Overheard at the Mini Mart

Two older NCO Marines exchange warm greetings. They obviously haven't seen each other for awhile...

Marine #1: So, how's it going?!

Marine #2: Good! Getting ready to head out again...

Marine #1: Going back to... ?

Marine #2 [voice trailing off]: Yeah, back to.... yeah. 'Bout two months... And you?

Marine #1: Good! They just tried to get me to re-up.

Marine #2: You goin' to?

Marine #1: Nah, retiring. It'll be 20 years in '08.... They keep telling me... "We need you... Promotion... $10,000 [signing bonus]!!!"

[chuckles] I told him, "If I'm in this job for the money, I shouldn't be doing it."

Marine #2 [softly and contemplatively]: True...