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Vern Smith
 I joined up with Jim Rice. We were buddies
that lived in the same neighborhood. He was bored and I wanted
to get away from home. All of that sure changed in a hurry.
Outfits:
After 2nd ITR, I was sent to Naval Class A Technician School
at Treasure Island, California. TI is right in the middle of
San Francisco Bay, about 10 miles from where I lived in Oakland,
before joining up (I sure got away from home). I was then assigned
to Radio Relay Repair School at MCRD San Diego (a little further
away from home). Upon graduation from RRRS, I was sent to my
one and only duty station at Camp Pendleton, Radio Relay Platoon,
Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division,
Fleet Marine Force (this was a little closer to home).
I was eventually promoted to E4 and became
a Section Chief in charge of microwave and UHF communication
gear along with the Marines that operated and repaired them.
In 1961, I married my high school sweetheart
and the knot is still tied after more than 44 years. We have
2 daughters, ages 28 and 24. No son-in-laws or grandkids yet.
Bio: After
my 4 year hitch, I reported back to Treasure Island and went
on inactive reserve for 2 years. When I returned to the SF Bay
Area, I went to file for unemployment. Someone in the Corps
told me that this was the first thing I should do when I got
out, because it was rough on the outside. However when I told
them I worked in communications in the Corps, I was told I first
had to interview with a representative from the Western Electric
Company who had a desk in the same office, before they would
sign me up for unemployment. After the interview was over the
representative told me I was hired and I should report to work
Monday (so much for unemployment).
 Western/Ma Bell had a policy of every new
employee having to work his way up from the bottom. After inquiring
as to what kind of work I did in the Marine Corps, my supervisor
started assigning me to doing complex wiring, wire wrapping and
sent me out installing PBX Switchboards. However, in keeping
with company policy, he would fill out my time sheet indicating
that I was drilling holes in concrete and erecting steel relay
racks, as these are the items that must be done by a new kid
on the block. After a year of playing this game, I got tired
of the charade and hired on at the Stanford Linear Accelerator
Center and have been there since March 1963 (I don't tend to
move around very much).
At SLAC, we do particle physics research
using beams of electrons and positrons in the quest to find out
more and more about the origin of matter. I don't want to bore
you with the details, so I'll just state that it is work that
I love (I've always liked science) and it has special meaning
to me. At this point in time, I haven't considered retiring
as yet.
Back about 1996 or so, I was talked into
joining the American Legion during one of their membership drives
(they do a lot of lobbying for vets benefits etc.). When I attended
my first meeting, I just didn't fit in, especially when I introduced
myself and several loud mouths exclaimed, "OH NO, ANOTHER
F---ING MARINE!" At the end of that meeting, a former Female
Marine asked me if I had heard about the Marine Corps League.
I knew nothing about it, and she filled me in. I joined the MCL a month later and have been active in it since.
I have a lot more to tell, but will use
the Sea Stories or Military Humor catagories on this web site
to further express myself in.
Semper Fi,
Vern
Sea
Stories
Semper Fi,
Keep Your Powder Dry, But Don't Play With It!
Putting one over on the Gunny?
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