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Eyes Left
The Marine behind the desk was not amused when my husband went to check into his new duty station for his training after boot camp and was followed by me.
“Who is that?”
“My wife, sir!”
“If the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wife we would have issued you one.” What?
My mouth dropped open. I couldn’t say a word.
Now we had driven down from New Jersey to North Carolina and it wasn’t like I could just go home. We had all of our worldly goods with us.
“What did you plan to do with her?”
“Sir, we have money saved and we were going to get someplace in town.”
We were already married when he joined the Marines. This situation was a little different than the Marines who graduated from boot camp and got married on leave and came back with wives.
Eventually things calmed down and after some discussion it was decided that he could live off base, but had to be on base early in the morning and then stay til they were done. We found a nice trailer park and every morning I drove him in and picked him up.
I also made him lunch and took it on base for him every day. I found the parking lot where he could find me and sat in my car with the door open and sat sideways in the seat with my legs out and on the ground while I waited that first day. I was nervous and then I could hear a group coming as they were marching with a Marine Corps Cadence. It was fascinating to watch them marching in unison and repeating the cadence their leader was shouting.
What I wasn’t ready for was as they came abreast of my car the leader shouted, “eyes left!” They all turned to look straight at me.
Now I was 20 years old and weighed less than 100 lbs. I was a tiny little thing with a big chest and all I was wearing was short shorts and a halter top. Very disconcerting having all those eyes fastened on me.
I eventually got used to it happening and provided visual entertainment for the troops every day.
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Tessa
What a great telling of such a unique moment in your life – and what an uncomfortable position to be left in! Thanks very much for sharing it.
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Thank you Thomas. It was a strange and uncomfortable time in my life but it was many years ago now and just a fond memory.
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I admire your courage going back regularly. I would never have lasted after the first day! Lyssa M x
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Thank you! The first day was the hardest. It didn’t shock me after that and I was doing my part for the entertaining of the troops. 🙂
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It’s a wonder the marines could concentrate 🙂 Nice piece
Ally
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Thank you Ally! It is funny now. I was my own USO! 🙂
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Haha, I would’ve been so uncomfortable, I would’ve searched for a nun’s habit to wear (and I’m not Catholic!) Glad you were able to take it in stride.
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Until I had my first baby and put on weight I had no problem showing my body in tiny bikini’s and short shorts with a halter or crop top. Now I gained a lot of weight and cover myself up. I am also in my late 50’s. Big difference. It had to do with self-esteem as well. It boosted my self-esteem to have men take a second look. As I grew older I realized that sexy was a state of mind and I could still turn a man’s head completely covered. Plus I am a terrible flirt. I can’t seem to help myself. 🙂
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