Baldasaro did serve 22 years in the Marines, reaching the rank of “first staff sergeant” according to one source, though there is no such rank in the Marine Corps. Staff Sergeant (E-6) wouldn’t be much of a showing for 22 years. First Sergeant (E-8) would be better but he strikes me as the kind of mouthy little sad sack who would have had an ear necklace if his CO had permitted it.