Marine Corps ranked worst service branch to join, and I love it

Published on by Stan R. Mitchell

This article on Yahoo written by Ron Johnson completely made my day. The writer was asked to rank best military branch to serve in.

He ranks them as:

  1. Army
  2. Air Force
  3. Navy
  4. Coast Guard
  5. Marine Corps (Worst Military Branch)

And here’s what he had to say about the Marine Corps:

“Of all the military branches, the Marine Corps ranks as the least attractive choice for this author. Technically part of the Navy, the Marine Corps are the elite war fighters of the United States military. The leathernecks of the USMC are truly fearsome fighters, tough as nails and ready and willing to fight all comers. The Marines turn recruits into stone-cold killers and they make no secrets about that fact. Marines live tough lives, sleeping on board Navy ships, charging through the surf and crawling in the sand with one goal in mind: engage the enemy. Unfortunately, when Marines fulfill their obligation and exit the service, they seem to find difficulty in turning this Marine Corps attitude ‘off’. Whereas an Army or Navy veteran will likely adjust to civilian life over time and become softer, Marines stay Marines. Visit any neighborhood in the United States and you will find a USMC flag flying high over someone’s house. You will rarely, if ever, see a person flying an Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard flag. While veterans of other military branches tend to relax a little bit as they transition into civilian life, any Marine will be quick to remind you of their unofficial motto, “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” I don’t know what those Marine Corps drill sergeants are doing to their recruits, but whatever it is, it works.

“Is that a bad thing? Well, that depends on your reasons for considering a military enlistment. If you have a strong desire to kill the enemy, the Marine Corps is for you because that is what the Marines do. Either you want that or you don’t, plain and simple. If you simply want a challenge, any other branch of the military will provide you with plenty of opportunities to test yourself. Army Rangers and Green Berets, Air Force Pararescue Jumpers, and the Navy Seals all offer extreme physical and mental challenges outside of the Marine Corps. So if you are considering joining the Marine Corps, think long and hard about what that means before going to a recruiter and signing up.”

Here’s the full article and in my opinion the guy is mostly dead on about everything he wrote: The Best Military Branch to Enlist In;  A Veteran Ranks the Military Branches.

And why is it I’m mostly proud of what he said about the Marine Corps? Are we that messed up in the head? : )

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

—————————————-

P.S. Sign up for my newsletter to get regular doses of military news, politics, and veteran interviews. Check it out here.

P.P.S.Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written 10 military and police thrillers, as well as a self-help, motivational book about Obama, which completely avoids politics or liberal vs conservative positions. To date, I’ve been fortunate to have sold 70,000-plus copies, to thank you to who have supported me on this journey! You can find all eleven books here: amazon.com.

846 thoughts on “Marine Corps ranked worst service branch to join, and I love it”

  1. Family and friends joined the Marines, and I don’t see anything different in them than I did my Army buddies. I think the reason I joined the Army was because of the Army Posters at that time: “Join The Army And See The World!” I really wanted to see the world. Of course, I didn’t know anything about Korea or Vietnam back then (LOL). I sure found out pretty quick. Not to mention Posts like Fort Bliss and Fort Bragg. Hey, there were some good assignments also, three years in France, an assignment to Fort Sam Houston, Fort Hood, Fort Wolters. On second thought, I wouldn’t have been very good on a ship. You can have your Marines and Navy (just kidding fellas).

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Johnson,

      Really appreciate the comment, and your service to our country. This blog post created some comments on my facebook page, and since you’re a soldier and veteran of the Army, I thought I’d share what I posted there.

      Asked about why Marines are so proud, I wrote this: “As a civilian, I’ve tried to drop this over-the-top Marine Corps pride, because frankly, no one likes a loud asshole. And I’ve also come to realize that anyone who served in any of the branches has done more than those who haven’t.

      “But even with all this said, I think most infantry Marines will tell you that we feel closer to other infantrymen (whether Army or whoever) and combat arms MOS’s than we do other Marines who weren’t infantry. Serving in the infantry and combat arms MOS’s creates probably the tightest brotherhood in the world. I have a good friend from the 82nd Airborne. He thinks most Army soldiers who aren’s combat arms are a joke. To me, being in the infantry as a grunt, or serving in combat arms MOS’s, supersedes all else. But, not all Marines believe this.”

      So, Mr. Johnson, I respect your service in the Army more than I can explain. (Twenty years? Are you kidding me?!)

      But if you spent much time in muddy foxholes or carrying a pack until you were past the point of wanting to cry, then sir I’d come bleed with you any day of the week.

      Sincerely yours,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

      1. Hey 0311, your inference is that infantry is the tightest, I presume because you think you see the most danger? Well tell that to the Motor-T guys in Nam as an example…highest percentage of kia of any MOS. You can take your “infantry” attitude and shove it…YATYAS.

        Like

        Reply

        1. Ummm, nope, Larry, I never said we face the most danger. We’d probably prefer that, actually.

          The truth is that I imagine pilots and air crews on helos and other MOS’s face as much or more danger. I say we’re tight because our jobs suck, as in a capital S-U-C-K. And sometimes our jobs don’t even matter. Othertimes, we’re pawns. And still other times, we’re not even used. (Ever seen the movie Jarhead? Ever spent 18 hours a day running a dishwasher or washing pots on a ship? I have. And honestly, that was one of the worst months of my entire career.)

          Seriously, brother, no offense was intended. Take a couple of breaths and try to not be so defensive.

          Appreciate your service and even your comment. We all faced a lot of shit, we all need to hang together. No one who didn’t serve can imagine what we’ve done or what we’ve been through.

          My comment to Mr. Johnson was not made to offend, but to describe the larger fraternity we all are members of.

          I’ll sign off by saying Semper Fi, since I presume by your charming attitude that you’re a Marine.

          Like

          Reply

        2. Larry, I spent 4 tours in VN, as a Marine infantry platoon Sgt. I don’t know where you got that information, but it is wrong In war any war the infantry always has the highest casualties. Nature of the game.

          Like

          Reply

          1. Motor-T??? The chopper guys had a far and away larger percentage of KIA’s than Motor-T. When someone mentions a tight unit it is not because of KIA’s, it’s because of the unit pride and integrity and brotherhood within that unit. Very, very few units get into serious gun fights except the infantry. My 20 years of experience has shown nothing else.

            Like

            Reply

          2. I do not want to go on record as to what MOS had the highest casualty rate, but, from what I read, the infantry obviously had the highest number of casualties. However, percentage wise, it seems that Armored crewmen had the highest percentage of casualties in relative to man power in that MOS. According to my research it was around 27%. I don’t know how accurate that is since infantry often provided support and were transported by Armored Personnel Carriers. I never served in Vietnam so perhaps I should not even comment;

            Bill

            Like

            Reply

        3. Motor-T guys with a higher percentage KIA? Not on this planet – in Vietnam or any other war.
          Everyone needs to keep in mind the simple fact that there are only two types of Marines: Infantry and those who support the Infantry.
          Semper Fidelis,
          OG, W-4 (Ret)
          0311/0369/0302

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

      2. there are elite Infantry units within the Army such as the one I served in as an 18 year old grunt (11B2p), The 173rd Airborne Brigade (B/4/503rd Inf.) Our tactics were virtually the same as Marine 0311’s. In my opinion now @ 65…stupid! We attacked hills such as 875 @ Dakto, lost beaucoup men including over 30 from “friendly fire” from a Marine Jet who dropped 2, 500 pound bombs on the CP position that held the wounded. A good buddy of mine, Bob Mace served with the Walking Dead” (1/9) and had similar stories to tell. We then abandoned the hills and continued humping the bush looking for more lunacy. The Rangers operated in small units and often ambushed the NVA instead of getting ambushed (Hey, we found ’em!) like we often did.

        Like

        Reply

        1. Great point, Carl! The 173rd has an amazing reputation — I knew it well even when I was back in High School and deciding which branch to serve.

          And thank you so much for all your years of service!!! (I do hope at least part of that 18 years was in some mechanized unit! lol)

          Like

          Reply

      4. Your stupid put you d*%* away I’ve saved all branches except coastguard been both blue side and green it’s over let’s not fight about it all of us did our jobs

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

      5. I agree Stan, it is hard to talk Marine Corps with an office poag, however the guys in our office were worth every bribe they charged….Our boys ran a tight ship and they knew what they were doing in there…In fact the word “bribe” may be the wrong terminology …..they just wanted part of the money they saved us, they were fair and we all loved those guys…I don’t think I would trade 70’s Marine Corps for anything……ooh rah, Semper Fi Fellas….

        Like

        Reply

        1. That’s funny you say that Jim…I have been watching some of the old Gene Autry movies …..Shit, now I’m talking like him….thankfully I wasn’t watching him 40 years ago. Lol

          Like

          Reply

      6. First if you served in the army and not in any of the other branches then anything you hear and say is only based on what someone has told you. You do not have firsthand experience of the other branches unless you have served in them. And as for the things about grunts and combat arms being better that the rest, well you don’t know what you are talking about. if not for the other people you would be lost, wet, hungry, sleeping out in the open, out of ammo, no aircraft to jump out of, no water, no supplies, no close air support when you get in trouble, no medivac choppers to get the wounded out, no transfer orders when it comes time for you to rotate and so on. So you grunts and combat arms should thank all the others. Without all of us you would not survive. Yes you guys are on the front line, but we are the ones that get you there and back. So if you are army don’t try and rate the others, only if you have served in the others should you be able to say what you believe is better. As each branch have its good points and bad points.

        Like

        Reply

    2. Marines have a tighter bond between each other and the brotherhood along with our traditions are history just stands out. I can just tell a marine is a marine in the civilian life. Semper fi

      Like

      Reply

    3. I have met some very professional folks both enlisted and officers during my 20 year career in the marines. They were navy, army and air force and they were good at their jobs. However, you never use the word fellas or fellows-that’s like in the old Gene Autry movies where he says follow me Boys. It’s follow me men or just follow me. Depending on weather you’re a general or a squad leader, you refer to your troops as gentlemen, guys or warriors (maybe sometimes, idiots) but never fellas.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. Please, Tim. You know my feelings toward your service. My time in the Corps doesn’t hold a candle to your time in Vietnam, but having said that… It is a little sick how proud I am that you respect me.

    They don’t make many men like you.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I served two tours in Nam with the 1st Marine Division. The Marine Corps Defined my life. I still must always be on time, keep my word, never leave another Marne behind, and love my Country and Corps.

      Liked by 4 people

      Reply

      1. Mr. Anninos,

        Same thing as I said above. My time in the Corps doesn’t hold a candle to your time in Vietnam, and I really appreciate you stopping by and dropping a comment here.

        SF,
        Stan

        Like

        Reply

        1. Semper Fi, Brother! Never made it out to Camp Horno, but I’m sure it’s as delightful as most of the other beautiful places the Corps sticks folks! lol

          Anyway, thanks for the comment and your your service, and keep your head down and your spirits up. I assure you, no matter how much you give, you will miss it when you’re out, and you’ll NEVER forget the times you dropped the ball and didn’t hold yourself to the highest standards.

          Believe me on that.

          S/F,
          Stan

          Like

          Reply

    2. I haven’t been on active duty since 1991, but I still walk the walk and talk the talk. Yes, I fly a USMC flag along with Old Glory. Plt 1005, graduated 2/11/74 MCRD PISC MOS 3002 and 0311.

      Like

      Reply

        1. Lessee…. I made PFC in May, 1974. I was on sea duty on the USS Simon Lake, 1974-76. Carlos Hathcock was the detachment gunnery sergeant. I don’t recall my DOR for Lance Coolie. DOR for corporal was 11/1/75, DOR for sergeant was 1/1/77. I see I fat fingered my one MOS. I was an 0311 and 0302. My highest rank was O-3. HQMC shows me as captain, USMCR retired. Walt

          Like

          Reply

          1. Oh my word!!! You served with Hathcock?! That’s amazing!

            And I don’t remember my promotion dates… : ( And there I thought I was squared away…

            Thanks for sharing that, Captain! S/F from Oak Ridge!

            Like

            Reply

            1. Gunnery Sergeant Donnie Mitchell followed Gunny Hathcock (who was at that time a staff sergeant) as detachment gunnery sergeant. He was awesome too. I learned a lot from Gunny Mitchell.

              Like

              Reply

              1. Maybe it’s a “Mitchell” thing? J/K. : )

                Love to hear some ole’ war stories if you want to share them and can protect the names. Feel free to share them here or shoot me a private email from my “About Me” page. S/F

                Like

                Reply

            2. Being a former Marine myself, it will alway’s be Semper Fi till I die. Kohtang Survivor May 15th 1975, Last Battle of the Viet-Nam era.

              Like

              Reply

              1. Terry,

                Really appreciate the comment and your service. I have an incredible amount of respect for your service, and thank you for handing down a continued lineage that I was so proud to have joined.

                Semper Fi, my friend, and please let me know if I can be of assistance.

                Stan

                Like

                Reply

          2. I graduated Platoon ans Series Honorman and Series High Shooter, Graduated Sea School in 1974, assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk until 1975, Admiral’s Orderly Com Carrier Group 1 1975, Assistance Brid Warden and Sgt of the Guard, Sea School Instructor MCRD 75 – 77.
            Sgt. Jim Glazener
            Semper Fi brothers

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

            1. Dang, Jim! You spent some time on ship!! I managed six months on ship, which was about six months too long… (Though weirdly, you miss being on ship once you’re off. Have no idea why.)

              Anyway, thanks for your service and for dropping a comment. Let me know if I can ever be of assistance.

              Semper Fi,
              Stan

              Like

              Reply

            1. Great point, Steve. You never hear about sub tenders. Matter of fact, until you mentioned it, I’ve NEVER heard of it. I’ve actually heard more about them in Navy SEAL books, like Richard Marcinko’s.

              Anyway, thanks for your service and for dropping a comment. Let me know if I can ever be of assistance.

              Semper Fi,
              Stan

              Like

              Reply

    3. Hey Stan, I know this isn’t probably isn’t the best place to post what I have questions on but I’ve read through like half of the comments. It seemed like you new your stuff very well so yea. Starting Ill tell you a little about me, I am 15 and am looking forward to being a Marine soon. I’m around 5’10 150 and super athletic. I also know its not all about size. I’m a sophomore and my GPA is around 2.5. I know I’m not the smartest out there lol but, being a Marine is something I really want to do for the brotherhood and for my country. I love serving those around me no matter how small or big. My dad I think wants more from me but, again is kind of a dream and my mom is fine with it:) . My older sister went into the Army and did construction. She was kind of lost back then but I still admire it a lot. So one of my questions is what is boot camp like? Also what are some sacrifice’s you’ve had to make that I might have to? I’m not saying I don’t love my family, I do a lot! but being home sick or whatever wouldn’t really bother me at all. And if you could give me a little incite on what the ASVAB test is like that would be very helpful too. I hope you can get back to me soon. If anyone else would like to reply you are more then welcome too! Looking forward to saying Semper Fi one day!

      Like

      Reply

    4. Stan, Great article! I come from three generations of Marines…….My father fought at the Reservoir and survived……all of my Uncles are Marines…..My son is a Marine Reservist with 4th Recon…..My son in law graduates from Marine Corps OCS next week. I love the Corps and believe the Corps is the “Worlds Greatest Fighting Force” in the world and history agree’s with me!

      “YAT YAS”
      1979-1985

      Like

      Reply

      1. Hey Casey!

        Thanks for commenting and documenting your family’s incredible lineage of service!

        I’m honestly not sure anyone could tolerate me if I had that many Marines around me. I talk about the good ole’ days too much already! lol

        Semper Fi!
        Stan

        Like

        Reply

  3. That’s hilarious, Mike! And even funnier that they didn’t say anything back!

    I used to think I was invincible back in the day, as well, and if I told you some of the stupid things I used to do, you probably wouldn’t even believe them.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I recall a great day in my life. Upon completing USMC Boot Camp and ITR (Infantry training) I went home on leave. When I was a kid my brother always kicked my ass. When I got home from boot I gave him a hug and then beat the shit out of him.
      Shoulda seen the funny look on his bloody face.
      OOORAH !!!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Nice, SSGT.

        I only have a younger sister, so I can’t totally relate, but that must have felt great.

        I know when I returned this one bigger friend of mine who used to crush me was totally intimidated by me. He was a big dude, like 6’4″ and a huge athlete, so I’m still not sure I could have taken him, but the respect was sure nice!

        SF!
        Stan

        Like

        Reply

  4. Stan is probably correct. I served as a Disbursing clerk in the Marine Corps from 1981 – 1985 (including boot camp and training) during peace time. Although I am proud of having served, it is evident from the USMC FB sites I belong to, that I don’t have nearly the same enthusiasm as war-time grunts. Good natured rivalry aside, I respect all who serve in any of the branches.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hey Mark,

      Thanks so much for your service, and for stopping by the site and dropping a comment. And all joking aside, despite the sick pride displayed by most grunts, the fact is probably not a single one of us would have turned down a transfer to do something else if we had been given the opportunity.

      It’s only because it sucked so bad, and broke down our bodies and minds as badly as it did, that we’re somehow super proud and too tight to explain.

      I’ll never forget going to Myrtle Beach once with some of my grunt friends. We were super-white w/o a tan, our legs were covered with chiggers and poison ivy, and we were bony thin, since we rarely were able to lift and were super thin from all the time we had to spend in the field.

      And while we’re sitting on the beach, dreading the next week in the field, some big Marines came by. They were tanned, they were buff, and they were Air Wingers sporting all kinds of Marine gear, and proud of it. (We basically hated the Corps…) And they had hot chicks with them while we could barely pick up a girl, and it was events such as this that made us almost despise anyone who wasn’t infantry.

      It just felt so unfair, even though many of us volunteered for the infantry. But truly, none of us knew how bad it would suck or maybe we’d have changed our minds. Honestly, maybe it was just envy. I wanted to be that big dude with the chicks, not the weak and angry guy whose feet were covered in blisters.

      At any rate, bro, thanks again for the comment and just remember, Marines will always back other Marines. And for that matter, service members of any branch will back service members of any other branch. We’ve all paid a price.

      Semper Fi, brother. Keep in touch and comment more often.

      Sincerely yours,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  5. The Marines are the best, the ELITE of all branches besides the special forces aspect of each branch of service. I find it sickening that people like you think its ok to be a sloth in the military be one getting out. I may not fit the bill now as I “relaxed” when I got out. Yes, I relaxed and found normalcy because I choose that. I served 11 years in the Marines in various duties outside my PMOS. People allow themselves to be robots.,.not someone from boot camp. Those people choose that life style. Shockingly you did not mention how we all get tatted up, alcoholics, man/woman whores, trouble makers, or Uncle Sams misguided Children (USMC).

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hey Phillip,

      I wanted to say first of all that I didn’t write that article. I quoted another writer and then linked to his article.

      And you make some great points about how the lifestyle is for most of those while they’re in. I’m proof that you can avoid that lifestyle, but I’m certainly pretty rare. (I’m still one of the only Marines I know w/o a tat, and still to this day I don’t drink… So, it can be done. Not easy, but it can.)

      Regarding relaxing, I’m really glad you were able to. Every Marine I know wishes they could achieve that same peace. I’ve even spent years heavily studying Buddhism (on top of Christianity) to try to find some peace. To try to be normal (or relaxed) again. Sometimes, I wonder if it’ll ever happen. Or maybe deep down I don’t want it to happen.

      Who knows. Life is complicated. I’m still trying to figure it out.

      Semper Fi, bro. Keep in touch and comment more often.

      Sincerely yours,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  6. I think other services are not taught their history, as well.

    We are taught everything that our service has done. There are no patches on are arms. We are just Marines.

    We know are birthday, we know the battles we were invovled in, and we are called former Marines, not ex.

    You are right it is hard to turn off the switch that has made us Marines. I agree, Stan, you kinda forget who that 18 boy was and where he went.

    I quess that is the price of are service to the best country the world has ever known!

    Sincerely yours,
    Don

    Like

    Reply

    3. Appreciate the comment, Don. It’s definitely the history that they pound into us that creates much of the pride.

      Thank you for your service, and let me know if I can ever be of assistance.

      Semper Fi,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  7. It’s funny to read that a fellow Marine feels closer to an infantryman of another service than a Marine of a different MOS in the Corps. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Marine Infantryman happier than when we are extracting him from a hot LZ and his ass is full of shrapnel or bullets. Maybe next time you can run your ass outa there while chanting songs to Ole Chesty. In 31 years I’ve extracted, Medivaced, casavac’d People from different services and never had one complaint. To the Jarhead that wrote that reply, you obviously spent a shitload of time on guard duty, in the rear with the gear. Trust me, I can tell a four year PVT-LCpl when I read your crap.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Topfig1,

      I apologize. I meant no disrespect by my comments, but I’m not going to bitch out and delete or change them. Truly, that’s how I felt that day, and I’m going to leave those remarks up because that’s how I felt sitting on that beach that day.

      Semper Fi,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

      1. Okay – been reading and (mostly) enjoying the exchanges. But, listen – don’t apologize to Topfig1. He sounds like a petulant, immature wannabe. Thirty-one years as a helicopter crewman? Naw. Don’t think so.

        Like

        Reply

  10. It is true that the Marine Corps leaves a lasting impression on its members. It made me a tough and resilient person. I have the ability now to set goals and understand that setbacks aren’t failures, I just need to adapt, improvise, and overcome to achieve what I want. I left active duty and got my bachelors of science in biology and I am now a year and a half away from graduating veterinary school. My classmates wonder how I can get through the stress of four years of medical school while maintaining a happy home life with my husband and child and I tell them that the Marine Corps has already taught me how to handle stress and time away from my family.

    Excellent leadership training has taught me how to reach out to people around me at their level and make connections without being a robot. They do know that I expect professionalism and honesty from them and I give the same. I have had people call me the Sergeant when I have had to deal with situations with others who were less than professional or honest but I don’t think that it is a negative trait to stand up for what is right.

    I also love what I am learning now and I have that in common with most people that I come into contact with. Any service member leaving any branch of the military should have a plan and go into a field that they can see themselves enjoying and growing in and they need to understand that the transition isn’t overnight. Another sergeant I served with will graduate pharmacy school at the same time I graduate veterinary school. It will take eight years for both of us, but in the long run that time is a drop in the bucket and it was our backgrounds as Marines that gave us the determination and commitment to see it through. If that makes the Marine Corps the worst branch then I’ll take it and wear it with pride. Semper Fidelis!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Congratulations, Cortney!!!

      So glad you’ve adapted well, and your experience is remarkably similar to mine. I might have been a little messed up in the head, but I was super driven and went to college year round and with tons of drive, earning my degree superfast while launching a business on the side and working parttime between 20 to 30 hours a week.

      So, I guess I’m saying I’ll take it, too!

      Semper Fi!

      Stan

      Like

      Reply

      1. Thanks! I clicked through to this by way of Facebook and I read your bio. I’m always thrilled to see a fellow Marine doing well and I look forward to reading more of your blog posts. Where are your books available by the way? I’d love to check out Sold Out over my break in a few weeks.

        Like

        Reply

      1. Thanks, Sgt LoGiudice! And I agree with your comment. For every horror story about Marines not adjusting after EAS-ing, there are just as many — or more — about Marines who have, and who have worked their butts off and gone far in various career fields.

        At one newspaper I worked at, they used to mock me and call me “Gung Ho.” I always volunteered for extra assignments, didn’t mind working weekends, etc. And it was funny… I think they thought that kind of peer pressure would force me to fit in and not make them look so bad.

        Um, nope. Don’t think so. We Marines have all dealt with 10x what people could possibly think we have. We do our jobs, we do them well, and we’re not afraid to outwork those around us. And if they have a problem with that? That’s just too bad….

        Like

        Reply

    3. Great post, Marine! I was successful for a time in the civilian world, but I was so proud of being a knuckle-dragging, life-taking Marine that I had to come back!

      Given the nature of today’s fight, it matters little what uniform you wear. In the end, we all fight the same enemy and we all come together to get ‘er done! And when it’s time to take off the uniform, those who have served will (mostly) rise to the surface and take their rightful place in society as ones to emulate and follow when they show up with a plan to succeed.

      I am PROUD of those soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines with whom I have served with and led into battle, and of countless others I don’t even know, because this ‘long war’ has given me a profound respect for you.

      Yep, I will almost choke a soldier or sailor out for bad-mouthing my Corps, but I will smoke anyone who maligns one who has served. Semper Fidelis, and just remember that beyond all the smack talk and bravado, we are the 1%!

      Like

      Reply

  11. To take the time to explain what the Corps injects into it’s rank and file would be a most time consuming endeavor. As a former Drill Instructor and USMC (Ret.), I do know that the Corps will never leave a Marine even if he/she desires it so. I am certain I wouldn’t want it any other way……Semper Fidelis,.H. L. Davis.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Davis,

      That’s exactly right. My buddies and I have talked about this, and even if you get out on a bad note, as time passes, your love for the Corps is rekindled and you grow prouder and prouder as you grow older.

      Appreciate the comment and please drop by to visit more often!

      Semper Fidelis,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  12. What is this battle of the branches? Its true, the USMC knows their history and is proud of it. Maybe the other branches should learn theirs. Call me a flower child but we are all MILITARY. We should be backing each other up. Not hatin and on each other. Im Navy my husband is Marine Corp. All i have to say is that the military hads taught us self respect, disapline, and pride. Not everyone are taught good morals growing up. We all come from different places and need some type if guidance. Military has given us that and the MARINE CORPS has given my family more than anyone can ask. (travel,stability, love..)So stop the haten n start the lovin.. We need to look at the good stuff it has done for us not the bad. N yeah weve had the bad…

    Rae
    USN
    &
    USNR

    Like

    Reply

    1. I agree, Rae. When our ship stopped in Italy, there were nearly some fights with the locals, and when we were in bars and situations like that arose, it didn’t matter if you were Navy or Marine or Air Force, it was ‘Merica first! : )

      Like

      Reply

  13. Being active duty the Marines was great for me. My MOS was like a 9 to 5’er. Never been in ships, just Airforce planes or Delta airlines to PCS duty stations. I was stationed in wonderful duty stations too like sunny SoCal or fun Okinawa. Tech schools like in Memphis for aviation or San Antonio for MP school was a blast too. Generalizations like this are weak. I wouldn’t trade anything to be one of the Few and the Proud!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Espeleta,

      Thanks for the comment! And how long were you in for? You mention at least two MOS’s, so I figure you at least did eight years… Is that right?

      Semper Fi,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

      1. Yes Mr. Mitchell, I got out for a year then reenlisted as an aviation ordnanceman just in time for Desert Storm which was an aviation war for the most part.

        Like

        Reply

        1. Please, just call me Stan. And isn’t it funny how the Corps somehow calls you back?

          I did my four and by the end, I was spent and pretty much hating it after a crappy deployment to Okinawa.

          But less than two years later, I was missing it — or at least thought I was — and joined a Reserve infantry unit about an hour and a half away. Literally the first night back in the field had me kicking myself though, thinking what an idiot I was for going back in… : )

          Anyway, same thing happened to one of my friends. He got busted down for a DUI from Cpl to LCpl,and cursed the Corps to no end because he felt his officer and command didn’t stand up enough for him. But then just a few years later, he re-signed up and became an officer. Got out after six a Captain.

          Heh. Go figure. It’s a love/hate thing. Like that crazy girlfriend we’ve all had or something…

          Like

          Reply

  15. Thanks for the article. It definitely made my night. I’m sitting in my barracks room right now at The Basic School in Quantico. It’s sad to me that the other branches don’t love their own branch as much as we love ours. I understand why they don’t, but I pity them for not being able to hold the level of pride that we do. Thanks again. Rah!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Steven, and good luck with your career. I spent a few weeks at Quantico doing some MOUT training before the Corps completely understood how best to fight in an urban environment. We were testing everything from various ladders to shields to even tactics, trying to figure out what worked best. I’d like to think all that testing and observation from officers and command staff back in ’97 and ’98 helped save a few lives after 9/11 (and especially in Iraq).

      Like

      Reply

      1. Patti, I’d like to thank you personally for your service to our country. Without you, our missions around the world might not have been completed successfully. I salute you. Sgt. Bob Diehl

        Like

        Reply

    2. Really, Steven? Did you survey the rest of us? How the hell do you know how much pride and respect we have for our branch of service and our fellow service members? When you’ve completed 30 yrs of service, come visit me and we’ll compare notes. I retired 3 yrs ago; now I teach middle school. I don’t see any reason to dwell on the 30 yrs I spent in the AIr Force, however I do respect the time and the service.

      Like

      Reply

      1. aaaaaand the butthurt in Pattis post is real. But…she proves the point made in the article by this statement alone “I don’t see any reason to dwell on the 30 years I spent in the Air Force”.
        Well, that kind of bolsters the authors point now doesn’t it Patti?

        But anyway, besides Para…the Air Force are civilians in uniform, not an insult, just a reality, deal with it. With all due respect to your 30 years, a salty Lance Cpl with 3 years has seen more and done more than the average Air Force person will do in 60. Sorry to burst your bubble but not everyone is created equal, despite what they tell you.

        SEMPER FI!

        Like

        Reply

        3. I absolutely do not understand any other service “bashing” the Air Force! Maybe they weren’t treated like shit in bootcamp, but there was absolutely excellent training. I do believe that the men and women of the Air Force have a very good reason to be proud. Me thinks that when you grunts were sometimes up shits creek, the AF came to the rescue!

          Like

          Reply

          1. Hawki,

            I appreciate the comment, and I assume you served in the Air Force? I don’t expect that you took the time to read all the comments, but I assure you I’ve been attempting to tamp down the anti-Air Force comments.

            Thanks for stopping by and defending the Air Force.

            Keep the faith,
            Stan

            Like

            Reply

      2. I have many military friends and to a person they say they respect the Marines most. I have a friend that retired as a Colonel in the Air Force after starting out as a Marine. He still considers himself a Marine and calls me, a Marine Sgt., sir.

        Like

        Reply

        1. Clyde,

          Somehow I missed your comment back when you posted it. (At one point, I was getting like ten or twenty a day… Sorry about that!)

          Anyway, thanks for the comment and your service!

          S/F,
          Stan

          Like

          Reply

      3. You don’t need 30 years to prove anything. I served 5 with 1/3 0311. A Marine is a Marine period. Infantry Marines are a special breed. Thank you for serving but be easy on the young Marine.

        Like

        Reply

      4. Patti, You don’t understand “THE DIFFERENCE” and that is why you don’t dwell on 30 yrs of service and that is why the CHEER FORCE doesn’t have the Esprit de Corps the US Marine Corps has!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        1. Hey Casey,

          I appreciate the comment and I’m assuming you served in the Corps, so thank you for your service! I’ve been trying to keep the rivalry between services tamped down in this thread. I’ve learned since getting out that very few serve period, so I appreciate and tip my hat to anyone who served in any branch, period.

          Semper Fi my friend,
          Stan

          Like

          Reply

      1. Anonymous,

        Honestly, I used to feel the same way, but once I got out, my views changed. In college — and afterward — I came to realize how few Americans actually serve. What is it? Is it 5 percent? Three percent? One percent?

        Hell, I don’t know, but I respect anyone who served and helped protect our country, and when I drop my very strong Marine Corps pride, I have to admit that the Air Force does a hell of a lot to protect our country, and they’ve kept us with complete air superiority so we grunts can do our thing since WWII (or Korea, depending on how you keep score).

        But I get your comments. And your pride is both admirable and necessary. The Corps MUST be made up of a bunch of hardasses, and I assure you when I was in and full of piss and vinegar, I was as hard as they came.

        Semper Fi, bro. I wish you luck in your future and as I said to someone else who made a similar comment, I’ll bet you in ten years you’ll feel more like I do now.

        Like

        Reply

        1. In response to your question, 1/10 of 1% of the population raises that right hand, this excludes TSA, FBI, CIA, Police, Fire, EMT, Paramedics, Border Patrol, Homeland Security, ATF, ICE, and numerous other agencies,…but you are truly the 1 per enters. Be proud no matter what service you sign up for.

          Like

          Reply

        2. Based on the veteran’s administration metrics there were 26 million ‘veterans’ in the general population which includes anyone that ever served. I ran the numbers and came up with an interesting number. Only 1 in 142 people in the US were Marines at one point in time or another.

          Like

          Reply

        3. Mr Mitchell,

          It’s .5% of US citizens that serve in the military. Only .5% put their lives on the line to protect the rest of society through military service. There are other ways to serve this nation but I chose the Marines and the Marines chose me. 0311 OEF combat vet. What I love about the Corps the most, is that any time, any place, a Marine will stand up for another Marine. The civilians call it a cult, I call it a brotherhood. Semper Fi.

          Like

          Reply

          1. Chad,

            Thanks so much for clarification on how many serve, and for your service in the infantry at a particular nasty time in our country and Corps’ history.

            And on a completely unrelated note, do you mind emailing me? My next book is about Afghanistan and I’d love to ask you a few questions about the terrain to ensure my book is as accurate as possible.

            Thanks, Brother. Semper Fi!

            Stan

            Like

            Reply

    5. Bro, your in TBS. Your a lance-tenant. Wait until you get to the fleet and you have Lt. Col’s pressuring you to sweep investigations under the rug and the Good Old Boy network advance the careers of incompetent officers for the sole reason that their yes-men. I love the Marines for everything they stand for: honor, integrity, and selflessness for the welfare of the Marines under our charge, but I see less and less of that in our superiors as time passes.

      Like

      Reply

      1. I really appreciate that. I’ve been blessed to meet tons fo great Marines since I got out and started down this author track, and they’ve all worked diligently to help me advance and succeed.

        I can’t remember if you subscribed to the blog or not — I’ve had quite a few the past few days and don’t have time to look it up — but if you didn’t, make sure you subscribe for alerts up in the upper right corner.

        SF!
        Stan

        Like

        Reply

  18. I was never train to kill but I was train to defend. Your parents told you always defend yourself if someone hit you , so that’s what the Marine Corps taught me. I never in my 30 year career have heard someone say we are train to defend around the world and at home. When I see people sorry comments like this one , but they didn’t know the Marine Corps or they don’t know any better. Yes we have the highest pride of any branch of service because of what it takes to be a Marine. It takes a special person to be a Marine oooorah. I transition very from a Marine MGySgt to GS Branch Chief for the Army with my Marine Corps Leader skills. I’ve seen some of the other branch of services leaders that retire and it seem like they forgot about how to lead when they became civilian employees. I’m only talking about what I see where I work around or seen at other place. Remember this is your opinion about the Marine Corps not the world because I wasn’t surveyed.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the comment, Master Guns. Huge, HUGE, respect for you earning that rank. That’s some serious love and determination for the Corps, and I know things can get super political as you rise in rank, so congrats on your stunning achievement.

      And I appreciate your words of wisdom, and you taking the time so say all that. Even I often find myself a little too ooh-rah and “Yut, Yut, Kill,” sometimes, but I’m going to keep your wise words in mind and try to tone that down in the future.

      Semper Fi from a humble Sergeant who’s honored you stopped by and made such a long comment.

      Like

      Reply

  19. Love the article and I love the fact that you reply to everyone. I just hate the fact that you feel closer to grunts of other services than you do to fellow Marines. I served 4 yrs as a 0621 field radio operator and I remember all the grunts I worked being happy I was around but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I do remember sleeping in the mud and all the field exercises and I do remember the grunts leaving the field early because the weather got bad. Not bad mouthing them because it was smart, it just sucked because our CO always felt the need to more than the grunts. So believe it or not some other mos’s get it just as bad the grunts and I wouldn’t change a thing. Semper Fi!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Anonymous,

      Appreciate the comment, but I did want to respond to it. First of all, if you were a field radio operator and spent that much time in the field, then I think it’s fair to say I have much love and respect for you.

      Secondly, I came to learn as a civilian that you can carry TOO much over-the-top Marine Corps pride, and I don’t think that’s healthy for your career or relationships/friendships with other servicemen and women. I mean, there’s no nice way to say this, but I’ve learned that frankly, no one likes a loud asshole. (Not saying you are, but I used to be. No more for me though.)

      I’ve come to realize that anyone who serves in any of the branches has done more than those who haven’t. And anyone who’s served in the infantry (or combat arms units) in other branches has earned additional respect from me.

      But I do want to be clear that I respect all Marines, period. And I appreciate the instant camaraderie we all have with each other. There’s just no way I couldn’t respect someone who’s stood on those yellow footprints and gone through all the crap we all went through in boot camp.

      Bro, I try to love everybody, and given the reputation we Marines generally carry, we could probably stand to have a few more Marines show a bit more respect for our sister services.

      Much love to you and all. SF!

      Like

      Reply

  20. Mr. Dill,

    Thanks for that comment and especially all those years in the Corps. You didn’t mention whether you were an officer or senior enlisted, but with that much time, I imagine you got VERY high up (or they’d have pushed you out). So, much respect for all your years in our Corps.

    And, I’d say herding kids and trying to deal with the energetic, little rug rats probably tests every bit of your discipline! I can’t imagine how much they look up to you. I never had a Marine teacher, but I once had a Middle School Army teacher, and he was so tough, so stern, so serious. Just an amazing example that I always looked up to, and I instantly wanted to have what he had.

    Keep setting the example for those kids and those around you. Our country — and our communities — need it.

    SF,
    Stan

    Like

    Reply

  21. I retired after 22 years of service on November 1st. Why do I fly the Marine Flag outside my house…Not because I am having a hard time transitioning to civilian life as the author of the original article writes, but because I am very proud of my service, not only to our country, but to our Corps. I am also proud that for the rest of my life when someone says “Hey Marine!” I will answer. The question that should be asked is why don’t more Veterans of the other branch of service fly their service flags outside their homes. They will fly the flag of their favorite college or professional sports team, but not the flag of their service…I find that to be most unusual. Semper Fi!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Bordonaro, I have a flag pinned up in my cubicle, and some of my awards framed on the wall. I can’t imagine not having it there, so we’re in the same boat. I can’t speak for why other service members don’t, but I do see some Navy flags out there. (I’m trying to remember seeing an Army one, and I honestly just can’t. But it seems Army service members are usually more proud of their unit, versus the whole Army. For instance, my friend who did his time in the 82nd Airborne is super proud of his unit, and trashes most of the rest of the Army.)

      And as I said to an early commenter, HUGE respect for your 22 years of service. Even as much as I loved the Corps, I just don’t think I could have pulled off that much time. I didn’t deal with some of the stupidity very well — and I have a Page 11 to prove it — but I also pushed too hard and pulled off getting Sergeant in four, so I’m not some dirtbag. I’m super proud of my record and incredibly proud of my Page 11. I was right about that and just about everyone knew it, but I HAD been disrespectful and undermined my squad leader (for good reason).

      I just don’t know how someone navigates the politics and BS for 20 years. It truly takes a better person than me to do that.

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  22. Stan,
    I read your article with great delight, and of course pride. As a 30 year retired Marine, I can relate to nearly every comment here. Starting out enlisted for 12 years up to GySgt, then Warrant to CWO-3 and LDO to Major, I thought every rank I ever held was the best rank, and each gave me new insight into the workings of the Corps. But the one thing I learned that is missed by a lot of young Marines is “The Grunt” is the most important job in the Corps. Every other job in the Corps is to support the Grunt, because as has been proven in the last three wars, the job isn’t done until there are boots on the objective!
    And one last observation: The Air Force has Airmen, the Army has Soldiers, and the Navy has Sailors. And I don’t believe their pride in their service branch is really any less that ours, but we ARE Marines.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Major,

      What a journey! Wow! Gunny to Warrant Officer to Major!!! There has to be a book in there…

      And you probably missed what I said above, since your comment posted while I was typing mine, but even as much as I loved the Corps, I just don’t think I could have pulled off even 20 years.

      I didn’t deal with some of the stupidity very well — see my comment directly above about my Page 11 — and I just don’t know how someone navigates the politics and BS for 20-plus years. It truly takes a better person than me to do that.

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  23. Thanks, Steven H!

    It reminds me of the old recruiter story where all of the recruiters get up in front of a High School and give their pitches and make all kinds of promises, and then the Marine goes last and says he won’t promise anything, that it will suck, etc., etc.

    I love that story…

    Like

    Reply

  24. Drill Sergeants don’t do anything to produce Marines. Drill Instructors are the super-motivated-ultra-disciplined-squared-away-stress-monsters that turn recruits into Devil-Dogs!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Correct, Devil-Doc. And I wanted to reiterate that I did NOT write that part that is quoted. I know the difference between Drill Sergeants and Drill Instructors. The person who wrote the article is named Ron Johnson and he wrote the article for Yahoo. (I think Ron served in the Army…)

      Like

      Reply

  25. Stumbled, tripped, and fell on to your blog; still trying to how that happened, but glad I did. As you, I am a Marine, 36 years, 10 enlisted, 26 as an officer, all but the first few infantry, took me nineteen years to write about it: “We’ll All Die As Marines,” website same as title w/o the apostrophe. Loved your books, read mine, I guarantee it will shake loose many memories of days gone by. Read all the recent posts, reminded me of many stories, but one if I may. We travel in an RV a lot, pulled into the Naval Base, Key West, parked the rig, and as I was setting it up, I noticed a bunch of folks on lawn chairs in a circle by another RV. The car had FL plates with a Marine emblem embossed on it, and there was a USMC flag flying from the RV. Once set up, I grabbed a beer and a cigar, walked over to join them. After all the introductions, I asked who’s ca?. A man stood up offered a hand shake. Of course, I responded with Semper Fi, and asked when he retired. He told me that he spent four years in the Corps as an infantryman, and decided that wasn’t for him. Got out, joined the Air Force and retired after 22 years. I asked why he flies a USMC flag and has a USMC license plate? Ready for this? He said: he is more proud of his four years in the Corps than he is of his 22 years in the USAF. He continued, being in the Corps was being in the military, being in the USAF was just like having a civilian job. As a former DI, I could go on for pages of how we create that attitude, but it’s all in the book. God bless the United States of America and Her Marines! Semper Fi Stan!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Wow, Sir?! Private to Colonel? I didn’t even know that was possible.

      And what an amazing story about the Marine and his Air Force time.

      And I saw your military decorations and the fact you served as a DI, and I’m torn between the feeling of not being worthy to shake your hand, but seriously wanting to, and the terror of you finding my home below inspection ready level. : )

      Semper Fi!
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

      1. Thank you for the kind words Stan, they are greatly appreciated, especially today as it is my birthday and I am pleased as punch to still be on the green side of the grass. Semper Fi, Brother

        Like

        Reply

        1. Well, happy birthday, Sir. And I saw on your website that your email is listed as “sgt” and it occurred to me that you must really be torn about your time in — as to what ranks you enjoyed most — and I hope the command staff sucked as much knowledge and perspective from you as they could… SF!

          Like

          Reply

      2. Good to see other “Mustangs’ reading the page! Pvt (all 9 enlisted ranks) to Capt was my forte within a 23.5 years of glorious service! Admire ALL who have served..no matter what service! Believe in ‘conscription’ for all youth out of HS for two years..in any capacity that will honor our Great Country! Believe that street crime would be at a minimum if so instituted! Really enjoying these comments and will be ‘Nooking” your books! OOOOORAH!

        Sem[er Fi
        Joe

        Semper Fi

        Like

        Reply

        1. Capt Fitzgerald,

          I do agree with you about conscription. I think every HS graduate should have to give two years, and those who object to the military, could do Americorps or the Peace Corps or some kind of social work like that. That would help almost all kids figure out what they really wanted to do in life, and thus they would go to college or their skill school far more mature, hungry, and focused.

          Really appreciate your comment and service, and I will need to email you about my books. (They’re not currently available on Barnes and Noble because of an exclusive deal I’m in, but I will email them to you at no cost.)

          SF and OOOOORAH as well!!!
          Stan

          Like

          Reply

    2. Hmmmn, your comment reminds me of a recent blog I read about a gentleman that was around 80 and recently joined the ranks of the VFW and was going to his first meeting (in FL) and noticed almost every car had USMC plates. FL is a state with many options, one for each service and so on…so he did some research (he had a PhD) and interesting stuff came up. The Marines are 3% of the total service, in his findings, he found like 18,000 Army and 20,000 Navy and like 41,000 Marine plates were issued, he was quite surprised but this is our honor and our heritage…We make Marines. And Yes we do have trouble shutting it off. If you find the article, you’ll see that my numbers are off a bit, but they are close. One last little story of how I became a Marine. I enlisted out of Salem Oregon in 1989, going nowhere fast I made a decision to see what my options were and everyone was saying go AF…so I made my 11:00 appointment with the AF recruiter and I shaved and wore cologne and showed up early. By 11:45, I was pacing the hallway because no one showed up….a Marine recruiter down the hall said, “Come here son, lets see how many pull-ups you can do”. That began my 7yrs 1 mon, 23 days in the Corps…and I’ll end this story with one last observation. When I got out…I found I wasn’t ready to get out and called the AF recruiter again, surely with my impeccable record they would want me now…he sat down with me and looked over all my schools and contemplated it for a bit and told me, “…we can’t use you because you are to combat-oriented”. My jaw nearly hit the floor…..so again went next door and joined the Army National Guard and haven’t regretted it. I have 17 yrs and 3 months of service on the books, and still not ready to retire in 3 yrs. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Wow. That’s an amazing story, all the way around. I did have some Marine friends go into the Army after their four because they couldn’t get anything but stupid infantry re-enlistment packages, and they still seem to wear their Marine Corps pride just as strong, or stronger. But who knows, maybe that’s just with me.

        Like

        Reply

    3. You have to earn your title to be called a Marine. Anyway I will try to make a point. I was an infantryman for almost 15 yrs, for circumstances out of my hand I had to get out of the Corps. 3 yrs later I started another career in Civil Service and yr later I joined the Army National Guard and ended up retiring with 25 yrs of total service, a tour to Desert Shield/Desert Storm
      And a tour with the Army at Iraqi Freedom 2004.
      Throughout my yrs of service the one thing I learned that every service has its mission and every job and every MOS is necessary for the accomplishment of the missions. I remember seeing those Air wingers and the LVT platoon getting those birds ready and amtracks ready for us for the landing. I appreciate the long hours these Marines put in along with the Navy Combat Cargo Crew. I tell you without the support the grunts get from other Marines they can not carry out the mission.
      I learned to have respect for others that wore a different uniform and understand their missions.
      I Am always identified as a Marine and it never is going to change regardless that serve in a different uniform at the end
      Semper Fi

      Like

      Reply

      1. Proud Marine,

        Thanks so much for pulling off 15 in the infantry and all your service the Army National Guard. You are far more hombre than me. My body barely survived four, and that was even after the Navy rebuilt my shoulder.

        And I appreciate your comments praising other MOS’s, as well as always remembering your were a Marine first.

        S/F,
        Stan

        Like

        Reply

  26. Stan, I sometimes wonder what it’s like to be an 0311. I have met and observed a lot of them being an MP and some of my school friends ended up as Division MP’s. I see that they are more closely knit than any of the units that I’ve been assigned to. But it seems like their day to day life is unpredictable and sometimes they have super a–hole commands. My unit had some 0311s fapped out to us. I really like most of them. They were much more relaxed and less of a prick than most of the MPs.

    Like

    Reply

    1. MPs are pricks, but I guess they’re supposed to be! : )

      And I think some of that close knit-ness (if that’s a word) comes from the fact that we’re together all the time. Like, literally 24-7 for most of the week out in the field. (Or they used to be; don’t know how it is these days with the wartime op tempo.)

      And sometimes it would be clear that there was no reason for us to even be in the field, just killing time, and they’d make us stay tactical so you couldn’t even talk. It was infuriating and maddening and I nearly went completely crazy. I still remember the day I spent almost eight hours behind my pack, my rifle aimed in the woods where visibility was maybe twenty feet. I watched ants, I went into a trance, I’m convinced I went nearly crazy that day, and if I would have had a pistol, I would have shot myself right then and there. (Or maybe the folks in charge…)

      In all honesty, I will probably never forgive command for that day. Marines aren’t stupid. We should practice being tactical some, but being tactical all the time destroys morale, convinces men not to re-enlist, and is utterly a complete waste of time, IMO.

      Compare that field op to one in which our platoon leader said to hell with it, let’s post a guard and do a boots and ute’s run.

      I never understood why we didn’t use some of that time for hand-to-hand, PT, lessons (such as the LT teaching PFCs to call in air support), or a million other things.

      But unfortunately, we never did, but that one time.Instead, we froze, we lay in mud, we sweat our asses off. And if you wanted to re-enlist, you could only go infantry again or a B Billet like DI, range instructor, or recruiter. And then after that, you got to be… Wait for it… Infantry…

      How they expected anyone to re-enlist is beyond me… I sound sour about it, and I guess in truth sometimes I still am. I joined with plans to do 20 years — 30 if they’d let me. I scored high enough to be in intelligence and I demanded to be infantry and even made them put it in writing. (And I had to talk with an Army recruiter about the Rangers in order for the Marine recruiter to take my threats serious about demanding to be infantry, whatever branch it ended up being…)

      But, had I known how it really was? Maybe I’d have changed my mind…

      Like

      Reply

      1. The BS you complain about (tactical tree watching) diminished rapidly after 2003. 03s are different because they can’t do their jobs alone or in groups of under three. You can work on a jet, drive a truck, push paper for the SJA, manage the supply warehouse, etc as an individual or maybe a small group. You can’t do infantry as a small group – it takes the unit to function (squad at a minimum). Infantry isn’t just closing with and destroying the enemy – although that’s its purpose. It’s the bullshttng, pranks, being there as support when something is wrong back home, the intense adrennaline rush, AND sharing the suck. Your unit is your life and every individual is a critical cog that determines the success or failure of that unit. That’s why infantry is tight.

        Like

        Reply

        1. Hey, Joe, thanks for the comment!

          I’m glad the BS tactical tree watching — I like your description of it — ended.

          And you are so right about the “bullshitting, pranks, being there as support when something is wrong back home, the intense adrennaline rush, AND sharing the suck.” That is absolutely part of what makes you so tight.

          And I know I probably sound like a complete bitch with my description of that day, but I was a new PFC, just in the Fleet. I should have said to hell with it and lay on my side and taken a nap, but I was Mr. Moto and all gung ho and stupid. So, I just lay there, looking for the “enemy.”

          I sometimes tell friends about that day and I say, “If you don’t think you’d go crazy, just try it. Put on full combat gear, including the helmet obviously, and go lay on your stomach with your back at a 30-degree angle, your rifle aimed toward the woods. (With a very short view — read, almost none; this shit isn’t like hunting where you see other game to make the time pass…)

          And lay like that, moving as little as possible, for eight hours. Don’t talk to anyone, don’t stand to relieve the pressure on your back, just lay there. And imagine as you’re laying there — trying not to look at your watch, since that only makes it worse — that you think the next three and a half years will be exactly like that.

          And if you can do that (and still even stand afterward and move your neck) and not want to kill someone or be completely half out of your mind, then you’re a better man than me.

          Damn, I still get pissed off about that day…

          Like

          Reply

      2. Hey Stan, as one of those prick Platoon Commanders in 97-99 in 8th Marines, I can honestly say it was for a reason. Now, I tried to be creative, but sometimes you gotta practice being bored too! Combat is 96% boredom and 4% about to lose your life, but you gotta be ready all the time. Not sticking up for the guy, I’m just saying! Think 2/8 – 97 to 99.

        Stay motivated!

        Like

        Reply

  28. I spent 8 years in in the Marine Corps. Yes it didn’t have four rating equipment or top notch gear, but it teaches you to live with what you have. Tell you a short story long, before I joined the Marine Corps I was homeless. I had a child at a young age and since I had two younger brothers my folks said I wasn’t living the Christian life that I needed to up hold for my brothers sake.i was 17 living out on the streets. To be exact under the 15 fwy. I did this for several month. It hurt as a father knowing I had nothing to offer my child. Well I got myself together went to the recruiting office and told them I want to be the best of the best. I signed my contract early 2005 and it was the best thing fir me as a person but more so as a father to my daughter. Those drill instructors instilled in me the key elements of survival, more so all those who where with me. Knowing this I have already had nothing but given a rack to sleep meals to eat and a rifle. What more can anyone ask for. I was protecting my country and more so providing for my daughter. Later I had two more wonderful children. Yes a single father, but remembering those who I have served with most of all. I fought with the leanest meanest SOB out there. So no matter what critics have to say, it takes special people to want special things. I thank you for all those who I served with for having my back just as I had yours and returning me to my little love ones who await to be in my arms.

    Semper Fi
    OIF/OEF
    Combat Vet
    USMC

    p.s. please note before you write about a branch know your facts we are not soldiers or navy men we are the finest branch of the military. If you choose a branch and so happen to be the Marines, remember nothing is given nor it will never be, because you work for what you want and it will be earned.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Garcia,

      What a motivating story! I will say that one thing I loved about boot camp is you have all these guys — some rich, some poor, some black, some white, some Latino, and on and on — and everyone is dressed the same, no one has any more than anyone else, and you have to earn respect. It’s not given by your parents through wealth or connections, it’s not given by skin color or ethnicity or how you talk. You earn that shit, day in and day out.

      And best of all, I had come from an innercity school with some racial problems and lots of division and animosity. It was so nice to be in a place where the only color is green, and the only “gang” is your platoon.

      Semper Fi, brother. I hope the Corps helps you get on your feet when you get out and you never have such money problems again. And good luck raising those kids. Inspire them to be great, every single day.

      That’s the other thing I love about the Corps. It teaches you to inspire others and set the example. And as I once read about kids, “More is ‘caught’ than ‘taught.’ ”

      They don’t care what you say near as much as what you do and how you live.

      Thanks for sharing your story. Hope you’ll follow the blog and stay in contact.

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  29. Reblogged this on Political Baseballs and commented:
    Lovely – more of the “Marines only know how to kill people nonsense.” The real reason Marines are the world’s most fearsome fighting force is because what those Marine Corps Drill Instructors instill in every Marine are three qualities that are far more important in any occupation – civilian or military – than any MOS training. These are qualities that every employer is looking for in employees: self-discipline, motivation and determination.
    This isn’t to knock the other branches or the people who serve in them. But the author notes that Marines carry a pride of service well into civilian life that they do not, and the reason can be directly traced back to those three qualities. Marines know there is no obstacle that can’t be overcome, challenge that can’t be met or situation too difficult. The attitude the author wishes we would turn off upon exiting active duty? It isn’t a desire to kill. It’s the self-assurance that results from having overcome the most extreme challenges any mortal man could possibly face. Although, truth be told, there is always that little inkling in the back of our minds that if you ask for it, we could send you to meet your maker in less time than it takes a rabbit to shit lettuce.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Well said, Ray. You pretty much said what I couldn’t say, but tried to imply with the comment of “being mostly proud of the article.” SF, bro, and thanks for re-blogging this!

      Like

      Reply

  30. After reading the entirety of the article, I completely agree with what he wrote about Marines, albeit I can’t fathom how so much pride in service is in anyways regarded as detrimental, and the Marine Corps does give you options to chose your MOS, and as long as it isn’t a hot one at the time, you’ve got a good chance, not only that you get two other choices if that first one doesn’t need you yet. Also his referring to combat MOS’s as “menial” is a kick in the nuts, if it weren’t for them people like him would be out on the front lines.

    Also, I did four years active duty, I then got out and went into the reserves, I have been doing that for a year. Now I have never been in the army, or any other branch, nor was I remotely interested when I first enlisted, so I don’t know how their recruiters work, what I do know is that pay, entitlements, and benefits work the same across the board. They are all regulated by publications that come straight from the DoD, and NOT the individual branch of service. The only case in which this is not true is BAH, and that is issued by the base commanders policy, for example, some bases authorize Sgt’s and above BAH, while others require you to be a SSgt or higher, and some that don’t have any barracks give it to everyone (I&I staff usually get this). That being said, my Marines now in the reserve unit weren’t informed upon joining how some of these VA benefits work, and often times I get “Well I would have joined active duty if I knew….”. These two year contracts he is so quick to glorify also bar veterans from some of those quintessential benefits that makes the notion of servicing in the first place even remotely desirable.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Excellent analysis, and great points that you made, Shane. One thing I’m not up on is the benefits and latest enlistment options since I’ve been out so long, so thanks for making some of those remarks. SF!

      Like

      Reply

    1. Correct, Travis. I didn’t write the article, however. It was written for Yahoo by a guy named Ron Johnson and I didn’t feel right making changes to his article. SF, Stan

      Like

      Reply

      1. Stan, perhaps a re-write is in order…I presume you can do a much better job, without putting down the other services. My son wants to go infantry…and part of me is really proud — while the other half wants to say “RUN”.

        Like

        Reply

        1. Thanks for the compliment, Michael. Maybe I will have to rewrite something along those lines, and take some of the comments from here and use them somehow.

          And I’d have super torn feelings, just like you, if my son wanted to join. In the end, I think you can share a bit about it, but if you try to dissuade him too much, he’ll want to go all the more.

          In the end, he sees something different in you and he wants to follow in your footsteps. That’s high praise and I think you just have to let him become a man and be super proud of what he’s becoming (and will become). SF, Stan

          Like

          Reply

  32. I think this is a hard sell to people in other branches they feel the comradery from there time, But I feel the brotherhood good point made is the fact that there are Marine corps flags everywhere don’t think I have ever seen a army or navy or others flying any flags at their homes,, as a Marine I have great respect for them every branch and soldier or sailors but make no mistake I am not dwelling in my past I am relishing all the corps gave me,, the good the ugly and the loss and pain. I don’t think any Marine thinks he is better than any others or that none of them have pride in their branch it’s the fact that every marine born from the fleet has pride in the Marine corps and yes there are exceptions to that statement too but speaking in percentage Marines are in fact always gonna be Marines I don’t boast about my adventures but I keep those good and bad memories very close to my heart and I am proud of every man or woman that served and not just marines

    Like

    Reply

  33. Some of us have a pride that is too big to fit in the door, even still. My wife says I’m still in love with the Corps and she says I love the military and my job more than her…food for thought, and therapy.

    Like

    Reply

    1. ya well the Marine Corps does have the highest percentage of PTSD and the other side of that coin is a bunch of crazy fuckers,(sorry for the language there is no better way to say it) some of us can hide the crazy till tested some are crazy out of the gate,, Judging from the few words you said you must be crazy out the gate,, oorah

      Like

      Reply

      1. Yeah, no denying we’re some crazy dudes…

        I was telling a buddy about how even our tactics are different. Most NATO troops retreat when ambushed, and call in supporting fires and reinforcements. It’s the smart thing to do.

        Not the Marine Corps. We’re trained to advance into an ambush. It’s stupid. It’s crazy. You’re fighting on their ground, against mines and who knows what else. But Marine doctrine argues that doing so will prevent the enemy from getting away from supporting fire that may take too long and will only lead to them ambushing more folks tomorrow.

        So, I do think it’s true that even the enemy learns there’s a difference between the Marine Corps and other units. We’re cockier, stupider, and more dangerous. Like a mad dog on rabies just looking to tear someone up.

        Bottom line, we’re probably just more brain washed, but even if that’s true, if you’re the enemy you’d rather fight against a platoon of guys who aren’t brainwashed than against a bunch of crazy SOBs who are.

        Marines are nuts and you don’t have to look far for evidence. I certainly am, since I’m dumb enough to think a 27-year-old can start a newspaper with just $20,000…

        No questions, I think it’s fair to say I’m certifiably delusional and insane… : )

        Like

        Reply

  34. I was a Marine grunt in 1966 Leatherneck square, came back to USA and ended up as a Drill Instructor and Made Basic Marine’s, boot camp is nothing compared to combat we make it hard and demanding so they don’t crack. I got out in 1969 and went back in USMCR in 1983 at the age of 36, I missed it and ended up with 30yrs of sevice, did my last PFT at age 54. Yes I can say “Once a Marine Always a Marine” I still miss it.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Holy smokes, MSGT!!! That has to be about one of the oldest re-enlistment dates that I’ve ever heard of, and certainly PFT ages. Am I wrong about how rare that is? Could it even be a record given you went back in at 36 and put in another 26 years, which most don’t even get an opportunity to do?

      And big Semper Fi and HUGE respect from here in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

      Like

      Reply

  35. Fantastic article, now Marine enlistments will soar. Who wants a bunch of wimps in the Corps. We only need a “few good men”. I never see any decals on any cars unless Marines. I can spot them a mile away and I wear my sweatshirt or something Marine Corps everyday. Of course, only Marines spot me, the rest are fearful. I am headhunter in the electronics industry. All you Marines send me your resume. Maybe I can help you. dick@dwasearch.com

    My joining the Corps in 1960 was the best thing that ever happened in my life. Everyday, every second, I utlilize my Marine attitude. But I will admit, “Not as mean, Not as lean,but still a Marine”. I have lost 50 pounds and can now fit into my Marine Blues.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the comment, Dick. And I probably use my Marine attitude more than I even consider. Oh, and huge congrats on the weight loss and being able to fit in your Blues — that’s a huge accomplishment! (Mine are too tight to look good, though thankfully part of the problem is I’ve bulked up now that I’m not living on MRE’s and no longer humping 12 and 18 miles at a time with a ruck…) SF, Stan

      Like

      Reply

  36. Correct, Rivens. FYI, I did NOT write that part that is quoted. I know the difference between Drill Sergeants and Drill Instructors. Believe me. The person who wrote the article is named Ron Johnson and he wrote the article for Yahoo. (I think Ron served in the Army, and thus the mistake…)

    Like

    Reply

  37. After my 24years in the corps I often wondered what it was that molded me into the person that volunteered everytime for some duty that would be merely uncomfortable at best. I have the means to live in a community that is made up of high ranking officers from all branches, and I know I am a cut above them, ironically they know it too. I am cocky and wear my USMC paraphernalia with exuberance and merely smile at my less fortunate acquaintances.

    Like

    Reply

  38. Stan,
    You’re probably getting tired responding to either pissed off or proud Marines. As a retired Marine with an entire family of Marines and all other services mixed in, I see the pride and uniqueness in all of our services. There are great people in all branches just as their are also less than honorable in all services. No matter which uniform you are wearing, if you don’t think you’re in the best service there is, then why are you wearing that uniform? When I was in high school I didn’t say ” I think I’ll join the second or third best service”. I wanted to join the service that was best for me.
    As far as blending in with society after your time in the service, I think taking discipline, patriotism, leadership, and courtesy into a civilian world that is severely lacking is a good thing.
    I do agree on a few of the authors points. One being if you’re thinking about joining the Marine Corps, think long and hard. They’ll be fewer people to weed out in boot camp that should of joined the other services.
    Much respect to you for answering so many comments………John

    Like

    Reply

    1. Excellent points, John. And honestly, I still think the author was mostly dead on. Everyone shouldn’t try to join the Corps, and I do wish I’d had a family of Marines around me. I might have handled some of my situations with more maturity and perspective.

      SF, Stan

      Like

      Reply

      2. Military service runs deep in my family all the way from the top, my grand-father to my daughter…I was still the only one to join the Marines. I needed it, I wanted it, it wasn’t forced on me and when asked about the Corps, my simple reply was two days out of the week were a blast, insinuating the other 5 sucked….which in most cases did. So in 7 yrs of service I had roughly 714 that didn’t suck — not bad in my book. We rarely remember the bad times though, must be a safety mechanism. I do remember lots of good times. I have a small collection of certificates, of which I wanted to hang all my certs on the wall, much to my wife’s dismay. Are there women that love the Corps as much as we do?

        Like

        Reply

        1. That’s a great way of looking at it — the two days a week being a blast…

          And it’s insane how proud I am of those certificates I have hanging, as well.

          And I’m not sure about your last question. I think I’m reading it wrong because I think there are a lot of female Marines who love the Corps. Or did you mean like wives who didn’t serve but have to tolerate their husbands being all crazy about the Corps. (Either way, I’m not touching it! I’ve learned to not piss the women off, and I’d rather fire and move against a well-armed enemy than tangle in a contentious verbal debate with a female. They usually win, ya know!)

          Like

          Reply

  39. I like the first few comments where the lil chairforce guy gets but hurt. Ive been on two of your bases gotta say..bunch of whiners. My time on one in the middle east that base was a vacation. They couldn’t really tell me about anything history, how there uniform came to be…I mean it was just sad. No pride in their uniform either. Haters gonna hate I guess.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Someone,

      Honestly, I used to feel the same way, but once I got out, my views changed. In college — and afterward — I came to realize how few Americans actually serve. Is it 5 percent? Three percent? One percent?

      Hell, I don’t know, but I respect anyone who served and helped protect our country, and when I drop my pride, I have to admit that the Air Force does a hell of a lot to protect our country, and they’ve kept us with complete air superiority so we grunts can do our thing since WWII (or Korea, depending on how you keep score).

      But I get your comments. And your pride is both admirable and necessary. The Corps out of necessity must be made up of a bunch of hardasses, and I assure you when I was in and full of piss and vinegar, I was as hard as they come.

      Semper Fi, bro. I wish you luck in your future, and I’ll bet you a hundred dollars that in ten years you’ll feel more like I do now than what you wrote above. The comment won’t ever go away, so come back and read it. Then mail me a hundred dollars. (Though in ten years, a hundred dollars probably won’t be worth a whole lot!)

      Like

      Reply

  40. Wow!!! This has been an interesting read. From the article to the comments posted by so many. I think that you and I are quite similar Stan, in our regards for the Corps. I was an 0341, 81mm mortar. Same as an ’11 except add 3 pieces of heavy gear to carry the 20-50 clicks through sand, water, jungle, whatever.
    I just did my 1 enlistment, and before you ask when I will tell you what I tell other people who ask: I went in during Reagan”s first term and came out in his second. ( I still feel today that he is my President, and will be my only President. I am not so proud that I can say I cried when he passed away.) I too did very well on the Intel exam, as well as the foreign lang bat, and morse code test. I got called into the CO’s office during boot camp and he wanted me to scrap my contract, guaranteed infantry, so that they could send me to Quantico. I declined. ( I still wonder what would have happened if I had chose to scrap my contract.)
    You are correct Stan, there is something special about Marines, especially amongst the 03’s. Whenever I meet a fellow Marine these days, the first question out of my mouth is ‘what was your mos?’ If the person wasn’t an 03 then the conversation will be 5-10 min long. If they were an 03 then the convo takes a couple of hours. Yes, I am prejudiced. At least I admit it. However, until people have spent 24/7 time together they just don’t understand. It’s not their fault. It’s just the way it is.
    You did give me a laugh with the Myrtle Beach story. I have a MB story myself that is 99.8% of what you experienced. I agree, white legs and bug bites and all, at that time I hated the Corps. I wanted out, as did all of my friends. We made it through and came out the other side. I hated the Corps for a long time. I didn’t want to be one of Uncle Sam’s Maintenance Crew. I got a little tired of buffing the same floor 7 times a day, 7 days a week. There was no way I was going to re-up. I skipped that part when it was time to do final check out. I filled in the guys initials myself. hahaha.
    As I read about these men that have done the career thing, I know that I do not deserve to stand in their shadows. They are a very special breed. When I signed up I planned to stay until I died. After reality showed it’s ugly face, I knew 1 and done was for me. To all of the people who completed a career in the service, I salute you.

    Semper Fi

    Bill

    Like

    Reply

    1. Wow, Bill. We do nearly share the same story. I sure appreciate you typing all that up and sharing it.

      Make sure you follow my blog and shoot me an email sometime. I’d love to talk at least a couple of hours.

      SF, friend,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  41. As an 8404 Navy Corpsman I had the “pleasure” of working hand in hand with all branches of the military in both war time and peace time environments. From what I saw and experienced the Air Force definitely had it the best in the Middle East, even as a transient escorting a patient back to Germany I was put up in an air conditioned tent that had a real bed in it and their base in Ramstein blew my mind. The Army’s living conditions in the FOB weren’t anywhere as nice as what the Air Force had, and they didn’t have a Pizza Hut on site. The Navy was a completely different kind experience that only Marines may understand after being packed into metal compartments and stacked three high. One good thing about the Navy is you actually do get to see the world, one port at a time. Working with the Marines can be utter misery, but in a good what ever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger kind of way. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit sometimes. More often than not the most I ever had over my head was a poncho stretched over my bivy sack out in the field, no big ass tent with a cot and forget about air conditioning or real beds. There were exceptions to this when we were able to set up a BAS (had AC sometimes) or forward deployed triage station (lucky if we had 4 walls and a roof) but a lot of the time I ended up dug into a fighting position taking turns not sleeping. Shore duty I’d imagine every branch was pretty similar as to the amount of BS involved, the difference being that the Army and Marines definitely have a more rigorous physical conditioning regimens. The only thing I can really say about the Coasties is what I saw of them on their 100′ patrol boats in the Gulf, they were pretty damn squared away. If I were to have been planning a fast boat attack I’d have steared clear of the Coast Guard boats, they were really jumpy and didn’t hesitate a millisecond when it came to putting warning shots across another boats bow.

    Like

    Reply

    2. Thanks for recognizing the importance of all branches of the military. I especially appreciate your comments about the Coast Guard. Since transfer to the Department of Homeland security, WEE are finally getting some recognition. The first half of my career was under the Treasury Department which wasn’t too bad. Then we were transferred to the Dept. Of Transportation; not good. Our budget was what was left after AMTRAK got theirs. We got little recognition, I was actually asked more than once, If I had to go into the military after I was discharged from the Coast Guard. In fact the media to this day,usually only mentions the four branches under the Department of Defense. I am pleased to see that our sister services appreciate what we do. Thanks…

      Bill
      CWO3, USCG (Ret)

      Like

      Reply

  43. The author of the original article ‘Ron Johnson’ obviously has an infatuation of the Marine Corp. Either he was a drop out after the 2nd phase or didn’t qualify at all to even enlist in the Marine Corp. If you read all of his articles on each branch of service, you will notice he mentions to stay away from ‘Grunt’ M.O.S’s, or “bullet catchers”. My bet is that he was originally an over weight high school kid who became a pencil pusher in the Air Force, just because how he protects them in his article with the name calling. The Marines is not just an Honor…it’s a brotherhood. I respect all Marines before or after me. And as far as I am concerned we gave this ignorant writer the freedom to write such sewage.

    Semper Fi.

    Like

    Reply

    1. You know, Kevin. I hadn’t given it near as much thought as you, or considered the psychology behind the article and comments he made, but after you wrote this, and I went back and re-read it and I have to say: You may be onto something.

      Or, maybe if he didn’t serve, maybe he had a friend who had a terrible enlistment, like a dishonorable or other than honorable discharge? I mean, we can all tell stories of guys we know who didn’t fit in and felt overly bullied and not accepted. Many of us can discuss folks who committed suicide. And even me, a guy who won Marine of the Quarter for the entire 2nd Marine Division for the 4th Qtr in 1997, yes, even I considered suicide at one point while I was in.

      On paper, I was the model Marine. But four years (in the infantry, at least, and that’s all I can speak for) is no joke. Sometimes, that four years felt like 40 years… And yet you feel totally trapped. You’ve had family and friends from back home wonder if you can make it, so you can’t go UA and go home. If you did go home, you’d prove them right. And yet you wonder if you can hack another couple of years of the pure hell and bullshit. (Least it used to be that way from 95-99, when it was mostly peacetime and full-time “game” time, in like the most stupid of ways…)

      You wonder if your back and knees will hold up, if your arches on your feet won’t fall, from all those long humps, where you want to literally cry and just give up… And quit everyone would do, except you’ve got everyone watching and you can’t let down your friends — or your men, once you’re in charge.

      Most of the men I served with had to jump in the bottle, just to escape the hell of it all. On weekends, they’d get plastered, and I’d be the Designated Driver, getting them back safe or keeping us all out of jail. But I never got that mental break. I was always worried about the next field op that would begin on Monday, and the upcoming humps that I always worried I might fall out of — I was one of the smaller Marines, and they were tough as hell for me. And since I was also the guy most saw as nuts (I’d do pack runs on my own at night, and lift when I could when we weren’t in the field), I couldn’t possibly fall out, so that added WAY more pressure on me.

      (Although in fairness, I’m describing the latter part of my time in. Prior to that, I didn’t drink because I was so motivated and focused. I spent weekends studying and training. I wanted to go Force Recon, then join the CIA, so I refused to get tattoos that might prevent me working undercover overseas. And I didn’t drink partly because of that focus, and partly because I had seen some dudes seriously get messed up in fights. Not me. I’d rather stay sober and fully ready to defend myself, which I was quite adept at thanks to 10+ years of martial arts training.)

      Anyway, damn, I’m rambling… It’s just so nice to talk to Marines who understand this stuff. Really, really appreciate the great comment. It gave me another angle to consider the article from, and let me think back on some of my own demons. SF, Stan

      Like

      Reply

  44. I was raised as an Army Brat, I was career Navy and my Uncle Windy was a career Marine pilot and an ace during Korea. I saw many an operation of landing Marines on the beaches and went ashore on liberty with them. They are great people down to their bones. I have nothing but respect for their unity as a Marine fighting man. They are very patriotic and loyal to each other and this country. To say the Marines are the worse of the services is just not valid.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Miller,

      Thanks so much for the comment. It’s funny, until I spent six months on ship, I had almost no respect for the Navy — except for Corpsman.

      But after six months on ship, including about a sixty-day stint off the coast of Bosnia with no liberty, I learned real fast that I’m not sure I could have survived four years in the Navy.

      The Navy creates its own hell, with the inspections, chipping paint, and games they create to (probably) keep the men sane. And I also had the most unfortunate pleasure of havign to work 30 days for a Navy Chief on our 2,000 person LHA washing pots and pans for 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. I remember how water-sogged and bleeding my hands got, how bad I sweat and stand and how I didn’t even feel like showering before hitting the rack, and how that damned Chief treated the Marines a hundred times worse than the sailors — and I don’t blame him; if a bunch of cocky-ass Marines came to work for me, I’d make it my mission to break them down, as well.

      Well, he did. And by the end, I even respected his ass. Completely. He was thin, lived on coffee, and his uniform was immaculate. And he’d say stuff like, “You think carrying a rifle is tough, let’s see how you are washing dishes.”

      Probably that single month did more to crush my morale than any other. Prior to that, I wanted to be Recon and eventually CIA. After that, I realized I was just a social security number. Nothing special. Just a name and a number, a weak little bitch who couldn’t hack washing a bunch of pots and pans for 30 days.

      Unless I’m mistaken — and I don’t think I am — I have literally NEVER said another ill word about anyone in the Navy since the end of those 30 days. Anyone who can hack four years in the Navy has my deepest respect.

      SF from a Shellback,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  45. The Marine Corps is a “good old boy” network, run by Masons. Once you go through and become a Marine, you have been changed for life. The Marine system is brutal and hard on it’s members. Punishment is swift, except for Officers who are treated much different than enlisted members. The Officer Corps is a “Cover their own ass “system even US Bankers could learn form in life. The Marine Corps is run by it’s Non Commissioned Officers, “NCO’s.” There is no doubt that Marines, despite any differences or personal opinions and views, get the job done and complete the mission.
    All Marines are taught too Kill and desensitized towards killing. Killing great numbers of enemy is held in the highest regard. Marine’s who can shoot expert or better are held in higher esteem than sports celebrities or movie stars. It is a total environment of 24-7 competition, discipline and petty aggravation of each other.
    Getting out of the Marine Corps and becoming a civilian is pure frustration. Living in the USA and seeing all the corruption and laziness drives a Marine crazy. The Marine Corps itself is a mini example of a mess. The difference is it is constantly being worked on, laziness is cut out and individuals who can’t hack it are driven crazy or drummed out.
    Being a Marine is also held against you any time you go to Court, a fight, guns, knives, any situation, the spineless Judges, State and Federal view you as a monster.
    Don’t become a Marine if you want a peaceful life afterwards. The “change is forever,” just like the Marine Corps tells you point blank upfront.
    The Marine Corps does a magnificent job programming you, it does a complete shit job deprogramming you for return to life.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Damn, Joe. Maybe you’re the one that should have written the article. You nailed it, especially the deprogramming part.

      It was so hard for me to go from being a squad leader responsible for probably $200,000 worth of gear to having to stock shelves at Office Depot for a “manager” who couldn’t lead a group of kindergarten kids to lunch…

      Getting out is in some ways as hard or harder than staying in.

      SF, brother,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

    1. Actually, Mark. I had forgotten that Joe said that. Honestly, I don’t know anything about any Masonic influence or undercurrent. And I should have said that about his comment.

      Like

      Reply

  47. Hah! I had never considered it that way, Melanie: “I know I have a hard time adjusting back to ‘civilian life’ but I’m not a civilian!”

    Love that attitude. SF! Stan

    Like

    Reply

  48. What a gaggle fk! Is this all you pukes have to do? Go clean your rifles, shine your boots, square away your uniforms and save our Country! You’ve got three minutes, I said three fkng minutes! Semper Fi!

    Like

    Reply

  49. I have to agree with Joe. I knew something was up, when we deployed to South America and once in country and in jungle a machine gun started shooting at all of us. No one ducked, we all ran towards it and destroyed the operators/crew. I thought then “WTF” has this organization done to me, whereas, i run towards an automatic weapon of any kind……………….no concern for getting killed, just who is going to get the bad guys first!!
    The really don’t promise you and they tell you the “change is forever.”
    You don’t understand that until your much older. Thinking about the fellow Marines who didn’t make it, never ever leaves your mind.
    The Marine regulations are “written in blood,” derived over years and years of battle lessons. The Marine Corps has a higher kill ratio than any Military Organization in the history of mankind.
    The Marines also do not have the black vs white problem. They “F” with everyone the same. This country as a whole could learn from the system.
    I am glad I served and proud of being a Marine, but in the next life, I will go “Air-Farce.”
    The change “IS” forever.
    Semper Fi
    LB

    Like

    Reply

    1. LB,

      Appreciate that comment, and you sharing that. We unfortunately lost a guy even in training, doing river crossings in Okinawa. It was a monsoon and on the very edge of being considered too safe to execute, but our CO decided — as I probably would have — that in war we’d have to cross a creek in those conditions, and so we did, but we lost a man. And that was on a Saturday. We lost a man, in training, on a Saturday, when most people aren’t even working…

      Most people have no idea how dangerous it is, even in peacetime. I wrote about LCPL Foster here: https://stanrmitchell.com/2012/03/01/act-of-valor-a-movie-review-turns-into-a-full-blown-rant/

      And wouldn’t you know, he was one of the few men in our unit who was married and the father of two kids. Most of us were 19 or 20 with none of those responsibilities. It saddens me to this day, but I know that’s the price of freedom, and it’s the price of being one of the baddest infantry units in the Corps. I just hope our Captain has forgiven himself for making that decision.

      SF, Stan

      Like

      Reply

    1. Correct, Mr. Sloan. I didn’t write the part that is quoted. I know the difference between Drill Sergeants and Drill Instructors. Believe me. Been there, done that.

      The person who wrote the article is named Ron Johnson and he wrote the article for Yahoo. I merely linked to it, and quoted that part. (I think Ron served in the Army, and thus the mistake…)

      Like

      Reply

  53. Just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your article on the best to worst branches to enlist in..
    When I pulled up your article I was expecting some bashing of my beloved CORPS…And was surprised when nothing but good stuff was wrote about my Family…..We will Kill to protect our Country,Our brothers and sisters and our familys and would not hesitate to die for anyone of them!!!! Thank you Sir!!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks, LCPL Robert Ramey! Honestly, I expected the same thing when I first saw the headline for the article. But then I read it and was like, wow. Yeah, I’m mostly proud of all of that. It’s like he paid the Marine Corps a backhanded compliment.

      SF, and keep your head down and your chin up, brother.
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  54. Thats why we are the few, the proud, the Marines. Stop in any at Marine Corps League meeting. We all did what we were told and went where they sent us. God bless America and God bless the Marine Corps. Good night Chesty, where ever you are.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the comment, Andy. And that’s the first mention of Chesty that I’ve noticed on this page. We all ought to hit the deck and pump out twenty for that massive oversight.

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  55. It seems to me that atleast one branch should be the best at killing. Please don’t misunderstand I don’t want war or anyone killing anyone But we all know the world we live in. We maybe don’t want to know BUT WE KNOW that there is a need for our militaries, OUR MARINES. My son graduated Oct 25, 2013 from Parris Island. I made him pick an MOS other that Infaltry, But I am no dummy, I know that his 1st duty as a Marine is a rifleman. I hope and pray and truly believe that what they teach in boot camp is a special kind of ????????? I can’t even name it But I know my son has it! I don’t think you should rank our militaries I mean they all have their purpose and God Bless them all. Speaking from my experience the Marines are truly a family. I have felt something deep in my heart since becoming a marine mom and I see it and hear in my sons voice. I just think that article stinks and no purpose in writing or reading!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hey Tanya,

      (I considered saying Ms. Tommasi, but thought that might make you feel old, and I know a few Mom’s that know how to throw a hip toss, so I’ll push my luck and call you Tanya!)

      Anyway, you make a point that I’m not sure has been made. In truth all the branches have different tasks (broadly speaking) so we really shouldn’t be trained the same or act the same.

      Thanks again for the comment, and for raising a young man who wanted to join the Corps. Be sweet to him and send him plenty of care boxes for him and his buddies to share when they’re deployed. He’ll remember each and every one till the day he dies, most likely.

      SF!
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

    2. Thanks for recognizing the need for all branches of the military. I was a little surprised at your statement that “at least one branch should be the best at killing” then say you made your son pick an MOS other than infantry. I am equally surprised that your son allowed you to make that decision for him. It’s a good thing that enough marines proudly choose infantry to negate the need for the Corps to make make that decision for them. You are correct that every Marine is a rifleman. However, having never served in the Marine Corps, I will give you my opinion; not a statement of fact. I am a proponent of the proposition that we need every MOS or specialty and acknowledge that when pressed into battle, clerks and cooks etc. did themselves and the Corps proud. It is also my opinion that professional infantrymen are in a constant state of combat training and readiness and therefore, are the best qualified first line of defense. Without infantry, I don’t believe their would be a Marine Corps. I thank your son for his service and I thank you for your obvious pride in him and the Corps. I too, am proud of every Marine, their families and the UNITED STATES MARINES

      Bill RaVell
      CWO3, USCG (Ret.)

      Like

      Reply

  56. Two things.
    One – the whole article (the Yahoo one – not Stan’s, as some here still don’t grasp the distinction) seems to emphasize getting the most while applying the least effort. If you’re thinking of joining the military and that is the kind of mindset you have, best advice I can give you is don’t. Don’t waste your time or anybody else. Ok, there are some jobs (in all branches) that have more in common with civilian office jobs than what is perceived as military but …that actually brings me to my next point,
    two – comparing infantry and especially Marine Corps infantry to other jobs is idiotic. But not without reason. Would you compare a librarian to a narcotics police officer? No, that would be stupid. Makes apples and oranges taste the same. But we do it in the service. Especially in the Corps. The Army has berets, patches, CIBs etc.. to give special recognition to their infantry and further to the rangers, SF, and pretty much your whole SRB is patched on the uniform. Marines have non of that. Anyway, getting off topic here. Basically, all I wanted to say is all specialties have their role to play. But when I hear some POG saying that his job is just as hard and then some – it’s an insult. You chose your job (at least the job field, unless you went open contract in which case….smh) so live with it and love it. But know your place.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Kovalenko,

      Great analogy about comparing a librarian to a narcotics officer.

      And yeah, you’re right… If you’re going into any branch trying to figure out what’s in it for you, or what you’ll get out with, then you probably need to think twice. Your signing your life away. They’re going to shoot you full of vaccines that aren’t even approved for the civilian market. They’re going to put you in harm’s way. And that’s any branch. As we know, from there, it just gets worse. (Or, better, depending on how sick in the head you are.)

      SF!
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  57. My brother is a Marine. I always have a huge respect for service men and women. I will say it is annoying to read people correcting you. You quoted an article. Thus, the mistake was not yours. For the 15th time.

    Like

    Reply

  58. I see no reason to not show pride in where you came from. I served for 20 years in the Marine Corps. Served 2 years as a DRILL INSTRUCTOR at Parris Island. I have 2 tie clasps, 1 Masonic and 1 Marine. There is a different mystique about Marines many people will never understand….3 months of a DI telling you about pride honor valor and virtue, and after leave the Corps you should just turn it off? You damn right Once a Marine always a Marine.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Reese,

      Thanks for the comment! And for your service. And I’d imagined after twenty years, with two of them as a high octane DI, you couldn’t turn it off even if you wanted to! : )

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  59. I believe the kind and the term of service starts before a potential recruit actually signs anything to begin their service. A prime example would start with the recruiter. It’s relatively easy to get into the service. But, the difficulty begins with the question of how to get ahead once you’re in. I’ve seen recruits that are set up from the start with their service contract. They have usually end going to almost every military school you can think before they even report to their first duty station. I’ve seen the contracts have so many military schools that it could be up to three years before the even report to their first assignment station. I think most recruits fail from the beginning because they are not told ALL the how’s and why’s to gain rank. That’s just my opinion based on personal observation from 1989-1999..

    Like

    Reply

    1. Eric,

      That’s a keen observation, and I hadn’t really ever considered it. But you’re right, we can all name guys who thought they were going to get this MOS or that MOS and when they don’t, they feel betrayed and lied to. And many struggle to ever get past this.

      I wonder if headquarters in Washington has ever considered this? And what the true cost might be of problems in this area? Maybe they have, or maybe they haven’t. It might be worth sending a letter to the Commandant’s office about this, just in the off chance they hadn’t considered it. (We all laugh about recruiter’s lying to poor saps, but I never thought about how it truly affects careers.)

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  60. This is a complete stereo type of the US Marines. What is the authors background? And what makes him an expert on the benefits of the Military? I served in the Marines with 2D light armored recon. I had no issues with adjusting to civilian life. Though I was an infantryman with no transferable jobs skills I still managed to get a college degree and get a good job. As an American I respect your opinion. As a prior service Marine I ask that you write something more productive.

    Like

    Reply

    1. morbe,

      Just to be clear, I didn’t write the article. A guy in the Army did, for the website Yahoo.

      And I’m curious on when you got out? While I’m ecstatic you had no problems adjusting, that wasn’t the case for me or my buddies. I’m hoping that maybe the Corps has some better re-adjustment programs than when I was in.

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

    1. Sigh.

      Airborne, as you will see throughout these comments, I have tamped down the inter-service rivalry of various commenters — and I have done so to only get attacked by several Marines for doing so. I didn’t have to defend the other branches, I chose to. It would have been easier to just throw fuel on the flames…

      Sigh. Deep breath. Stay calm, Stan.

      Okay, I DID, however, read the entire article and while I could counter and provide rebuttal, that wasn’t the point of me linking to the article from Yahoo in the first place. I’m not trying to create some big debate.

      I merely said I was proud somehow despite the fact he ranked the Marine Corps last. And as you will see further down, I give props to a good friend from the 82nd Airborne, I defend the Navy, I defend the Air Force, and I defend the Coast Guard. We are all service members and we should hang together and be proud that we all have paid a price and we all have been taken for granted (mostly).

      Bottom line, there’s enough vitriol and anger in our country and politics already, so going and stoking up this fight that has been fought dozens of times already doesn’t seem productive.

      Damn, bro. Seriously, my man. Be proud of your service. Hell, you were Airborne. An elite part of the Army. Why you got to come in here and attack our heritage and say the Marine Corps isn’t necessary?

      But I tell you what, I’ll forgive you because more than likely some of my fellow brethren have spewed enough anger your way to make you hate us for life. I get that. But let’s not re-fight these battles here. Or today.

      Thank you for your service. I salute what you did for our country, and I respect the obvious pride you have in the Army.

      Semper Fidelis,
      Sgt. Stan R. Mitchell
      Alpha Co., 1st Bn, 8th Marines (1995-99)

      Like

      Reply

      1. Stan I would like to thank u for the article, I understand why the marines were ranked last and am proud to be a part of the bottom of the barrel, 1/8 comm June 81 Feb 85 Semper Fi till I Die!

        Like

        Reply

        1. Wow, Kevin! Small world! I was in Alpha 1/8, 95-99. We probably slept in some of the same mud, and I curse you for not killing some of the old mosquito bastards that reared and trained some of the meanest SOB great grandchildren ever! Semper Fi, bro!

          Like

          Reply

            1. Oh, my, William!!!! Yes, indeed! It IS a small world. I’m glad you stumbled by the site and dropped a couple of lines. (And I had forgotten those two terrible words!!! Not so glad you reminded me of them! : ) But I’m glad to find another person that I served with in the 90s. Always nice to cross paths with someone who went through the same crap I went through!)

              Like

              Reply

              1. 1/8 H&S Comm 95-98. Albania, Zaire, that crazy (and subsequently fired) SgtMaj…good times in the land of the hurricane party!

                Like

                Reply

                1. Anonymous,

                  Thanks for the comment! We certainly shared the same seas and probably the same ship! (Can’t remember which companies were on which ships!)

                  Were you on the U.S.S. Nassau?

                  And thanks for dropping the comment! Always nice to cross paths with someone from your former life in this small world we all share!

                  S/F,
                  Stan

                  Like

                  Reply

            2. Semper Fi! Devil Dogs!!!

              I proudly served from January 1994 to January 1998. I was stationed in Camp Pendleton Camp Horno 53 Area with 1/9 and with 2/1. Those were the best years of my life!!!!! I fly my Marine Corps Flag every day of the year. This is an awesome article because it’s supposed to insult all the Marince Corps, but it actually defines the way a Marine thinks even after we separate from the service.

              Like

              Reply

              1. Hey Mario!

                Thanks so much for the comment! I never made it to Camp Pendleton, but 1/9 has a legendary status!!! (At least on the East Coast…)

                I did do a couple of CAX’s at Twenty-nine Palms, but never tasted the hell of the hills of Pendleton…

                S/F!

                Like

                Reply

      2. I’m the Marine in the neighborhood with Old Glory and the USMC flag flying from flag staffs on either side of the front door. Plt. 1005 MCRD PISC graduated 2/11/74. Graduated from Brown Field OCS on 8/14/81. MOS: 0302 and 0311.

        Like

        Reply

        1. Wow, Walt. Assuming you stayed in between boot camp and leaving for OCS, I figure you made a career of it? I’m assuming you don’t want to share your full name, but do you mind saying what enlisted rank you got to and what officer rank you retired as?

          S/F,
          Stan

          Like

          Reply

  62. Its not we cant transition its because we work our asses off to earn the title Marine and take pride in it .but not only while were in but in civilian life also.we have a true brother and sister hood years after our enlistment so if you want life long friends and someone who will drive hundreds of miles if you need help.i know because I have some of those friends who will do that .

    Like

    Reply

    1. Dustin,

      You’re absolutely right about the lifelong friends. I don’t keep up with my fellow Marines like I should, but we have each others numbers and we know we’re just a phone call away, despite the fact that hundreds of miles separate us.

      SF and thanks for your comment!
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  63. I’m probably a little older than most on here, but looking back 50 years ago when I served (1961-67) the Marine Corps is still one of the most important things in my life. In fact, after the USMC, with a 35 year career at IBM, and now working for myself, I can tell you that although I had a good HS Education, I had no focus, no drive and no discipline. What I learned in Boot Camp prepared me to be successful in life. Discipline, Dedication, Teamwork, Commitment all prepared me for a business career that provided a great life for my family. Although I wasn’t 0311, I did serve 3 years in Infantry Battalions, so I get the “Grunt” thing, but what makes us Marines is our dedication to our fellow Marines, in or out of the service and to our Marine Corps. It’s not arrogance, or elitism that makes us Marines, it’s our dedication to an ideal, and to our comrades. Ours has always been a smaller fraternity, one that felt more like family, as you most always knew someone no matter where you were stationed. Other services probably think the same way and everyone who served needs to take pride in what they have done. I got to serve with a lot of WWII & Korea Marines who mentored me and from whom I learned a lot. My late Father-in-Law served in the Solomons, and as a 19 yr old 2ndLT (Battlefield Promotion) led his Machine Gun Platoon in the Battle of Bougainville, and followed that with service in Korea and Vietnam. My best friend in the USMC walked out of the Chosin with the 1st Marine Division, another won a Silver Star on Iwo Jima. Each one impacted my life in a positive way, and although we didn’t really know about PTSD back then, we understood the issues these guys faced which manifested itself sometimes in alcoholism, and other activities that attempted to replace the high adrenaline rush of Combat. I continue to promote hiring of Veterans and especially Marines in my business activities, just because I was one of the 1%, and most businessmen just don’t understand how valuable service experience can be – because they just don’t have first hand experience. Semper Fidelis actually means something.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Holden,

      Thank you so very much for that comment, and for sharing that history. Bottomline, that was VERY well said.

      You’re so right about the Marine Crops skills that are practically (and often literally) beaten into us applying to the business world. Had I not been in the Marine Corps, then there’s no way my start up newspaper would have survived. (It still nearly didn’t.)

      And honestly, had I not been in the Marine Corps, I probably would have never had the guts to take that huge plunge and quit my job and borrow a ton of money.

      It sounds like you have some amazing friends and family. I would cherish every moment I was lucky enough to be around those guys, and I stand in honor of the years you served as well. Those were some rough years.

      SF from a man not even worthy enough to polish your boots,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  64. I never trained with Marines directly but I’ve seen them train and they are CRAZY!!! Anyone who joins them are definitely missing some brain cells. They look like machines. I am a sailor and proud of my service..

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hah! Thanks, Peter! You’ve given me — and most of the others on here — the greatest compliment you could give us! I’ll just own “crazy,” cause it’s mostly true.

      Thanks for your service, and “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  65. Rewind to 1967. I was educated to be a Navy Hospital Corpsman. In Viêt-Nam, the Tet offensive broke out in early 1968 and I was “attached” to the 1st Marine Division in Danang and my “post graduate” education began. It was a hard, tough, brutal course of study. I hope I made my fellow Marines proud.
    Semper Fi
    Danang Doc

    Like

    Reply

    1. Doc,

      There’s not a Marine I know who wouldn’t go out of their way to help a Doc. And it doesn’t matter what the Navy says, any Doc that served with me is as good as a Marine in my book. Our Docs were tough as hell, held up on our humps, and gutted it out with the best of us. We even had one Doc who liked to fight more than most of us, and frankly, he could whoop about half of us.

      I can’t imagine the trauma you saw, or how any man can ignore the danger and focus on saving a life, versus fighting back. I have that highest amount of respect for all Corpsman.

      SF, brother,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  66. I don’t think it’s about Marines being killers. We’re the kind of guys and girls who hate to lose and don’t quit. I think it boils down to knowing you can depend on the guy next to you, regardless of his MOS. In boot camp, the Drill Instructor instills the knowledge that you all sink or swim together, that one man not doing his job, can doom the team, squad or mission. When the platoon screwed up, the whole platoon got dropped for pushups. Every nail in the box has to do it’s job or we all suffer. I did 3 tours in Nam, working in CAP (Combined Action Platoons) for 2 of them. My MOS was supply, we had cooks, truck drivers, riggers, payroll people, all volunteers in the CAP, doing infantry jobs. We never felt unsure of any man doing his job, because we had all been through ITR (Infantry Training
    Regiment), were familiar with all the infantry training and weapons, based on an attitude that we were all expected to perform as a grunt if needed. That’s why you can take 12 guys and a Corpsman, hook them up with an equal number of Vietnamese soldiers and their medic, stick them in a compound 20 miles from any major base in Indian country and it works well.
    It builds an unbreakable pride whether 5’7″ and 130 lbs or 6’2″ and 200 lbs., we were all grunts, brothers and willing to do what was asked. We hold the eagle, globe and anchor in highest esteem and still proudly wear it. In civilian life, I respected people from other branches I worked with but I never had a problem expecting competence and completion when I worked with another Marine. I knew the job would get done. Greeting another with Semper Fi isn’t exceptional, it’s normal.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Wow, Mr. Vaughn. I’ve always read about those CAP Platoons, but never met anyone who actually had been a part of one. Being in the middle of indian country alone, w/o support and with locals you probably shouldn’t trust? That’s crazy. And three tours? Even crazier.

      Much respect to you, sir. And you make a great point about the various MOS’s in the Corps. We’re all war fighters, and I want to make a slight clarification.

      When I remarked above about infantry units being tight and how I often feel closer to infantry guys from the Army, I should have stated that this comment applied back when I served, which was almost completely a time of peace. Back then, non-infantry Marines such as supply and truck drivers generally worked more normal hours and seemed to enjoy the Corps more. Their vehicles were usually covered with moto-stickers and they pumped iron and picked up the chicks — what damn few there were — with ease.

      Not so in the infantry. There were almost no Marine stickers on any vehicles in our battalion area and nearly every Marine that I knew couldn’t wait to get out; those who stayed in were often not the kind of Marines who even should stay in.

      In the ranks, our company — Alpha Co 1/8 — was called “Alphatraz” instead of Alpha Company, because we had a saying, “Once you get in, you never get out.” (Out of that company, that is, because they almost never approved transfers or allowed guys to try out for Recon or other high-speed stuff. In all honesty, our company often had low morale and had some Marines in it that were misfits and frankly bad apples. We had quite a bit of guys pop on the piss test for drug use — some as a way to purposefully get out of the hell of it all. Anyway, these bad apples spread their poison and really pulled the company down.)

      I have no idea how it is now as far as morale or tightness/brotherhood between MOS’s, but even back in the late 90s, I knew Marines in any MOS could fight with the best of them. It’s always been true, “Every Marine a rifleman” and there’s probably not been a single war where non-infantry MOS Marines haven’t been in harm’s way.

      And I want to reiterate one other thing that I said above. Without question, it’s often safer in an infantry unit. I know I wouldn’t be thrilled to be on a barely protected resupply convoy in Iraq. I’d rather take my chances with a 150 bad-ass grunts who are under supplied and pissed off, looking for a fight.

      One final point. When I got out in ’99, I could barely stand other Marines. There was almost an animosity that I felt. They were all moto and proud of their time in and I practically hated the Marine Corps. I was struggling to adjust and they were all upbeat and optimistic about life. These are HUGE over-generalizations, but my infantry friends felt the same.

      Few of my friends will admit this, but we shared a feeling that they lived (and got laid) on the fierce reputation that mostly infantry Marines helped create. (And of course some were dishonorable and would claim to be infantry or snipers when they weren’t; we could always smell out these frauds fairly quickly — usually by how damn happy they were — and God help them if we caught them doing it.)

      For me, it was probably five years before I would even wear a Marine Corps shirt or bring up that I was a Marine. I instantly almost distrusted anyone who had too much moto gear on. They had lived a VASTLY different life than I had during our time in and I had nothing I wanted to say to them. (They usually had nothing they wanted to say to me, either.)

      Anyway, I’m really glad I’m getting some of this out. I should have been talking about it for a long time.

      And for anyone reading this, everything I’ve just said was hastily written and no ill intent or disrespect was intended. I love you all now, and I’m coming along pretty nicely, I think. (And hell, it only took me about 15 years.)

      Like

      Reply

  67. The facts are facts. Marines are taught to do the best, to become the best, that they are capable of becoming. Some refer to us as nothing but mind controlled robots that can only obey orders. A Marine is taught to know his job and a few ranks higher as evidenced in Vietnam when a Cpl took over his platoon for nearly a week when his plt commander, plt sgt and plt guide were either killed or evacuated. An air wing major (helicopter pilot-shot down) took over a Marine infantry battalion when the original commander was killed and did a fine job of it. I have had our navy corpsmen offer to take point on a patrol and were down right angry when I said no–you are too Valuable to lose when the fist fire fight begins.
    I know the terror of the the first day in boot camp and know the terror of my first gun fight and the terror of boot camp was worse.
    I have had people assigned to my infantry platoon that were cooks and clerks and respect all of them.
    I have served two tours as a Drill Instructor just 3 months shy of 6 years in Golf Co. 2nd RTBn. I know that almost everyone remembers their DI’s names until they die.
    The only EX Marines are those who have lost the Title by being discharged with other than an Honorable Discharge. S— Birds in other words.

    1stSgt of Marines, Retired.

    Like

    Reply

    1. 1stSgt,

      My word!!! You are absolutely correct. The first day of Boot Camp IS more terrifying. Way more. I had never even thought of that, but that dark ride in on that bus to Paris Island is enough to make you cry in terror. (Though for me, riding into Albania in helo’s under fire was scarier than being on the ground under fire. I hated not being in control of my life, with your back turned and your ass exposed at that. And I’ve heard indirect fire like mortars or artillery hammering you is the scariest and most helpless feeling of all. I can’t speak to that. We heard mortars firing — not ours — but no impacts came close, thank goodness.)

      Dumb question, 1stSgt, but does a 1stSgt/former DI ever retire?! I think I know that answer. : )

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

      1. One additional point about fear and boot camp. Actually, the “Moment of Truth” might be more harrowing than the ride in. Especially if you’ve understated some prior medical conditions and are scared to death they may have found out. (Not that I would have ever done that, of course, or know what I’m talking about!)

        For any of those career Marines out there, I would love to know (as I’ve always wondered). If a recruit HAD lied about prior medical conditions AND he or she confessed them during the “Moment of Truth,” what happens?

        Is it a felony and a dishonorable discharge? Or just a chance to get your medical records straight?

        Like

        Reply

        1. In college when I signed up for the PLC Officer program, I lied on my applications. Supposedly, I had a back problem from a football injury in High School. Had I mentioned it, I would have been dropped. Being silent, I went through the PLC/Boot camp program fine. I was a farm boy use to tossing bales of hay. In my freshman year of college, they wanted to do a spinal fusion and told my Mom that I could step off a curb and be paralyzed, etc. They wanted the money for the fusion. I never once had a back problem and to this day, feel great. Some things are worth lying for. The Marines are one. I never wanted to be considered a cripple.

          I would guess they would get a discharge if a medical condition was discovered. It was a no-brainer for me to take that risk. I could have easily been 4-F, thank the Lord that I wanted to be a Marine lots more.

          The Marine Corps teaches history. I find it interesting that the Japanese today do exactly the same thing as their grandfathers in WWII, but they wear business suits instead of Army uniforms. When the officer was killed, no one rose up and took over. In the American army, privates rise to the occasion and lead. Not many Military units throughout the world do that.

          Like

          Reply

        2. Near the end of 1965 the draft was in full swing and I was about to be transferred to Vietnam. I had a recruit that had joined during a small riot in San Francisco. The 3rd day of processing we were getting physicals and waiting in line. Private says: Sir, I can’t pass the physical. “What’s the matter with you Numbnuts?” He explained that he had a glass eye and I told him to pluck it out and show me. He said that he had to have water to do it. The dental building was nearest so I took him to the head to wash his eye and show it to me. He could actually move the eye like it was real. It was slightly rounded and only 1/4 of an inch thick with three prongs that held it in. He was given a ticket home with no discharge papers, like he had never joined. I have had people from the army with a bad conduct discharge that were given another BCD with no court martial when their back ground investigations came through.

          Like

          Reply

          1. Thanks for answering my question, 1stSgt. I always assumed that there was no way they’d court martial a person who wanted desperately to join something that they loved. Maybe not let them stay in, but not severely punish… I just couldn’t imagine that.

            Like

            Reply

      2. You do have a point. My deepest respect for the chopper people. I only had to land in a hot LZ twice and those guys did it over and over. The choppers that I rode in were shot down 3 times in Vietnam but fortunately they were close to the ground and only an extra hard bump when we landed with no casualties.
        Did I retire? I thought I did for about 6 months, even grew lamb chops and hair a little over 3 inches. At age 72 I still have a razor cut, Marine Corps stickers on my pick-up and both flags hanging outside of my home.

        Like

        Reply

        1. Love it, 1stSgt! Isn’t it funny how when you first get out, you rebel against the Corps a bit? So funny that you even grew lamb chops and three-inch hair. I didn’t even manage that. I started growing my hair out, but couldn’t stand it. (My hair has always been short.)

          But I’ve still yet to meet anyone who fully managed to rebel against it for long. Even my buddy with the DUI, who hated the Corps truly as much as anyone I had ever met, ended up re-enlisting and becoming an officer just a few years later.

          And even more massive amounts of respect for you given your history with helo’s. I never trusted them in peace time, and flying in on them was terrifying. Had I been shot down, it would have been hard to get me back in one. (I know I would have, I guess, because I’ve always been terrified of heights, but even completed our mountain training in S. Korea doing some rope work from some seriously fierce heights. Best of all, my men didn’t know my fear as I led and volunteered. But I was a Sgt then, and rank has a way of motivating you, as you know…) SF!

          Like

          Reply

          1. Rank can motivate you to a point. I also am afraid of heights but I have a private pilots license and love to fly. I stayed in a hotel with glass elevators near Disney Land, on the way to the 17th floor, I have to close my eyes and turn my back to the glass. When I got back from my last tour in Okinawa (1978) I was acting SgtMaj of 3/7. We had attacked the beaches of CamPen and had to fly to 29 Palms for 10 more days. My driver backed his jeep into the chopper. The driver is supposed to set his brakes, the crew chief is supposed to tie a belt around the front tires to keep the jeep from rolling, TOO much trust, I wasn’t watching. The chopper took off and immediately the jeep starts rolling towards the back, the chopper goes nose up and the chopper barely recovers while I’m yelling at the driver: The Brakes, The Brakes. I did not ride in a helicopter again until early 1980 before I retired, I took the jeep every where. We were at the mountain training center at Bridgeport, CA when I decided to ride a chopper down to base camp. The whole battalion cheered when I got on the helicopter.
            No, I haven’t been on one since. I have seen too many just turn up-side down and crash with burned bodies inside.

            Like

            Reply

            1. Wow! What a story… Well, at least now I know you’re not superman.

              And I’m like you, too. If I get near glass up high in a skyscraper, I nearly puke. And it takes some serious willpower to get on my home’s roof. But I refuse not to do so, as I fear the day I can’t overcome that fear is the day I give up my manhood.

              So, sometimes I put the ladder against the house and climb up there just to make sure I can release the steps with my hands and ascend further. It truly takes some serious willpower, which I know sounds cheesy or weak. But fear is fear, in whatever its forms.

              Like

              Reply

  68. You’re right about the Marine Corps Infantry. In .57, /58 and ’59 I was LCpl, 0331, 2nd Bn. 5thReg. 1st Division…the most decorated unit in the Corps and wore the “Pogie Rope”. In those days, that MOS meant carrying the light .30 cal Browning Machine Gun. Even the 0311 Riflemen respected us…the wing-washers and supply dudes didn’t have a clue what we did, but most were glad they didn’t have to do it. The Marine Corps is the Infantry…everyone else in the Corps is there to support it.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Sparling,

      Honored to have you comment here. And let me be VERY clear. Everyone 0311 that I know has insurmountable respect for 0331s, as well as whatever the mortarman designation is. (And SMAW gunner, too.)

      When I was in, once they got all the 03’s together, they’d pick the biggest dudes in the outfit and send them to Weapons Platoon. Weapons Platoon was probably tighter than even my infantry platoon. They had to carry more gear, had to get detached to various platoons, and they were just flat-out tough and mean. And big. Have I mentioned how big they were? (Like at least three times?)

      When we humped, they usually put Weapons Platoon in the lead and there was nothing more embarrassing than wanting to quit and seeing those dudes up ahead of you carrying M240s, mortar tubes, and base plates.

      And I remember a few times when their platoon wouldn’t be in the lead, and some stragglers would start falling back. They’d yell at them to get out of the way — which every platoon did — but if that Marine didn’t get out of the way, instead of being pulled or pushed to the side with at least some sympathy/dignity like most platoons did, they’d literally knock them off their feet.

      And Weapons Platoon had four squads while some of our infantry platoons only had two, so they’d take on two platoons at a time, and not even blink an eye. Especially with how big they all were.

      They were some bruisers. Some tough mofo’s.

      And oh my… Just remembering hearing those machine guns work together on live fire ranges. There’s nothing like the beauty and orchestration of two M240s on tripods (or bipods) doing “talking guns.”

      Da. Da. Da. Da. Da. (Left gun.)

      Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam. (Right gun.)

      Da. Da. Da. Da. Da. (Left gun.)

      Bam. Bam. Bah. Bam. Bam. (Right gun.)

      And the whole time, infantry guys like me sprinting and sprawling, huffing and crawling, moving forward, advancing, firing and moving, sprinting through low ground, getting muddy or dusty, wondering if you can make it, and arriving at the objective completely exhausted and out of breath, the smell of cordite and sweat lingering in the air.

      Hot damn I miss those days… Where the hell is a recruiter?! I’m signing back up. (They still take you at 36, right?)

      Like

      Reply

  69. By the way, we never called ourselves the “Infantry” unless talking to a civilian or other service member…we were called a “Line Company”.

    Like

    Reply

  70. This is the first time that I have ever posted on any blog. I believe Mr. Ron Johnson’s article was excellent; he may be using reverse psychology which is sometimes the best way to get extra attention. Who knows, he may be a former boot camp “pick up” that didn’t make it or a wanna be marine that didn’t make it past the recruiter. But it get’s everyone all riled up and the potential enlistee’s will join Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children instead of the army, navy, air force or coast guard.
    My MOS was 0331/8511 from 1965 to 1969. After boot camp and ITR I joined G-2-5 in Camp Margarita, did a tour in Vietnam and a tour at MCRD San Diego as an esteemed Drill Instructor. Those two years as a Drill Instructor were the best years of my entire lifetime career (1967-1969 peak of the Vietnam War) and boot camp was accelerated to eight weeks. I successfully completed my tour as a Drill Instructor and received an Honorable Discharge on April 1969. I remember telling myself the day I was separated, that I would never have to polish my shoes/boots again. And to this day, shining my shoes/boots is as much part of my life as breakfast, lunch and dinner. My gratitude goes to my Drill Instructors and to the United States Marine Corps for the training, values and experiences I received. There are hundreds of thousands of marines out in this world that will NEVER forget their Drill Instructors, I am one of them. And because of those three professionals, their experience, guidance and training that they bestowed upon me, I later became one of the elite Drill Instructors whom a lot of marines out there will always remember … good, bad or indifferent.
    Having spent four years of my life in the United States Marine Corps has had an effect on my entire life. I learned pride, honor, integrity, loyalty, self-discipline, being a team player, respect for others, high expectations and performance on anything that I set to accomplish, leadership, physical and mental conditioning, and most important, to put my family above all, except for the Almighty. Semper Fidelis!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Flores,

      I am beyond honored you decided to comment. I am in awe of all the Marines who have come out of the woodwork and commented on this post. I don’t rate to even hold the door for you or the vast majority of those who have commented on this post.

      Thank you for continuing the tradition and making the Marine Corps as brutal as it was when I was in, and I hope I honored you and these other fine warriors by passing along some of that discipline and toughness.

      And I think that like almost every Marine I ever met, I DO wish I had been given the opportunity to be a DI. That would have been worth re-enlisting for, if they could have guaranteed it for me, and if I could have rekindled that insane, over-the-top love I initially had those first few years. (I’m probably being too hard on myself about my attitude toward the end; I did earn Sergeant at a time when that was rather rare. But four years in the infantry had beat me down a bit, and I’d blown my shoulder out fighting — get this — a big dude in Weapons Platoon, who I failed to hip toss and who slammed me to the ground like I was a light pillow. I landed like a stiff log, unfortunately…)

      But as my shoulder aches and slows me down to this day, I will always believe that one of my greatest moments was when Weapons Platoon was talking shit, and my platoon was giving it to them back, and when things seemed clear that they were about to go down, I will never forget running as fast as I could toward their biggest guy. I lead my squad — I was a Cpl and we had just gotten in a bunch of boots — and I remember thinking, “Now this is what leadership is. One of the smallest guys leading from the front and taking on their biggest guy.”

      And for about five seconds, I was Rambo. I was Rocky. I was John Basilone, I was Chesty Puller. And then we collided, I tried to hip toss him, and then my dream died. I failed and he crushed me.

      Turned out he was not only bigger than me by about seventy pounds, he had also been a wrestler in Ohio and made it to state. He destroyed me and messed me up pretty bad.

      But, oh my… For those five seconds, it was grand… And honestly, as sick as it sounds, it was probably worth it. That charge cemented my reputation for good in my company.

      Like

      Reply

  71. I wonder if Top Sgt. Stelling ever attended an old fashioned “drumming out”? At Pendleton in ’58, the CO decided to make an example of a shit-bird. He called the Regiment to the Grinder in Uniform Able in front of a stage. The shit-bird was marched in front of a prisoner-chaser up to the stage, where the CO read the charges then a drummer rolled the drum, the CO ordered the Regiment to about-face and the shit-bird was walked about 5 miles to the front gate and escorted off the base, sans cover or belongings except his sea bag. I actually felt sorry for the shit-bird. The CO was at the time the youngest Bird Colonel in the Corps, Donald M. (“Buck) Schmuck, later Brigadier. He had been in most of the Pacific battles of WWII and the Chosin…one tough bugger, highly respected by the troops. I think we still hold the record at Pendleton for 110 mile march, 5 days, in full gear. The tune-up was 37 miles in the mountains in one day…stragglers were still coming in the next morning. Those were the days!

    Like

    Reply

    1. I don’t rate to comment on this, but I had never heard of such a thing and I’m so glad you shared the story. Wish they still did this. And I’m hoping 1st Sgt Stelling sees this to answer it.

      Like

      Reply

  72. Another “by the way”: When I was promoted to Corporal I had 2 stripes. Then in ’58 the ranks changed and I became a Lance Corporal…same E-3, but the loss of the stripe felt like a demotion. Kind of pissed me off.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Oh, my. Yeah, that would have pissed me off, too… Just like when I was in, at some point they started A) giving stand out recruits LCPL straigth out of boot camp and B) keeping Marines together from boot camp, to SOI, to the fleet. (I’m not sure if they still do this.)

      It was probably a good idea, but it was harder to break these guys down when they arrived to the fleet. They arrived thinking they had made it and since they were with their friends, there wasn’t that feeling of fear and insecurity like me and my friends went through.

      Like

      Reply

  73. Stan…well said about the Weapons Platoon guys, but I was part of a 4-man machine gun squad in a rifle platoon, first as ammo carrier, then assistant gunner and finally gunner. The asst. carried the 31 lb. gun, the gunner carried the 11 lb (as I recall) tripod, plus a 1911 Colt and about 40 lbs of other gear. But we rarely had a full squad, usually just two of us and one rifleman recruited to carry ammo. I weighed 135 lbs. then, my asst. weighed about 150. Man, we thought we were tough, especially the asst. gunner, one Ruben Flores…it was hard to pry the gun away from him. I confess I was glad to give it up when we rotated who would carry the gun or tripod. Blister City. At our Regiment then, we always had steak at mess after a 2-week field exercise. Almost as good as the SOS of which I was very fond.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Oh, I see. Amazing that you were able to carry that at that weight.

      And I can relate to your size, which makes me all the more amazed. I weighed 135 when I was in the fleet. Craziest thing I ever did humping was this one boot was struggling to keep up on a hump and i was sqd ldr.

      So, I try to encourage him, and that doesn’t work. Then I start shaming him, and that helps for a while. But soon, even that’s not working. And then I do what had been done to me and dozens of other Marines. I start telling him to drop his pack. That he can’t hack it and is a piece of shit, etc.

      Well, unfortunately for me, and probably for the first time in Marine Corps history, this piece of crap says, “Yes, Cpl,” and drops his pack. And THEN hands his weapon to a fire team leader that had been yelling at him, as well.

      Well, a hundred men had seen this all occur so I was too startled to know what to do. So, I yell at two squad members to grab his pack and throw it on top of mine. They do and the weight crushes me immediately. I know it’s not going to be possible, but I refuse to lose face. And so I tell them to rush forward and get back with teh formation and I start on with both packs.

      I couldn’t come close to keeping up and I carry both packs maybe a mile and a half. (And it’s all I can do to even do that.The pain was just so much on my back and even my lungs could barely open and close beneath so much weight.)

      I only make it that far because the company had stopped and I figured I’d give him his pack back, and could catch my breath. Well, I trudge in, drop the pack, try to stop hyperventilating, and then the CO orders everyone up. I was destroyed that I wouldn’t get that break. And I take my position in the lead as sqd ldr, but I quickly fall out. It was so embarrassing. The only hump I fell out of in the fleet. (I fell out of one in SOI.)

      And to make matters worse, when we arrived, the CO — a Captain I would have taken a bullet for — watches me trudge in. And he shakes his head, disgusted. And I, in classic Marine tradition, refuse to make any excuses. So, I meet his eyes and just say, “No excuse, sir.”

      About an hour later, he came up to me and said, “Cpl Mitchell, how ’bout next time you don’t try to carry two packs?”

      It completely made my day and I think had he not found out the truth, me letting him down would have bugged me to the end of time.

      One upside to the story is that piece of shit Marine turned out all right, and carrying those two packs helped build up my reputation. But it did mess up my back for a while. I’m still not sure what I did to it, but like most injuries, it healed with time.

      (You know, I’m sure people are tired of reading about my stories, but these stories were huge for me. They defined me. And, I guess it is my blog so I can do what I want. But still, I do need to say that hearing all these stories from these TRUE warriors who did a million times more (who probably laugh at my stories) has absolutely made my week. I am sooo grateful for each and every comment. BEST OF ALL FOR YOU GUYS: I’m about out of stories.)

      Like

      Reply

      1. Oh, and I totally forgot to finalize my point, Mr. Sparling. The only reason I blabbed about that second pack and how much I weighed is I figure his pack was probably 55 or 60 pounds. So, my web gear, flack, helmet, plus my pack, plus that 55 or 60 pounds, and I ONLY made it maybe a mile and a half.

        AND, I messed my back up and couldn’t keep up for the rest of the hump. (I think that was 12 miles.) My point was, at 135 pounds, I KNOW that I couldn’t have carried a 31 pound gun very far. You, sir, were a hundred times tougher than me. (And I was the idiot working out at night or doing ruck runs in the dark when we were at the barracks because I lived in perennial fear of falling out of humps — besides being small, I had a short stride and it was hard for me to keep up.)

        Like

        Reply

  74. Stan…love your blog here…it’s a treat to hear the stories and reminiscences of Marines of all ages. If I get too nostalgic, feel free to tell me to shut up, but at 75 I don’t have much opportunity to share with people who understand.

    Like

    Reply

    1. No way! We may be the only two still at the bar and listening, but that doesn’t bother me!

      Tell me some more about the Old Corps and how it used to be (and still should be)!

      Like

      Reply

  75. Stan…boy, do I understand the short stride part. When I was at MCRD, the boot camp platoon was organized with the tallest in front, probably still is,’cause it looks good. My best pal was Right Guide. The “poison dart people”, as the DI called us short folk, were the last to get into the mess hall, which taught me to eat really fast, a habit I retain to this day.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Oh, yeah, they still put the short guys in the back… It’s keep up or die trying.

      I had a DI take me and three other guys in the beginning of boot camp and say, “I don’t think short guys ought to be in the Corps. You can’t carry wounded men who are larger, you can’t carry as much weight or ammo, you just aren’t big enough to be Marines. So, I’m going to make it my job to break all four of you so you won’t graduate.”

      And let me tell you, he damn sure tried.

      I was often torn. There were times where I thought small guys SHOULDN’T be in the infantry. It’s true that I couldn’t really fireman carry this 220 pound big Marine in our platoon.

      But then the short guys were so dang tough. There was actually a smaller guy than me in my platoon. He was literally one of the toughest guys I knew. And he didn’t like to lift, so he was really small. But he LOVED to fight. And he was literally red headed and covered with freckles and man, that guy had probably been fighting since he was three years old.

      He was the toughest Marine I ever met, and it got to where no one in our company would take that guy on. He was insane. Nothing short of dried leather tough, and he’d smoke and drink and not sleep at all on weekends, and then not sleep in the field.

      I still don’t know how he did it.

      (Oh, and on the small man thing? That’s part of the premise of my Western book. It’s about an undersized deputy marshal, who’s also young. The odds are stacked against him, but he’s just come off three years of war fighting for the South… I get so many people who are small that email me about that book, appreciative of the fact that the main character isn’t a 6’4″ John Wayne type…)

      Like

      Reply

  76. Stan…thanks for indulging an old Marine. I’ll let you off the hook now,
    It’s past my bedtime, but rest assured I’ll be back.

    Like

    Reply

  77. Combined Action Company Papa HQ at District Headquarters, Cam Lo, 2 Feb 68, TET. In the first moments of the fight, my company clerk Lance Corporal Eades (ostensibly a not particularly squared away Marine) came running up, “Sir, the machine gun is jammed”. I spoke the two most important words of my life, “Clear it.” He did and was instrumental in saving us all– Silver Star followed. Now, in the crunch, who do you want serving next to you; how about a Marine typist?
    Semper Fi, Peter Haines

    Like

    Reply

    1. Amazing story, Mr. Haines. And I want to reiterate for any who may have missed some of my replies. ALL Marines are warfighters, and all are trained for combat. So, when I’m in a crunch, I’ll gladly take any Marine, period.

      SF and thanks for your service!
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  78. Mr. Bowling,

    Absolutely dead on. Hearing those words and earning that title is one of the proudest moments of my life. And I love that you mention the calling of each other names. People always laugh when they overhear me talking to a Marine — like my wife or some of her family. We pretty much trash each other the entire time. Love my brothers though, and it’s funny when you meet a Marine for the first time and you’re speaking the same language and trashing each other in no time.

    SF!
    Stan

    Like

    Reply

  79. Proud E5 Parris Island Marine here of 70 years. My friends and family say I am one of the most caring and giving persons they know. I will give the shirt off of my back to those who really need it and rip it to shreds anyone who badmouths my God, Family, Country or Corps. Semper Fi!!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Hamilton,

      Thanks so much for joining us and stopping by. And I think your comment is probably just about the perfect description for how all Marines are: Givers, and fighters.

      Semper Fi, my friend.
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  80. Stan…I wonder if anyone on the blog had the pleasure of going to Cold Weather Indoctrination at Pikel Meadows in the 50’s? After all the casualties at the Chosin from frostbite and inadequate gear and training, the Corps created the camp in the Sierra Nevadas at around 12,000 above sea level. I was there with the 5th Reg.1st Div. in February 1958. It got to 20 below, froze my young ass off, but there were some highlights, like digging and sleeping in snow caves, carring the Browning light .30 wearing snow shoes, etc. Another highlight was that as the old timers will attest, you had to finish your C-rats to draw a new box. So the canned stuff that was inedible (tuna and noodles, John Wayne crackers, etc.) were thrown into the 12-hole outdoor crapper in base camp. Every night, they poured kerosene into it to burn the crap. All night, you could hear cans of C-rats exploding from the heat. Woe betide anyone who had to take a dump in the middle of the night. He was apt to get peppered from below with an assortment of the worst choices of inedibles plus a little extra from someone’s digestive tract.

    Like

    Reply

    1. My goodness. I’ll pass on that. I hadn’t heard of Pikel Meadows, but I’m freezing even thinking about it.

      These days, it seems Bridgeport, California, and Hokkaido, Japan, are two of the main training areas for cold weather and mountain training.

      Interestingly enough though, I noticed on this website for Bridgeport a link to a newsletter called the Pickel Post. I wonder if it’s the same place you’re describing, but they’ve renamed it.

      Take a look at it here: http://www.mccsmwtc.com/pages/pickelpost.html

      Like

      Reply

      1. Pickle Meadows is the mountain warfare training center a few miles from Bridgeport, CA. Used for cold weather training in the winter and rock climbing in the summer.

        Someone asked about getting a bad discharge. I believe they did away with that in 1962. In 1961 we had a prisoner marched up in front of the battalion. The CO gave the command for an about face so we wouldn’t have to look at the slimy person. He had been dressed in purple trousers and a pink shirt to embarrass him ( that would probably be okay by today’s standards). He was put in a jeep, driven to the front gate at CamPen and told he was on his own.

        Like

        Reply

        1. Thanks for the info, 1stSgt.

          So, if not mistaken, it wasn’t much longer after that when the Corps got rid of the M14. What were your thoughts both then and now on that decision? (And anyone else who wants to weigh in…)

          Like

          Reply

  81. No, I think I misspelled it…it should be Pickel Meadows. I think it’s now called a mountain training camp. When I was there it was only Cold Weather Indoctrination. It’s up the mountain from Bishop, California.

    Like

    Reply

  82. I noticed not much being said about one of the other Military outfit, the United States Coast Guard. The USCG had fought in every war, declared or not, that the United States was involved in. Do the USMC Old Timers remember the name Douglas Albert Munro, Signalman First Class, USCG? He was posthumously awarded the MOH for his actions at the battle of Guadalcanal on 27 September 1942. Yes, the USCG is one of the Armed Forces. I am proud to have served in the USCG from 1952 to 1976. Oh! I did time in Vietnam also and was in enough action to be awarded the Navy/Marine Corp Combat Action Ribbon along with 8 other medals and ribbons for service I Vietnam. I’m not showing off my awards, but just trying to emphasize that we Coasties are also a fighting service.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I have always had a high regard for the Coast Guard and the Sea Bees. Some seem to forget the work they do.

      Like

      Reply

      1. I agree with the 1stSgt.

        The Coast Guard probably encounters as many tense situations as the other branches. They run drug interdiction and rescue untold number of people caught in storms and other disasters. They’ve got my respect, for sure. Thanks for your service, Mr. Imoto, and for dropping the comment! (And for the reminder of the Coast Guards role in wars! For instance, I knew they had seen serious action in WWII, but I didn’t realize they had in Vietnam. I assumed the Brown Water Navy was just a smaller part of the U.S. Navy.)

        SF,
        Stan

        Like

        Reply

      2. I think the Coast Guard are some of the bravest Americans out there…to jump in the Berring Sea like they do …..is a calling that not many would care to endure. Lol that’s what they do in peace time, I can only imagine what they do in battle.

        Like

        Reply

    2. Harry is a friend of mine. I have a little more to add to CWO Imoto’s words:

      If anyone has the audacity or thinks they are qualified to rank order the branches of our armed forces, he or she should at least know the facts. Mr. Johnson clearly does not.

      Each branch of service has unique areas of expertise, different responsibilities, and employs different tactics and missions to achieve a common goal; preservation of freedom and the American way of life. Any marines I’ve known do not consider themselves ‘stone cold killers’. They rightly considered themselves highly trained combat qualified defenders of America who may have to kill or be killed to accomplish their job. He states that Marines have a hard life because they have to sleep on Navy ships and slog ashore through the surf. Does he really not know that navy, coast guard and merchant marine personnel live and sleep on board ships, submarines and cutters. The soldiers who were transported on troop ships, didn’t go home to sleep. It is mentioned that marines have to slog ashore through the surf. I don’t remember the army being carried ashore; they also got wet and shot at while trying to dig in on a beach under enemy attack. How does the writer think marines got to the surf they had to slog through? I can’t believe that he doesn’t know it was by Navy and Coast Guard manned landing craft, usually during the heat of battle.

      He is wrong about the guaranteed assignment to certain duty stations, schools, and various occupational specialities prior to enlistment. All branches of our modern armed forces can make those guarantees to qualified enlistees based on their length of enlistment and the scores and information derived from the Armed Forces Aptitude Battery test administered by each branch of service prior to enlistment.

      How can Mr. Johnson say that Air Force life is easier and less stressful. Did he serve in the Air Force? Does he not realize that air force personnel are also combat trained and often given land based assignments in combat areas where they are exposed to attacks, bombing and land mines. Does he believe it is easy to fly combat missions, or that it is not stressful to keep aircraft and equipment in a state of readiness with little turn around time or with a shortage of parts and personnel, or both.

      Mr Johnson says the army has a decent pay scale. Is he not aware that all services have the same basic pay scales. He says avoid army grunt jobs like truck driving and petroleum specialists. Our modern army does not have menial tasks (grunts). Every soldier from clerks and cooks to snipers are combat ready technically trained professionals.

      Do only Marines have a hard time adapting to a civilian life style? I think not; any soldier, sailor, airman, marine or coast guardsman who has experienced the horrors of war are equally susceptible to difficulty adapting to civilian life. It is not because they have to learn to not be ‘stone cold killers’. Rather, it is because they have to learn that they are not under attack every time they hear a loud noise and to not automatically go into defensive mode whenever someone makes a questionable or unexpected movement. They have to learn to live with the visions of dead or maimed brothers and sisters in arms. They have to find a way to once again allow family and friends to be close without fear that they will be taken from them as were so many of their buddies. They are heroes who deserve our respect, understanding and help. I guess Mr. Johnson does not read or watch the news or he would know that it is not just marines facing these problems.

      He mentions the elite special forces of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines but not the elite Coast Guard rescue swimmers. The Coast Guard does a lot more than guard our coasts and interdict drugs, Mr. Johnson! The Coast Guard is our nation’s oldest sea going service and has fought in every war. They serve around the world at sea, in the air and on shore. They put their lives on the line every day in peace time as well as wartime. They are often in fire fights while interdicting drugs, they make heroic and daring rescues in mountainous seas and freezing weather and they are responsible for port security. They enforce fishing regulations, ship and boat safety regulations, pollution control and clean up, and escort and protect vessels entering or leaving our ports. They are federal police officers who are authorized to make arrests, they deter illegal immigrants from entering our country and often save their lives in the process. For those who may be interested, the U. S. Coast Guard Greenland Patrol was formed and placed in service prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor and charged with protecting allied and American convoy ships from U. Boats. That rag tag group of obsolete cutters and converted fishing boats, took the first prisoners of WWII when they discovered and attacked a German Manned radio and weather station. They are also the only American or allied service to capture an intact enemy vessel and its crew. The German manned ship was disguised as a Danish fishing vessel, but was actually gathering information on the movement of American and allied shipping. Their sophisticated radio equipment and classified documents were confiscated or destroyed. All branches of service recognize and appreciate what the Coast Guard has done and will continue to do. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to attach a photo to this reply. However, if anyone wants to see what the Marines in Guam during WWII thought about the Coast Guard, type in your browser: “Marines Thank Coast Guard”. Mr.Johnson says the Coast Guard “patrols our shores”.so I don’t know why they were in Guam and every other war on foreign shores.
      In conclusion, we all should love and be proud of our branch of service. I am proud to have served in the U. S. Coast Guard for over 23 years. I am also proud of every other branch of service as we are collectively the best armed forces in the world. Rank ordering the value of each branch, intra service bashing and lack of respect and support for our brothers and sisters in arms has no place in the equation.

      William H. RaVell III
      Chief Warrant Officer, USCG (ret)

      Like

      Reply

      2. Wow!!! What a rebuttal, CWO RaVell.

        Remind me never to piss you off! And you wrote a most impressive comment. Well thought out. Accurate. Impossible to disagree with.

        Thanks so much for leaving the comment and setting the record straight.

        SF,
        Stan

        Like

        Reply

        1. I’m glad you appreciate my comments.I don’t get pissed off very easily,. Anger usually results in rash or inappropriate reaction which serves no useful purpose. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and thankfully, we have fought for the freedom of speech to express it. I try to take the time to digest what is written or orally presented before responding. I also do not respond with information that I cannot document as fact. I think forums such as this are a valuable tool to express one’s opinion and to consider the opinion of others. If we are open minded, it can be a good learning experience for all.
          Thanks for listening,
          Bill

          Like

          Reply

          1. One thing I find interesting is I read his entire article, TWICE. And I missed much of what you stated, and yet I KNEW some of what you posted, i.e. same payscale across branches, Navy/Coast Guard ship life, guaranteed assignments.

            Even funnier — or sadder, really — is this HUGE oversight that I missed, as well…

            I had a full-bird Marine Colonel email me privately with this comment (he didn’t want to comment publicly, but I’ll share part of what he said w/o naming him in an effort to help correct the record):

            “No one proves themselves more of an ignorant jackass than someone that says ‘the Marines are part of the Navy.’ You need to see if you can “get the word” to this Ron Johnson character. (I don’t fool around with social media!)

            “The United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy are separate services within the Department of the Navy, which is a sub-department of the Department of Defense, and SecNav is a civilian. We are sister services for sure.

            “But since a long ago modification of the Defense Act of 1947, the Commandant of the Marine Corps has had full and equal status on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

            So… I’m not sure what me missing all these important points means. Either I can’t read or I’m half-stupid OR I’m in such a rush to make my point/rebuttal that I don’t listen well!

            And upon a couple moments of reflection, I’m thinking it’s the latter!

            Like

            Reply

            1. I did know about the Marine Corps being under the Department of the Navy and not part of the Navy but it did did not register as I read the article. I also neglected to mention i that anyone telling a Coast Guard recruiter “I want to join so I can kill the enemy” would be denied enlistment. If he or she made it past the recruiter, in all probability would be found psychologically
              unsuitable for military service during medical evaluation. I don’t know if that is true with the other branches, but I tend to believe it is. People with that mentality do not think rationally and are the type that are often found guilty of killing innocent non-combatants, fellow soldiers, and/or themselves., My good friend and shipmate, CWO Harry Imoto, a highly respected karate Sensei, asked every applicant why they wanted to learn karate. He turned down anyone who said they wanted to kick someone’s ass.

              Like

              Reply

                2. I’m back already. I just read an article in the Coast Guard Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers’ bulletin that you may find of interest. Many thanks to a retired Marine who to took the time to honor a Coast Guard Vet of WWII.

                  “This story started a number of months ago. A retired
                  Marine Corps Sergeant, working as a cook at he
                  Grace Care Center of Cypress, recognized a Coast Guard
                  WWII veteran by the name of Percy McWhorter who had
                  no military recognition as a resident of the nursing home.
                  He contacted my unit and a number of folks took the time
                  to visit and provide Coast Guard tokens — tee shirt, unit
                  ballcap, photos, and two posters signed by the men and
                  women of the unit. At the time I was unable to participate;
                  however I took possession of one of the posters and saved
                  it for Memorial Day.
                  Prior to entering the Coast Guard, Percy McWhorter
                  worked for Lubbock Oil, which was later purchased and
                  merged into what we know as Exxon/Mobil today. During WWII,
                  aboard the CGC/USS Eastwind,(Coast Guard Served Under Navy in WWII, thus the hull designation CGC/USS) home ported in Boston,MA Designed as an ice breaker, but outfitted to support the war effort, the
                  Eastwind spend many days patrolling the waters of the North Atlantic resupplying outposts in Greenland.Percy recalled that the majority of time aboard the cutter was simply routine. However, on 4 October 1944, Eastwind captured a German weather station on Little Koldewey Island and 12 German personnel. Then again on 15 October 1944, Eastwind captured the German trawler Externsteine and took 17 prisoners.
                  Percy was one of the participants in this historic capture.”

                  Eastwind was the lead vessel in the Greenland Patrol I mentioned in an earlier comment. I had forgotten the name of the captured trawler that Percey identified. Everyone should follow the example set by the retired Marine and seek out and pay tribute to a veterans of any service. They deserve it an will be very appreciative
                  .

                  Like

                  Reply

                  1. Wow. Thanks for sharing that, and I’m so glad they noticed who he was.

                    There’s a Marine who lives in Oak Ridge who fought in the Frozen Chosin (in Korea). He’s the nicest man ever and he refuses to talk about what he did and wants no attention for it.

                    I had to pry it out of him where he served, but he had heard I was a Marine and he came up and thanked me for my service. I noticed just a hint of something in his eyes, and asked if he had served.

                    He said he had served “a little” during Korea. Not content with that, I asked if he had been in the Army or Marines, and he said Marines, and from there I asked if he had gotten caught up in that mess in the Chosin Reservoir.

                    Once he acknowledged that, I practically wanted to roll out a red carpet and carry him on my shoulders like he was a Superbowl champ. I think it made his day to have someone remember (or even know) about our nation’s military history, and what our elders went through.

                    It just goes to show though that those who have done the most, say the least.

                    Like

                    Reply

  84. Just a heads up
    There is no such thing as a Marine Corps Drill Sergeant
    There are only Drill Instructors in the Corps, we are also the only Service to call them Drill Instructor’s
    Richard Bell
    Sergeant Major
    USMC Retired

    Like

    Reply

    1. SgtMajor,

      Thanks for not chewing me out. That would have been my first response had I seen a Marine make such a mistake. However, I assure you I would never make such a mistake. How could anyone after Paris Island?! : )

      Just as an FYI, I did NOT write that part that is quoted. The person who wrote the article is named Ron Johnson and he wrote the article for Yahoo. (I think Ron served in the Army, and thus the mistake…)

      SF, SgtMajor. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  86. This article is factually correct, but makes one wrong assessment. The United States Marine Corps is not the “worst service to join” – It’s not that simple. What the author fails to realize is that you do not join the Marine Corps. You become one.

    I never knew one of my brother or sister Marines that served with a plan to gain college benefits, support a family, find a job or simply to stand up to a challenge. These men and women were born Marines in their heart and soul and had no other goal in life other than to earn the title “Marine” – the absolute standard of what a patriot is: a selfless servant of our great nation and the guardians of all we hold dear.

    United States Marines are not killers – we are eternal protectors of what we would so earnestly die to protect – the ideals set place in the Constitution of the United States and the proposition that all in this world deserve to be secure from those that would do them harm. Those that earn the privilege of being awarded that Eagle, Globe & Anchor were Marines long before they even set their feet on the yellow footprints @ Parris Island or MCRD San Diego. They just required the training to sharpen their mental sword and become hardened into the guardians that we are.

    I became a Marine at 10 years old as I watched my brothers defend our Embassy in Iran against the revolutionary horde and that resolve has hardened by watching my brothers and sisters sacrifice their lives defending the innocent by attempting to keep the peace in Lebanon shortly after. We know in every fiber of what we are that we are called to do instinctively as children – long before earning the title we hold so dear.

    And after leaving our period of active service we do remain United States Marines. We maintain that cold steely vigilance that is necessary to seek justice and honor in our society. We are different. We are the heart and soul of what makes this country great, never blending into those around us but standing tall – ready at a moments notice to do the right thing and live a life with honor and dignity that only our fellow Marines know.

    I thank God every day that I was allowed the honor to have the title of United States Marine. Those of you that did not experience this calling and answer its song will never understand. We are Corps. We recognize each other in a crowd of strangers on a daily basis. We never leave a brother or sister behind for the rest of our lives. And we would not have it any other way.

    God bless our great nation, my brothers and sisters & the United States Marine Corps.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Santy,

      Thanks so much for your comment and your service! Your passion clearly shows the love you had (and still have) for the Corps. I think it’s fair to say that your Drill Instructors would be proud to see such devotion from one of their Marines.

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  87. The explanation i simple: Marines are the only service that actively promotes unit tradition and pride. The Army (my service 23 years) pays no attention to tradition…changes uniforms every five years, organizes and disbands units constantly, caters to girls and gays, decisions made by lawyers…what is there to be “proud” of? Navy names its ships for obscure politicians and meaningless presidents…what pride is there in serving on the USS Vinson (who was he???)? Take a tip from the Brits, who give their ships really cool names.p
    Air Force…unless you’re a flier what is there to be proud of? You go to work everyday, 8 to 5, just like any civilian. Big deal!
    The Coast Guard is different. Those guys are doing somiething worthwhile everyday, like saving lives and busting narcs. They should br darn proud of what they do, but you never hear about them.
    So…bravo, Marines! Keep it up!

    Like

    Reply

    1. I am pleased that you praise the Marine Corps and that you are one of the few to publically acknowledge the great job the Coast Guard.does. I am a little surprised that you are critical of your own branch of service. In regard to catering to women and gays, the Army is only guilty of complying with the law. Women have proven their worth defending our country. Gays have paid the ultimate sacrifice defending this country since the Continental Army and were rewarded by being given the boot if their homosexuality were discovered. It appears that you are among the misinformed that think homosexulaity is a choice. If that were true, everyone would be straight. No one would willfully choose a lifestyle that would earn them inequality, physical and mental abuse, the right to fight for their own country, and even the loss of religious freedom I don’t think women and/or gays who have given their lives in combat or are learning to use artificial limbs, were catered too. By the way, I am neither a woman nor gay. Army has a lot to be proud of, they have defended this country since the Revolution. You say “they don’t pay attention to tradition” which to my way of thinking means they have no tradition. Kind of hard to pay attention to something that does not exist. I know a lot of soldier’s who are proud to be Army and upheld and promoted the traditions of their division, specialized, or elite unit. Tradition is initiated by those who take pride in, and celebrate what they have accomplished and stand for. It is safe to assume that you have not done your part in that regard. It’s pretty sad that you degrade your own service branch but are not too proud to take the pension. Since you served 23 years, you must have done something right. You may not be proud of that, but I am and I thank you for your service.
      Your opinion of the Air Force is your business. I’ll just say that I would rather be on the ground than flying through artillery fire and flak in a flying coffin. Oh, by the way they didn’t get shot out of the sky, step on a mine, or get shot only between the hours of 8 to 5. I’m not aware of any “meaningless presidents”. How did you make that determination and who were they. Should Navy take pride in their ship based only on its name? Should a ship named USS Micky Mouse that sink two enemy vessels have less pride than the USS Abraham Lincoln?.The Navy does not name it’s vessels after anyone who has not earned that honor. You would not make such degrading comments if you had taken the time to find out why USS Vinson was that name.. The gentleman was a champion of the Armed Forces and especially the Navy and Marine Corps. It’s not to late to learn. Click on the following link for your first lesson.

      http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/carl-vinson-1883-1981

      William H. RaVell III
      Chief Warrant Officer (CWO3)
      U. s. Coast Guard (Ret.)

      Like

      Reply

      1. Chief…with all respect, either I did not explain myself clearly in my letter or you have chosen to misread my words. Let me try again: I said that only the Marine Corps, among all the services, actively promotes unit tradition and pride to the point that is clearly evidenced in all the correspondence on this site. And bravo to the Corps for that! I did not imply that as individuals we who have served in whatever Service cannot be “proud” of our service. Do you think I am not proud of my service in SF and infantry assignments? Of course I am, but that is an individual thing, not aided or promoted by the Army as an institution. Just one example: witness the constant changes to the Army’s uniforms…not the field uniforms but the Class A uniforms, and for no reason other than pressure by the companies that sell uniforms. The Marines, in contrast, wear today essentially the same uniform Marines have worn since the 1930s. That, Chief, is tradition!
        As for the Navy: the naming of Navy vessels used to be a pretty straightforward process…battleships were named after States, carriers after famous battles and ships, and so on. Over the past 20 or so years naming of ships has become strictly an exercise in political masturbation, attempting to curry favor or reward some political hack whose connection with the Navy is minimal or non-existent. Examples: I know who Vinson was, but who cares? And how many of the sailors on board have the faintest idea who he was? And what in the world is “inspiring” about him for a young Navy guy? Gerald Ford? Gimme a break! Ronald Reagan? Same thing! Will we look forward, Chief, to the USS Barack Obama? How about the USS Hilary Clinton? Why not? As long as the whole thing is politics why not the USS Al Sharpton?
        Perhaps I was a bit harsh about the Air Force, but I clearly excepted those who fly as opposed to those who support. I know both sides well, as one of my closest buddies from high school was a fighter pilot for 25 years and my brother-in-law just retired as a senior NCO ground guy. He spent his entire career except for schools, at Pope AFB. We called this “homesteading” in the Army. Tough duty! The fighter pilot, has been all over, served two tours in VN as did I. He too is proud of what he did and accomplished, but not because of any institutional effort by the AF.
        Again, I have the utmost respect for the USCG although I have never served with them personally. I just know that their seamanship alone puts the Navy to shame.
        The issue of girls and gays is another topic completely. It is not a question of having to follow the law; it is a question of knowing that the law in this case is wrong,.. totally political. with absolutely no basis or justification in military history, and not ferociously opposing it! Army leadership not only went along with those abominations but actively supported them! Dempsey, Odierno, Petraeus and all the others should be forever ashamed!
        And, in my opinion, equally ashamed should be any nation, society, that sends its mothers, wives, and daughters to fight its wars while perfectly healthy men sit at home on their asses playing video games!

        Like

        Reply

        1. Just a note about the Coast Guard.
          While serving as a Marine Instucor for NROTC students at Berkeley, CA (1975/1976) we had a navy captain (Capt Van Antwerp–Good guy) had to take a master seaman’s test before he could captain a US Navy vessel. Who administered that test?
          The US Coast Guard. I thought it strange at the time, I figured it would be the other way around.

          Like

          Reply

        2. Perhaps I did misinterpret what you were saying. I guess I assumed you weren’t proud because you said in this excerpt from your original comments “.The Army (my service 23 years) pays no attention to tradition…changes uniforms every five years, organizes and disbands units constantly, caters to girls and gays, decisions made by lawyers…what is there to be “proud of?” .

          I didn’t address uniforms because I didn’t have the knowledge to offer a rebuttal. Since you brought it up again, however, I did a little research. You said in your initial comments that the army changed uniforms every 5 years because of pressure from the companies that sell uniforms. The only reference I could find about changes in 5 years refers to camouflage uniforms, and according to what I read it was based on the dissatisfaction of the troops wearing them, poor durability, and insufficient testing, I derived that info from the following links:

          http://www.thedailybeast.com/the-hero-project/articles/2013/10/14/the-army-s-5-billion-new-uniform-already-being-replaced.html

          http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/10/18/wait-continues-for-armys-new-camo-decision.html

          Now you say you are talking about Class A uniforms. That really confused me because class A’s haven’t changed since “Greens” were adopted in the l950’s. If you read the following link you will find that one of the main reason for the change is the historical significance of Blues. They were worn from the Revolutionary War to WWI. Just is important, it is to foster the pride and tradition that you say is lacking in today’s Army. See following link:

          http://www.army.mil/asu/

          Also, I found nothing even hinting that uniforms are changed due to pressure from uniform manufacturers.

          I don’t know anything about the army’s policy concerning disbanding or organizing units, so I will not comment.

          Lets talk about your disrespectful and unpatriotic comments about the naming of Navy vessels. You said: “Over the past 20 or so years naming of ships has become strictly an exercise in political masturbation, attempting to curry favor or reward some political hack whose connection with the Navy is minimal or non-existent. Examples: I know who Vinson was, but who cares? And how many of the sailors on board have the faintest idea who he was? And what in the world is “inspiring” about him for a young Navy guy? Gerald Ford? Gimme a break! Ronald Reagan? Same thing! Will we look forward, Chief, to the USS Barack Obama? How about the USS Hilary Clinton? Why not? As long as the whole thing is politics why not the USS Al Sharpton?”

          I think before you made such unsubstantiated statements, you should have known the history of Naval ship naming. You would do well to read the following:

          history.navy.mil/faqs/faq63-1.htm

          You should ask a sailor if he/she knows why their ship was given its name if you want to earn credibility. Every sailor I have known knew why their ship, submarine, or cutter was given a certain name. If you don’t think they care, just pick any vessel and go on line to see if they have an association or web site. You will find that if enough former crew members are still alive, they will. You refer to naming ships after some political hack who has minimal connection to the Navy, You say that you know who Vinson was, then have the temerity to use him as an example, If you read the link I provided about him, you could not possibly say he had minimal connection with the Navy.

          The Presidents you name were not meaningless to the people who elected them. You also need a lesson in respect for rank and office. You need not personally like the person in office or anyone senior to you. However, a soldier shall not show disrespect to the rank or office of a senior. Why not USS Obama? Like it or not, he is a Commander and Chief. Your opinion of Presidents Reagan and Ford are just that; your opinion!!.

          On girls and gays: It is a law and no military leader is going to violate it. You say they should fight it because it is wrong. I was on active duty when the controversy about women attending military academies was the main topic of discussion.Every branch of the military fought as hard as they could to prevent it, but saw the writing on the wall. It was going to happen because equal opportunity carried more weight than the wishes of the military. I was stationed at the Coast Guard Academy at the time. The Coast Guard decided that if it was going to happen, it was their responsibility to make it work. Coast Guard was the first Academy to admit women. They had to meet the academic and physical requirements as the men. Those, who did not get disenrolled or request disenrollment, have distinguished themselves well beyond expectations. Upon graduation they were assigned the same duty stations as men including ships, flight training, isolated or restricted duty stations, They are Captains and Admirals today. The superintendent at the Coast Academy is a Rear Admiral who was so assigned because of outstanding performance at all of her previous stations including commander of a nuclear powered icebreaker. The largest ship in the fleet. Our enlisted females and serve in the specialties (MOS) and are assigned to the same duties as their male counterparts. Thankfully, the other services are slowly assigning women to combat units, ships, submarines and as combat pilots. Again, your statement that the law is wrong is just your opinion. The same thing applies to gays in the military. They have the right to openly defend their country as they have since the birth of this nation. It is now the law and your opinion can’t change that. I had a Yeoman working for me whose performance was exceptional. If anyone knew he was gay, they did not say anything about it, or they didn’t care. Coast Guard Intelligence found out he was gay. Within a week he was gone. Not one person who knew or worked with him was happy about it, including me..

          You said your remarks about the Air Force were directed at support staff. As I said before, non flyers are assigned to combat areas also. Apparently you believe that those who are lucky enough to do their jobs between the hours of 8 to 5 are of no value. If that is how you think, you should have joined the Air Force and fought for your right to work as many hours as you could and not be allowed to, as the Army calls it, homestead. You must realize that without support personnel we would not have a military.

          Should we be ashamed as a nation to send our wives, and mothers and daughters to fight our wars. Absolutely not. women demanded those rights. If they were going to be in the military, they wanted to be treated as equals, have the same career patterns and promotion opportunities as men, and to serve in combat. As far as I know, we still have a volunteer military and those who join know they can be deployed to a combat area if the need arises. The fat men “sitting on their asses playing video games” did not enlist, therefore they cannot be assigned to combat unless the draft is reinstated.

          Bill

          Like

          Reply

  88. As a civilian I would like to thank each and every serviceman and woman who has posted here. What you have done for my country and in return for me is a debt I can never repay. That being said – the Marine family has truly taken care of my family this year. My BIL is a Lt. Col in 29 Palms who had taken command of the 3/7 when my sister was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Due to be deployed as she started treatment he stepped down so that bone of his dogs would be endangered by his personal distraction. They received a hand written note from the Comandant wishing her luck and reassuring my BIL that he had done what was right for his batallion and family. Thank you Marines for taking care of my family and for providing such a strong lifetime community.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Wow. Pretty amazing story, Kizzy.

      They try as much as they can to take care of family. It’s hard with all the deployments and separation, but they certainly try.

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  89. Hand Salute to all of my fellow veterans! I earned the title United States Marine in 1984. been damn proud of it ever since. I crack jokes on the Chair Force, the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard just like any other Jarhead….however, as a Patriot Guard Rider, and as someone who has visited some of our wounded Heroes at WRAMC I am truly humbled and grateful for the men and women of all branches of our armed forces.

    Very recently a non veteran (Civilian Puke) butted in on a conversation where I was busting the chops of an Army Dog who in turn was equally busting my chops….Civi chimed in with a smart ass comment, whereas I told him only Veterans get to bust each other’s chops….civilians STFU!

    There is one very painful truth that the other branches just can not come to terms with, and that is Dress Blues have been making women’s panties fall off since 1775!

    oh yeah…..and swing with the wing baby! 6132/ MAG-29 H&MS-29 HMM-162

    Like

    Reply

  90. 2/4 Fox Co , 1st Marine Div. FMF Infantry Corpsman , I seen both Navy and Marine Corps side . Even though Marine Corps play’s fuck , fuck games they do not take disobedience to the rank structure and have more discipline than the Navy towards being trained to deal with misery and asking for second helping of it . Marines being the lest likely to join is because who ever did those surveys were probably weak minded individuals who been spoon fed by the mothers all the way up to high school . People are afraid to get there hands dirty these days . Brains go a long ways , but people forget without balls you can’t reach your full potential as a man and your true limits . Without the man to your left and right any man would quit a longtime ago , but somethin about working as a unit shows strength that a grunt unit reputation can only uphold . Plus it’s probably voted so low because there are less women in the Marine Corps than any branches .

    Like

    Reply

    1. Brandon,

      Appreciate your service. Not a Marine that I know who doesn’t think the world of Corpsmen. And this comment was so dead on:

      “Without the man to your left and right any man would quit a longtime ago, but something about working as a unit shows strength that a grunt unit reputation can only uphold.”

      Thanks for dropping the comment, brother, and check back in often. (Or sign up for email alerts.)

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  91. wow, have I EVER enjoyed all this. screw the guy from Yahoo – as a fellow professional writer, i understand that he’s just writing for a paycheck, nothing personal.

    i enlisted into the navy during viet nam. served aboard the Kitty Hawk, with bombers landing on my roof. but please allow me to share some things with you (and your most interested blog followers):

    my dad was a gentle civilian, a college professor who actually never personally got a college degree – he got there using the discipline and motivation he received from the USMC. another example: dad was a combat Marine who went from private to captain (field commission led to OCS) in 12 years, while suffering back problems the rest of his life from a little snowy walk out of the chosin reservoir valley (only Marines will know what i’m talking about). dad served directly with and could direct-quote chesty puller. and yet he was the most gentle man i ever knew. and remained married to the same crazy woman for 55 years.
    proud of him? damn right.

    my son is a Marine, will always be no matter what or where he ends up. made sergeant in his first five years. got a college degree WHILE a Marine (even studied while in japan and the Philippines, and even got elected as vice president of his university’s student body, and is now in law school).
    best story about him, was when he took personal leave to come home and help his younger sister (my daughter) celebrate her 21st birthday (talk about a great gift!). while at a club around 3 in the morning, a couple of older guys started disrespecting the young woman, and my son stood up to them, even though outnumbered and much smaller than any of them. when he cautioned that he was a Marine sergeant, they stood down, which was good because my son said they were drunk enough and big enough to do some damage..
    proudest moment of my life: daughter blogging on her facebook that a Marine saved her on her birthday night.

    saddest moment of my life, which brings tears to my eyes even as I write this:
    that my parents, Karl and Wilma Gene Rushing, didn’t live to see their grandson, Ira Rushing, become a Marine and the man he could be.

    hats off to ALL who serve or served their country. but a hearty THANK YOU to all Marines, current or former.

    Like

    Reply

    1. oops. got carried away. my dad retired as a lieutenant, not captain. no matter, still did it in 12 years, and always remained a radioman grunt at heart.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Wow, Felder. Thank you SOOOOO much for sharing your family’s history. What an amazing family lineage you have (and which continues under your grandson). And I’m betting Karl and Wilma saw Ira graduate and share remarkable pride as he freezes, sweats, and curses at various places around the world!

        And your son sounds like an amazing man and Marine, as well. Please send them both my regards. I imagine knowing their Grandfather walked out (actually, make that helped lead Marines out) of the Chosin Reservoir helps propel them to greatness in moments when weakness nearly wins out.

        I think my greatest regrets from the Corps are the times when I fell short of the mark. Those moments of weakness can haunt you a lifetime.

        SF, Felder, and thank you for all those lives you helped save during Vietnam. I’m sure there’s mroe than a few groundpounders reading these comments who were glad to have the Kitty Hawk within the AO.

        Yours,
        Stan

        Like

        Reply

        1. thank you, stan, for your encouraging remarks which i am passing on to my son (who turned me on to your blog on his own facebook page).. but one last thing: Ira and his nephew (who is an army major) represent 11th continuous Rushing generations to serve in SOME form of American military service, starting under the British Crown in the 1650s, to BOTH sides of the American Revolution and both sides of the Civil War. here’s hoping he has a son or daughter to continue the tradition of “where there’s a fight for America’s best interests, a Rushing will be there.”‘.

          Like

          Reply

    1. CPL Beddoe,

      It’s funny, but besides being one of my favorite movies, that comment pretty much says it all. And I’ve never said it before, but you’re pretty much my hero. It’s amazing what you do for the Corps on Twitter and elsewhere.

      Keep the faith, bro. SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  94. I enjoyed reading all these blogs for more than a hour , I was in the corp 54-57 17-20 years old, one thing even thou I was a metal smith on Helos we had to re qualify with our M1`s every year , so when I left my 3 year enlistment I went back to Sheet metal A/C 66,000 hours , I still have on my email my friends from the Corp. I made e 4 in 26 months .
    Mos 6441 Loyal Severson..

    Like

    Reply

    1. Loyal Severson,

      Thanks so much for the comment and your service to our country. And I agree! These comments are a treasure! Even if I ever deleted my blog, I’d print all these comments off to remind me of my time in, and all the wonderful stories shared by others…

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  95. First time dropping by this but it won’t be my last. 22 years in the Corps an 2 tours in Nam, 66-67 & 69-70. Honor,Courage,and Commitment run through my veins, and yes there is a Marine Corps Flag 3’X5′ hanging on my front porch.Various MOS’ but the one most gratifying is the 8531 PMI, which I had the Honor between Viet Nam tours at MCRD Parris Island. The responsibility of taking raw untrained shooters and in Two weeks giving them the skills to keep them and their buddies alive and to Kill the enemy was what Motivated me every morning coming to work at 0400. Semper Fi.

    Like

    Reply

    1. fiftycaliber,

      Thanks so much for the visit, and for following the blog! Look forward to hearing from you regularly and I’m honored to make your acquaintance.

      Help keep me between the lines and keep a good overwatch position for me.

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  96. I don’t know either of you Marines but our respect comes from places like PI and MCRD. I often say I did not have the honor of serving with my brothers of Kilo 3 26 at Khe Shan. Seems they blew me up
    and sent me home. Respect for Marines comes from being a member of the club. You see we would have did our job no matter what . Some of us just had the honor to add to the tradtions of the USMC .
    Once a Marine there is no where to go but the gates that we sing
    about . Hey Marines its 2014 I cannot believe I made it

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Corsa,

      I’m honored you stopped by and left a comment. (Sure have been a lot of Vietnam-era vets saying a few words — see comments strewn throughout further down…)

      Thank you for your service, Mr. Corsa. I can’t imagine what a bitch it must have been defending Khe Sanh.

      You have my deepest respect and my sincerest gratitude,
      SF, my brother,
      Stan
      Alpha, 1/8

      Like

      Reply

  97. I’ve read many of the comments in here, and though I’ve never served my country in any branch of service, I have the highest respect for all the men in here, (no matter what branch you served in).
    My father in law is a marine in heaven now, and I miss him every day since his death in 04. He and I were best friends and I always kid my wife that I only married her so I would be able to hang out with her dad. He introduced me to competition bullseye shooting in 1986 and with that came many friends that are marines. I have yet to meet one that I haven’t liked, and now I wish I would have done things a little different when I was younger, but hindsight is 20/20. My mother in law is still active with the first marine division, out of Willow Grove Naval Base. We have made many trips with these fine men down to Washington D.C. to visit the many monuments that have been dedicated to all of the brave servicemen, and it is amazing to see the brightness that comes from these hero’s as they walk around and look at all there is to see. We have also stopped at the marine corps museum a couple of times and while in D.C.went to the parade and watched the silent drill team work their magic, the drum and bugle core, and the marine corps band, which just leaves you in awe after their performances. In closing I just want to say, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, ONE AND ALL. WITH OUT YOU MEN WE WOULDN’T HAVE THE LIBERTIES WE DO NOW !!!!!
    GOD BLESS

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Mr. Sorensen, for your kind words and for sharing that story. That was a wonderful story to share, and I would have loved to hang out with your Father-In-Law, as well!

      Marine or not, we’d sure love to have you come back and visit again.

      Sincerely yours,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  98. First I’d like to say that I’ve spent a life time exposed to our countries Military born and raised in Hawaii: Spent 2-years in the Army Guard and 12-years as a 0311 & 3531 Marine. I have met hundreds of service men and women other then Marines who were proud of their time serving. My father was a former Army paratrooper, he shared many of his service experiences with me, I’m so very proud of my dads service and his commitment to our country. I’m especially proud of the many men and women from the other branches I had the priviledge to serve beside during my time on active duty as a young Marine, they all served with pride & commitment. The Marine Corps shaped & matured me as a young man and prepared me for a lifetime of service. One cannot truly understand the brotherhood that exist on the battlefield or in the Corps unless one has experienced it themselves, The Marine Corps prides itself of these ethos of sacrifice, service & brotherhood…..the title Marine is a title that is earned, it is never given. In Army basic your a Soldier, Navy bootcamp your a Sailor, Air Force basic your an Airmen. In the Marine Corps, your a recruit…never a Marine until you can show that you’ve earned the title. In no way does it mean we are better then our sister branches, it just means that this is the culture of our Marine Corps. This how we MUST function in order to achieve victory on the Battle field, we are not mindless robots, some of the most intllignet people I have ever met served in the Marine Corps uniform. Combat is an extremely foreign and violent environment. In order to schieve victory one must be emersed in the operational art of warfare…Mind, body, and soul, he must be intelligent, fit and focused. There is no place for touchy feely type individuals here. Some within our country in general may not appreciate our ethos and spirit, regardless they exist because we exist. The United States Marine Corps.

    (Service: U.S. Army Guard: 1978-1980 Units served Troop-E 19th Cav Air Assault) (Service: U.S. Marine Corps: 1980-1992 Units served: 2/3, 1/1, Marine Barracks Seal Beach, EWC-Team-1)

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for your comment, and your service to our country.

      It must be really neat to be a Marine and then to later experience military culture in other branches in order to have that frame of reference.

      I really appreciate you sharing that dual experience you had, and the differences you saw/see.

      SF,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

      1. Thanks Stan. Here goes another intersting experience I was exposed to while in the Corps deployed aboard the USS Alamo LSD-33 during my first WESTPAC cruise back in 1981: Like most of us young Marines we had an almost ridiculouse rivalry between the other services. After being afloat a few months now I was on the flight deck taking-in the evening stars when this Navy guy showed up on the flight deck, smoking a cigarette, soaked-wet, he had this unkept kinda look, his uniform wasn’t ironed and it was kinda filthy looking. I shrugged it off as just another typical Navy deck ape. Afew minutes later I couldn’t help but go chat with the guy being that I’ve never seen him on Ship before, after a few months on Ship in the middle of the IO you kinda get to know everyone aboard, no idea who this guy was. Come to find out he was the ships engineer, he took care of the Alamo’s engines: to my surprise he invited me down to the engine room after I told him I’d never seen a ships engines before…so myself and a few other Marines followed this guy to the Ships engine room…it was like a maze getting there. Upon arrival I was impressed with how sophisticated it was, what was even more baffling to me was the unbearable heat, it must have been nearly 160 degree’s down there, I watched and listened as he shared with us the details maintaining the engine, the hours and days he and his shipmates worked down there in the heat to keep (His girl) as he called it, singing the right tune, he was so meticulous about handdling gauges, fittings and pipe’s: always wiping them down and touching it like it was a living being. What amazed us Marines even more was how proud he was of that dang engine, and even prouder to be serving aboard the Alamo, he loved that ship like no other….He even reeenlisted to stay aboard her, this was his 8th year abord the USS Alamo, (I was only there for an 8-month deployment) needless to say he was treated like royalty by us Marines after that experience, even the Seal Team Det aboard Alamo respected & apreciated this guy, I don’t think he ever purchased a beer out in town being that whenever us Marines saw him we dragged him with us. I now had a new and proud appreciation for our sister service, I never said anything bad about the Navy and her proud dedicated sailors ever after…..

        I got a good Coast Guard Story to if ya wanna hear it?….

        Semper Fi
        Gman

        Like

        Reply

        1. Oh, Gman… That’s a great story!!!

          And I’m all into Eastern Philosophy, i.e. living in the moment, embracing wherever you are in life, etc., so just imagining this guy who somehow not only endures the heat and travails of his job, but then EMBRACES it and learns to love it?!?!

          Oh, man, that’s rich stuff right there. That’s life’s lessons all rolled up into one short story. It’s like that old tale of being the best no matter what you do. You know, even if you’re a janitor, be the best in the world, and eventually you’ll be a janitor at the White House or somewhere spectacular.

          And yes! Request fire, (immediately!), on your Coast Guard story… (I think most of the lurkers have left these comments anyway, since most of the controversial comments have subsided.)

          Like

          Reply

  99. Marines are not fit to wipe Paratroopers asses…from ww11 to current …Paratroopers,
    Rangers, Green Berets and Delta rule!!!!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Spike,

      Unless I’m missing something, I don’t think any Marines on here claimed to be superior to “Paratroopers, Rangers, Green Berets, and Delta.” Furthermore, if they had, I would have put them in their place.

      I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt on a couple of premises.

      First, I’ll assume you figured this site was just some pro-Marine, total-Jarhead hangout. I get it. You saw my logo up top and probably made an assumption. Well, if you made that assumption, then you guessed incorrectly. That’s not the case.

      Second, I’m confident you didn’t read any — or very many — of the comments… Because, if you had, you would have seen that I respect all branches and everyone who has served. I haven’t trashed any other branches since I entered college, because while there I quickly realized just how few serve, and how much I respect everyone who actually did.

      One final thought, since you have me a bit curious. Since you feel so strongly about how much better Paratroopers, Rangers, Green Berets, and Delta are, why don’t you tell us when you served and where, and recount some times you trained with or encountered Marines, so we can better understand why you feel so strongly…

      Sincerely yours,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

      1. Stan, I appreciate your response. First of all, in 1968 I went through jump school and was initialy assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. However, prior to completing jump school my assignment was changed as I was selected, one of 20, out of 1000 students to attend Parachute Rigger School in Virginia which I did. After coming back to Fort Benning and packing parachutes for a short time I was then hand selected to go to Jump Master school. I did so, and graduated at the top in my class. At that point I became part of the 507th Airborne Infantry training division trading my Red Hat for a Black one. I was part of the “Follow Me” cadre. As a Jumpmaster I worked in an jump week at which point I trained Paratroopers, Pathfinders and Ranger in their various jump assignments During my 29 months on jump status I completed 83 jumps consisting of, day, night and heavy combat equipment jumps, Out of C-130s, C-141 (jet) and C 119’s, both the doors and the tailgates. Helicopters included Hueys and Chinooks enough about me.

        A little about my father who jumped into Normandy with 101st Airborne Division and fought there in Europe until the end of the war. He fought in Africa, Italy , Germany, France, and when U S Army finished with the Germans, VE Day, some were on their way, including my Father to the Pacific to help the finish the war there, however, the A Bombs did so !

        I don’t have anything against any one, in any branch of the service, I just get tired listening to the Marines run their mouths,they seem to think they’re always the first ones in and the Media coddles them just like they do the Democrats! Anyone who watches the Movie “Heartbreak Ridge’ would be led to believe the Marines were the first ones in liberating the students in Grenada, Not true!! the Rangers jumped in at 5:35 in the am and liberated the students while the 82nd Airborne chased the Cubans into the hills. Marines were at the other end of the Island, the movie is full of you know what! Spearhead, tip of the Spear, Airborne lead the way, whether it’s the 82nd,173rd, Rangers, Special Forces or Delta they are my Friend, the first ones in!!!!!!!!

        God Bless all of our Military….Go Army!!

        Spike

        Like

        Reply

  100. Look up “Angels came at dawn” by Robert Wheeler and you will see what the Airborne was accomplishing the same day the Marines were getting a photo by by replacing the Flag at Mt Sirabuchi

    Like

    Reply

  101. Wow!! Your criticism of the Marines based on a famous photograph is without merit. The Marines accomplished a lot more than having their picture taken.The Airborne, and troops manning the Amtracks made a daring and successful rescue of the prisoners and never got the media attention they deserved. That is sad, but while there were combat reporters and photographers covering most battles, it is not likely that they would accompany a mission such as that carried out by the Airborne and Amtrack drivers who made the extraction. The fact that it occurred the same day as the “Flag Raising” does not diminish what the Marines Accomplished. They went through hell battling their way to the top of the mountain. Three of the six men raising the flag were killed in battle a short time later. Yes, it was the second raising of the flag; the first flag was too small to be seen by the troops and offshore navy ships responsible for the victory. The Marine Corps did not make the picture famous, that was the result of wide spread publication by the news media, it’s selection by President Roosevelt as a logo for bond drives, and an American public who adopted it as a symbol of pride in our military as a whole, and not an endorsement of any specific branch of service. In fact, one of the flag raisers was a Navy corpsman. Another, little known fact is that the second flag came from a Coast Guard Quartermaster assigned to a Navy LST. The second picture was resented by the Marines, who while under enemy fire, raised the first flag. The photo was distributed by the AP and within 17 hours appeared in thousands of News papers and magazines.The photograph became a tribute to all soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors who fought for our right to fly our National Ensign.

    Like

    Reply

  102. OOPs!!! I did not proof read my previous comments very well or I would have written “its selection by President Roosevelt” and not “it’s selection”.
    I would like to add that marines can take pride in the fact that Iwo Jima was the first Japanese homeland soil to be captured by the Americans, I am also certain that there were many extraordinary and brave combat operations that have gone undocumented and unheralded.

    Like

    Reply

    1. 503rd Infantry, Corregidor, Operation Topside

      At 0825 on 16 February 1945, the 503d Parachute Regimental Combat Team, affectionately known as The Rock Force courageously parachuted into 22-knot winds onto the fortified Island of Corregidor (The Rock) initiating Operation Topside. Defying a defending Japanese force of up to 6,550 in strength, the 2,050 paratroopers from the 503d Parachute Regimental Combat Team valiantly leapt from fifty-one C-47 aircraft of the 317th Troop Carrier Group at a 1,150 foot altitude onto a Drop Zone barely suitable for airborne operations. Topside Drop Zone was a rubble-strewn patch of land no bigger than 325 yards long and 125 yards wide and previous used as a parade field located on the upper portion of the island. Reinforced by the 3d Battalion Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Division, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 503d Parachute Regimental Combat Team, portions the 462d Parachute Artillery Battalion, and C Company of the 161st Airborne Engineer Battalion surprised their Japanese foe in one of the most daring, well-planned, and superbly executed airborne operations in the annals of US Military history. Fighting valiantly and engaging thousands of Japanese soldiers hidden around the island that refused to surrender The Rock Force repatriated the island on 2 March 1945. Of the thousands of Japanese soldiers defending the island, only 50 survived. The 503rd, however, lost 169 men killed and many more wounded or injured. For its gallantry The Rock Force was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions on Corregidor. This print is dedicated to all American Paratroopers then and now. Their courage and sacrifice demonstrate their commitment to freedom and American resolve.

      Iwo Jima… 30,000 Marines against 22,000 Japs

      Like

      Reply

  103. “The Rock” 503rd PIR is now the 173rd Airborne Brigade who spent 13 months (Battle Company) in the Kongregal Valley,Afghanistan the most dangerous place in the world,5 hours from any help by Helicopter defending outpost RESTREPO!!

    Like

    Reply

    2. Yeah, and if you haven’t read “The Outpost” — An Untold Story of American Valor — then you need to grab it. It’s about Combat Outpost Keating, written by Jake Tapper. Incredible book.

      And thanks again for all your comments and helping share (and preserver) the history of some of America’s greatest and most daring men. (Also, thanks for your service, as well.)

      Sincerely yours,
      Stan

      Like

      Reply

  104. There is no question that the liberation of Los Banos Prison is one of the greatest operations of WWII as evidenced in this link: http://www.bing.com/search?setmkt=en-US&q=Liberation+of+Los+Banos .It was a an outstanding plan successfully executed as a result of a concerted effort and coordination of several groups comprised of a reconnaissance platoon of american officers, soldiers and Filipino guerrillas, an Armored Tractor Battalion, a squadron of sailboats, information provided by camp escapees and, of coarse, the airborne. Because of the information provided, the raid was executed when the prison guards were doing their morning exercises wearing only loin cloths and did not have their weapons. The prison was attacked at the same time by the land forces and the air drop. The point I was making that the operation to liberate Los Banos and the taking of Iwo Jima were both overshadowed by a photograph. The successful raid on Los Banos was carried out in one day, but involved many days of planning, gathering intelligence and reconnoassance patrols. The marines outnumbered the Japanese on Iwo Jima. However, Japanese forces were well dug in, had miles of underground tunnels. pill boxes and machine gun nests, They were in a better defensive position than the marines were in an offensive position. It took approximately 35 days to take Iwo Jima with great loss of life and causalities There were 27 Medals Of Honor awarded to marines and sailors in that battle. The heroes of Los Banos were later (too much later) given recognition for their exceptional bravery and execution of the rescue of over 2000 U. S. Military, allied military, and allied civilian prisoners. My opinion, as stated before, is that each service branch has unique areas of expertise and the they tactics employ in combat are predicated by the strength and weaponry of the enemy, their defensive or offensive position, the weather, terrain and their own manpower and armament.

    Like

    Reply

    2. I know very well the details of the Los Banos rescue. 2201 prisoners, including a new born baby brought out in a helment liner were saved from execution that very morning!

      Lets not forget the Raid at Cabanatuan , US Army Rangers ( not Airborne qualified at the time) crawled the last mile on their bellys and rescued 501 prisoners form a Japanese prison camp, Sadly there was one casualty,

      Sir, I see that you are retired from the Coast Guard and I honor your service and intelligent comments . I have enjoyed sharing facts and details with you!

      I have a tremendous, detailed Knowledge regarding the combat accomplishments of the United States Army Airborne both in Europe and the Pacific through current time as well ,

      I Bleed Army and I am very proud of all their endeavors! I am also proud of all other American branches of the Military! God Bless all of our Heroes today!

      Regards,
      Spike

      Like

      Reply
  106. Pingback: Let’s not forget the Coast Guard… | Stan R. Mitchell -- Action fiction writer
  107. Pingback: Marine Sergeant’s response to Soldier’s claim of Marine arrogance | Stan R. Mitchell -- Action fiction writer

  108. I spent five years in the Marine Corps and did a tour in Vietnam. I was discharged as a Sergeant after the Vietnam War was winding down. Because of Agent Orange I have a lot of appoints with the VA Hospital. It never ceases to amaze me that as I walk through the VA hospital halls, yes with my USMC cap on my head how many other Marines I see wearing similar gear. I also see Navy, Air Force, and Army personnel wearing their gear. However, when Marines see each other you also seem to hear “SEMPER FI”. Yes, we are a breed apart. I am extremely proud of my time in the Marines. I have a brother-in-law who retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). You would never guess he served because very seldom displays anything “military”. He jokes with me that I wear more gear for someone who served “five minutes”. I joke with my other brother-in-law also about being a retired Army First Sergeant. I am also joking with my friends who served in the Navy and Air Force as well.

    The truth is Marines are Marines for life. You learn that when you arrive at boot camp. However, I truly don’t want to delineate the service provided by ALL VETERANS. It truly takes all of us to get the job done and I thank them for their service as well, but there is no other branch like the Marines and I am honored to be amongst The Few. The Proud. The Marines.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Mr. Jones,

      I really appreciate the comment, and your service to our country. I am sooo sorry you’re dealing with the physical effects of Agent Orange, as well as the emotional results from your service. (And dealing with the VA might be just barely a step below dealing with the enemy, if the stories I continue to hear from wounded Marines returning from the ‘stan and Iraq are true.)

      I am so thankful you answered the call, Mr. Jones, and show such pride to this day. I know how easy it must have been to be angry at the Corps and your country and to be resentful of what has been taken from you in your hard service to this great nation.

      I hope you will continue to dig deep and exemplify the highest standards of the Corps, and that your health recovers — or holds — as best as possible, and that you will maintain an unshakable faith in the beauty of this world, this life, and all those around you, many of whom are probably in dire need of your words of encouragement, your strong example of strength, and your clearly positive attitude that you display for all to see.

      Keep the faith, sir, and thank you for upholding the traditions of a Corps that I’m so proud to be a member of.

      Semper Fidelis,
      Stan R. Mitchell

      Like

      Reply

  109. Roy,

    Thanks so much for your comment, and for your incredible amount of service. I assume you’ve got to be a Master Sgt or Sgt Major , so I don’t rate to say much, but I will say that in my professional career, the Marine Corps has done as much as college to help me stand up and earn more than my colleagues. (For exactly the reasons you stated above.)

    College did help round down the rough corners, and certainly helped, as well, but the Corps instills pride and discipline in ways that are impossible to explain, as you know so well.

    I assume you’re nearing the end of your military career, so I wish you the best of luck as you transition. Unfortunately, it’s a hard as hell transition to the civilian world, made probably still harder by your long service and how infused the Corps has become into your way of life. But, you’ll surmount those challenges just as you’ve surmounted challenge-after-challenge from the moment you stepped on those yellow footprints…

    Semper Fidelis from a humble (but proud) Sgt,
    Stan R. Mitchell

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks Stan, I appreciate your encouragement. I am looking forward to the challenges in the next chapter of life! Your estimation of my rank makes sense but I am a bit more unconventional… I was a gunny with 15+ years before I jumped to the “dark side” and became a WO… and eventually an LDO… so I will have had a career with 15 years enlisted and 15 years as an officer. I am a blessed man and could not be happier with me life!

      It’s good to see you have used the tools the Marine Corps has given you or honed for you to be successful as you chase you’re dream of writing. I’m not a big reader but I will look for your name and pick up a few books to support a fellow Leatherneck following in the footsteps of likes Leon Uris and many other fine authors and journalists! Good luck in your future endeavors!

      S/F,
      Roy

      Like

      Reply

      1. Wow, Sir. I didn’t even know what an LDO was. Had to google it. (Honestly, I’m still stunned it exists and that I’d never heard of it. I just assumed they did something similar during major wars in the form of battlefield commissions, but to do it during peacetime is nothing short of amazing.)

        And it sounds like you’ve had an amazing career, to say the least. (There has to be a book in there!) And I’m honored you’d consider taking a look at my books.

        S/F!

        Like

        Reply

  110. I just got off of the phone with a young man that I helped conquer a difficult time in his life. He was trapped in a split marriage and his father could not handle it alone. Together we got custody of him and now he is a proud Captain in the Marines. He said he joined because he saw the compassion and toughness in me and wanted that too. I credit my ability to conquer to my experience in the Corps. Semper Fi

    Like

    Reply

    1. Ooh-rah, Clyde. It’s compassion that keeps us from becoming monsters, and it’s compassion that helps make this country great. S/F! (And may you be blessed beyond measure for all your compassion and sacrifice.)

      Like

      Reply

    1. Well, my pastor is one of the best men I know, so if he says that, then I’m honored and I credit the Marine Corps and some of the finest leaders to ever breathe for making me that way. (Though some days I wish I wasn’t wired so tight and could relax and do less without all the guilt! Most days, though, I wouldn’t change a thing!)

      Like

      Reply

  112. The Marine Corps is not for everyone/anyone, it it more of a calling. I believe it is a testament to our commitment to God, Country and Corps to show our colors after we depart the service, me; 1983-2013. I will never believe the Marine Corps is the worst, we are the toughest to join, require more from our members, and never EVER lower the bar. The fact that I have not changed my way of doing business makes me stand out among my peers in the corporate world; in fact I’ve been asked to recruit more like me…are we really that bad?

    Like

    Reply

  113. The Marine Corps is not for everyone, it is not for the weak minded, it takes a certain person to be able to Step up to the Plate, and earn the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor…..2008-2013 but a Marine is in a brotherhood till he/she leaves this earth, that person will earn the title Marine, oo-rah I am still proud of being a Marine!!! OO-rah Semper Fidelis to all of my brothers and Sisters of this Corps!!!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Semper Fi, Peter!!! And the crazy thing is you’ll get prouder every single day that you’re out. For many, even those lucky enough to achieve a lot, the Marine Corps defines them their entire life…

      Like

      Reply