John Krill. Photo believed to have been taken in 1967.

Getting There

by John Krill

Joining the Marines on June, 1965, in Los Angeles, I felt certain I would be going further west after boot camp — to Vietnam. That didn't happen. I was sent instead to Cherry Point, North Carolina. I had no idea where Cherry Point was and wasn't all that sure about the location of North Carolina either. Turned out the airlines didn't know where Cherry Point was either.

The Marines did one thing right though — they decided I was a photographer.

In boot camp during the day of written tests I listed photography as one of my abilities. I was given a 12 question oral test and passed answering 10 questions correctly.

When asked by the Marine giving the test why I didn't know the answers to the other two questions I replied, "If I knew all the answers I wouldn't be here now."

So from the second week of boot camp I knew I was going to be a photographer. The Marine Corp couldn't have been kinder. Without even asking I was given the job I most desired. Combat Photographer, MOS 4631.

Diploma John received form the Navy Photographic School.	John's ID identifying him as an offical Marine Corp photographer.

That first year at Cherry Point I learned photography from the darkroom to the change-of-command ceremony.

I also spent 12 weeks at the Navy Photographic School. The school was started during World War Two by Edward Steichen. Unfortunely soon after John graduated from the school it was shutdown in favor of an all-service school at Fort Monmouth, NJ.

By June, 1966 I thought I was ready for Vietnam. Still didn't go.

I didn't get to Vietnam until December, 1968. Half the blame for getting to Vietnam so late is mine and half belongs to the Marines.

My mistake was not pressing the Marine Corps hard enough and loud enough about my desire to get to Vietnam.

Also the Information Office at Cherry Point was telling those in higher command that I, John Krill, was vital to the operation of the Information Office. What they did was deflect any orders that I could have received for Vietnam. Again — they claimed I was neccessary for the efficient operation of the Information Office.

They also demoted me from Lance-Corproal to Private-First-Class and never again put me up for promotion.

I have a series of vignettes of life at the ISO office at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. This was a wacky place when I worked there. The Marine Corps just didn't understand the importance of public relations at this time. They had the habit of dumping short timers and rejects at the ISO. What saved the ISO was the enlisted Marines who did the grunt work.

It wasn't until after I was transferred to the base photo-lab that I found out what the Information Office was doing to block any transfer. I was bitter about this then and still am after more than 35 years.

Six months after being transferred to the base photo-lab I was on my way to Vietnam and as a Lance-Corporal. Almost. I first had to spend 6 months in Iwakuni, Japan. Interesting but not Vietnam.

Finally on December 22, 1968 I arrived at the Da Nang airport via an American Airlines charter to begin the biggest adventure of my life.

For a short history of FLC travel over to this site.

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