During my time in service with the United States Marine Corp, I was exposed to loud noises on numerous occasions—from Boot Camp through my last Duty Station in Okinawa, Japan. However, my service with 1st Battalion 12th Marines from January 1986 to January 1989, led to the development of a constant high pitch humming in the ears that exists today. One experience especially stands out. My typical duty during this period was running gun loops for the howitzers that were being fired on the artillery range—no ear protection was ever provided for this assignment. During one of the field operations, I and another marine were in between two howitzers when they were fired. (No warning was provided they were going to commence the firing of artillery.)