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 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