MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Few Americans have as broad a perspective on the modern evolution of American warfare as Bob Culanag.
Culanag, a field administrator facilitating that evolution over the past 33 years, has seen it from the air, ground and sea. He has seen it develop from a Cold War ethos of mutual assured destruction to the current blueprint based on the three-block war. And he's seen it from the perspective of every service branch -- including a swan song tour with the Marine Corps here.
Soon, Culanag, 57, will have to see it from the outside looking in. He'll retire July 30, ending more than a generation of service to the Defense Department.
Culanag was born in the Philippines shortly after World War II. A Filipino Army brat, Culanag's family moved to the United States at age 3 when his father was recruited to work for the U.S. Army.
His military lifestyle continued for the next 54 years.
His final eight years were spent with the Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch here, where he amassed many awards, including a certificate of commendation from the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
"Through 33 years serving in peace and conflict . . . Bob didn't falter," Lt. Col. Michael Carter, the director of the AVTB, said during Culanag's retirement ceremony last week.
"It means a lot to give honor where honor is due," added Master Sgt. Marvin C. Crawford, maintenance chief at the AVTB. "In this case, a civilian Marine and a (military) Marine are no different."
Culanag began his military career in 1970 when he dropped out of college after two years and enlisted in the Army.
"I was in the ROTC program, so I knew what I was getting myself into," Culanag said, adding that too many in college weren't serious about getting an education.
After a 13-month tour in Vietnam, he finished college and received his commission in the Army National Guard. Thereafter, Culanag worked for each DoD branch, witnessing the changes in military warfare.
"In the beginning (of his government career), we were in a Cold War situation," Culanag said. "Since then, there has been a build up in our military strength."
After two years on active duty, Culanag went to work at the naval shipyard in Vallejo. He managed systems configuration on nuclear submarines.
Then, the Air Force came calling.
Culanag stayed in Northern California. He took a job at McClellan Air Force Base working on F-111, A-7 and A-10 aircraft. He worked with night-vision imaging systems and stealth systems.
Even now, he marvels at what the digital age has meant to modern warfare, especially in terms of survivability.
"The computer has helped out a lot, reducing human error," Culanag said. "We can fight a war without being close to danger."
In 1997, Culanag left the Air Force and the lofty field of aviation for more visceral work in Southern California -- making sure a primary element of Marine Corps ground-warfare keeps grinding forward.
"I didn't know I was going to work for the Marine Corps," Culanag said. "If there was a job opening at Camp Pendleton, I would take it."
He did -- and has been with the test branch ever since. His contributions include improvements in communication and vision enhancement for drivers.
Comparing the four service branches, Culanag says the Marine Corps is best about not letting the relentless tides of modernization sweep away its heritage.
"Tradition stays strong with the Marine Corps," Culanag said. "Some of the other services don't show their traditions, not to the level and standard of the Corps."
Although he's retiring, Culanag says he still has "working years in him." But he'll take more time out for his wife and three kids.
Meantime, memories and friendships cultivated over the past 33 years will stay with him, he said.
"It's a small organization here," he said. "It's doesn't take that much to get close to each other."