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As a retired Marine CWO-3, 1977-1998, I know a little something
about Marines. I think Sgt. Tony Glass is way off base in his
thinking. Being cocky is part of being a Marine. Marines are
known to be confident in their abilities to the point of
arrogance. And yes it is arrogant to compare yourself to the
Marines of WWII and Korea. The Marines of that time frame is
what all Marines are compared against. Today's Marines are
that good. I would say that Chesty would be proud of the young
Marines we have today.
In my civilian job I am in airports around the country a lot. I
see and as possible talk to as many of these young warriors as I
can. And make no mistake, they are warriors in the truest sense
of the word. These young men and women of today are where they
are because they choose to be. They could have chosen a much
easy career path. But they choose the Marines. They are of
the highest caliber people. They are by far the smartest
Marines that have ever held the title. They still choose the
toughest service and a life of discomfort to serve this country.
Those choose to serve by being one of the few and I for one am
proud to call them Marine.
David Brawner
USMCR Ret.
CWO-3
On Patrol With Marines In Afghanistan
Every once in awhile I see or read something that makes me so
d*mn proud of our current generation of United States Marines.
This video clip (YouTube) is one of those things.
"We're 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, we took Tarawa back in World
War II. We gotta live up to that. "
U.S. Marines with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment; on foot and
under fire in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Members of Golf Company pushed deep into the heart of the
Helmand River Valley in an attempt to secure this part of the
country in advance of the Afghan elections in August.
Airwingers
Looking for a few good Airwingers to advise me on artwork for new product.
If interested please contact me at info@grunt.com
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
Glamour Girl
This is WWII G battery 3 13th Marines, 5th Division. Feb. 1945.
Iwo Jima. Glamour Gal is the gun to the left. This was sent to
me my a K battery Iwo 13th Marine 5th Division vet.
My grandfather was on the Glamour Gal 105 mm howitzer crew and I
contacted your newsletter earlier this year to try to locate
living members and or families. This is a National Archive
negative W9C 856.
My name is Angelia Bratcher Bess and I hope you can use this on
your site. I am the granddaughter of a 5th Division Marine of
WWII Iwo Jima, and a daughter of a 3rd Division Marine early
Viet Nam era.
Glamour Gal howitzer was credited with firing the first shot on
Iwo.
Thank you for your time.
My Foot Locker
Sgt Grit, I did Boot at MCRD, we flew in from San Francisco this
was Oct 1956, CA, Picked up at airport by a soft spoken Marine
and a truck driver. Once at receiving, the world changed. we
became sh!t birds, etc. some of the men who were in that group
of boots were on the buddy system. so our platoon did not form
until all these Buddy's had arrived.
There were no yellow feet painted on the deck, No Kind words,
bucket's with hygiene stuff. Lots of running and cussing. We did
not get a our 782 gear until we were in our hut and had a
platoon number 2061. That's when we did the grinder with foot
lockers full, I was the only man to finish still holding my foot
locker over my head. S/Sgt Swan was senior DI and h&ll on two
feet. I was a marked man. I later went Sea Going, then G/2/5 1
Div, then 1st Pioneers, then Fallbrook NAD,
Semper Fi Tom Oct 56 to Jan 63
1649003
Where, When, Who
Does anyone know the where, when, who in this picture.
And yes I know Chesty is one.
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
Old Dude
Sgt. Grit, my name is Dennis Francis and I am 47 years old. I
tell you that because I am now a security contractor in
Afghanistan and have been for the last three years. I was a
Marine in H+S Company 1/2 from 1980-85 and was a police officer
for 22 yrs before coming to Afghanistan.
I am writing this letter to thank you for your support and
dedication to Marines everywhere, because I want you to
understand how much you mean to all of us. I have had the
pleasure of being embedded with Golf Company 2/7 and working
with the Marine Special Operations Command and I have to tell
you that they do " still make em like they use to ".
I had to train hard just to keep up with them and I was proud to
be allowed to operate with them. Their courage and bravery
brought tears to my eyes during many battles and it was an honor
to be excepted by them. By the way, I was affectionately
labeled "old dude". They loved your products, the baseball caps
and all of your stuff but were especially proud of the EGA patch
that I proudly displayed on my combat uniform.
P.S. Attached are some pictures that I took with these wonderful
young warriors.
Semper Fi,
Dennis Francis
Drop And Give Me 50
J.J. Borgan, Mag 12 wrote about having to eat a 3 page letter, I
too bit off more than I wanted to chew.
Mom sent me a letter, within the letter was chewing gum (pogey
bait). Although the gum was inconspicuously taped in single
file, still encapsulated within their protective layers of paper
and foil. My DI was NOT fooled by Mom's clever attempt to
smuggle contraband to her little boy, soon to be a Marine.
I too had to eat the 3 page letter along with the envelope, five
sticks of chewing gum and their wrappers and tape!
What makes my story longer lasting, is that I was ordered NOT to
swallow until I was told to. Three days later during a friendly
rope climbing competition, our Gunney caught me and another guy
cheating. Of course our DI instructed us to slip in line ahead
of the slow climbers.
Anyway, Gunney wanted to know what kind of Sh#T was in my mouth
that made me look like a chipmunk. At this time, the wad of
paper had swollen to twice its size and was now rendering my
speech useless. He got in my face and screamed WHAT is that SH#T
in your MOUTH, BOY? I tried to tell him that I was hungry and
ate a letter. He didn't buy that explanation. I told him I was
told to eat the letter and NOT to spit it out or swallow it
until he told me to. In typical Boot Camp drama, Gunney said,
well no one told you to spit it out! DROP and GIVE ME 50!
DAVE MILLER L/Cpl.
67-69 RVN LIMA 3/7
Support our Marines
Sgt.Grit: This is how Marine Veterans support our fighting Marines.
Frank G. Real, Jr.. former sergeant of Marines and public affairs office for Mass. Dept. Marine Corps League.
The House was safe
My wife and I recently purchased a new home in an "active adult
community" now that she and I are approaching our golden years.
The day that I came by to do the final walk through, our new
neighbor came out. I had no idea how old she was but she had
twenty five years on me. I introduced myself to her and she gave
me her name in a matter of fact tone. "My name is Lenore but
don't call me that because I won't answer you. My name is Lee.".
Then she walked into our house and said for me to come on in and
she would show me what the house needed. I thought to myself, Oh
Hell, what have we got here. She showed me a few items saying
things like: this should be fixed, that should be fixed but all
in all it was a good home".
Then the bomb hit. She said that if we needed anything that she
was always there and if we wanted to go away for a few days she
would be happy to watch the house. She let me know that the
house was safe because she was a Marine. I perked up and smiled
and said I am a Marine too. I went into her house and there was
a most stunning picture of a young woman in a Marine uniform. An
Eagle, Globe, and Anchor graced another wall of the home. It
seems that she was in before I was born. We talked and talked
and she was sharp. I went and ordered a red cup with the EGA
from Donnie so that she could enjoy her tea in a Marine cup.
A few days later I talked to her on the veranda and I apologized
for the cardboard in the kitchen window but the curtains were
not done and I did not want the neighbors to see me in my
underwear. She said that she knew the feeling, she said: "trust
me, no one wants to see me in my skivvies either."
She busts me up and it is so great to see that I have another
neighbor that is also a Marine. We are all family. she was in in
1943 and I was in in 1968 but the traditions carry on.
Semper Fi
SSgt Dan Huntsinger
68-75
Put Fear
Once again great scuttlebutt, in regards to Marine Captain at
Henderson Hall in 1969, (10 September 2009) when I got there in
1970 he was not there, however, we did have a MSgt Scarborough
who was recipient of the Medal of Honor. This man also put fear
in the heart of a young LCPL.
Sgt Grit I would love to hear more sea stories from former
Marine Security Guards.
D Womack
0369 til the day I die
MSG American Embassy
Santiago, Chile
Sep 70-Sep 72
I Did Not Expect
A few years ago I had the pleasure of spending a honeymoon trip
to Europe. While in London my wife and I stayed with a cousin
right in the heart of the city. Our quarters were located right
across the street from St. James Palace. We were on the third
floor and when I looked out the window I could see the sentry of
the Royal Guard do his duty in a very military manner.
During one of these days in London I, after watching these
soldiers, decided that I would walk up to one and check him out.
I approached with my wife and cousin. I walked up close to this
professional soldier and stood next to his right ear. He had the
typical English Guard attire but the thing that caught my eye
was the glow of his spit polished boots.
Now everyone knows that these soldiers are not suppose to speak with the public. Lord knows many a pretty women have tried to get even the slightest response from these statue like men while they are on duty. I did not expect a result to be any different when I told him, in a low voice, that I was in the Marine Corps back in 1967 and we prided ourselves on the ability to make our boots sparkle like glass. I then told him that his boots would have passed any inspection in the Corps and that he should be proud of that fact. Without hesitation, as quickly as it could be said, he said "Thank You Sir'. I then proceeded to let him know I would keep his words to myself.
Made my day
Semper Fi
Jim aka Tiny Gauthier
USMC 67-71
M-1, AK47, M1
Sgt Grit, I thought your readers might like to see the M-1
carbine I just restored. Also included in the picture is an
AK47 and an M-1. The backdrop is an NLF battle flag
commemorating the battle of An Khe which I was NOT a part of.
Willeo USMCR '63-'69
Is That Clear
I hesitate to tell this story because if you were not there you
won't believe it and if you were there it is just something most
of us boots had to go through in the Marine Corps.....
The 1st day at San Diego as a US Marine Boot, February 1956.
After a nice flight from Portland, Oregon to San Diego, four
uncertain recruits were met by a nice Corporal that had us
follow him outside where we were loaded onto a 4 by truck to an
unknown location where there was a Marine Corps bus waiting for
us. We were told to get in, sit down and shut up. Of course as
the bus filled, chatting took place and then the door exploded
open and we were reminded by a Sergeant that we were told to get
in, sit down and shut up! In a language and deliverance I had
never heard before....
Well as all Marines know we went through the herding process
(with Drill Instructors screaming "get in a column or get in a
line or stand up or shut up or follow me maggots" as we got our
buckets, caps, sweatshirts, haircuts, and all the rest of the
personal gear the Marine Corps thought we needed. Somewhere
along the way I had come across a pencil sharpener and sharpened
my 3 pencils. Trying to take the initiative I guess.
So with our buckets full of stuff, our caps pulled down over our
bald heads, our grey sweatshirts off we were herded to our
Quonset hut homes for the next 15 weeks. We were jammed 25 at a
time into each of 3 Quonset huts and told to select a rack,
stand at attention (what was that?) and shut up!...
We all looked at each other like; "what have we just got
ourselves into???". Well I was about to find out as the wooden
door slammed open and a Drill Instructor Corporal burst in
yelling and screaming for all of us to stand at attention, at
our racks (what was that?) and shut up! He wanted one pencil
from every idiot. When he got to me, I said I had sharpened my
pencils or something stupid like that and he just looked at me
like I was a complete idiot and said "one pencil stupid". So I
handed him a sharpened pencil and away he flew out the back door
to terrorize the other two huts.....We relaxed a bit not knowing
what to do or how to stand at attention or what a rack was or
why did we join the Marine Corps....
All of a sudden the same door burst opened and the same Corporal
burst in, looked around and said "OK where is the idiot (or
words like that) who gave me a sharpened pencil". I stepped out
and admitted my guilt and as the Corporal approached me I
noticed that he was going to give me a jab in the stomach with
his right hand. I back up trying to protect myself, deflected
his punch with my left hand and cocked my right to deliver a
blow......He stopped, looked at me, reached over grabbed me by
the bunched up sweatshirt above my left shoulder and physically
dragged me out of the Quonset hut, down the asphalt road to the
Quonset hut where all the drill instructors were gathered as
they discussed their new recruit platoons.
He opened the door and threw me inside, told me to go to a desk
and stand at attention in front of my new Drill Instructor
Sergeant....He told the Sergeant, "Here is an idiot that wants
to fight". The Sergeant, I never will forget this, stood up and
ripped his shirt open popping all the buttons off and onto the
desk, I can remember looking down and seeing the buttons rolling
around on the desk...The Sergeant ran around the desk got in my
face, ask me if I wanted to fight him, told me to stand at
attention, that I was a pathetic excuse for a human being, gave
me a jab in the stomach, told me to stand at attention, stare at
the wall, all in a stream of words that I was beginning to
understand that I was in deep do do.
Of course I answered, "no I didn't want to fight". And this
just infuriated the Sergeant as he said, "don't eyeball me,
stand at attention, why did you join the Marine Corps then,
don't you have a name- are you a private eye, and you had better
say sir when you talk to me". All in one breath....Of course I
have a name I said, Wayne Hardy, Well he said, Wayne Hardy are
you a private, sergeant or a general? Do a hundred pushups.
Stand up, stand still, what is your religion, where are you
from, do you want to fight me? All in rapid order. While this
was going on, there were other drill instructors egging him on
and they were throwing bayonets behind my back from my right to
my left and sticking them in a target hung on the door of the
Quonset hut.....I could hear them going by.....I was getting
jabbed, slapped on the back of the head as everything I did
seemed to be wrong.
I remember making the mistake of saying something like "I did
not know you wanted that", that threw the Sergeant into a
tantrum because I had just called him a female sheep. I'm no
ewe you know private Hardy but you probably are looking for one
are you not private Hardy, are you an animal lover private
Hardy? I could do nothing right...Do you love the Marine Corps?
Do you love me private Hardy? Why are you here private Hardy?
Finally I said, "OK what does the Drill Instructor want from
PRIVATE HARDY SIR!. They both looked at each other, thought for
a minute and said "OK private Hardy you get your butt outside,
line up those 74 other idiots (or similar names) in alphabetic
order and if just one of them screws up you will back in here,
IS that CLEAR?" YES SIR that is very clear SIR said I. The
Corporal then grabbed me by the back of my grey sweatshirt and
by the seat of my pants and as one of the other Drill
Instructors opened the door he threw me outside...in the dirt
and the dark....
Well let it be known that I did line up all 74 terrified boots
in alphabetic order, told them what to expect, that they had to
knock 3 times on the door and say private so and so reporting to
the drill instructor as ordered sir, go inside if they were
called, go to the desk, do a left face, stand at attention and
report private so and so reporting as ordered sir! Then answer
all their questions.....(all the drill instructors wanted were
our names, religion and date of birth) Well a few of the boots
were thrown out physically into the dirt (soil) and had to go
right back in) so it was late at night when the Drill
Instructors came through each Quonset hut and told us that there
would be lights out in 5 minutes and we had better be asleep
when the light left the room.
As we jumped into our racks (we finally were told that a rack
was what Marines slept on) a bed was what civilians, swabbies
and animals slept on. The Drill Instructor turned off the light
-- it was quiet as he stood near the door and said "goodnight
Marines". Some idiot said "good night sir". And of course this
enraged the drill instructor as he had just ordered us to be
asleep when the light left the room. How could anyone asleep
tell the drill instructor good night???? So we had about 20
minutes of rack drill, how to get into our racks, how to sleep
at attention (only civilians, swabbies and animals sleep at
rest) and how to be asleep when the light leaves the
room......1- get set to get into the rack, 2- get into the rack,
3 - get in the position of horizontal attention, 4 - be
asleep....1,2,3,4 I love the Marine Corps......
Well that was my 1st day and night in the Marine Corps. I
remained the right guide through the 15 weeks, and made PFC.
There were only 5 out of the 75 that made pfc out of boot camp
in those days.....
February 1, 1956 through the middle of May 1956, Platoon 126.
Semper Fidelis
Sergeant Wayne Hardy
Do You Know Him
I was sitting in McDonalds having a quick snack when a young
man, early 20s came in.
He had no legs and was in a wheel chair. I thought how sad so
young, I live in logging and farming country and thought that
perhaps he had been in a accident.
When he rolled back by I saw on his wheel chair Purple Heart
Association and a Marine Corps Emblem. My heart went to my
throat and I was on my feet. I welcomed him home and asked if
there was anything I could do for him. He thank me, he is on
leave from Walter Reed hospital, he is from Tenn. and is here in
northern Maine, bear hunting.
I went back to my seat and had to take a minute and blow my nose
and wipe my eyes.
A man came up to me and said, seeing him really had an effect on
you, do you know him, my reply was Yes he is my Brother.
Its true no Marine is alone if there is another Marine in the
room.
Ron Morneault
Once a Marine always a Marine. Semper Fi
History
Does anyone know the history of this medallion?
Thanks.
Semper Fi
Dennyt
Proud
Sgt. Grit,
In the past, several years ago you published a story about my
oldest son, Charles A. Beltram II when he graduated from Boot
Camp. Now, I would like to introduce you to my youngest son,
Sgt. Samuel Adam Beltram, USMC upon his graduation from EOD
School, Class 09160S. Both of my son's are Sgts in the Corps.
My oldest is an Instructor at New River, MCAS. Of course my
youngest, Samuel is now at Camp Lejeune. The second photo shows
all three of us, all Sgt's in the Marine Corps. Of course, I am
not as lean, not as mean, but still a Marine!
I don't believe that any father could be as proud of his son's
as I am.
Semper Fi!
Charles A. Beltram
Sgt. USMC
Viet Nam Vet
Pounded And Harassed
In 1968, members of "India" Company, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines
captured two 75mm Pack Howitzers on Dong Ha Mountain. Although
it took the Marines two days to reach the location of the Guns,
the Marines of India 3/3 did accomplish their mission despite
constant small arms and mortar fire by the entrenched NVA. Once
the location of the Guns were discovered, to the astonishment of
all, the Marines also discovered that the Guns were American
made and bore American stamped marking's on many of its parts to
include a "General Electric" marking on the breach. These Guns
had pounded and harassed the Marines as well as US Army
Artillery Batteries on Camp Carroll for months and despite tons
of every known ordinance imaginable, the Guns could never be
silenced until the brave Marines of "India" 3/3 put a permanent
silence to them, once and for all.
Today only one Gun still exists, the second Gun is believed to
be buried at Camp Carroll thanks in part to Marines who rather
see it buried than fall into the hands of the US Army Artillery
Battery at Camp Carroll...So the legend goes. If you are ever at
the USMC Museum in Quantico, please stop and see the display and
you will understand why these Guns were so prized by the North
Vietnamese and hated by Marines.
Danny Medders
Sgt. USMC 67-68
India Co. 3/3
To Be A Real
Sgt. Grit
In your latest E-mail to me I noticed in the "Featured Items"
for Christmas there was a Marine Corps Nutcracker shown in dress
blues.
I'm sorry to say it is out of uniform. In order to be a real
Marine Corps nutcracker it should be dressed as a DI.
In the same E-mail there was an item from Kendal Schacher
concerning the term "Former Marine".
I currently serve as the Judge Advocate for the Westchester
Detachment of the Marine Corps League. In order to become a
member of the League a Marine has to have been discharged under
honorable conditions. We refer to them as "Former Marines".
Those discharged under other than honorable conditions we refer
to as "Ex-Marines".
Semper Fi
Bob Stephens
Sgt USMC 1966 1970
Great Combination
Attached is a reproduction of your "devil dog" decal and our pug
dog "sadie". I think it makes a great combination, only not as
fierce looking as a bull dog.
Cpl. Gus Olson, USMC Reserve, (1960 - 1965), 4th Tank Battalion,
Syracuse, NY.
Corpsman
Dear Sgt Grit
I received my order from your catalog the "Corpsman cover and
golf shirt". Also a FMF Corpsman pin. I will be proud to wear
them in San Diego where my wife and I will visit in Oct.
I will be returning for the first time since I left for 'Nam Feb
of 1967. This trip I have looked forward to for many years.
We have lived in Florida our 40 married years, and by the way my
wife was a corpsman and has been an RN for 30 years. Thanks to
the GI bill.
My proudest memory of putting on the greenies for the first time
along with serving under The Great Chief Lou Legarie (correct
spelling ) "Leaping Lou"
Thank You Sgt Grit for all you do and to all the writers for
sharing their memories and stories.
Semper Fi from a Navy / FMF Combat Corpsman
Frank ( DOC ) Morelli
Corpsman Items
http://usmcshop.grunt.com/Search.aspx?search=corpsman
M3
Sgt. Grit,
Here is a picture of my recently acquired USMC tattoo. My
father and brother also served in our glorious Corps. My father
passed away last year to cancer and I wanted to honor him and
our bond together. I got the EGA and added the M3 to signify my
dad, my brother, and myself (as all of our first names begin
with the letter "M"). The cased American flag signifies my
father's passing and receiving full military honors. I also had
"Father, Sons, Brothers Forever" to represent the bond that the
three of us will always share.
Semper Fi!
Martin Westby
Cpl. USMC 1988-1992
1st Radio Bn. FMFPAC
KMCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii
Every Corpsman
Ben was a Corpsman attached to the Marines in Afghanistan. He
had previously served a tour in Iraq and volunteered to go be
with "his guys". He was killed two weeks ago along with another
Marine. Notice I said another Marine. Every Corpsman that serves
with a Marine unit is every bit the Marine. Another Marine lost
a leg and an eye and may not survive. Two more were critically
wounded. They were setting up a forward aid station when the
Marine in front of Ben stepped through a doorway that was booby-
trapped. A tragic loss of life for a heroic group of young men.
Ben was doing something he loved-helping his Marines.
Ben was from a small town in Michigan called Howell. When they
flew the body home they came in to Flint for the 30 minute ride
back to Howell. The Patriot Guards accompanied the body and then
stood outside the funeral home with flags the balance of that
day and all the next. The community lined the streets. A two
star Admiral and the Senior Master Chief of the Corpsman
attended the funeral.
The dignity and respect shown by all of the community and the
military people in attendance was beyond what anyone could
expect. It was very comforting to my sister and brother in law,
Ben's grandparents, and to his mother and father. Many in my
family had never been to a military funeral and were visibly
moved by the Admiral presenting the flags to the family. The
entire country can be proud of the sacrifice Ben made and the
honor with which our military afforded the family.
SSgt Mike Barnett USMC
1967-1971
We Lost A Great Marine
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
http://www.odmp.org/officer/20065-patrolman-jerry-jones
This was written about him on one of the many pages of
reflections.
A little over 3 years ago, I was handed a packet to complete a
background on an applicant. In my mind I thought that here is
another person that has watched too much COPS on TV or has an
idea that it is a "cool" job. This person doesn't have a clue
about what he is getting himself into.
I looked into his education and saw where he had graduated from
Elk Valley Christian School. I thought to myself that he had a
good Christian foundation which gave him good values. I started
the background checks on him and checked his references. After
interviewing the references, I thought that this guy might be
alright but he doesn't have a clue about what he is getting
himself into. All his present and past supervisors spoke would
hire him back that day, if given the opportunity. Still, I
thought that he hasn't a clue about what he is getting himself
into.
I then checked his military background. United States Marines
Corps was his service. That raised an eyebrow since I had served
with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in the invasion of Iraq.
While serving with the Marines, I noticed their discipline and
eagerness to perform every mission given. They were without
showers and sleep but never a cross word to another Marine or
soldier. If anyone had a reason to complain about the
conditions, they did. That is when I stopped complaining. So
that was my experience with the Marines, which was a positive
one.
I saw where he enlisted to be an Infantryman. I thought to
myself, "If you are going to be a bear, be a Grizzly." This
Marine raised to the rank of Sergeant, which is not an easy a
task as just scoring well on a written exam. There are several
factors involved in achieving that rank and none are easy.
During his military background check,
I saw that he said he was assigned to a Scout/Sniper Platoon.
Being that was said, I thought I would check it out and maybe
catch him up in an embellishment. I called the USMC 3rd
Battalion, 6th Marines, 4th MEF. I was transferred to the
Weapons Platoon and spoke to Gunnery Sergeant Reig. I told him
this Marine's story and he quickly replied and said that he knew
this Marine.
He stated, "He is a top notch Marine." I was taken aback at the
fact that he did not embellish the story. He was, in fact,
assigned to the Sniper Platoon and served in Afghanistan in that
position. I asked Gunnery Sergeant Reig what his position was in
the Marines. He stated that he was in charge of all Marine
Snipers on the East Coast. He knew this applicant and described
him as "Top Notch". Maybe this applicant knows exactly what he
is getting himself into. We need more applicants like this one,
and recalled a quote from Heraclitus.
For every one hundred men you send us,
Ten should not even be here.
Eighty are nothing but targets.
Nine of them are real fighters;
We are lucky to have them, they the battle make.
Ah, but the one. One of them is a warrior.
And he will bring the others back.
For his all service in the Marines, he didn't even bother to
report his military service which would have gained him 5 extra
points and would have brought him #9 on the hiring list to #4 on
the hiring list.
I finished up with the applicant packet and wanted to find a
little dirt so it would make it look as if I were thorough but
couldn't find anything to report. This applicant had not had any
traffic violations, parking tickets, nor arrest records. He had
a spotless record in the Marines also.
When I got to the Recommendation portion of this applicant, I
wrote:
I recommend that the applicant be hired due to his work record
and his supervisors speaking positive things about him and his
military service.
Gunnery Sergeant Rieg stated that he was in charge of all the
snipers on the east coast and knew him to be a top notch Marine.
He didn't make any negative comments about the applicant.
This applicant was hired and served the citizens of Charleston,
West Virginia as a Law Enforcement Officer.
Who was he? Jerry Alan Jones and he knew exactly what he was
applying for. He was continuing to serve.
He was attending church on a regular basis which showed that he
served God.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps which showed he
served his country.
He applied for the Charleston Police Department which showed he
served his community.
Once a Marine Always a Marine - 2000-2003 LCpl Weidemann
Honorable Discharge - 40% Disability Rating V/R Justin Weidemann
Senior Analyst / SRA Site Lead & Senior Member Expeditionary
Fraud Analysis Team U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division
Bat$hit Crazy
Sgt. Grit,
Love the news letter and the stories in them. I served from '87
- '92 and was fortunate enough to participate in Desert Storm.
So here's my boot camp story from Platoon 1055 in July of '87 at
MCRD San Diego (names with held to protect the innocent!):
At that time boot camp was split up into three phases and we had
just started third phase where the Drill Instructors were "fine
tuning" us. We were going through our nightly ritual before
lights out where our DI would do a hygiene check. At the
appointed time one of our Jr. DI's who was going to be staying
the night in the barracks yell's, "GET ON LINE" and starts the
count down, "5,4,3,2,1 YOU'RE DONE!". Once the countdown starts
everyone is running around in their boxers, t-shirts and shower
shoes trying to get to their rack and on top of their foot
lockers. Now that everyone is locked at attention on top of
their foot lockers the DI, with the "scribe" in tow, starts his
hygiene inspection. As he starts down one side of the squad bay
I could barely hear the two privates next to me doing everything
they could to surpass their laughter. Our Jr. DI that night was
bat$hit crazy and meaner than he!
So I'm thinking these two knuckleheads could very well die
tonight of excessive PT. As everyone that has gone through boot
camp probably knows by now DI's have an almost mythical ability
to sense when something isn't right; such as the two giggling
privates next to me. Within about a half a heartbeat our DI is
across the squad bay going off on these two. "WHAT THE $@#^% IS
SO $#%^ FUNNY!"
Instead of straightening up one of the privates started to
completely lose it. Of course you never ever laugh while at the
position of attention and you surely don't start laughing even
more when the DI is in your face but this guy was. I think our
DI was so mad he was very close to punching the private in the
face he but the private was finally able to get it out. "SIR",
*snicker*, "well its private smith sir". Smith was directly
across the squad bay from him.
"Private Jones said he thought, *giggle*, Private Smith's lizard
was trying to get away sir!" Well sure enough as we were running
around getting to our positions Smith's "lizard" escaped out the
front of his boxers and was just hanging there for everyone to
see. Our DI looked over his shoulder at Smith, barked "HA" and I
thought was about to start laughing but quickly regained his
bearing.
The whole platoon was starting to giggle but the DI silenced
everyone with "LOCK IT UP". Our DI then commands, SMITH, STOW
that secret weapon NOW!" "THAT WEAPON is only to be used in the
presence of FEMALE of the species" and with that our DI headed
towards the duty hut shouting, "PREPARE TO MOUNT, READY MOUNT!"
The lights were switched off to numerous giggling and snickering
privates.
The vast majority of boot camp is humorless hard work but it
doesn't take much to set everyone off and once started its hard
to contain.
Thanks,
Allen D. Herring
Get Me My
I know we are way past the "great lines from the D I" issues,
but something in the latest newsletter reminded me of one.
In January, 1964, shortly after my platoon, 209, formed on P I,
when we went to the armory to receive our weapons, Sgt. Swanson,
our SDI bellowed: "Get me my New Yorkers up here."
Obediently, the seven of us urbanites presented ourselves. Then
in a quieter voice (but, still loud), he said:
"You seven go to the back. You don't get rifles - we give you
zip guns and garbage can covers!"
D I humor - gotta love it.
Rick Feinstein
Sgt of Marines
1963-1969
Some Kind Of Nut
Dear Sgt. Grit,
I read the story, and watched the attached video about First
Sgt. Casey T. Bazewick (91) who was wounded and a POW during
World War II and who just received his Purple Heart. I thought
my heart was going to burst with pride as tears came to my eyes.
I watched the video on a computer in our reception area at work,
I stood at attention while he received his Purple Heart and the
pianist played the Marines Hymn. There were other people
present who looked at me and must have thought I was some kind
of nut. They don't understand the spirit, loyalty or dedication
of a United States Marine.
It is a shame that First Sgt. Bazewick had to wait so long to
receive his just reward but it is a confirmation to the
testimony that no Marine will be left behind. My thanks to the
Commandant of the Corps and to Senator Patty Murray for their
work to make sure the First Sergeant received his Purple Heart
and my thanks to Casey Bazewick Jr. for sharing this wonderful
story. This makes me even more proud to have earned the right
to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor and to be a part of this
fabulous brotherhood.
Semper Fi,
Bob Treitler
USMC Retired
While Others Play
Reference Sgt Glass/LT GENERAL Chesty Puller: I don't know what
the scuttlebutt is all about with Glass but "LT.GENERAL CHESTY
PULLER" was my hero before I went to the Corps. "the life and
times of Chesty Puller, USMC" should have been required reading
for any enlistee...Before Boot Camp, maybe then we would not
have had so many S!SSY causing Platoon/BN legal holds. My
battalion was the only one to graduate on time, (1st BN PLT's
170-174 july-oct 1971)
General Puller was a hero to me before I enlisted, during my
enlistment and is today. I have no doubt the spirit of General
Chesty Puller is to this day producing Marine Corps hero's from
the recruit to be, signing the dotted line (while other's play
WAR on TV screens at home), to the Marine in the field, and some
of us OLD MARINES who carry it into public service civilian
lives as did I in law enforcement and the fire service. Sgt Grit
some kids just don't get it. General McArthur said "Our Soldiers
don't retire, they just fade away, it may have been Chesty that
said MARINES Never Die We Just Go To H&ll And Regroup. I somehow
suspect when the commander in chief in heaven has a war in the
making Gen Puller is the general called on for opinions/
SEMPER FI MARINES
SGT E. Patrick Anthony former SGT USMC/VIET NAM 72/73...
USMC 71-76
In The Old Brig
Sgt. Grit and staff, these are photos taken at the 45th
Anniversary of our boot camp platoon forming in August of 1964.
We want to thank you for the box of "goodies" you gave us. We
divided them up into 13 stacks and drew numbers, everyone was
very plaesed. Our reunion was held at the place where it all
started for us, Parris Island. In attendance were 10 of us
"recruits" and 3 drill instructors. We were a pretty diverse
group, I was the only one in the platoon that enlisted from the
west side of the Mississippi. The total group size, with
spouses, was 25. We toured the base, ate at 1st Battalion Mess
Hall and visited the PX. We also spent a little time in the old
brig which has been converted into a sports bar. We spent 3 days
reminiscing and reliving old things that happened to us in boot
training.
Harold Jury
"C" Co. 1st Bn. Plt 178
Parris Island 1964
Ask Me A Question
My brother-in-law, Russ Coon, Sgt USMC 1955-58 passed away
Saturday afternoon 19 Sept. He suffered from Creutzfeld-Jacob
Disease, similar to 'Mad Cow', which infects less than 1 in
1,000,000. It ate holes in his brain, he was not able to
remember anything or anyone the last two months of his life and
passed on after nourishment and water stopped being
administered. His body lived on for several days after the
doctors said that all hope was lost.
He was a Primary Marksmanship Instructor at PI and Lejeune. He
never wanted to talk much of his service in the Corps and had
lost all of his documents, pictures and other Marine stuff over
the many years due to time and a divorce. He did however
discuss Marine Corps history with me one time around my 50th
birthday several years ago, the only time he did anything like
this. Others were present, mostly civilian, and I know Russ and
I proved Marines have been trained the same, at least in Marine
History, Honor, Respect and Traditions, for a long, long time.
He could ask me a question like when the Marines' birthday is.
I'd answer then ask him where were the Marines formed. He'd
answer. We did this for a couple of hours, each of us answering
the other's Marine question. Sometimes one of the 'observers'
would ask a question about 'Chesty ' Puller, Iwo Jima, Drill
Instructors, Chosin Reservoir or something else Marine Corps and
Russ or I would answer, sometimes both with the same exact
answer and at same exact time! This impressed those around us
more than anything else!
Creutzfeld-Jacob is a very dangerous and highly contagious fatal
brain disease. His body was immediately secured and transported
to a special medical facility somewhere in Ohio. There he will
be autopsied in a very secure environment and buried there
immediately when that is completed and at that location. None
of us will ever see him again, not even his gravesite.
RIP and Semper Fi Sgt Russ Coon, USMC.
Tony Glass
Sgt USMC
1974-78
5th Marines An Hoa
Fifth Marines at An Hoa about 26 miles south of DaNang.
Semper Fi
Cpl Padilla
Short Rounds
Does a wounded FMF GRUNT corpsman (Vietnam era) have the right
to call himself a MARINE?
"DOC" Garnett
Decatur, Alabama
When I was in the Corps back in 1965, I was stationed at Camp
Lejeune, NC. The outfit I was in was an 8 inch howitzer battery!
I'd like to know what group, battalion or regimen I was based?
It was so long ago, I don't remember! Thank you! I was a lance
corporal then!
Woody!
I was in the Corps 1954 1957 and when we hit the rack at night
our platoon would yell GUNG Ho GUNG HO, I don't know if present
Marines know what that means, it a Chinese call that means work
together work together, from the Boxer rebellion. I was a metal
smith on Helos at L.T.A. Tustin Sgt Loyal Severson e4# 6441
I have a nephew who went to Pendleton for basic he completed it
and was awarded a set of dress blue's made the rank of l/cpl. He
was to be deployed but got a tattoo on his neck and was given a
misconduct discharge. He's home now, but my question is, is he a
Marine or is he a reject. I don't think he should be given the
name Marine or anything else he doesn't deserve it in my
opinion. What's your?
Semper Fi
Cpl/Fata 2581235
New Marines Commercial (Video)
Hey Sgt. your outfit is doing a Outstanding job of giving our
boys the best that you can offer in Spirit and Marine Gear that
other don't. I too am a Vietnam Vet with tad to 3rd Recon Bn.
in 67 & 68 also a Khe Sanh Vet as well. just wanted to say
that your Staff and all stories that I receive keeps us closer
to you and the Corps ..Chesty would be proud of you Sgt.
Keep the Great work up.
Gunny GrayEagle
Semper Fi
As a comment on the letter in your 9-17 newsletter by Mr. John
Robinson I would like to point out 2 items about the Oath we
swear on enlistment, these items should be noted by members,
past as well as present, of ALL branches of service and all
politicians.
First, The Oath is sworn to preserve and protect THE
CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES, not a particular
Administration or party.
Second, There is no expiration date in the Oath, it is binding
from the moment you take it till the day you die.
Thomas C. Bogan
77-80
Does anyone know when the yellow footprints were put in use?
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
3/5 in Iraq (YouTube Video)
Hey, Sgt. Grit,
The trailer for the HBO mini-series, "The Pacific", is
available.
Looks pretty good - can't wait to see it, but I guess I'll have
to wait until next year.
David
Sgt Grit, got my special order MCTSSA Unit Patches.
F*CKING OUTSTANDING!
MAGNIFICIANT, SPECTACULAR! EXCELLENT!
I'll have to dig out my thesaurus to add more compliments.
Tony Glass:
1STSGT BAZEWICK,
As the XO, 2/4 (1980-82) a long, loud and honorific UHH-RAH to
the First Sergeant!
John Ready
Major, USMC (Ret)
Don, clicked on the link showing photos of moms and their
Marines.
http://photocontest.grunt.com/
What a great looking group (the Marines, too). I couldn't decide on which to vote. And, d*mn it, discovered that the moms are younger than my daughter.
Bob Rader 1405534
God Bless America and the U.S. Marine Corps
Mini Vietnam Jungle Boots
Mini Desert Storm Combat Boots
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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