That’s my Commandant
In 1995 I was a Lance Corporal on my first deployment. We were on a “med float” aboard the U.S.S. Whidbey Island. The Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) at that time was General “Chuck” Krulak.
General Krulak began his career as a Rifle Platoon Commander in Vietnam. His father, General “Brute” Krulak”, had served in WWI, Korea, and Vietnam. Brute Krulak stood five foot, four inches tall. His son Chuck wasn’t much taller in physical stature, but both men were giants in the Marine Corps.
The Commandant and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SMMC) were coming to visit us on ship. Lewis Lee was the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps at this time. He too was a Vietnam veteran. When SgtMaj joined the Marine Corps supply was low on smiles. I met him a half dozen times in my career and he always had a scowl on his face, befitting a SgtMaj I presume. His stern demeanor stood in stark contrast to General Krulak’s beaming smile, but they were a good team.
As we stood in a school circle listening to the CMC and SMMC I had just over a year in the Marine Corps. I had the benefit of hitting the fleet and getting a full work up before deployment. Most of my peers and I had all been promoted to Lance Corporal just a few months before deployment. We had two PFC’s (Private First Class) in the company. They had recently joined us just before deployment. One of these was PFC Geisenheimer from Yonkers, New York. “Slimer” as he was often called stood almost as tall of the Commandant. He was a muscular, fearless, animated individual, and quite vocal. He’s the kind of guy I think of when I hear the phrase “bull in a china shop”. You couldn’t help but like him.
After the CMC and SMMC finished talking with us, they had a brief question and answer session. Then there were a few minutes where they graciously took pictures with several Marines. An aid whispered in the CMC’s ear while looking at his watch. We could hear the helo’s on the flight deck. The CMC and SMMC said goodbye turned to take their leave. As they were walking the ramp to the flight deck, suddenly Slimer bolted from the crowd and grabbed General Krulak by the back of the arm and spun him around. In his New York accent we heard “Sir, you didn’t get a chance to get ya’ picture wid me.” (Read that again….you…CMC…didn’t get a chance to get your picture with ME.) The grimace on SgtMaj Lee’s face was priceless. The Commandant looked down at Slimer, reading his nametape said “PFC…?” Slimer stood ramrod straight and said “Geisenheimer Sir!”
“PFC Geisenheimer. How long have you been in the Marine Corps son?” “Six months Sir!”. General Krulak smiled from ear to ear, put his arm around Slimer and said “Who’s got the camera?” After a quick snap from a disposable camera the CMC, SMMC, and entourage were whisked away. We began to disperse and carry out the plan of the day. An NCO took Slimer by the arm and escorted him away, presumably for push-ups and counseling saying “What were you thinking!?”
Geisenheimer, with a bold look of exasperation said “That’s my Commandant!..That’s my Commandant!”