If you are ever looking for a perfect organization to donate to,
this is the one...here's the link: http://www.nmcrs.org
Their donations do not go to executives and advertising......
Susan
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HEADS UP MARINE:
New web page design. Take a look. Let me know what you think. We will be adding new features and content this summer. Thank you all for your continued support.
www.grunt.com
Semper fi
Sgt Grit
New STUFF
Cue Ball - EGA
Cue Ball - Iwo Jima
Tile - "A Gunny's Wise Words"
Rifleman's Creed
Battle Roll Call - Operation Iraqi Freedom
Battle Roll Call - United States Marine Corps
Brotherhood of the World's Greatest Fraternity
Where It All Begins - MCRD Parris Island
Where It All Begins - MCRD San Diego
Pain Is Weakness - On Gray
Pain Is Weakness - On Blue
Often Tested - Always Faithful - Brothers Forever
Operation Iraqi Freedom
OD Green Club Bag
OD Green Brief Bag
OD Green Shaving Bag
Helmet Bag
Digital Woodland Headwrap
Digital Desert Headwrap
Black Leather Headwrap
USMC Headwrap
Marine Sandals
Marine Corps Funny Money
USMC Seat Cushion
General Ray Davis Coin
D.I. Cover Display Case
Semper Fi Post Card Thermometer
OD Green Tri-fold Wallet
FRIENDS FOREVER
i was in the marines from 90-98, and its hard too keep in touch of all
your marine corps buddies.anytime i receive this letter i get out my
old recall roster and phone one of my old friends. i let them know
about your letter and they subscribe to it, this letter has gotten
me back too my true friends, my marine friends.
we will all be friends forever.
SGT WILLIAM L DRAPER
USMC----semper-fi
COVERS EVERYWHERE
Sgt Grit,
I am in agreement with Frank Aguele, Corpsman 22nd. Marine Reg.
6th Marine Div. WWII, when he stated all Marines should wear their
covers everywhere we go. I wear whichever one I happen to have
on at the time with pride...outside. When I walk through a hatch
the cover comes off and stays off till I exit. You really want
to get some looks of admiration give it a try.
I remember the sign above the enlisted men's club at the barracks
at 8th and I. It states, "He who enters covered here, buys the
bar a round of cheer." That and my mom saying, "Take your hat
off in the house!"
Anyway I like your style and I love your patriotism, and I thank
you for your years of service. To me, removing your cover inside
shows not only were you a warrior, but you are a gentleman as well.
Semper Fi.
Tom Godwin 71-73
3RD GENERATION
Sgt Grit,
As I sit typing this letter, my son is downtown at the MEPS station
finishing up his paperwork, Tomorrow, he will swear in to the DEP as
a 3rd generation Marine. My father was a Marine SgtMaj, I served in
the Corps and now my son. As a Mother of a Marine, a daughter of a
Marine and a Marine myself, words can not express my pride in knowing
that our family is once again being represented in the greatest
fighting force in the world. Thank God for our Marines!
Semper Fi
Teresa Corso - Carpenter
FAMILY
Sgt Grit,
Although some of us have been attending "GriTogethers" in various
parts of the country for a few years, I have to tell you that the
first, of many more I hope, that you organized in Oklahoma City
meant something special to me and my wife Pammie.
Since my 3 Marine sons and 1 Marine daughter had their own lives
to live, they chose places scattered across America. With the
exception of a son and daughter that lived in my home state of
Wisconsin where we met often, I hadn't seen the others in 6 years.
And relocating to NE Tennessee took me farther away yet.
With the notice of your "Official" GriTogether in OKC, I contacted
my sons in western Oklahoma and central Texas, and gave them the
info. One had worked the entire preceding night, got off at 0700
and headed to OKC with 2 of my granddaughters. The other left
at 0530 with a grandson of mine.
After we stowed our gear in the hotel room, we took the elevator
down to the lobby. With the opening of the doors, there stood
both of my sons, and 3 grandchildren!
Needless to say, part of our Family was together again, and my
new wife finally got to meet some Marines she knew meant the
world to me. We talked about old times, compared notes on the
Corps, and I even found out my oldest son had a plastic kneecap,
compliments of Uncle Sam. I knew he'd taken a round "in the leg",
but it seems he forgot to tell me the rest.
Fortunately, I'd overheard him talking about it with Pammie.
It was a great experience, and I'd heartily advise any who are
considering attending one of these, to just get their butt
in gear and GO!
Semper Fidelis...Bill/"Velcro"
JOKE
Harold was an old Retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant, he
was sick, and he was in the VA hospital.
Anyway, there was this one young nurse that just drove him
crazy. Every time she came in, she would talk to him like he
was a little child. She would say in a patronizing, sing-song
tone of voice, "And how are we doing this morning, or are
we ready for our bath, or are we hungry?"
Old Harold had had enough of this particular nurse.
So one day, Old Harold had received breakfast, and pulled the
juice off the tray, and put it on his bed side stand. He had
just been given a Urine Specimen Bottle to fill for testing.
The juice was apple juice. So.....you know where the juice went.
Well, the nurse came in a little later and picked up the urine
bottle. She looked at it. "My, but it seems we are a
little cloudy today....."
At this, Old Harold snatched the bottle out of her hand, pops
off the top, and drinks it down, saying, "Well, I'll run it
through again, and maybe I can filter it better this time."
The nurse fainted...... Old Harold just smiled
......Typical Gunny!
WHAT CAN I SAY
My husband reads your Sgt.. Grit Newsletter to me every time
it comes in. He has never gotten over the fact that our youngest
son joined the Navy over 14 years ago. I told him one Marine in
the family is all I can take. He now replies that we don't have
one Marine in our family...we have two, himself and me. He states
if I had ever joined the Marines I would have made general.
Hey, I learned from a Marine, what can I say.
Margaret Wilmott
YOU KNOW
Howdy!
just a quick note about Marines....
You know, I never really realized just how close Marines are to
each other...now think back, do you have a recollection of ANY
other service, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force or whoever, who
will be walking along and because of some small item stop a
total stranger and say sumpin' like...Semper Fi Mac!....
it just doesn't happen....
my wife gets the biggest kick outta being with me and I am wearing
a pin, or my cap, or USMC jacket (incidentally purchased from one
Sgt Grit) and someone will stop us with the greeting above....
i was reminded of this again this morning...as I wandered into
the Wally World by our subdivision, the Greeter looked at me
wearing a red cap emblazoned with info like "1st Mar Div; 1st
DUKW and w/patches of the division and FMF" and immediately stood
a bit taller and said loudly....Here there Marine!
the same happens at the coffee shop, walking along the street
or at the mall...and once again I am reminded...USMC is the greatest!
Dave McReynolds
former Sgt...1st Marine Division...1st Dukws, 1951-1954
BELOVED CORPS
hi, sgt. grit. I entered our beloved corps 29 june 72, ptl 171 ,a co.
1st bat. only at p.i.. started with 100, finished with 78, on sept.
28th. s.d.i. ssgt.bearup. a.d.i. ssgt stuart , a.d.i. sgt. heath .
then on to m.p. school at that time it was still at fort gordon in georgia.
from there on to mar. brks. long beach , calif. . in 74 i was the
command high expert (m 14) . now, back home in n.y. I am the ncoic
for the past six years on memorial day. reveille is 0600 on that day,
because the whole family goes with me to decorate the three monuments
in town that the parade stops at . we also stop in front of a deli
along the route and i call the color guard , firing detail and legion
post #456 to present arms for a minute after proclaiming that we our
honoring SP4 McCarthy kia 24 may 69 in Vietnam. townsfolk gather at
the location to watch us pay our respects .my wife who puts up with
me every time i come across a brother while shopping , made (3)
wreaths ,and (6) vases with red , white ,and blue flowers for the post.
her uncle is a wwll marine that was in the south pacific .another
uncle was in the navy , and another in the army as was her father.her
grand uncle was army wwl , and we don't know the names of relatives
that were in conflicts going back to the civil war. my dad was older
than my mom , he was a pilot in wwl was wounded . both grandpas were
in military service to include there brothers. so, there was question
when it was my turn to keep up the fight for FREEDOM . the other day
the commander of the legion post told me that he wants to pass on to
me the commandership .of the post. he is a capt . u.s.m.c. ,
vietnam vet middle to late 60's . the old lady is
telling me to sign off for now . semper fi. cpl. a. k.
GOD BLESS THE CORPS , GOD BLESS THE BOOTS IN THE SAND BOX .
JOKE
SGT Grit,
You might have heard this joke before. It was told to me by a cousin
of mine. This is how it goes:
This young guy of about 30-35, gets out of the Marines after Nam.
He lives his life like the American dream. When the War on Iraq comes
around he goes down to the local recruiting station, and tells the
recruiter "I want in, I wanna fight." But the recruiter says "Sorry
man your too old." "Fine." The guy says "I'll go to the Pentagon, I
got a friend there, he'll let me in!" So he goes to the Pentagon
and tells his friend, "I want in, I wanna fight." But his friend
says "Sorry Buddy, your too old." Fine the guy says, "I'll buy a
boat and row to Iraq!" So he goes out and buys himself a rowboat
and tarts rowing to Iraq, chanting 'Semper Fi Do or Die OO-RAH-Rah!'
over and over again. Then GOD goes up to St. Peter and says "ST. Peter,
what do I to stop this guy?" ST. Peter tells GOD, "Why don't you take
his brain?" "It's the soul of all thought." So GOD takes the guy's
brain. It doesn't phase him, 'Semper Fi Do or Die OO-RAH-RAH!'. GOD then says, "Now what?!" St. Peter replies, "Why don't you take
his heart?" "It's the seat of all emotion." So God takes it. Doesn't
phase the guy, 'Semper Fi Do or Die OO-RAH-RAH!'. GOD then wines,
"Now What Should I Do?!" St. Peter smiles and says, "Take his balls."
SO GOD takes the guy's balls. The guy stops rowing, looks around,
turns his boat around chanting, "Be.....all....that you can be."
BROTHERS
Here is my contribution to my MARINE CORPS BROTHERS. I wrote this
last year to celebrate my entry into the CORPS ON 14 June 1960.
It was for my boot camp reunion of PLATOON 350 MCRD San Diego.
Of 63 recruits that graduated 8 Sep 1960 37 of us attended.
To them and to all of you my brother MARINES:
When we're old and gray and past our prime,
With PRIDE we served our CORPS .
And with less we did our best and always asked for more.
When our life on GOD'S great earth is done and we
look on heavens scenes,
we will proudly pass St Peter's
gates as UNITED STATES MARINES.
L/Cpl G.d. Vallejos USMC SEMPER FI
WHAT WITH POLISHING
Sgt. Grit:
I've only recently started receiving your email letter but enjoy
it immensely and sometimes have trouble with something that get's
in my eyes when I read through it. Semper Fi, brothers!
I served four years and a half from 1953-1957, starting boot camp
while troops were dying in Korea and out posting after the armistice
when it seemed the whole Corps was changing to chickensh!t, what with polishing our new black boots and blousing same, to more junk
on the bunks,etc. I had been a reservist prior to entering boot
camp and had been issued many articles of uniform which were no
longer standard issue and caused me to take a lot of flak during
boot camp-what boot wants to fall out in utilities which don't
match those of his buddies and have a pair of DI's accuse him of
trying to be salty,etc. It was not fun at the time but I chuckle
looking back on it. I had a couple sets of the old WWII herringbone
utility jackets and trousers and the crushed utility cap without
the stiffener,etc. One set of utilities even had the grenade
pockets and both were with the durable brass buttons with usmc
on them. Imagine my chagrin at being thrown army looking utilities
across the counter in my first day at boot camp. These were
apparently pretty new issue at the time and I thought they were
crap. But I tended to wear them as much as possible to avoid
the DI's interest in me when I wore the others. What I'm trying
to convey is my mismatch with the entire platoon both in uniform
and experience and even rank- I was a pfc and still had those
chevrons magic markered on my sleeves. Well, I couldn't say "PFC
Rhoads reporting as ordered ,Sir" under penalty of instant DI
inflicted death so reverted to Private per good boot protocol.
It made for an interesting 10 weeks. I was an artilleryman
(0811) with experience only with 155mm Long Toms and had previously
fired them at Lejeune with Charlie Battery 2d 155mm Guns, Force
Troops. I wanted to get some training other than loading 155's so
when my Sr. DI called me up to the quonset hut about 2 wks prior
to out posting I was surprised by how nice and accommodating he
and the other DI's were , all of a sudden. Seems there was a move
afoot to convert us two year active duty reservists to REGULAR
Marines. I got the standard question- "You don't want to be a
G-dd-mn reservist, do you,turd? You want to be a REAL Marine,
don't you? I gave the standard answer, automatically, without
thinking- "YES SIR!". They then proceeded to tell me that I could
have my choice of schools if I would ship over for a three year
hitch. They never mentioned that I would lose the 3 months I had
already spent in boot camp when I added the 3 years. I picked
three schools and signed on the dotted line without a qualm and
on outpost day I got my orders- 0300-2d Marine Div.,Camp Lejeune-
When questioned they told me that all the schools I had picked
had been filled. Like the good "soldier" I said "Aye-Aye,Sir!"
turned and went to Lejeune. -Today, they would sue the Corps
for that.But I was the old school. My dad was a Marine in WWII
and had entered after Pearl Harbor at 32 when I was six. He
fought in the Pacific and ended up in the first wave on Okinawa.
When he was 70 ,having worked a lot as a roofer, he decided he
would do a neighbor ladies roof, had a few snorts and proceeded
to then fall off and hit the sidewalk. When I got to the hospital
and intensive care I heard this commotion and found my dad fighting
Okinawa all over again- screaming loudly-"Get those Japs-Get him!.etc
and other colorful stuff which the nurses didn't understand.
Gung Ho!- Anyway, I was raised right and accepted what my country
and the Corps thought was best for me. I ended up being assigned
to the 10th Marines and the 4th Bn which was 155mm Howitzers- Gee,
what a surprise.
I finally had to extend my enlistment to get a school- Yes-another
year- I went to Sea School! Another version of Boot Camp, only I
was an NCO by then- I spent 2 years on the finest of the fine- the
new Carrier- USS Forrestal- and it was the epitome of spit and
polish as we had nothing but dignitaries coming aboard in every
port. She was brand new (1955) and attracted a lot of attention
being the biggest ship in the world. Good duty. Had our instant
of panic during the Suez crisis when we went at flank speed to
the Med after loading atomic weapons (which we guarded)etc. That
was a close as I ever got to combat-with maybe one or two
exceptions- one was, in the spring of 1954 they had us (2d div)
saddle up and head for Morehead City-which wasn't easy to do with
an artillery unit where we were to board APA's and LST's for OCS-
seems the Dienbenphu thing had heated up and we were to serve as
floating backup for our brothers over in the China Sea who were
already on their way. Well, of course, they scratched all that in
a day or so we never got to go further than Morehead City-
Anyone remember that? Almost seems like I dreamed that. The other
was when they sent us ashore to the fleet landing in Beirut when
the Ayrabs were raising hell with our people, rioting etc. BUT
they wouldn't even let us take our sidearms-just regular SP
gear-Jeez! As for the ship- Guess what, we had our own gun mount
so I never got away from the big guns- I even graduated from
Naval Gunnery School. As a result, I am a service connected
disabled vet today with, of all things, severe hearing loss-well,
no wonder- we didn't even have earplugs back then-we stuffed
cotton in our ears and that was it. Plus the d-mn jets on board
the carrier were always testing their afterburners right by our
ears in chow line on the hanger deck- But it was interesting
duty putting two years on sea duty- I regret selling my two sets
of dress blues with both blue and white trousers etc to a new
Marine Private heading for embassy duty as I was being mustered
out in 1957. I went back in the reserves and spent 13 years total
in the active and inactive reserves but again, never long enough
to retire on-another mistake. And, yes- it was the 155's again.
Guess I was born to be a cannon cocker. As far as old Corps, new
Corps, there is no difference and as far as what some of you are
calling veteran vs. non-veteran, there is no difference in the
Marine, just the experiences. One more sea story- the most thrilling
thing that ever happened to me was, as a new boot, I was attending
a wedding reception in uniform when this really old codger
(Old Corps?) came up to me in 1953 at the reception and said-"Marine,
let me buy you a beer!- I was at Belleau Wood with the Fufth"-That
was incredible to me and my jaw dropped a foot. We are all Marines.
I recently attended a function where a grizzled old veteran of the
Canal was holding sway and we youngsters of Korean war era ate up
his sea stories of Chesty and other greats like Lou Diamond,etc. New Day, New Marine but still the same Old Corps!
Semper Fi!
Rod Rhoads,Former Sgt. ,USMC/USMCR
I WONDER IF THEY EVER
Dear Sgt Grit,
Was reading your latest Newsletter, keep up the good work..
I have two comments; one is on Draft Dodger by Cpl Nagel
I can sympathies with him, I joined in 1973, when I was 17,
I kept getting letters from the selective services which I
threw a way, since I was already a member of America's Finest.
In the late 70's I was still receiving letters stating that I
had not registered for the draft. I then received a letter
stating that I could be fined and imprisoned for not registering.
I had my 1stSgt write a letter stating that I was on active duty
and have served for 6 years. Which seem to help, for a while,
but then my fathers send me another letter. At that time, like
Cpl Nagel, I said F**K it and if they want to come find me for
not registering, let them come. I am retired now, wonder if
they ever found out the truth.
My other comment on the Old Corps...there was a book with the
same name, there was a note on one of the front pages, I still
say it from time to time when I am with Marines, "From the
youngest boot at Paris Island, to the oldest salt from Tun Tavern,
for every Marine who have ever heard those immortal words,
"If you think this was something..you should have been in the Old Corps""
Semper Fi
Richard King
Gysgt USMC Ret
WHY I HATE BOXERS
The last newsletter was way too short so I am forced to send
a story. It is rather embarrassing. A buddy and I went in
on the buddy system. Incredibly we spent three years together
all the way from boot camp and into wpns co. 1/5, after which
we had separate orders. My buddy isn't part of the story
accept that when we get together he always brings it up.
I guess this story should be called "Why I hate boxers."
It was one evening during hygiene inspection probably near the
end of first phase. You know, the one where the D.I. steps in
front of you, then you shot, "Sir, this recruit has no personal
problems to report at this time," then he checks your hands and
ears to make sure your not a nasty body. The D.I. was reaming
the recruit next to me in line. He stepped off to inspect me
next but stopped about halfway between me and the previous recruit
he had inspected. He, in the typical D.I. loud voice said, "I
know you're happy to see me, but you can put your little pecker
away now." Be in at the position of attention, and eyeballs
locked straight ahead, I couldn't tell whom he was speaking to.
Man, I thought, what idiot is he talking to? In about half a
heart beat I found out. All this time he was still standing
between me and the recruit next to me. After about a half a
heartbeat his face was in mine from the side. "WELL!" Oh God,
it thought and looked down. Yup, it was me. I was the idiot.
"Willie" had been peaking out. Not at attention mind you, but
he had been peaking and got caught. I don't exactly remember
how the rest of the hygiene inspection went, but he did not
spend a whole lot of time on me. I don't think I would have
reported it if I had been puking my guts out. Needless to say,
from then on, before hygiene inspection I always checked the
fly just to make sure.
Later my buddy, who lived on the other side of the squad bay,
asked me who the D.I. had been yelling at about his "crank"
hanging out. "You don't want to know", I told him.
God bless the Marine Corps and God bless America, "Bo"
ROUND FOR A M1 CARBINE
Dear Sgt. Grit
Sometime during 1956 at Camp Pendelton we had a Sgt Willy who
was retiring. I never did know his complete name, we always
called him Sgt Willy.
I stopped by to chat and say good bye. Laying on his bunk was a
round for a M1 carbine so I asked him about it. He told me about
a close call he had in Korea. Some time during the night the
Chinese had launched and attack against his position all he
remembered was a blinding flash when he came to sometime the
next morning his buddy a Cpl Bell was laying on top of him
of him dead, the Chinese had bayoneted him. Bell had inadvertently
saved his life. There was this carbine round laying in the dirt
So Sgt Willy picked it up and promised himself that he would
never be taken alive. Well the bullet brought him luck and
he survived the war and went home.
He asked me if I would like to have and I took it and after all
these years I still have it in my box of souvenirs.
I never saw or heard from Sgt Willy again so I hope he
went on to a long and happy life.
S/Sgt Norm Barnes 1953-1957
THREE SHIPS
I've been reading our newsletter for less than a year now, and
look foreward to each issue. I crossed the Atlantic Ocean to
Spain and back, went from Calif. to Okinawa, and from Okinawa
to South Vietnam by ship, but I doubt I ever new any of the
three ships names. The first time I ever heard the term "uh-rah"
was on the TV show "Mail Call", up till then I thought this
was an army term, all we ever said was Gung Ho!
semper fi
Brad Hatherill Sgt of Marines 62-66
I DO NOT BELIEVE
First I am very proud of my son, but I do not believe he or anyone
else should be in Iraq after only 5 months of training. How in gods
name can that be safe? They didn't even train for the whole 5 months.
When they first went to Camp Lejuene they went 3 weeks with out even
any P T. I love my son and there are many others in that same unit
and they are on their way to Iraq right now and I/m very scared for
them all because I feel the training was way to short.
Marines Mom.
X-WIFE AND BOX OF MATCHES
I just received my ribbons from your catalogue. The tragic story
behind me loosing them in the first place involves a x-wife and
a box of matches and all the rest I owned in the world at that
time.As it was once said by John Lennon"The only thing you can
take with you is your soul!!"AINT IT THE TRUTH!!!!!Anyhow I would
like to be able to display my ribbons in their proper order any
thing else would be would be a sin. To actually see and hold my
ribbons again after 36 years was a real kick ass feeling!
Thank you for all you and your web provides its GRRRRREAT!!!!!!!
THANX Mike Holmes
USMC 1968-1972
OOHRAH??
Recently, I went to a Pizza Hut in Harlingen, TX. The female
cashier saw my "AMERICAN BY BIRTH, MARINE BY CHOICE" cap and she
very enthusiastically greeted me with , "Hey Great, OOHRAH". She
caught me off guard until I realized she was reacting to my cap.
I smiled and returned a "SEMPER FI" greeting. When did the Corps
pickup this OOHRAH? There is a Marine Military Academy here in
our town for high school students that teaches and follows the
traditions of the Corps. At first, I thought that the cashier
was with the Academy. But, in reading past Sgt Grit newsletters,
I remember that many writers use this greeting. I am sure that
many other "older Marines" have the same question as I.
Can you enlighten us in this new tradition?
Arturo Garza
Harlingen, TX.
SEMPER FI
DO OR DIE
MARINE SINCE '65
..........
OK, HERE IT IS! THE DEFINITION AND HISTORY OF 'OORAH"
Right after Korea in 1953 the 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance
Company, FMFPAC can be credited with the birth of "OORAH" in
the Corps. Specifically, where it came from was when Recon
Marines were aboard the Submarine USS PERCH, ASSP-313. The
Perch was an old WWII diesel boat retrofitted to carry UDT
and Amphib Recon Marines. If you remember the old war movies,
whenever the boat was to dive, you heard on the PA system,
"DIVE,DIVE", and you heard the horn sound "AARUGHA", like an
old Model "A" horn. Sometime in 1953 or 1954, 1st Amphib Recon
Marines, while on a conditioning run on land singing chants,
someone imitated the "Dive" horn sound "AARUGHA", and it
naturally became a Recon Warrior chant or mantra while on
runs. It is sort of like the martial arts yell and adds a
positive inference to the action. And this became part of
Recon lexicon. Former SgtMaj of the Marine Corps, John Massaro,
was the company gunny of 1st Force in the late 50s and when he
transferred to MCRDSD as an instructor at DI school he took
"AARUGHA" with him and passed it on to the DI students and
they , in turn, passed it on to recruits. Just as "Gung Ho"
became symbolic of the WWII Raiders, so did "AARUGHA" become
part of the new "running Marine Corps." Over time, "AARUGHA"
EVENTUALLY CHANGED TO "OORAH". The official Marine Corps
Training Reference Manual on the history of Marine Recon is
titled "AARUGHA", giving credence on the origination of the
'POSITIVE RESPONSE' accenting anything that is meant to be
good and uniquely Marine Corps. It is part of Marine Corps
language, like: Semper Fi & Gung Ho, Sgt. Wolf Doc L. added:
( Jack Webb, in the Movie "The DI" urged his recruits to
simulate the roar of a tiger when expressing enthusiasm thus,
"OORAW!". OOAH! is the Army equivalent.)
donald ritenour
UNCOUTH BARBARIAN
D-mn Grit,
Reading your newsletter is really hard work, it makes my eyes sweat
tremendously. Two things come to mind after I've calmed down a bit.
First is this PC. Being an "Uncouth Barbarian" (MARINE)
I have always "called them as I see them" let the chips fall as
they may. If you find that offensive TOUGH!! I have always lived
my life according to the moral values taught to me as
a child, which coincided with the values taught by the Corps. Be honorable at all times, never start a fight, but finish
what you start and above all be a gentleman at all times no
matter what! The Corps may have changed the words a bit but the
meaning is the same! My philosophy is that I believe that a
Sphincter is a sphincter( the Sphincter is the last muscle in
the digestive system)and all Sphincters are the same! If you
are a threat to me of my loved ones I will destroy you!!
Any questions on that??
Secondly on what makes the Corps and our values so misunderstood.
I heard on one of those news shows the other day that the average
IQ in the US these days is 72. Now 40 yrs ago when I enlisted the
min IQ for enlisted was 100 -110 and 120 and above for Officer.
I cant imagine it's changed except to maybe get higher over the
years. So you can plainly see why so few people outside the Corps
understand what we're about. I'll bet you didn't know that you
were writing for a highly intellectual audience did you Grit!!
SSgt Rock
Old Farts Brigade
7th MAR DIV
INFORMED HIM THAT HIS MARINE CORPS
Sgt. Grit,
In response to Cpl. Flattems' blurb about draft dodgers. I, as
some young men did back in the 60's, signed up for the draft when
I hit 17. My dad had always informed me it was always better to
enlist as opposed to getting drafted. I enlisted the Marines in
Los Angeles April, 66, and ended up in RVN during the fun times
Dec, 67 to Feb 69. If I remember correctly it was around July,
68 and we were in base for a short turn around refit/resupply
when I received a letter from my mom, and inside of the envelope
she had enclosed my draft notice into the Army. I was informed
that I had two weeks before I was to report to Ft. Ord (before
it was closed down) for basic training. I took the letter to the
first shirt, and informed him that his Marine Corps had screwed
the pooch, as the Corps had not informed the draft board that my
draft classification was no longer One-A. Needless to say, he
was not a happy camper, with my evaluation of the Corps, and I
ended up not very happy either, because I found myself right
back out to the bush humping a PRC-25. I survived the experience,
but you can bet your bottom dollar I never bad mouthed the Corps
to anyone ever again over the rank of E-4, and then only in a low voice.
John R. Wright
Cpl, USMC 4/66-4/70
Long Live The Corps
IMAGINE THE SUDDEN CHILL
At MCRD back in the 70's there was a lot of reconstruction going on.
All of the Quonset huts were being cleared away making room for
these fancy multi deck open squad bay barracks that they are using
today. In order to remove all that waste material the civilians
would leave these huge dippsty dumpsters that had bearn door style
hatches at the rear that also had a smaller hatch built into it
that we would use when we had to empty the platoon G.I. can. One
fine and beautiful San Diego day(we were third phase and close
to graduation, every day was better than the day before) I was
assigned sh!t can detail with my rackmate. So off we go, marching
as smartly as we can , leaning back and strutting as only a
recruit can do, we made marching with a sh!t can look more
impressive than the silent drill plt at 8th & I (in our own
minds anyway). It was then when my fellow detail member saw
the 2 Drill Instructors standing at the railing of the new barracks
2nd deck watching us with interest. Imagine the sudden chill all
recruits get when they realize they are under the direct scrutiny
of their DI, than double it when it is your rival platoons DI's
because if you screw up and they catch you it's all over. So as we
approach that huge dumpster that had been rolled off a semi in
a fine military fashion ,we made sure we performed every step
in unison. Came to halt, ensuring our heels snapped together
at the same time. I then opened the small hatch to allow us
to empty our precious cargo into the dumpster,,,,,and found
myself staring into the faces of the afore mentioned "rival
platoon". The expression on our faces had to be priceless.
Just then, this voice from above,( could have been god, but
it was one of the DI's on the second deck) bellows out
"THAT'S RIGHT SWEETPEA, THEY CAN'T MARCH WORTH A SH!T SO
I THROUGH 'EM AWAY"!!!!!!!!
Franz " SONNY" Creutzburg
MSGT USMC RET
SEMPER FI
MARINES DON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM
i recently attended bingo in canada. i was wearing the t shirt
that i purchased from you sgt grit, on the back was the saying
that ronald reagan penned, "most people spend their entire lives
wondering if they made a difference, marines don't have that problem". i don't
know if many people remember him saying this but i think that i do
and i was proud to wear that shirt, especially since we were
mourning his passing. i was not old enough to vote for him but
i would have, he was a great man and he will be missed. he made
it good to be in the service and he made me proud to be an American.
good night and god bless you mr president.
semper fi
toni beltrano cpl 1989-1997
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Sgt. Grit,
I am president of the Central Florida Chapter of the 1st Marine
Division Association. Our chapter is wanting to help plan,
organize, coordinate an "All Florida" reunion of all six of
the Marine Divisions in Florida. So far we've contacted other
chapters of the 1st Marine Division Assoc, as well as representatives
of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Marine Division Associations. All have
responded positively to an "All Florida Reunion." The only unit
that I have not been able to make contact with is the "Fighting
Fifth" Division Association. I have been to their Yahoo Group
site, however there are no names or officers given on the site
and the only way to post a message is to be a member. I seem to
have hit a wall. Can you help put me in touch with anyone from
that illustrious unit from Iwo Jima history? Thanks in advance.
Mike Galyean Winter Park, Fla. koolade@earthlink.net
IRAQI RECYCLING
Hello everyone,
An AK-47 that will be given to the border guards. This is
called Iraqi recycling, I will explain.
1. The Iraqi soldier got it from a rebel terrorist, who
was trying to overthrow the government, but was killed.
2. We kill the enemy Iraqi solider who is using the
AK to try and kill us.
3. We are not allowed to pick up souvenirs or possible
bobby trapped weapons, so it is picked up by a local.
4. The local is killed by a rebel terrorist, who takes the AK.
5. We kill the rebel terrorist and, this time, take the AK.
6. We give the AK to the border guards because they have
no weapons. That is because they are former military, who
lost their weapons per sentence 2.
7. Rebel terrorists kill the border guard and take the AK.
8. We kill the rebel terrorist, take the AK and give
it to a new border guard.
9. This cycle continues over and over. The biggest problem
is; somewhere in this never ending cycle, American military are being killed by that same weapon.
At least there will always be job security for the military.
Hope everyone is having a great day.
1st Sgt T. Manchester
SHORT ROUNDS
Sgt Grit, In reference to your tail end comment in this letter.....you should care how the Navy does it! We do it right.......we send the Marines! Doc Herdina HM1 FMFPAC 1968 TO 1994
Sgt. Grit,
I think I can put an end to all of this "Old Corps / New Corps" bullsh*t. When the Lord created the world and said "Let There Be Light",
the duty NCO (USMC), threw the duty switch. If you were in the
Corps then, you were Old Corps. If not, you are New Corps.
Former Cpl. of Marines John Papietro
Hi Sgt Grit,
I'll go one better than Ollie North.
"The only people, besides my wife and children, that I 'TRUST'
are MARINES - you can always count on them".
Lew Souder, Gy/Sgt.USMC Ret.
"Semper - Fi"
Maybe I am the only one that this annoys but...I am a Marine, and
I was IN the Marine Corps or in the "Corps". I was not "IN" the
Marines. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.
And God bless the Marine Corps and our great country.
SGT Ronald "Bob" Martell
1990-1996 VMFA-232 RED DEVILS
Saw the link to new bottle opener. We used to use our belt buckles,
but the smaller, new Corps ones they started issuing in 1959 bend.
Kent M.
I'm curious, why does the tag on the utility blouse say, "U.S.Marines", wouldn't it be better to say U.S. Marine?
Glenn "Sam" Bass HMR (L) 163, Cpl. 1958 - 1963
Dear Sgt Grit
I joined Dec 1956 at age 17. Went to MCRD June 1957. At one mail
call with great expectation of a letter from home got this thing
from our draft board that if I didn't register by age 18 I
would suffer severe penalties of the law.
Dale Hartley 1607484
We still make 'em like we used to!
Semper fi
Sgt Grit
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