Ronald Mandell:  

Joined the Marines, immediately after graduation from Gahr High, in Cerritos, CA, in 1967. Went to the 'Nam straight away. Saw a lot, did a lot, survived. Came home, with a hat full of medals and ribbons. Was released from active duty, as a Marine Corporal, transferred to the Army Reserve, in the same rank. In civilian life, I immediately became a Police Officer, in Seal Beach, CA. Transfered to Los Angeles Police Dept. Transfered to Pasadena Police Dept. Transfered to El Cajon Police Dept, in San Diego County. Opted out of Law Enforcement. Went back to college at San Diego State U, to major in History & Education. Transfered to Long Beach State U. Advanced two ranks, to Staff Sergeant, in the Army Reserve. Graduated as a teacher, in 1981. Received a commission in the Army Reserve, as a 2nd Lieutenant. Substitute taught from 1979, through 1981. Obtained regular teaching position at Gahr High, for three years. Transfered to LA City Schools. Taught 9th Grade World History and Geography, at Charles Drew Junior High, in Watts. Survived rather nicely. Was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. Accepted teaching position at an International School in Manila, Philippines, in 1987. Played in the Philippines for the next six years. Was promoted to the rank of Captain while there. Departed the Philippines in 1993, to attend a year long Army Command and Staff Officer's school in California. Graduated from the course. Returned to the South Pacific, this time, to a small tropical island, called Saipan. I was promoted to the rank of Major. Went back to law enforcement. I accepted a position as a Deputy Marshal, and spent the next 15 years there, sandwiching military assignments and deployments (like Bosnia, in 2000), with my civilian government job. My last position, before civilian retirement, was with the State Attorney General's Office, as a Criminal Investigator. From Saipan, I spent some months in Malaysia, then lived for six months in Belize, in Central America, then awhile in Puerto Rico, then for a year on the island of Guam. I reached mandatory retirement age for the Army, and...Expand for more