"Former Marine", thank you! Thank you for properly capitalizing Marine, as well.
For those not in the loop, "EGA" is slang for Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. In other words, the Marine emblem. I may be a little anal on this, but I choose NOT to abbreviate the term. I believe that Garden Weasel is a Marine as well, and as I've never gone anywhere or have done anything, I will NOT correct him. He earned it, just like I and all the rest of The Brotherhood have.
I've also heard the Congressional Medal of Honor abbreviated to "CMH." Having met a couple of the people who earned the highest honor our country can bestow, I don't believe it proper to shorten that, either.
Then again, that's just me. I get a little "Gung Ho" at times, but I was always taught that this was a GOOD thing!
[marines]