Summary of James M. Dixon's Things I'll Never forget

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 I was taken back to the first hot day in 1965 when I announced to my family that I had joined the Marine Corps. In 1965, the war in Viet Nam was growing bigger every day. The United States had a military draft and was pulling more and more guys into the Army. I didn’t want to go to college, get married, or work. I just wanted to figure out what life had in store for me.

#2 I was drafted in 1964, and I had four options: enroll in college, fail the physical, become a 4-D draft dodger, or join the Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard. I had run out of options. I was destined to go to Viet Nam.

#3 I was 18 when I enlisted in the Marine Corps. I was faced with the same choices as my friend Dave, who had enlisted in the Army. The Army paratroopers seemed to have the best training, and therefore the best chance of survival. I was color blind, which meant I couldn’t be a paratrooper.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jun 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822534643

IRB Media

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Book preview

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

I was taken back to the first hot day in 1965 when I announced to my family that I had joined the Marine Corps. In 1965, the war in Viet Nam was growing bigger every day. The United States had a military draft and was pulling more and more guys into the Army. I didn’t want to go to college, get married, or work. I just wanted to figure out what life had in store for me.

#2

I was drafted in 1964, and I had four options: enroll in college, fail the physical, become a 4-D draft dodger, or join the Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard. I had run out of options. I was destined to go to Viet Nam.

#3

I was 18 when I enlisted in the Marine Corps. I was faced with the same choices as my friend Dave, who had enlisted in the Army. The Army paratroopers seemed to have the best training, and therefore the best chance of survival. I was color blind, which meant I couldn’t be a paratrooper.

Insights from Chapter 2

#1

I was sworn in as a Marine Corps drill instructor in 1965. I was told not to bring anything with me, and that everything would be provided for me by the Marine Corps. I had to stand in a line with my belly button pressed up against the other guy’s rear end, as close as possible.

#2

At Parris Island, the drill instructors would shout at us to do various things, from drawing a naked man and woman, to writing a letter to our parents explaining why we were there.

#3

I was surprised at how lightweight the helmet was. I thought no way would this stop a bullet. I was assigned to the Corps of Engineers and sent to Parris Island for basic training.

Insights from Chapter 3

#1

I have never heard so much cursing in my life, not even on the football or wrestling teams or working alongside laborers. The drill instructors used language for intimidation and to berate us.

#2

The Marine Corps is part of the Department of Navy, and uses Naval terms. There are no bathrooms, and you don’t go to the bathroom. The bathroom is called a Head, and you make a head call.

#3

The military has its own language, and it is important to learn it if you want to be a part of the culture. The words and phrases you will need to know are pants, skivvies, chow, and chrome dome.

Insights from Chapter