How long can someone serve in the military?
Let me introduce U.S.M.C. Colonel Howard Lovingood (ret).
During the middle of the Korean War weighing 120 lbs. he enlisted in the Marines in 1952, at the age of 16. His drill instructor found out he was underage in boot camp and threatened to shoot him. This is a story he loves to tell.
He fought in Korea, having served under Chesty Puller.
He fought in Vietnam.
After attaining the rank of Gunnery Sergeant, he was given I&I orders to Washington D.C. For most Marines, that would be considered a prestigious assignment.
As legend goes, the good Gunnery Sergeant was there for three weeks when he said, “This is stupid. My unit needs me.”
He then went UA – Unauthorized Absence – and took MAC flights back to Vietnam. (At that time, no one was going to question a GySgt. claiming to have lost his orders going to Vietnam.)
He transitioned to another unit in Vietnam when his rotated back to the U.S.
Months went by before the I&I staff in D.C. discovered where he was.
By that time, he was a Master Sergeant.
With nearly 20 years in service at the age of 35, and a legitimate war hero, the Marine Corps command sentenced him to the worst punishment they could imagine. They promoted him to Second Lieutenant.
He was now in his mid-40’s with butter on his collars.
He returned to Vietnam as an officer.
He fought to keep Staff Sergeant Carlos Hathcock in the Marines after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis then made sure White Feather made Gunnery Sergeant.
He continued to serve through the 80’s and then the 90’s.
In early 1997, he had the watch pound on his hatch at 0430 and yell at the top of his lungs, “Wake up, Sir! There’s a war to be fought!” (And woe be to the Lance Corporal who failed to follow those simple instructions.)
He gave up collecting his social security so that he could remain on active duty. (At the time – and might still be the case today – one could not collect social security and active duty pay at the same time.)
In 1997, after 45 years of service, Colonel Howard Lovingood retired.
He continued his service to country long after retirement and received 2 Legion of Merit awards for his contribution to the community.
He served longer than twice the time of most lifers.
How long can someone serve in the military, “it depends.”
If you are an absolute bad ass, then at least 45 years.
Col. Lovingood now spends his time living in N. Carolina.
His unit still needs him.
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