[loridin64]

i got this in an email from a fellow Marine of mine: Let me know what you think.

I wonder how many times during Operation Iraqi Freedom that the phrase
"Goddamn Marines" was uttered? Even in the best of times, Army and Air
Force officers have been heard muttering some epithet about Marines,
invoking either heaven or hell.

Interestingly enough, we Marines find it all rather reassuring and, at times, amusing. Most of the time, Marines do not go out of our way to be obnoxious; we are just doing what Marines have done for over 200 years.

A good example is the fact that Marines always raise the American flag over mountains
or cities they have conquered. From Mt. Suribachi to the City of Hue, to Kuwait City to Baghdad, U.S. Marines have raised the Stars and Stripes-in the latter examples, much to the chagrin of higher headquarters. You don't get these kinds of problems with the Army.

So what is it about the U.S. Marines that they stick U.S. flags on everything and do more with less, a less that is either old or an army hand-me-down? We call it Esprit de Corps, but it goes deeper than that.

We learn and maintain myths of the past, which also means living up to those historical examples.
Marine Corps boot camp is the longest of the services; it is where we mold young men and women into the mythical image called a Marine.

You can be in the Army, you can join the Air Force, but you become a Marine. All of the other uniformed services have songs; the U.S. Marines have a hymn. The basic pattern of Marine Corps
uniforms comes from the late nineteenth century; our emblem "the Eagle, Globe and Anchor" has remained largely unchanged since 1868.

The buttons on our dress blues, whites and greens date back to the founding of our Corps. The Marine Corps is the only service that requires its officers to carry a sword, whose pattern dates back to 1805.

I think that the path of being a Marine was established long ago. On the 10th of November 1775, the Marine Corps was first established...in a tavern. To this day, no matter where in the world, Marines celebrate the founding of our beloved Corps, much to the confusion of the other
services.

A few years ago, a congresswoman from Colorado felt that the Marine Corps was radical and extreme.
She contended that the Marine Corps was not politically correct, nor did we seem to be part of the Department of Defense's transition to a "kinder and gentler" military. She was correct, and the Marine Corps took it as a compliment.

But the proof is in the doing, and during Iraqi Freedom the Marines demonstrated what Marines can do. I watched with some amusement as a reporter asked a young lance corporal about being in Iraq and under rifle fire. "Love it, sir!" was his response. The reporter was taken aback and asked, No, really. " The Marine then tried to explain that this is what he was trained to do, he looked forward to doing it and was now happy to be doing it. No doubt in boot camp he was told that he was
"a minister of death praying for war." Contrast that with the poor U.S. Army Apache pilots who said that if they had to take life, they would do so reluctantly.

You are either a warrior or you are not.

Marines are mission oriented. Live or die, the most important thing to a Marine is accomplishing the mission. Whether taking the bridge, river or town, accomplishing the mission is the Holy Grail of being a Marine. How the mission is accomplished is not so important, as it is expected of all Marines to accomplish the mission with the tools available. This is probably why we heard that Marines in one engagement were fighting with knives and bayonets. This was hardly high tech, but it was effective. These Marines now have bragging rights, for they have proven that they talk-the-talk and walk-the-walk. I doubt there is a single Marine who is not envious.

Marines are practical, as well. I enjoyed hearing two reporters interviewing each other, one embedded with the Army, the other with the Marines. The reporter with the Army noted that the sandstorm had blown down many of the soldiers' cots. The other reporter countered that the
Marines did not have this problem because they slept on the ground.

The Marine learns to live with what he can carry on his back. He expects to be moved around on the battlefield via his two black Cadillacs (boots). If he is lucky and gets a ride on an amtrack, so much the better-but it is not expected. At the end of a mission, the priority for cleaning is
weapon, then equipment, and finally, body.

When the other services talk about "quality of life," they are referring to housing, clubs and food. Marines are talking about better weapons, equipment and training, winning the battle and coming home alive is considered "quality of life."

All of this translates into combat power. In comparison to the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division, the Marines of I Marine Expeditionary Force were lightly equipped. Yet, they battled through the heart of Iraq, fought to the center of Baghdad and then moved off to Tikrit, taking that city as well. The press was so enamored with the Marines that in the final days of the war they even credited the Marines with deeds actually accomplished by the Army. Little wonder we heard "Goddamn
Marines!" so often.

So we need to give the Marines some slack when they do something politically incorrect, such as raising the flag or appearing insensitive when killing the enemy. In the field, they look sloppy compared to the Army, but are aggressive in the attack and generally unhappy in the defense.

Marines take pride in their work, even if that work is war. We are just Marines and that is what we do.

"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
- Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956

[nilez]

KILL!

[naked-daytrader]

Waiting for Doc to post up and tell us all how great the Army is ........

[Nix]

My opinion...and opinions are like assholes - everyone's got one...mine may stink more than someone else's...

You've got to carry a certain swagger, confidence, ego, etc. if you're the first ones in, the first ones to die. Makes me think of that scene in "300", where those guys who come to support Sparta ask why the Spartans have brought so few men. Spartan King goes round and asks a few guys their professions..and winds up saying "see old friend? I've brought more soldiers than you did"...or something to that affect. They have to be hardcore mf-uhs because of what they've been tasked to do. Our other military personnel are hardcore themselves, just in slightly different ways. We have different branches to serve specific purposes so the 5-stars can play RISK with each branch's expertise in order to win. What epitomizes a "soldier" to me is the image of an army soldier and a marine - Individual fighting mothafuckas trained to kill & survive with nothing. Anyone who serves for any of the branches are fucking heros. Of course, we'll always get bad eggs no matter what carton they're in.

My two cents...I'd like my change please.

[Evil_Weasel]

ha, ha. good read.

when i was of in the wonderful land of afghanistan for afew (11) months we were stationed on a base controlled by the army/air force. there were only about 150 of us marines around and we were the only ones on base. we clashed with the army and air force almost daily. all the NATO forces from other countrys loved us though.

the biggest clash was on saluting policys, marines don't salute in combat zones. the army air force does. the marines don't salute in PT gear or any other time we aren't wearing a cover. the army salutes in bald heads any time. we didn't salute our owner officers in combat why would i salute yours? eventually the base general ordered our CO to make us salute. we responded by forming "salute trains" when ever we would walk around in groups. a nice line, everyone 5 paces apart so we could salute individually instead of as a group. we had some of those army officers flapping like birds on take off...good times.

sorry Doc

[Currently]

Whenever I see or hear about Marines, this quote comes to mind ...


“The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!”

Eleanor Roosevelt quotes (American United Nations Diplomat, Humanitarian and First Lady (1933-45), wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd US president. 1884-1962)

[Doc]

No worries Marines.

Your wrong about the Army and saluting. We don't salute in a combat zone. We don't consider a FOB combat though.

Why can't Marines learn to clear a weapon? I mean we even had it written down on a board near the clearing barrel... OH wait! Marines can't read!

Seriously the Marines are just like most of the Army infantry. If you spend time around an Army infantry unit you would feel at home. The Marines are just a smaller group. (and not as old as the Army)

I would rather go in to battle with Marines (ANY Marines) than HALF of the Army.

[naked-daytrader]

Originally Posted by Doc

I would rather go in to battle with Marines (ANY Marines) than HALF of the Army.

I don't believe that came out of Doc's mouth, SOMEONE PICK ME UP OFF THE FLOOR........

[Doc]

If you really think about that it is not that surprising.

Cooks, clerks, pogues.

The only real soldier is an Infantry soldier.

[nilez]

Originally Posted by Evil_Weasel

we responded by forming "salute trains" when ever we would walk around in groups. a nice line, everyone 5 paces apart so we could salute individually instead of as a group. we had some of those army officers flapping like birds on take off...good times.

sorry Doc

shit, I'm pissed I missed that. Sounds FOOKIN hilarious. I can just imagine the gripes the officers must've given. HAHAHAHAHA

[Doc]

I always have thought of saluting as making the officer salute me (they have to return it)

[DaSpence]

Originally Posted by Doc

If you really think about that it is not that surprising.

Cooks, clerks, pogues.

The only real soldier is an Infantry soldier.

Hooah

Im stuck in Military Intelligence land as the Brigade CDR's PSD and we finally got a LRS attached to us..Its nice to be around fellow infantryman again.

I AM THE INFANTRY, FOLLOW ME

[DaSpence]

Originally Posted by TimTim

i know some fellow 12B's that can hang with the best of 'em. At least back when we trained for conventional warfare...

Sappers Lead The Way.

COUGH Rangers Lead The Way COUGH

Sappers just clear it

[Doc]

I never did understand that "Combat Engineer" thing?

I mean you have bulldozers and stuff. Not all that tactical.

My infantry days are almost gone. I will be attending the Mountain Warfare school soon though.

[naked-daytrader]

Originally Posted by Doc

My infantry days are almost gone. I will be attending the Mountain Warfare school soon though.

I did the mountain warefare training up in Bridgeport California. That was some nasty tough times. 3 weeks up there. Everyday we had to hump 7 miles up a mountain to our classroom, first thing in the morning, from base camp. Then from there the day just got worse. Learned allot though.

[Doc]

This is the school.

https://hawkeye.ngcsu.edu/~EPORT7273...e%20School.htm

I have to go to these courses below.

071-SQIE (SUM) Basic Military Mountaineer Summer Course

The course is 14 days of continuous training, with an average of 14 hours of training every day. The emphasis during the course is on practical, realistic, and strenuous hands-on skills which are consistent with current Army doctrine. At times the physical condition of the student approaches exhaustion. During the course, the student becomes increasingly proficient in the fundamentals, principles, and techniques of conducting small unit operations in mountainous terrain.
The Army Mountain Warfare School teaches a TRADOC approved course of instruction in basic Military Mountaineering. After completion of both Level 1 Courses, soldiers are awarded the SQI "E", Military Mountaineer IAW DA Pam 611-21. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 1 Basic Mountaineer tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6 Mountain Operations (2000 Revision).
TOP

071-SQIE (WIN) Basic Military Mountaineer Winter Course

The course is 14 days of continuous training with an average of 12 hours of training every day. During the course, the student acquires the skills and knowledge required to operate in mountainous terrain. The student’s skills, physical and mental endurance, stamina, and confidence are continuously challenged by frigid temperatures, deep snow and mountainous terrain. High standards are required and maintained in the most adverse mission profile. The emphasis is on practical, realistic and strenuous training.
The Army Mountain Warfare School teaches a TRADOC approved course of instruction in basic Military Mountaineering. After completion of both Level 1 Courses, soldiers are awarded the SQI "E", Military Mountaineer IAW DA Pam 611-21. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 1 Basic Mountaineer tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6 Mountain Operations (2000 Revision).

TOP
071-F1 (SUM) Assault Climber Course

The course is 14 days of continuous training, with an average of 14 hours of training every day. To train selected soldiers in the knowledge/skills required to lead small units/teams over technically difficult, hazardous or exposed (Class 4 and 5) mountainous terrain during summer months. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 2 Assault Climber tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6, Mountain Operations (2000 Revision).
TOP
071-F1 (WIN) Assault Climber Course

The course is 14 days of continuous training, with an average of 14 hours of training every day. To train selected soldiers in the knowledge/skills required to lead small units/teams over technically difficult, hazardous or exposed (Class 4 and 5) mountainous terrain during winter months. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 2 Assault Climber tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6, Mountain Operations (2000 Revision).
TOP

[Evil_Weasel]

see, things like that made me glad i was in the air wing....crazy infantry.

...don't think it's like the air force, where they don't even give the mechs ammo. we were all qualified with our M16s, and pretty handy with them to. always had atleast 2 mags and the old rifle around when on deployments. did our share of security details as well. i had buddies that went to go help kick in doors when needed. it's not like the air force, where all you do is fix planes.

and thank the lord the army doesn't get planes...they have enough trouble with thier helos. they sent ordnance bouncing down the run way on a regular basis. yay, anti-heat seeking missile flares in the dry grass again!!

[loridin64]

Originally Posted by Evil_Weasel

see, things like that made me glad i was in the air wing....crazy infantry.

oh yes. i was a winger as well. 7051, Aircraft Rescue Firefighting.

[nilez]

haha, soon-to-be winger here too. Flight school in '09 @ P-cola

[Kurlon]

All I'll say is I haven't got what it takes, but I'm glad we've got people in this country who do, and I'll support them any way I can.

[Evil_Weasel]

Originally Posted by nilez

haha, soon-to-be winger here too. Flight school in '09 @ P-cola

i went to ordnance school in P-cola. very nice base. awesome chow hall, near-by beaches...lots of navy and air force women about. New Orleans and panama city beach are both worth checking out.

future air crew? or flight-stick actuator?

[Cheese-GSXR]

My only experience with the Marines and the Army was a couple TDY girls. The Army girl was a lil' large and liked the freaky stuff and the Marine was definitely into hardcore photography. Basically the Army girl rocked my Air Force world and the Marine girl left me 8 x 11s to get me through the times when I was down on my luck. Hmmm ... maybe will want to buy a few of the prints she left me?

[loridin64]

They used to have our MOS school in P-Cola, then they changed it to hot/boring-ass San Angelo Texas. And the worst part was i was there from Feb to Aug. Not the coolest temps. Firefighter training is awesome when its already 105 out