MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- Master GySgt. Joe Maher brought knowledge, experience and the wisdom that only comes after many years of accumulating both to the Marine Corps.

His retirement Jan. 11 further dwindled the vanishing ranks of Vietnam veterans still serving on active duty.

His memories of the old days include not needing to cash a paycheck, nervously walking a perimeter in Vietnam and how the nation's lack of support for the war hurt troop morale.

In many ways, the Vietnam War was like World War II, Korea and other U.S. war efforts.  The biggest difference was in how veterans were received when they returned, he said.

"I've always said, we didn't see anything different than our fathers or grandfathers saw in World War II or Korea, the scarred veterans of Vietnam are because the United States didn't support us fully, not because of what happened in Vietnam," Maher said.


Influenced at a young age by his brother and father, who both joined the Marine Corps, he decided joining the Marines was the right thing to do.
Maher, retired January 11, and is one of the many fading active-duty Vietnam veterans.

"Back then, the Corps had a different mentality because America was involved in the Vietnam War," Maher said.

Maher enlisted in the delayed entry program May 14, 1964.  In January the next year, he began his long-lasting relationship with the Marine Corps.

"When I first came into the Corps, we were still getting paid by cash.  We had a petty officer, and he would count the money for us.   We stood in front of the petty officer, and said 'Reporting to petty officer as ordered sir.'  The petty officer would take a quick look at us and see if we needed a haircut.  If we needed a haircut, he told us not to come back until we got a haircut.  And we would say, 'sir, I don't have money to get a haircut.'  And they would say, do you want to get paid or not Marine?" Maher said.

"Back in the 60's, when the United States was involved in the Vietnam conflict, Marines had to be the best of the best," Maher said.

Vietnam was one the most difficult wars to fight, especially with the unfavorable sentiment at home, Maher said.

"Just being in Vietnam was scary enough," Maher said.

"I remember my first night in Vietnam.  I was 20 years old and put on perimeter watch.  I heard a large explosion in the distance and thought we were under attack.  At the time, I couldn't tell the difference between incoming or outgoing fire," Maher said. 

"Naturally, I started to dig a foxhole with the butt of my weapon, only to realize the fire was outgoing. 

"After being in Vietnam for two weeks, I heard fire along the perimeter and was trying to get a peek at what was going on.  I thought I got shot, but a corporal hit me with a rock and told me to get down.  I guess that shows the nerves after just two weeks in Vietnam," Maher said.

In Vietnam, some people excelled in becoming a leader and others just followed orders. 

Maher, a corporal then began showing his leadership qualities.

Maher recalled the time when he was promoted to corporal.  He made an unexpected visit to his squad to find out what they were doing.  His squad was fooling around, throwing dirt clods, and leaving their weapons unattened.

"I called the senior lance corporal over to see what the hell was going on.  He said, 'Joe, I thought we were friends?'  I looked at him hard and said, 'So did I?'  I expect more of my friends, not less of them," Maher said.

After two tours in Vietnam, Maher decided to get out of the Marines as a sergeant.  Five years later, he re-enlisted into the Corps as a private first class. 

"It was a humbling experience for me coming back as a 30-year-old PFC. I'll always remember where I came from, and I think that enhanced my career," Maher said.
This time Vietnam was over, America was in a time of peace and Maher had a chance to travel all over the world.

During Maher's last deployment, he recalls getting in an argument with an officer.  The officer said, 'your days of the Corps are over with, this is the new Corps.'

Maher's response was, "I sure hope you're right sir, because one day we're going to forget about the soldier who sits on a hill, with his rifle, and says this land is ours."

Technology can only take us so far in war, it's the soldiers that will make the difference, Maher said.

Maher with all of his time in the Corps, got to experience the time when Marines needed to rely on each other and not technology.

"The best compliment I've ever received, is the Marines who have worked for me said they want to work for me again," Maher said.
It always feels good to influence junior Marines to strive to be the very best, Maher said.

"I recall one junior Marine, who was in a lot of trouble, and was about to be thrown out of the Marine Corps.  I thought he could be saved, and the commanding officer agreed.  Today, that Marine is a master sergeant," Maher said.
Maher still helps his junior Marines by giving classes on drug and alcohol abuse at the professional military academies here and volunteering at the hospital.
Maher is one Marine who can still share his wisdom with anyone.

"I have no fears about retiring from the Marine Corps, however being a Marine is the only thing I've ever wanted to be," Maher said.