In 1959 Wright enrolled at Virginia Union University, in Richmond, where he remained until 1961. That year he left school to join the military.
He served in the Second Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961 to 1963, achieving the rank of private first class.
He must not have been a very sharp troop, since he only made E-3 in two years. Most would have been at least E-4, with the really sharp troops being looked at for E-5 by then.
E-2. Better get to the honing wheel yourself.