‘Ram and Jam’ for Corps : Mobilization: 850 Marine reservists, part of the largest call-up since the Korean War, were processed through Camp Pendleton Thursday and Friday in anticipation of deployment.

The largest mobilization of Marine Corps reservists since the Korean War turned Camp Pendleton into a fast-paced “ram and jam” processing center Thursday and Friday, when 850 Marines were inspected, instructed and inoculated.

It took each Marine from 20 units throughout the United States, including San Diego and Orange counties, about 45 head-spinning minutes to get ushered into active duty, beefing up Camp Pendleton’s 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, bound soon for Operation Desert Shield.

They arrived Thursday, and, by the end of Friday, all reservists had been checked in, received medical screening--including a test for the HIV virus that causes AIDS--were issued new identification cards and dog tags, and had made legal and financial arrangements for their deployment.

“Every Marine who shows up here feels the emotion,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Neil, a San Diego trial lawyer who was called back to active duty to temporarily command Camp Pendleton.

“As a reservist, I share it,” said Neil, who, as time allows, has been personally talking to the arriving Marines. “Based on my conversations with young Marines and senior Marines, they are highly motivated and ready to go. That’s not just talk on my part.”

It’s been an abrupt departure from civilian life, and the reservists who went through what Lt. Col. Ray Blum dubbed “ram and jam” mobilization processing, expressed some common sentiments.

There is trepidation about leaving their jobs for an uncertain period, cautious confidence that the United States will prevail against Iraq, and the patented esprit of the corps.

“It was a bit of a shock when they called me at 2 in the morning and told me I’ve been activated,” said 21-year-old Cpl. Ric Sutton, a policeman in Chesapeake, Vt.

“I’m a little apprehensive about leaving my job back home, but everybody is,” said Sutton, who, with a week’s notice, is preparing to serve on an amphibious assault vehicle.

Not knowing whether the Middle East confrontation will burst into war, many reservists are concentrating on their orders and trying not to fret about combat that might never come.

Sgt. John Haymon, 25, a computer specialist from Norfolk, Va., said, “I left politics behind,” and hopes his emergency military service “is going to be a plus for my career.”

He’s not wringing his hands over the crisis, preferring to believe it will be resolved without killing, so he dreams about the glad times he’ll have when it’s all over.

“When I get back, I’m going to buy an old Winnebago and travel America,” Haymon said during a brief stop between processing stations.

Other Marines, especially those who have left families behind, revealed some tensions, but hastened to add that, as Marines, they have lived with the knowledge that they could be deployed someday.

“My wife, she’s not entirely happy, but she’s known this could happen,” said Staff Sgt. Eugene Franklin, 30, a factory supervisor from Virginia. “I really don’t worry about (deployment). I’m going to wait and see. I’d prefer not to have somebody shooting at me, and I hope they can settle it peacefully.”

At least, he offered good-naturedly, the Middle East desert bakes in dry heat, unlike the humidity he simmers through in Virginia.

The reservists were allowed to be briefly interviewed as they shuffled among the rows of uninviting, World War II Quonset huts with peeling paint and no charm of antiquity. Reporters were barred from talking to the Marines while they were inside being processed.

Blum, the executive officer of the mobilization processing center, said the 850 reservists all were males from reserve combat units who will join the amphibious assault brigade.

They are among the 1,144 Marine reservists summoned to active duty, the largest reserve call-up since the Korean War 40 years ago, according to Blum. So far, it is believed that about 90,000 Marines, nearly half of the entire corps, are either stationed in the Middle East or are going there.

Blum said the 5th Brigade will ship out soon, although the Marine Corps has declined to give a date. “It will be very quickly,” said Blum. Navy sources have said a fleet of 13 ships loaded with Marines will leave after Thanksgiving.

Camp Pendleton, said Neil, is the “focal point” of processing the bulk of the reservists, although some will be activated at other bases. It was unclear Friday whether any additional reservists will arrive at Camp Pendleton.

If being part of most significant mobilization in decades is a distinction, most of the reservists didn’t show it as they coursed through the Quonset huts.

After being checked in, they received dental and medical screenings, and were immunized for influenza, typhoid and tetanus. The reservists were issued traditional metal dog tags to hang around their necks, and got green active duty identification cards.

Officials helped them get their financial affairs in order, including arranging direct deposit of paychecks and assuring that dependents could draw from checking accounts.

Legal experts made sure the Marines had completed their wills and left behind no pressing legal complications.