Hey Y'all ~~ John Rickman here...
My Father, a Proud Hardcore Korean War Marine... when I told him that I was going to follow in his footsteps and join the Corps after I came home from college... told me to join the Navy. He said that with the Navy, I'd "See the World" like he never got the chance while he served with the Marines. And was He ever right!!! My first 4 years as an Operations Specialist (Scope Dope) aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) took me on 2 West-Pac Deployments to every Far-East Port I could ever think of.

After I changed Rates to Aviation Electronics Technician, the Commandant of the Corps pulled all the Marines out of the Naval Security Roles after the Bruit Barracks Bombing, leaving the CNO with no Security Forces other than DoD Police (No Marine Security on Navy Bases). The Commandant then sent out his Best Security Police Instructors to train Myself and the first of many other Navy Security Volunteers, and 3 to 6 months of Specialized Marine Corps Training later, the New Naval Security Forces (NSF) were born. The NSF was composed of both Sailors and Marines working as One Joint Force, for One Mission... "The Safety & Security of ALL Navy & Marine Corps Assets, Both Personnel & Material, Ashore & Afloat, Stateside & Overseas." A pretty BIG Order for such a Newly Established Security Force. But the Sailors & Marines worked together to "Get It Done!!!"

I retired after 21 years in the Navy, not regretting one moment of the time that I served. But the most memorable time of my career, was the decade I spent with the Sailors and Marines that I served with as a member of the Naval Security Forces (NSF). Even though the Sailors and the Marines of the NSF all started out in different services, we all came together as One Unit to accomplish the mission. We Uniformed, Trained, Ate, Berthed, PT'ed, Sweated, Froze, Worked and Served Together as One Unit... Just as the (Multi-Force) SEALS do today.

Now Retired, In addition to my Family Tartan (MacKenzie), I wear the Leatherneck Tartan !!! NOT Only to honor those Sailors & Marines that I served with in the NSF, but also to Honor the Greatest Marine I ever knew... My Father... SGT. John Wm. Rickman, Sr. (Radio Operator / USMC-Dec.).

Anchors Away & Semper Fi... To All Who Served To Keep Us Free!!!