Not to sound like a jerk or anything, but why does the media consider anybody that has ever served in the armed forces a solider/sailor/airman/marine? My dad (who is now dead) was in the Army for a few years in the early 60s. I never considered him a “former soldier.” He was just a “guy.”
You join the Army, you join the Air Force, you can even join the Navy.
But
you BECOME a United States Marine.
So, even after you are no longer on active duty, all of that “Marine Corps Stuff” is still running around inside your head. The PRIDE is a bonus.
As is often the case, the gentleman may have identified himself as a “Marine”. I hear it all the time.
I have noticed the same ‘side effect’ with RANGER and AIRBORNE types as well. Sometimes, and to lesser amount, you see it in FIGHTER pilots, SEALs, UDT, etc. Funny how that works.