Don joined the Marine Corps Reserves in August of 1967 with his high school buddy John Burek. They were stationed in Forest Park in front of a World War II abandoned torpedo factory. The unit was soon disband and they were transferred to the Radio Relay Unit, MWCS-48, 4thMAW USMCR, 500 West 36th St. Chicago.IL. This was two blocks away from Chicago White Sox Cominsky Park.

Don became section leader for the unit before being discharged as sergeant in 1973.