Gene Castleberry (1970)
After I graduated in 1970 I moved to Oxen Hill, MD and worked for the FBI as a voucher examiner for a year. When I had been there for nearly a year, the drawing for the draft was coming up and it was my turn. The previous 2 years my number was high so I figured it would be low this year so I joined the Marine Corps to get into a nice air conditioned position (2542 - Comm Center Man). I worked in the main communications center that was located wherever the General was located. (By the way, my number was high again and I would have never been drafted; but, I enjoyed the military and I learned a lot while I was in there.) While in the military, I went to MCRD Parris Island, SC - boot camp; MCB Camp Lejeune, NC - infantry training; MCRD San Diego, CA - Comm Center School; MCB Camp Pendleton, CA - more training; Okinawa - for 4 months; Battalion Landing Team for 3rd BN 4th MAR, 3rd MARDIV where we were stationed on ships for 6 months in the waters of Vietnam so that we would go in if needed (thankfully we were not needed) - and during that 6 months we did make a stop or two for a few days at Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and the Philippines; after the BLT went back to Okinawa - for 2 months; MCRD Parris Island, SC - work in the Comm Center; and then my last duty station was MCLB Albany, GA where I received an Honorable/Medical compensable discharge in Dec 1975. From there I moved all over the USA. I stayed in Albany, GA and attended college for a little while. Met a girl and followed her to Denver, CO and then we went to Rosepine, LA where we got married in March 1977. We moved to Liberty, TX for a short period and then I got a job with IMCO as a mudman in the oil field. I checked the drilling fluids while the drilling rig drilled for oil. I went to school for that job in Houston, TX and first went to Wyoming after graduation; but, they transferred me to Ventura, CA as soon as I got to Wyoming. I was in Ventura for a year and was then transferred to Santa Maria, CA for a year and then transferred to Bakersfield, CA. After a year there, I requested a transfer to Cyril, OK to get nearer my relatives. I was there for about 10 to 12 months before I was laid off due to the bottom falling out of the oil field and numerous drilling rigs sat idle. My family and I (had 4 sons by that time) moved to DeRidder, LA to join my parents. We were there just a few months before we moved back to Albany, GA and I went to work as a Federal Civil Service employee at the MCLB Albany, GA. While with the government we have lived around Lynn, MA; Saint Marys, GA; Roswell, NM; Kingsland, GA; Orlando, FL; Atlanta, GA; and then back to Saint Marys, GA where we currently have resided for many, many years. I am now retired and have wanted to attend one of the class reunions; but, have never had a free moment where I was able to attend. Maybe I can now. One thing for sure is I am definitely tired of moving!!!
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