Long story short...I tried to enlist in the Corps around 2008, wanted to go infantry/Recon...I always wanted to be a Marine when I was a kid, but life took me in other directions. Anyway, I had a failed restaurant venture in 07 (ran out of money before opening for business) and decided I'd enlist to get a fresh start and avoid regretting never having served. When I approached the recruiter I found out I'd passed the age limit for enlistment, but he assured me he could get me a waiver based on my life and leadership experience. So I started training hard, first time doing legit exercise in my life lol. Got in shape well enough to do all the basic test requirements, but by the time I was ready to sign papers the economic collapse of 08 happened, and so many younger more qualified guys were enlisting there was no was they'd give me a waiver. I even had Jim DeMint petition the Pentagon directly, but the Dept of the Navy sent me a polite letter saying they had no room in the inn lol. Oh well, a sick wife and aging parents needed me more I guess. Still will always regret not having served. But I'm not sorry to have not had to have carried all that gear lol
