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Chapter 36
Quantico Marine Base
Kay and I moved to Quantico a couple of weeks before I was scheduled to check in to my new assignment. We furnished our new quarters ( a townhouse ) and proceeded to get all of our utilities, etc. hooked up. I went by HQ, H&S Co. to let them know I was in the area and to learn where my new ‘office’ would be. I received my new promotion to Captain and put the new rank insignia on all my uniforms. The uniforms had been updated, retailored to fit after I had lost some weight over the past year. I knew from speaking with my Company Commander that I must appear in front of my new officer candidates in uniforms that were impeccable as I would be a role model for the new officers—a role I gladly embraced. Boots, shoes, belt buckles, etc. were shined to a high gloss—utility uniforms were starched along with my utility cover. The new candidates would see their new platoon commander as a squared away Marine who was fit and ready to lead them thru their twelve week ordeal.
I began a fitness program to get myself back in shape. I had about a month before the new officer candidates would check in. The combat zone was not a place you could find the time or the place to keep your body in top shape—so I
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