The Day My Mom’s Babysitter Thought My Vietnam Call Was a Hoax
A funny but heartfelt Vietnam story about using the military’s MARS radio system to call home—only to have my mother’s babysitter think it was all a prank.
Brothers In Arms
Service leaves marks that never completely fade. Some are visible. Most aren’t.
Brothers In Arms is a collection of military stories, veteran issues, service memories, combat experiences, and the lifelong bonds shared by those who served. From boot camp to retirement, from Vietnam to modern conflicts, these are stories about duty, sacrifice, humor, loss, and the people who carried the load.
The Yellow Footprints
The yellow footprints. The screaming Drill Instructors. The first sleepless night. The Grinder. This is how an eighteen-year-old recruit first experienced Marine Corps boot camp at MCRD San Diego.
Why I Became a Marine
A poor student looking for adventure, a World War II Marine uncle, a furious father, and a one-way ticket to boot camp. This is the story of why I chose the United States Marine Corps.
The Walking Dead Man
After exposing a theft ring inside his own Marine unit, Richard Schaefer became a marked man. This is the story of death threats, isolation, and the fight to survive long enough to make it home.
The Theft Ring
After transferring to Da Nang, life finally seemed safer—until fellow Marines and Vietnamese civilians were caught stealing from their own unit. Reporting the crime would have consequences no one saw coming.
Boot Camp Didn’t Prepare Me for Vietnam
Marine Corps boot camp taught discipline, brotherhood, and survival. Vietnam taught a different set of rules. A firsthand account of arriving in Dong Ha, serving near the DMZ, and discovering that the war wasn’t what anyone back home imagined.
Friendly Fire: The Nicest Name for the Worst Day
“Friendly fire” is a polite term for an ugly reality: sometimes your own side kills you—and the paperwork smooths it into “accident” so the truth doesn’t wreck careers.
After DINFOS
Chapter: Dong Ha – The Outcast Marine When I washed out of DINFOS, it wasn’t because of grades or effort. It was because of the abuse of a Sergeant Major who had the power to ruin me with the stroke of a pen. My punishment was exile to the one place he figured I wouldn’t … Read more
Operation Snakebite — Chapter 2 of Air Force One Down in Moronica
Previously on: The unthinkable happened—the Commander-in-Chief’s chip went dark mid-flight. Air Force One fell off radar over the nation’s dumbest zip code: Moronica. John Steele, a quiet professional with a resume stamped “don’t ask,” was tapped to lead SEAL Team Viper through the boroughs where common sense goes to die. Chapter 1 ended with a … Read more
Abby Normals: Are the Outcasts Driving the Culture Now?
Charlie Kirk asked a blue-haired student to explain what “queer” means. Her answer? She couldn’t. That one moment stuck with me. Back when I was young, queer was an insult, plain and simple. Today, it’s worn as a badge of honor — even by people who can’t define it. So, what does it really mean … Read more