Joining the Marine Corps was not SSgt. Nichol's idea. His older brother, Larry D. Nichols Jr. (Boe) signed up for the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). Just before Boe's departure to Boot Camp, his recruiter talked SSgt. Nichols into the great adventure via the Buddy Program. SSgt. Nichols had just graduated from High School in Lutcher, Louisiana and truly had no idea what he was going to do with his life. Joining the Marine Corps did not sound like a bad idea. Steady income, travel opportunities, San Diego beaches on the weekends, and $1,000.00 for joining the Buddy Program was all good!

Shortly into Boot Camp, about the third day, Boe suffered a major back injury and was discharged from the Corps. SSgt. Nichols was given the chance to return home with him. Boe reminded SSgt. Nichols that this possibility, this challenge to become a United States Marine, was still the opportunity of a lifetime. SSgt. Nichols made the choice to change his life forever. This change was not just for himself, but for his brother as well. On May 5, 1995, SSgt. Nichols graduated from Boot Camp earning the title of United States Marine.

Next was MCT Training at Camp Pendleton and then MOS school for Motor Transportation. SSgt. Nichol's first duty station was as a Private in Iwakuni, Japan from 1995 to 1996. He was subsequently promoted to PFC and then meritoriously promoted to LCPL. SSgt. Nichols was then stationed at AGSE 29 Palms, California. During the 1996 - 1998 time period, he was promoted to Cpl and then Sgt. After re-enlisting for two more years, SSgt. Nichols was reassigned to 1/7 at 29 Palms.

In late 2000, SSgt. Nichols received orders to report to MCRD San Diego to become a Marine Corps Drill Instructor. Once again, he was facing down one of the toughest training schools in the world. Becoming a Marine Corps Drill Instructor was definitely going to be the challenge of a lifetime.

Immediately after completing Drill Instructor school, SSgt. Nichols received orders to report to 1st Battalion Charlie Company and picked up his inaugural Platoon, 1046, followed by 1079/1077, 1010, 1146, and 1074. His sixth Platoon was 1109, an all Sergeant team which became the Company Honor Platoon. He was then promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and Senior Drill Instructor.

During his first Senior Drill Instructor cycle, a movie director was embedded at MCRD who filmed the world famous documentary Ears, Open, Eyeballs, Click., which featured SSgt. Nichols' Platoon 1141. Ears, Open, Eyeballs, Click. is the only documentary that chronicles Marine Corps Boot Camp in the raw, utilizing the most exclusive footage ever captured. Ears, Open. Eyeballs, Click. has received world recognition, winning many national and international awards. It continues to be one of the best selling documentaries of our time. For the last several years, Ears, Open. Eyeballs, Click. has been played weekly on the documentary channel on Direct TV.

Platoon 1075 was SSgt. Nichols' last cycle as a Senior Drill Instructor at MCRD San Diego. In 2004, he received orders to Hawaii. SSgt. Nichols was the Protocol Chief for the MARFORPAC Commanding General (3 Star) until 2006, at which time he received orders to Camp Pendleton, California. The newest mission was to prepare for deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Based in Al Asad Iraq, SSgt. Nichols completed 28 combat missions, 13 as a Platoon Sergeant and 15 as the Platoon Commander after his Lieutenant was severely injured in an IED attack.

 

On March 25, 2007, after twelve years of service, SSgt. Nichols was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps.

He returned to Louisiana to pursue a business partnership, owning and operating six convenience stores. In two short years, they were able to open four additional stores. They successfully built a thriving retail business in the heart of Louisiana, pushing monthly sales of around 2.5 Million dollars. Growing both personally and professionally as an entrepreneur, SSgt. Nichols decided to return to Southern California to pursue new opportunities. He proceeded to launch Moto Entertainment LLC and serves as CEO.

 

 

 

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• National Defense Medal 1995
• Meritorious Mast 1996
• Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 1996
• Certificate of Physical Achievement (285+ Club) 1996
• Meritorious Mast 1996
• Certificate of Achievement 1997
• Certificate of Good Conduct 1998
• Honorable Discharge 1998
• Certificate of Reenlistment 1998
• Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 1998
• Certificate of Physical Achievement (286 PFT) 1999
• Certificate of Commendation 2000
• Certificate of Participation: Cobra Gold Exercise 2000
• Certificate of Commendation 2000
• Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 2000
• Certificate of Physical Achievement (297 PFT) 2000
• Honorable Discharge 2000
• Certificate of Reenlistment 2000
• Certificate of Good Conduct 2nd Award 2001
• Certificate of Professional Achievement: Unit Leader Perfect Score of 10 on Drill 2001
• Certificate of Excellence in Close Order Drill: Perfect Score 2001
• Certificate of Physical Achievement (295 PFT) 2001
• Certificate of Commendation 2001
• Certificate of Commendation 2002
• Honorable Discharge 2003
• Certificate of Reenlistment 2003
• Drill Instructor Service Ribbon 2003
• Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 2nd Award 2004
• Certificate of Good Conduct 3rd Award 2004
• Meritorious Mast 2004
• Global War on Terrorism 2004
• Korean Defense Service Medal 2004
• Joint Service Achievement Medal 2004
• Certificate of Physical Achievement (298 PFT) 2004
• Certificate of Physical Achievement (292 PFT) 2005
• Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal 2006
• Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 3rd Award 2007
• Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 2007
• National Defense Medal 2007
• Iraq Campaign Medal 2007
• Certificate of Good Conduct 4th Award 2007
• Honorable Discharge 2007