“Imagine a pub crawl with all your Marine buddies wearing nothing but silkies and rucks on the most crowded and beautiful boardwalk in California. That’s what’s going on here,” the event’s Facebook page says.
The road march, which departs at about 11 a.m., is organized by a group O’Malley helped to found called Irreverent Warriors. They're teaming with VETality Corp., another veteran support organization, in their mission to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress and suicide prevention.
Above all, O’Malley seeks to extend the camaraderie veterans enjoyed while deployed or in garrison beyond their years in uniform. That, he says, goes a long way to keep those who are struggling from feeling so isolated and misunderstood after returning to civilian life that they self-destruct.
Already, attendees include service members from at least five Marine regiments, several school houses, Seal Team 9, explosive ordnance disposal technicians, Coast Guard personnel, Marine Corps Special Operations Command raiders and more, according to the Facebook page.
O’Malley also recently authored "Embarrassing Confessions of a Marine Lieutenant," which is the first in a planned series of military-themed comedy books he hopes will give veterans a good laugh while also promoting suicide-prevention efforts. Each chapter concludes will a call-to-action that helps maintain the bond forged during their years of service.
For the whole story on O’Malley’s journey from grunt to comedian, check back next week with Marine Corps Times.
Marines march in silkies to raise suicide awarness