[WWW] [RETRO] Randy Orton 5.6.03 column

http://www.randyorton.com/commentary/may2.shtml

COMMENTARY

5/5/03

I was reading the fan forum (yes I actually do read what you guys say
:), and I saw this question : "So whats the scoop on Randy and the
Marine Corps?". Since there has been so little to talk about lately
with my lovely injuries and all, I thought this question would make
for a potentially interesting commentary.

I signed up for the Marines in 11th grade, and was in something called
the delayed entry program. I went to boot camp in July of 98, and
graduated in the first week of Oct. I got a meritorious promotion, and
was a PFC upon graduation, as well as a squad leader. ( every platoon
has 4 squad leaders, they are in charge of there squad more or less)
My MOS (job) was rifleman, or just basically plain old infantry. My
recruiter, who all of us "recruits" admired a great deal (probably
because he bought us beer on the weekends) told me that I would
basically be learning about weapons all day, and have plenty of time
to hit the gym. My whole plan was to get out of the Marines in 4
years, then start my wrestling career. Anyway, after boot camp I went
to SOI (school of infantry) Here we fired the big weapons, learned how
to set up ambushes, and all kinds of field tactics. My favorite weapon
was the 40mm grenade launcher that you could attach to your M16. Lots
of fun firing them. Up till this point my experience in the Corps
wasn't bad at all. I had met lots of people from all over, and learned
to discipline myself in whatever I did. I could dismantle my M16 and
reassemble it in less then a minute and a half. I could show you how
to set up a clay-more mine. Basically I learned a lot of useless
stuff. I should have been learning how to apply an armbar, give
hiptosses, armdrags, backdrops, and body slams. I would have never
thought it, but 2 years after I was learning to be a soldier, I was
wrestling Billy Gunn on international HEAT. Anyway, once SOI was over,
all of us soldiers got our first Orders. I was to report to Camp Horno
(not a misspelling, I swear). This is where it got interesting.
Basically it was boot camp all over again, but worse. I was by far the
biggest guy in the Platoon, so i was assigned the 50 cal. (a heavy
freaking gun). We would go on 25 mile "humps" or hikes. But you had to
carry your weapon, your pack, water and food while wearing flak
jackets and our caviler helmets. We would go as a platoon to the field
to do different operations that would usually last a week or so. Once
we stayed out in the field for 28 days. It was simply awful.

All of a sudden I realized that all those days in the gym and fun
south of the border that my recruiter told me about was a bunch of BS
(I did of course get fairly acquainted with the lovely little city of
Tijuana) All of the things that were doing were for a definite
purpose, don't get me wrong, but I finally came to the conclusion that
I didn't need to be in the military. It was Valentines Day weekend,
1999. I got on a grey hound bus in Oceanside, CA, and took it to St.
Louis.(I don't recommend travel by grey hound bus by the way) I simply
stayed home for 82 days. Just left. After 30 days you are a Deserter,
and you are basically dropped from the platoon. I returned the first
week in May, and assumed that it would be weeks before I got to go
home for good. Well my 1st Sgt. felt I should give it another try, and
wouldn't recommend me for a discharge. He told me I would pick up in
training the following day. Well, the following day came and Randy
decided to sleep in. I refused to go PT with the platoon, and after a
long talk with the Battalion Commander, I was to receive a special
court martial for being a deserter and disobeying a direct order.
Well, what I thought might take a few weeks, was about to take 5
months. I didn't even meet my lawyer for 2 months. I had my court
martial on I think July 22nd. I was sentenced to 45 days in the Brig,
forfiture of pay, and a Bad Conduct Discharge. They took me straight
from my court martial to the Camp Pendelton Base Brig. I wont go into
detail about my experience there, but there was a lot of heavy work
detail and the time just went by slow as hell. I got out Aug. 28th of
99, and it was several weeks before I made it home for good. I was
actually supposed to go home sooner, but on 9/9/99 I got bit by a
rattlesnake while at supply returning my issued gear. That extended my
stay another week. What luck, not to mention the odd date that it
happened on.

I was home about 1 month before WWF came to St. Louis for a house
show, and I went backstage with my father. I met with Tony Garea and
Jack Lanza. Then 2 months later they called me and set up a date to
fly me to Stanford for a try-out with Dr. Tom. From there I got
signed, moved to Louisville Ky to attend OVW, and started my new
career as a Pro Wrestler. It was such a spectacular turn of events in
my life. I must say I owe a great amount of my opportunity to my
father. He definitely is the reason I got involved in this biz. Now
that I'm on the verge of returning to the ring after my injury, I
count my blessings, remember how I got here, and who helped me along
the way.

-Randy O