Corps Becomes a Marine

Marinelink ^

[usmcobra]

Navy corpsman becomes a Marine

Oct. 11, 2007; Submitted on: 10/11/2007 08:35:08 AM ; Story ID#: 200710118358

By Lance Cpl. Ubon Mendie, MCRD Parris Island

Pfc. Shawn Dickens, a new Marine, was a Navy corpsmen for about four years before deciding to join the Corps. Even throughout recruit training, Dickens was referred to as 'Doc' and aided his fellow platoon members with medical questions. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Ubon Mendie"

Pfc. Shawn Dickens, a new Marine shows a mural of what he calls the “Corpsmen Code.” The words read “through hell and back for a wounded Marine.” Words Dickens believes to this day.

MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (Oct. 11, 2007) -- "Through hell and back for a wounded Marine" are the words etched on Pfc. Shawn Dickens' stomach and embedded in his heart.

On his pale skin lays a mural of his life's true meaning, not given - but earned.

During training or war, he was there for Marines, nursing every wound either as the unit's doc, or just as a big brother.

Now ready to graduate recruit training, this private first class has a different story. For more than four of his last six years, he served in the Navy, and was embedded with the Fleet Marine Force. During his tenure, he lived as they did, looked like they did, but still was not one of them.

"All the guys that I served with were kids, but they didn't act like it," Dickens said. "Somewhere along the line, these high schoolers turned into these professional young men and woman, but as an outsider, you could never possibly understand what they could have been through to reach that point."

Through tough times and great smiles, Dickens learned to love the Marine Corps from the Navy ranks, but he wanted more.

At the age of 24, and the rank of E-4, Dickens decided to turn in his crow for a chance to earn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

"It wasn't a hard choice," Dickens said. "I knew I wanted to continue serving my country and what better way could I do it but with those I have grown to love and respect."

Dickens saw things that were very familiar after entering training. Not only did he know a lot of the training techniques, but he also was familiar with training sicknesses.

As second nature, those in the platoon adopted Dickens as the platoon corpsmen. They would consult Dickens before going to sick call and ask his opinion before they reported issues to their drill instructors.

"I had a heat rash," said Pfc. Michael Porilio, also a new Marine of Platoon 1086. "Doc, took care of it. We can trust him, and you know he cares."

Almost all the platoon can attest to him helping in one way or another.

"I had a bump on my knee and Doc looked at it for me. He told me it looked like cellulitis and circled it to watch it progress," said Pvt. Jonathan Flayntos.

Flayntos added that because of Docs recommendation to be seen, his knee was treated before it got worse.

Now fully on the green side, Dickens looks forward to learning more.

Dickens plans to stay in the Marine Corps until his retirement.

"My goal is to be the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, but I'll take first sergeant as well," he added with a laugh.

[usmcobra]

It has been said where do we get such men, apparently we even get them from the Navy even when they should know better.

I wish him luck and a Heartfelt Semper Fi to a future Sgt Major of the Marine Corps.

[usmcobra]

Ping

[river rat]

I must be old school, but I’ve never known a Corpsman assigned to field duty who wasn’t thought of as a Marine.

Nor should there ever be a Corpsman on Liberty with Marines who had to pay for ANYTHING out of his own pocket.....

Remind me sometime to describe the “21st birthday party” we financed for a virgin Corpsman while on Liberty.

[usmcobra]

I guess he decided to make it permanant.

[Mr. Jazzy]

God bless “Doc” as a Devil Dog and all the others FMF Corpsman who risk and lay down their lives for one of “THEIR MARINES!!!”

Good book here from a jungle doc.

http://www.thenamesnotonthewall.com/

Good read.

[AngrySpud]

I was a FMF Corpsman who also loved my Marines. My Navy assignments were hum-drum, my Marine tours were exhilarating. I was honored to go Marine regs. I’ve been retired for 11 years — when there’s an occasion to dress up I never pull out my Navy uniform, it’s ALWAYS the Marine Corps I want to be associated with. ALWAYS.

[freema]

OOOH RAHHH!

[chesty_puller]

I threw two Corpsmen on Medivac choppers in two months. I will never forget them.

[freema]

Turned my OOOH RAHHH right into an ooooh.

[stylin19a]

I must be old school, but I’ve never known a Corpsman assigned to field duty who wasn’t thought of as a Marine.

Roger That !

Semper Fi !

[SAMS]

Our Deputy Commander for Nurses (Army LTC) informed the other day, when he met my son, that before he became an Army nurse HE was a Navy corpsmen, and his best times were spent with the Marines!