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I liked the Company K Marines at NTTC Corry Station. Two of them, a Gunny and a Staff Sergeant, taught in my CTT ELINT course. When the EWCS transferred without a relief, I grabbed the most senior E-7 in that 400+ man division to run EW"A" School. It was the Gunny. 5' 4", great guy. Oh my, the tears those sailors shed. Gunny D____ was like a "fire and forget" weapon. The CO of Company K, a Captain and former Enlisted Marine, became my new best friend because of the new-found bragging rights he got by the Gunny's appointment.

(My first ELINT mission was Cuba in 1966. RDSN (RD-0334), operating the AN/BLR-1, cutting edge 1950's vacuum tube technology. I retired that BLR-1 Operator school in 1989 while at Corry Station.)

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When I was at the 8th RRFS Phu Bai in 70-71, we had a Marine Company as part of the Station along with a mixed SIGINT Avn Company. The Marines were doing mostly voice intercepts, but had a very interesting target set.

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70-71, was an RD1 shelling the coast in I Corp with 5" and 6" rounds. Tens of thousands of trees, 1 VC with a rifle strapped to his back on a bicycle, 1 water buffalo, 1 tragically bad spot that killed 2 innocent children. Intercepted a Russian-made Counter Battery radar in the DMZ. Biggest thrill of my EW life. Worked with a Marine Major on some experimental NGFS using our 76mm Oto Melara. (total bust). Did some minor work with 1st Radio BN in Hawaii. Called out an armed MarDet on a Carrier when I was a temporary Master-at-Arms for "Gunshots in Supply Berthing". It was very comforting. They had M-14's and 1911's and we had only our charm. (Gah! The mid-70s sucked on a CVA.) If I could name only one emotion when I meet a Marine, it would be envy.

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