Only change would be that I would have stayed in.
I almost made that mistake once. Dec, 26th 1972 4 months out of Boot Camp the 1st shirt called me in his office to tell me my dad had died the day before in a car accident on his way back home from work. Went home on emergency leave and a good friend of mines Mom knew Senator G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery on the I think Armed Services commitee. She told me if I wanted out to come home she'd talk to him. Well, haveing just dealt with dad's death I jumped on it but I didn't think anything would come of it. I went back after leave to Camp Lejeune but never told anyone about it and actually forgot about it untill about 3 months back from leave the 1st shirt called me in again and asked If I was trying to get out and that whoever I knew had sent the paperwork for me to be discharged and go home. I was surprised and even asked him who authorized me to be discharged; he told me Sen. Montgomery. He asked me did I really want to get out and I told him I really hadn't thought seriously about it. He gave me a day to decide. I went back to the barracks and laying in the rack that night I kept thinking how proud my dad was whe he came to Parris Island to see mr graduate and how the last time I saw him when I was home on leave before he died how he gave me a big hug and as I pulled out of the driveway he had that big proud smile on his face waveing goodby; had I only known that would be the last time I would ever see him again. I went back the next day and told the 1st shirt I was stayin in; he asked why and I told him I was supposed to be here....was one of the best decisions I made in my life.
I joined in June 72 after having recieved as best I remember a number 32 or either a 19 (was low enough for me) from the draft board. I decided if I had to go I was gonna pic my on poison...LOL. My dad served in the Corps and I always remembered as a little kid sneaking though his dresser drawer where he kept his ribbons, badges, and the most prized possession; the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. I remember pulling out the encyclopedia Britannica almost dailey and read the history of the U.S. Marines at Tun's Taveran, Chaupauldapeck (spelling), Boxer Rebellion, Bellaue Woods (Spelling), Iwo Jima, Tarawa, Saipan, Guadacanal, Inchon, and many, many other famous battles the Marines fought. Yep, once a Marine always a Marine.
Just like you are never Ex Airborne once you earn the title it stays with you forever. 
