MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- He spent nearly 11 years in the Corps, three of which were on the drill field, training recruits during the Vietnam conflict. He was medically retired from the Marines, but this didn't stop Semper Fidelis, the Marine's motto, meaning always faithful.

R. Lee Ermey, recently honorably promoted to gunnery sergeant, dedicates his life to continued service for the Corps. Ermey is best known for his Golden Globe nomination as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket," and as the voice of Sarge in both "Toy Story" movies.

Ermey was born March 24, 1944 in Emporia, Kan. He joined the Marine Corps in Toppenish, Wash., when he was 17 years old.

"If I hadn't joined, I'd probably be in Walla Walla Penitentiary serving life, because I was off on the wrong foot," said Ermey, during a recent visit to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. "I owe the Marine Corps a lot. If I'm allowed to pick who I socialize with, it would be the guys ... the Marines."

He spent his first four years in the infantry and then went to school to be a machinist. He never spent any time as a machinist. Instead, he was pulled to be an instructor for various courses. In 1965, he spent three years on the drill field at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego.

"His enthusiasm, dedication and motivation was encouraging. He inspired all of us," said retired Sgt. Maj. Bill Paxton, a former drill instructor who drilled in the same series as Ermey. "He is still motivating today's recruits as well as Marines."

Off the field and reenlisted, Ermey went to Vietnam with Marine Wing Support Group 17. Ermey injured his shoulder when a bunker collapsed. After repeated attempts to fix his shoulder, he was medically retired.

Upon leaving the Corps in November 1971, Ermey used his Montgomery G.I. Bill and attended school in Manila, Philippines, studying acting and criminology. Every morning the future Hollywood superstar had coffee at the Manila Hilton, where many filmmakers dined before the day's production. One of them asked Ermey to pose for blue jean advertisements and so began Ermey's career in front of a camera.

The retired Marine landed roles in several local Tagalog-language films until 1976 were he was cast in Francis Ford Coppola's film "Apocalypse Now" which he also was a technical advisor.

During the filming of Full Metal Jacket, Ermey realized that the big money was in front of the camera not behind the scenes.

"I take great pride in being able to do any scene they want me to do. Seldom does it take more than two or three takes, but most of the time it's done in one," said Ermey. "The Marine Corps instilled pride in me. To screw up is not satisfactory."

Ermey has acted in more than two-dozen films and voice-overs in cartoon movies and television cartoons. With his busy work schedule, he still makes time for Marines. The months of November and December are dedicated exclusively for the Marines. This year, Ermey attended seven Marine Corps Balls.

"There's not too many people I admire more in this world than the Marines," said Ermey, a charter life member in the Marine Drill Instruction Association. "I've never severed my tie with the Marines."

Ermey currently works a television show on the History Channel titled "Mail Call," where he answers questions about the military, such as what's the content of a land mine and how to drive a tank.

"I think 'Mail Call' is the best recruiting tool the Marine Corps has," said Ermey. "I have 14- and 15-year-old kids emailing me, saying they are going to join the Marines."

Ermey also dedicates a lot of his time to the Toys for Tots program run by the Marine Corps Reserve. Ermey visited the San Diego area mid-December to collect toys for the program. He signed autographs at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., MCAS Miramar and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. He also played in a golf tournament aboard Miramar, where a portion of the entry fee was a donation of a new, unwrapped toy.

"My biggest accomplishment in life was graduating recruit training. It was the biggest hurdle I've ever faced," said Ermey. "I represent the Marine Corps. When people look at me, that's what they see."

"He's never forgot where he came from," said long-time friend Paxton. "Once a Marine, always a Marine."