many,many Service members. Being in the war was quite an experience I spent my 24th birthday in a machine gun pit with my gunner and A-gunner. it definitely wasn't what I had planned! Although my squad-leader Santini and my machine gunner Todd did give me a chocolate nut cake from a MRE it was a nice gesture, however there were no ballons. Everyday was a challenge just waking up due to the fact we didn't know what we were going to face. The very first day we loaded up on the 5 tons we had to go into Mopp level 4 because of all the things we heard about with Saddam and his infamous cousin Chemical Ali. For those of you who have not been in the military Mopp stands for (Mission Oriented Protective Posture)And believe me when i say it's uncomfortable it is especially when you have know idea as to how long you are going to be wearing that charcoal suit. At the same time your'e greatful for having it no matter how it felt having it on because you knew that it was going to save your life when push came to shove!!! I got divorced after returning from the Gulf war in 91. In 1992 I received orders to Go to Quantico Virginia where. I served as a Enlisted Instructor at TBS (The Basic School) E.I. Company My job entailed training student lieutenants on light and heavy machine guns for tactical offensive and defensive operations. Being a enlisted instructor was an experience I will never forget due to the fact you really had to know your stuff when you got in front of the class, I enjoyed it very much we taught indoor and outdoor classes. While being sationed in Quantico I got to experince two blizzards, now that was something especially since I was raised in Ft,Lauderdale. The first one I experienced I got stuck out in town at a girlfriends house for 3 days due to the fact they had shut the base down,I was glad that she had gone to the grocery store 2 days earlier. I received a Honorable Discharge leaving the Marine Corps as a Sgt, in 1997 I came back home and resided in Coral Springs for awhile. Did armed security for 10 years and attended some college at BCC,At the moment. I'm now continuing my education at Florida Metropolitan University, I started in November 06 which is now called Everest University. I'm majoring in Criminal Justice due to graduate in April of 09 or sooner due to the fact I'm now taking online courses instead of on campus. My goal now is to be a part of another elite force law-enforcement. Well I just completed another chapter in my life I just graduated from the Olustee Corrections Academy in Lake City Florida. Going through the corrections academy was a great experience I even found myself reverting back to the ways of the Corps especially during inspections, You know the spitshine boots and pressed out uniforms. I was made the DI for my class and kept the position till we graduated. on August 25th 2008 I graduated from the academy it was a long 5 months of a lot of PT and exams not to mention going through the gas chamber with no mask and getting sprayed with OC. I have to say that Nina was truly supportive of me while I was going through the academy especially when I was waking up at 0330 in the morning just to make sure I got to the academy on time, We had to be there exactly ...Expand for more