Tony Storey

Segment Synopsis: Storey talks about what his childhood was like growing up as an "intemperate youth" in Canal Winchester. His father and uncles were in the Marine Corps and he felt the surest way to gain their respect was to join the Marines.

Keywords: Canal Winchester (Ohio); Small cities; United States. Marine Corps

Subjects: Childhood; Choice to Enlist; Family; Military Tradition

Segment Synopsis: Storey was part of the delayed entry program and was enlisted 18 days after his high school graduation. The recruiter told him that his ASVAB score were good enough for most jobs, but not all; that was okay because Storey was determined to go Infantry.

Keywords: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery; Columbus (Ohio); Infantry; Recruiting and enlistment; United States--Armed Forces--Occupational specialties

Subjects: Enlistment; Occupational Specialty

Segment Synopsis: Storey speaks of his experiences at basic training where he gained a sense of independence. His relationship with his father changed dramatically as he proved himself. He graduated from Parris Island September 21, 1989, a day early because of Hurricane Hugo.

Keywords: Basic training (Military education); Commencement ceremonies; Full metal jacket (Motion picture); Hurricane Hugo, 1989; Parris Island (S.C. : Recruit depot); Parris Island (S.C.)

Subjects: Boot Camp

Segment Synopsis: Storey explains his experiences during Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger and Infantry Training at Camp Lejeune. He describes his MCT, at the time, as a practice in futility, and his Infantry Training as being comprised entirely of negative reinforcement and the need to prove yourself. He describes the dichotomy between the desire for physical comfort and the ability to prove himself. He also discusses his first Thanksgiving away from home and missing his family.

Keywords: Camp Lejeune (N.C.); Jacksonville (Fla.); Marching; Occupational training, Military; Thanksgiving; United Service Organizations (U.S.)

Subjects: Advanced Training; Marine Combat Training; School of Infantry at Camp Geiger

Segment Synopsis: Storey describes learning about the 9/11 terrorist attacks and learning that he was going to be deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of Desert Storm. His mission was to be part of the ground assault as a radioman carrying the PRC-77 portable transceiver. He talks about a scary moment out in the oil fields, what they did for recreation and the Infantry Leader Program.

Keywords: Combat; Eskan Village (Saudi Arabia); Iraq; Kuwait; Persian Gulf War, 1991.; Radio--Transmitter-receivers; Riyadh (Saudi Arabia); Saudi Arabia; Scud missile

Subjects: Combat in the Oil Fields; Desert Storm; Infantry Leader Program; Recreation

Segment Synopsis: Storey talks about learning of the eventual deployment to Somalia on Thanksgiving Day 1992. He deploys to Somalia as part of Operation Gothic Serpent as a squad leader where he and his men witness the horrors of war and famine. He discusses his role as squad leader and the additional responsibilities including the concern for his division's lack of modern equipment compared to others.

Keywords: Baledogle Airfield; HueyCobra (Helicopter); Iraq; Kuwait; Mogadishu; Oman; Operation Gothic Serpent, 1993; Persian Gulf; Somalia; United States. Embassy (Somalia)

Subjects: Operation Gothic Serpent; Responsibilities of a Squad Leader; Working in Somalia

Segment Synopsis: Storey describes arriving in Baidoa on December 16 where he slept in flooded foxhole next to a graveyard. One of his men was inadvertently killed with grape-drink. Storey and his men provide food distribution services for the residence of Baidoa. He discusses the suffering he saw and his Christmas meal.

Keywords: Baidoa (Somalia); Black humor; Combat; Humanitarian assistance; Military hygiene

Subjects: Baidoa; Food Distribution; Kids and Marines

Keywords: Christmas; Combat zone; Communications; Guilt; Home; Homesickness

Subjects: Storey describes what was going on back home. His experiences change the perception of what is important. He explains how he kept his squad calm and the guilt of soldiers. Leaving Somalia in February of 1993 Storey felt futility with the roles and support they provided.

Segment Synopsis: Storey leaves Somalia to decompress in Jebel Ali where finding alcohol during Ramadan is difficult. Storey talks of a friend who took a Lotus Esprit for a joyride.

Keywords: Alcohol; Automobile theft; Hawaii; Jebel Ali (Dubai, United Arab Emirates); Marine Corps Base Hawaii; Ramadan; Thailand

Subjects: Decompressing

Segment Synopsis: In May of 1993 Storey returns home to his new wife and family. He discusses his trouble adjusting to civilian life, his reasons for not reenlisting, and the public perception that people who went into the military didn't have other options. His first step was to find a job, but he ends up working for a book warehouse where even they undervalued them.

Keywords: Home; Marriage; Recruiting and enlistment; Vocational qualifications

Subjects: Employment; Home Life; Public perception

Segment Synopsis: From 1996 to 2003 Storey served with Lima Company in the Marine Reserves during this time 9/11 terror attacks occur and he tries to find a way into the War on Terror. He discusses his memory of 9/11, serving with Lima Company, and his individual activation from March to December 2002.

Keywords: Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va.); September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001; Shooting; United States. Marine Corps Reserve; United States. Marine Corps. Marine Regiment, 25th. Battalion, 3rd. Lima Company; War on Terror

Subjects: 9/11 Terrorist Attacks; Individual Activation; Lima Company

Segment Synopsis: Storey reflects on his reaction when he saw the "Black Hawk Down" incident. He talks about enlisting with the Marine Reserves in 1995 and why he needed to join.

Keywords: Black Hawk Down (film); Familes; Operation Gothic Serpent, 1993; Somalia; United States. Marine Corps Reserve; United States. Marine Corps. Marine Regiment, 25th. Battalion, 3rd. Lima Company

Subjects: Enlisting

Segment Synopsis: Storey discusses his deployment in 2007 with the 6th Marine Regiment to train Iraqi Security Forces. He helped to coordinate training and create curriculum. He discusses the difficulties working with Iraqis and making friends with the instructors.

Keywords: DynCorp; Fallūjah (Iraq); Iraq War, 2003-2011; Police training--Iraq; Reeve, John; Simcock, Richard; Titan Corporation; United States. Army. Cavalry Regiment, 7th.; United States. Marine Corps, Marine Regiment, 6th. Battalion, 3rd; United States. Marine Corps. Marine Regiment, 1st; United States. Marine Corps. Marine Regiment, 6th; United States. Marine Corps. Marine Regiment, 7th. Battalion, 2nd; United States. Naval Special Warfare Development Group; War on Terror

Subjects: Deploying; Iraqi Security Force Training; Personal Experiences with the Iraqis

Segment Synopsis: Storey compares the situations in Somalia and Iraq and shares a story from Iraq that reminded him of the futility he felt in Somalia.

Keywords: Beheading; Bounties; Fallujah (Iraq); Insurgency--Iraq; Iraq; Police--Iraq; Somalia

Subjects: Iraq Provincial Security Force; Somalia

Segment Synopsis: Storey talks about coming home after his time in Iraq, how he defines a hero, and the importance of remembering our veterans.

Keywords: Heroes; Home; Iraq; Port Columbus International Airport; Veterans

Subjects: Coming Home; Feeling Forgotten; Heroes

Segment Synopsis: Storey talks about the lack of post-deployment support, why the Country needed him to serve, how he feels about his service today, and what people should know about those who serve.

Keywords: Absolution; Employees--Training of; Veteran reintegration

Subjects: Post-deployment Support; Reflections on Service