vincent p. norris wrote:

..... from the time I hit my first squadron in 1963......
every pilot in the squadron had a personal call sign.

I left the squadron in 1953 and spent my last year in the Marines as a
Forward Air Controller with an infantry battalion--where, as you said,
the grunts would not have engaged in such a frivolous practice.

I keep forgetting that you're one of those *really* old pilots my
OpsOs were always telling the nuggets [and the odd second and
even a few third tour pilots that needed an occasional pointed
reminder] they should strive to become. ;-
--
OJ III
[Email to Yahoo address may be burned before reading.
Lower and crunch the sig and you'll net me at comcast.]