MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI -- Marine Corps Community Services hosted Chuck Milligan, a comedy hypnotist, inside the Club Iwakuni ballroom aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2014.
Milligan traveled to MCAS Iwakuni to perform his popular hypnotism show for the 10th consecutive year; hosting two shows, one for the station youth and the other for adults.
“I get an absolute joy from coming to entertain the troops,” said Milligan. “It’s a way for me to thank the young service members for their service, as they always thank me for mine.”
Milligan, a Marine veteran, finished his tour of duty as a corporal after serving as a scout sniper with Third Force Reconnaissance Company and Fifth Force Reconnaissance Company during Vietnam.
Now a retired hypnotist, Milligan continues to work with MCCS, traveling to Marine Corps and naval installations around the world entertaining service members.
“My routine started as a Monday night bar trick, it was never going to be a career and I was going to retire as a cop,” said Milligan. “I served in a police department for 15 years, but I got more satisfaction from my hobby and even more from spending time with the troops.”
During his show, Milligan utilized 20 volunteers to demonstrate his skill, asking them to relax and not try to resist, even if they didn’t believe they could be hypnotized.
“I remember bits and pieces of the show,” said Cpl. Jonathan Lucas, a traffic management specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron and a volunteer for the show. “I know I was cold and clinging to the person next to me, hot enough to start sweating and at one point I think I could smell something horrible coming from the same person next to me. However, the best part of the show was when I woke up dancing on stage with the crowd cheering me on.”
Lucas said he enjoyed being part of the show, adding that since it was his first time being at and in a hypnotism show, he did not know what he was in for, but is happy he went on stage.
“I would absolutely encourage Marines and sailors to come to Chuck’s shows,” said Keith Carr, an event coordinator with MCCS. “We know Chuck loves what he does and he loves to give back to the military, that’s the reason he’s been here 10 years in a row; because of the fantastic turnout.”
Carr added that MCCS will continue to host Milligan as long as station residents continue to show outstanding support.