Pouring over his family's encyclopedia set as a youngster ignited a fire in young Calvin. As he studied different branches of the military he became fascinated by it. He was especially intrigued by the Marines at this time. He loved the toughness and the polished images staring back at him.
As a "hippie" teenager during the Vietnam era, Calvin was growing up in a town outside Boston. During one particularly hot, muggy and miserable summer, a parade was held in honor of our country's 250th anniversary. During the march, Calvin saw "them" coming. It was the Marine band, as part of the parade celebrations. Here they were, right in front of him, smooth, polished, and clean. The music was powerful and the band was awesome! This only served to reinforce the accurate image of them he held.
Fast forward to around ages 18 and 19. Still living in "hippie" mode, Calvin was playing in small bands. Sharing his part in the 70's music and disco craze. But, his mind, with those earlier seeds planted, had never drifted far from that calling to serve his country and to polish his act and his look.
In 1977, he enlisted in the Marines, living out his dream, training to be in Recon. By May of 1978, he found himself being sworn in at Camp Pendleton. While it took a few years to build the impressive skills aquired by the best, that was just the beginning of Calvin's equally impressive career. This life in the Marines carried him through 13 years, until 1990. During a brief stint in a Real Estate career in California, his true calling began to scream at him once again- so he entered the Army Reserves Active Duty, as a Green Beret, with the 12th Special Forces in San Diego. This next exciting phase of his life unfolded during the years of 1992-1996. Still wanting more, and carrying an ambition that is nothing short of inspirational, Calvin signed up with the Air Force later in 1996. It had to be no less exciting and intriguing. Combat Control was a career field he excelled in as well. The stories this man could tell would be nothing short of a classic, epic movie! One story that did become true is Calvin began to feel his body's physical limitations. So, in the year of 2003, after serving 7 years in the Air Force, Calvin retired from a life that he loved so well.
When asked what he loved about serving in the military, Calvin replied, "The military gave me a chance to grow. It got me out of the environment of my youth and peer group and gave me an opportunity for a new start. I could establish who I was and what I was capable of, independent of the influence that home towns can have". Calvin goes on, "I have a lot of great memories from the military. I had the chance to see many different places and work with a lot of outstanding people. Our military is truly amazing. We are an all voluntary force made up of Americans from all socio-economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds working together to create the most professional and capable military in the world. I believe that comes from a patriotic spirit inspired by the real belief that we represent and are willing to defend a freedom that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world."
Calvin further adds, "I enjoyed my career. I had the opportunity to serve in special operations career fields in three different services. I was looking for excitement and found it! When I was in Force Recon we used to jokingly refer to ourselves as the run-jump-dive club. we got paid to work out, get in great shape, sky dive and scuba dive! Does it get any better than that? Yeah, actually it does. We also got to shoot a lot, practice mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing. Lots of other cool stuff and travel to a lot of great places".
Calvin, we don't know how to thank you for a job well done and a career well served.... Because of you and men like you, we have so much in this country that is taken for granted. If everyone of us could personally shake your hand or hug your neck- we would! We salute you!
Calvin now shares with others, his impressive skills, in his own Martial Arts Studio, as he has now mastered six (yep, count them, six) various forms of martial arts. He co-owns his own studio, [with his "rock-solid" wife of 20 years, Janet], in Navarre, Florida.
To read more about Calvin and what he is doing these days, as an owner of his own marital arts studio, go to-
Comments