PRESERVING A MILITARY LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
The following Reflections represents GYSGT Wesley Heckman’s legacy of his military service from 1983 to 2003. If you are a Veteran, consider preserving a record of your own military service, including your memories and photographs, on Togetherweserved.com (TWS), the leading archive of living military history. The following Service Reflections is an easy-to-complete self-interview, located on your TWS Military Service Page, which enables you to remember key people and events from your military service and the impact they made on your life. Start recording your own Military Memories HERE.
Please describe who or what influenced your decision to join the Marine Corps.
My father was the biggest influence on me to join. Although he never once said anything to me about joining the Marine Corps, he never went to the recruiter with me. The only statement he made to me was…
- “Boy, if you want your driver’s license at 16, you need to get a job, buy a car, and insurance. Then you can get your license.”
- ” When you turn 18, you are going to have to get out of MY house or pay rent” That was his philosophy. I bought a 1965 Malibu from our next-door neighbor for $500.00; my mother was the bank, payments were established, and at 18, I was in the Corps.
I was born at Camp LeJeune. My brother at Portsmouth, Va, and my sister at New Port, RI. When my father went to Viet Nam we lived near my Grandparents in Pittsburgh, PA. When he returned, he got I&I duty in Providence, RI, and we lived at Quonset Point, RI. When he had to spend the night as Staff Duty NCO, he would often take me along to hang with him, which was really great during Xmas, you know, Toys For Tots. Back then, you donated any toy, used or new. So the corner of the Shop was filled with toys, and I tested them before they were distributed.
I remember riding with him in a 5-ton, taking Marines to the airstrip. Later in my career, I asked him about those rides. We were hauling Marines to begin deployment to Viet Nam. From there, we moved to Parris Island, and for the next six years, it was boot Camp. It was a different time there as well. We saw a lot of training and got to do a lot. Once or twice I ran obstacles on the Confidence Course or climbed the O course rope to prove to young recruits “a child can do it.” I loved it. So without a word from my father, he showed me his love of the Corps, which I chose as well. Our favorite movies to watch together were John Wayne in the Sand of Iwo Jima, The Great Santini, and The Boys in Company C.
Whether you were in the service for several years or as a career, please describe the direction or path you took. What was your reason for leaving?
Twenty years, I was Motor Transport; I know just a truck driver, but if you ever called me that, you would get an ear full from me, and your rank did not matter. I was an Operator, your grandma drives! Say what you will, but during my time, if you played your cards, right Motor T was the best MOS you could be in. Sure a lot of times, it was the biggest working party supplier on base, but if you were smart and made sure you were qualified. You could take advantage. Most Motor T “drivers did not want a bus license.” They did not want to get the extra duty. I was smart; I had the license, so when the working parties came up, I operated the bus that took everyone else to work! Seriously though… I was a Tractor Trailer Operator; I hauled for everyone, supply, Grunts, Cooks, and Pilots (yep, I’ve hauled a helicopter from Kin Blue to Futenma.) I hauled everyone. And the best part is I got to experience their jobs as well; I would always say can I do that, or can I help. Most of the time, the Marines I hauled for would say sure. With 9th Engineers Recon Plt, I got to jump out of a helo in the bay and swim to shore with full gear, hauling M60 tanks; they let me drive one, same with amtracs. Damn, Pilots never let me fly, though, but hell, they crashed their ride. (haha) I did get to fly with them a bit.
Growing up at Parris Island was a sticking point for me. We lived there for six years. My father’s brother was a brick mason in Pittsburgh. Because of Union stuff, he couldn’t get the work he wanted. Parris Island was building; Dad told him to come down. So he lived with us for a while. My Uncle would take me to work on weekends or during the summer. I mixed mortar, carried brick, and laid a couple. I can say I helped build the 2nd Battalion, 4th Battalion, and several manholes on Parris Island.
My father was with A Company 1st BN; He marched the first recruits through the Barracks that are still there now. So it was inevitable that I return home. In July 1992, I attended DI School class 4-92. On graduation day, my father presented me with the cover he wore. I wore that very cover for every Platoon I picked up on pickup day. I was C Company 1st Bn. The very same Barracks my father was “Plank owner in.” In 1993 my Company was the last to graduate a platoon on the Parade Deck. They ripped her up; it was time to put in the new parade deck, the one you see today. And when we finally finished, we got to be the first Company to graduate on the new Deck. A couple of days before the graduation, while doing grad practice, the contractors asked us, the Company, to line up in front of the stands. They used our Company to set and mark the yellow line on the parade deck that they still use to march down in front of the stands today. Just this last October 2022, My Nephew Roger Heckman, named after my father, just graduated A Co. 1st Bn.
If you participated in any military operations, including combat, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, please describe those which made a lasting impact on you and, if life-changing, in what way?
Operations:
BSSG-4 Cold weather training.
Operation Freedom Banner Korea March 84
CSSD-35 Korea rolled over from Freedom Banner
Iwo Jima Support operation 40th anniversary Feb 1985 1st greatest operation ever
Northern Wedding Bold Guard – Norway / Germany NATO training 1986
CSSD-32 Camp Fuji Japan, go climbing and sleep on Mt Fuji. July 89
BSSG-4 II MEF USS Trenton Aug 1990 to Apr 91 Persian Gulf War.
BSSG-4 Sized 2 Iraqi ships Jan 91
BSSG-4 Operation Easter Exit. NEO (Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation) Mogadishu Somalia Evacuated 14 Embassy
Iwo Jima SNCOIC Motor T det support of the 50th Anniversary “Reunion of Honor” Feb 1995. Meet great men and fired our Commandant.
Did you encounter any situation during your military service when you believed there was a possibility you might not survive? If so, please describe what happened and what was the outcome.
I thought all the operations I deployed on were very dangerous, and we did some sketchy stuff; of course, going to the Gulf and Operation Eastern Exit was high on that list of dangers. Many times I saw the proverbial life flash before my eyes. But I made it and am much wiser for it.
Of all your duty stations or assignments, which one do you have fondest memories of and why? Which was your least favorite?
Most Favorite the Honor of all of it.
My Least Favorite is mess duty!
From your entire military service, describe any memories you still reflect back on to this day.
Very hard question. Every day I look back at everything I did.
Two trips to Iwo Jima for the 40th and 50th anniversary, firing the Commandant on Iwo Jima at the 50th. I fired the Commandant of the Marine Corps! I was patrolling in my Humvee; as I was coming to the bottom of Mt Suribachi, there was a massive traffic jam, and who was out directing traffic? The Commandant! I jumped out, ran up to him, and said, “Sir, you’re fired. I got this”. He said thanks got in his vehicle and drove on. As his vehicle passed me, his driver reached out and gave me his COIN.
The Drill Field. For years I have run into former recruits and have two on Facebook as friends.
The Gulf War and Operation Eastern Exit.
What professional achievements are you most proud of from your military career?
Everything I did was an achievement; I graduated highest in my boot camp Platoon Meritorious PFC, Number one in Motor T School Meritorious L/Cpl, and Meritorious Cpl. I was in the top ten and the only Sgt Squad leader in DI School. Number 2 In MCISW school (by .002 points), I always strive to be the best that I could be. But being a Drill Instructor / Marine Combat Water Survival Instructor has to top it all, then begin a Platoon Commander Instructor at Marine Combat Training Bn School Of Infantry has to be a close second, and Motor T School in 3rd. Teaching everything I knew or could know to Marines is my proudest.
Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations and qualification badges you received, or other memorabilia, which one is the most meaningful to you and why?
When leaving Okinawa in Dec of 95, my Lt and I got one of our Sgts a Navy Achievement before he left. Lt wrote it up, it was approved, and that was that. I was leaving soon as well. My Lt told me he was putting me in for the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation. This Lt came to me right out of school, he leaned on me heavenly for guidance, and occasionally the SgtMaj depended on me to square the Lt away (you know what I mean). I told him several times it he was wasting his time. SSgts did not get Commendation medals short of Combat. But he wrote it up anyway, giving me copies of the summary action. Our Battalion had just changed to rule for awards, and so unlike our Sgt, who was able just to get his award, they now have an awards panel at the Battalion level where they vote on who got what. It turns out our 1st Sgt got the only Navy-Marine Com for begin there three years, and mine was downgraded to a Navy Achievement. That very day I was in front of Battalion, actually climbing in my cab to go to Naha Airport, when my Lt caught me and told me the bad news. He was pissed. I told him, “Sir, I told you this would happen.” Three months later, while at the School of Infantry, I had just returned from the field and received a package. It was a Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal. And believe it or not, the Lt called right after I opened it. He asked if I got it. I asked, “Sir, what the F#@^%, how did that happen? He had done such a good job that when the summary of action reached the General of 3rd FSSG, the General returned it and said this is an N/M Com. Touch it up and send it back to me.
Which individual(s) from your time in the military stand out as having the most positive impact on you and why?
Everyone I served with made an impact. I always say you can learn something from anyone, even if you think they are the dumbest person you ever met; they can teach you something, even if it is what or what not to do!
List the names of old friends you served with, at which locations, and recount what you remember most about them. Indicate those you are already in touch with and those you would like to make contact with.
A lot of Marines would get orders together, therefore, be stationed together for years; I was in 10 different units, and in 9 Operations, I went to every unit by myself and left by myself. I met many people, but unfortunately, I was never there long enough to form a tight bond with anyone. Forty years later, I have only found two on Facebook.
One who stands out the most to me was Cpl Rob Channell. I had just got my first Platoon as the Heavy, then Cpl Rob Channell, also an MT guy, joined that Platoon right out of DI Schl. One night he came to me and said he thought the recruits were laughing at him and not taking him seriously. As a child, Rod experienced a shaving cream can explode in a fire. It scarred his face very badly. Rob thought that maybe why. I told him that definitely was not it. The recruits thought he was in the Gulf, and a hand grenade went off nearby. Rob did not go to the Gulf, but we never told the recruits that. We talked more after lights were out. As he left, I caught a recruit writing a letter under the covers. Of course, he paid for it, but I read the letter to Rob. It basically said they hated this one DI who would whisper in their ears while I was giving orders. He would tell them that they would not make it, they were going to drop, and it only gets harder. This boosted Rob’s ego at just the right time. Later we met again in Okinawa. When I finally got to Motor T school, Rob picked up SSgt and was in one of my Advanced Motor T Ops classes. Then later, Rob Made Warrant Officer and was again in one of my Officer’s Classes. I retired, and shortly after, I saw in the News Rob had been killed in Iraq by a grenade. I will never forget Rob; we had good talks.
Can you recount a particular incident from your service which may or may not have been funny at the time but still makes you laugh?
I guess I have this thing with Commandants and Generals.
The first time I was escorting a prisoner, I had my Chaser Card and picked him up from the brig on Hanson to take him to Camp Foster to get some things done. While there, we had to stop at the chow hall. We were on one side of the chow hall, and PX Kelly, the Commandant, was on the other giving a brief to Officer. The scullery on the side we were on was the NCO scullery. I was an NCO, but the egg heads in the scullery were not having a PVT come through there. After a bit of discussion, common sense did not work. I realized they we not going to let me through with him. so I proceeded to the other side, which meant I had to cross the back of Commandants brief. There was a group of officers standing against the wall in the passageway; it was standing room only at the brief. I was sneaking by as invisible as I could be when one of the officers at the wall reached out, slapped my prisoner on the back, and asked how he was doing; he was the Brig Commander. This made the Commandant stop talking. I got out of there as fast as I could!
The second time; Was when I fired the Commandant of the Marine Corps on Iwo Jima at the base of Mt Suribachi. Yep, IWO JIMA, the 50th anniversary Reunion of Honor, I was the SNCOIC for the MT detachment. While there, I got an opportunity I guess most Marines don’t get. I fired the Commandant of the Marine Corps! I was patrolling in my Hummvee; as I was coming to the bottom of Mt Suribachi, there was a massive traffic jam, and who was out directing traffic? The Commandant! I jumped out, ran up to him, and said, “Sir, you’re fired. I got this”. He said thanks got in his vehicle and drove on. As his vehicle passed me, his driver reached out and gave me his COIN.
3rd time, IG inspection Parris Island. In my First Platoon as a heavy, our brand new Commanding General chose our Platoon to watch the Pickup. In the end, after the Senior Drill Instructor unleashed us (it was very toned down, you know, cause), I walked through the line of recruits, not knowing that one was still lost and running around behind the line; as I stepped through the recruit walked right into me. I yelled to get out of my way, and somehow the recruit ended up laid out across the foot lockers. Our Captains pucker factor went through the roof, but all was well. Later this same CG was performing our IG inspection, for which I was selected for the Alpha inspection. You know the deal, the General walks through, asks General questions, and moves on. The Sgt Major follows and asks the hard questions. Now every Sgt Major I have had always taught me to take care of my officers, to Dress them if you have to. Well, I noticed when the General was in front of me all the stars on his ribbons, and there were a few, were upside down. I got an outstanding on the inspection. The General… well, you know those pictures posted all over the base, the ones of the General and Sgt Major? Yeah, those got taken down by the end of the day and replaced a week later.
A good one, too, was the LCAC stuck in the Sands Of Iwo Jima; it pushed up so much sand all around it could not get back over it; I finally had to send a Dozer over to push the wall done so it could get back to water.
What profession did you follow after your military service, and what are you doing now? If you are currently serving, what is your present occupational specialty?
I went into Law Enforcement; I became a Deputy Sheriff In Craven County, NC. I served several years as a patrol Deputy and an SRT Team member (Special Response Team). For a number of years were the Shield man (First in the door), then later a team sniper. I became an investigator and worked in the Crime LAB as a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI). I attended Computer Forensic school while in the LAB. I picked up Sgt and became the Sex Offender Register for the County until I retired. Of course, I ran the Honor Guard too.
What military associations are you a member of, if any? What specific benefits do you derive from your memberships?
Just this site. TWS
In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your life and your career? What do you miss most about your time in the service?
Discipline, attention to detail…I could go on, or you could just go to boot camp. Let us not forget survival.
Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to those who have recently joined the Marine Corps?
Keep your head up and charge forward. Learn all you can, and teach all you learn. The times you think your life sucks is the only time you will brag about later.
In what ways has togetherweserved.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with.
TWS makes you remember by putting it down in writing. Hell, in a few days from now, it will be 4/26/2023, 40 years since I graduated boot camp. Twenty years since retiring, This has really brought back memories.
PRESERVE YOUR OWN SERVICE MEMORIES!
Boot Camp, Units, Combat Operations
Join Togetherweserved.com to Create a Legacy of Your Service
U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard
SHARE:
Thank you for being my DI at Parris. You changed my life forever for the good and I never looked back. I may have not been the hardest charger, but I was in a bad place before boot camp and it was because of you that I turned out and am a successful teacher. Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, platoon 1121