Unfortunately, David, not all Marines have a positive view of their time in the Corps. In my experience the percentage is very small (We use/used the term "ten percenters" to describe unsatisfactory Marines, more commonly called sh!tbirds). The term ex-Marine seems to be forbidden these days, but it has not always been thus. Many of us old-timers proudly referred to ourselves as ex-Marines. In fact, I was a member of "The Ex-Marine Association of North Texas" while attending North Texas State Univ. in the early 70's.
Frank
“There ain’t no ticks like poly-ticks. Bloodsuckers all.” —Davy Crockett
“A fool and his money are soon elected.” —Will Rogers
"A free people ought not only be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington