The year was 1966 and the United States was involved in a military conflict in Vietnam and unless you were in school, suffered a disability, worked for a certain company, or had a job vital to our country’s security, you were eligible for the draft.

I wasn’t just eligible for the draft; I was a poster child for what a draftee looks like. I was 19, I was in great physical shape, I was single, I had no particular skills to speak of, and to be honest, it turned out I wasn’t too bright.

After getting kicked out of school and having my scholarship terminated, within two weeks I received my Draft Notice.

The envelope I received was very official looking and when I opened it and took out the letter. Inside, it said,

“GREETINGS, From the President of the United States.”

So I did what every young red blooded American boy at the age of 19 did, I panicked.

Even though I screwed up and got myself kicked out of college, I couldn’t believe I had been drafted. Not me, at least not yet.

This book is about my journey from a civilian to becoming a Marine, and anyone who chooses to join the Marine Corps has to go through the same process, we all go to Boot Camp. No matter whether your journey takes you by way of Parris Island or MCRD San Diego, your first encounter once off the bus, passing through those coveted gates, has you standing on those Yellow Footprints.