MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- When a Marine decides to get out of the Corps, they are gone but not forgotten. Whether their decision is based on retirement, medical or personal reasons, they are considered to be "once a Marine, always a Marine."
In many cases aboard station, not only are these Marines not forgotten, they are not even gone. This is because many Marines decide to stay on and work as part of the station's civilian Marine team.
There are a range of reasons why these warriors decide to stay a part of the "green machine," whether it be the camaraderie, professionalism, esprit de corps or just making an easy transition to the civilian world.
Alfred Schutt, who retired as a master sergeant after 23 years, recently joined the station's civilian Marine family as the enlisted mess hall manager.
"It's basically the same job I've been doing for years," said Schutt. "I still feel like I'm in the Marine Corps. Nothing has changed. I still have a good working relationship with all the Marines."
Schutt said getting a job that is centered around Marines has made his transition to the civilian world a lot simpler.
"This may be a stepping stone to getting involved in the civilian community, but I think it has been a good decision so far," said Schutt.
Another retired Marine who enjoys working alongside of his fellow "devil dogs" is Harold Dean, the station gymnasium's athletic director. Dean retired as a sergeant major after 30 years of service, and was involved in Marine operations in Vietnam and Lebanon.
He said his job aboard the station enables him to feel like he is still part of the Marine Corps Family.
"I'm part of the family," said Dean. "I wouldn't want to move anywhere else. I just love the Corps."
According to Dean, he enjoys the involvement he has with Marines.
"I feel like I give support," explained Dean. "Sometimes I have staff (non-commissioned officers) ask me, 'what should I do,' and I give them advice. But I tell them not to forget that the Marine Corps has changed a little since my day."
Dean said the Marine Corps has been his life for many years, and it's basically all he knows. He said he would do it all over again if he had to.
Another person who enjoyed his time in the Corps is Ken Polk, the director of installation security for the station.
"I thoroughly enjoyed it all the time I was in," said Polk.
Polk got out of the Marine Corps in 1994 as a sergeant. He served for eight years, but he said his family's interests and the Marine Corps' interests didn't completely coincide, so he had to choose family over corps.
But the conflict of interests didn't mean Polk wanted to leave the Corps completely, so he decided to stay on as a civilian security clerk.
"I guess, really, I wasn't ready to leave the Marine Corps, and so that was a good balance," explained Polk. "It kept me connected and yet I wasn't moving and being sent to other things that took me away from my family."
Polk said he had a definite attraction for taking a job in a Marine Corps environment and there are things he still enjoys.
"I just enjoy the esprit de corps -- the camaraderie that's within the Marine Corps family and the men and women in uniform," he said.
According to Polk, there are also negatives to getting out and joining the civilian world. There are things he misses about being enlisted.
"I still think I made the right decision, but there are times I do miss being in the Marine Corps," said Polk. "I miss the marching and the field stuff. I've never missed sitting behind my desk and doing work, but I have missed rappelling, shooting weapons and doing Marine things. As a (non-commissioned officer), the opportunity to go out and lead your Marines is absolutely awesome."
Polk said it is his love for the Corps that has made him a good station employee. He said although he is happy he became a civilian Marine after getting out of the Corps, it isn't for everyone.
"There are some Marines that shouldn't even be in the Marine Corps," said Polk. "For these Marines to get out and continue with that negative mentality is only counterproductive."
According to Polk, civilian Marines should hold themselves to the same high standards as those enlisted.
"Just because you take off your uniform doesn't mean you take off your pack," said Polk.
The Marine Corps' high standards and professionalism are what civilian employers on station are looking for as well.
John Mullen is the site operations manager for Sikorsky Support Services, Inc. The government-contracted company is responsible for maintaining aircraft for Marine Fighter Training Squadron-401.
Mullen said a high level of standards, proficiency and professionalism is required of his employees. Being a retired master sergeant himself, Mullen is no stranger to these ideals.
"We don't hire anyone off the street to do work on the aircraft," said Mullen. "Everyone turning wrenches on these planes has prior military experience."
Mullen said his employees work closely with Marines on a daily basis and, because of their prior military experience, are comfortable with the work load and regimen set before them.
"We work with the active reservists here, and they treat us pretty much the same as they treat each other," said Neil Tall, aircraft mechanic, Sikorsky Support Services, Inc.
Being treated like one of the Marines is something Tall accepts as a benefit of the job. Tall was formerly a sergeant with Marine Attack Squadron-214. He got out of the Marine Corps in 1998.
"I think partially what attracts me to the job is that I'm still in a military environment, and it's something I've grown accustomed to," said Tall. "I like knowing what to expect when I go to work."
Tall said he believes he has made the right decision by taking up a Marine Corps related job and settling down in Yuma.
"Not only do I like my job, but Yuma is the type of environment I want to raise my kids in," said Tall.
Tall said he would recommend that others who have or are planning to get out of the Marine Corps to stop and think about getting a job as a civilian Marine.
"I have already recommended the idea to three or four people I knew from (VMA-214), and they have actually stuck around," said Tall.
It doesn't take much asking around the station to see that more than just three or four Marines have decided to stay a part of the Corps. Whether it is because of the camaraderie, professionalism, esprit de corps or just making an easy transition to the civilian world, they are still a part of that "Once a Marine, always a Marine" family, and that makes them happy.