Marines. The Few…
We’ve all seen the Marine at attention at Marine One when the President descends from the helo, or outside the West Wing as a ceremonial guard, opening doors for those entering and leaving the White House. These guys take looking sharp to a whole new level, and the job requires the discipline and professionalism of a Spartan warrior. But who are these guys? I found this pretty interesting- there are only four Marines assigned to White House duty. Four out of the entire Corps. The selection process must be brutal, and I imagine a very good bullet on the old eval. Anyway, check out the video, I think you’ll find it as interesting as I did. The Christmas tree alone is worth the price of admission.
For me, a Navy flight suit and ball cap were sufficient; my job was in the air. As sister services we may have the occasional difference of opinion, sometimes rather loudly. But when it comes down to the wire, I’m glad you guys are on our side.
Category: Politics
Look sharp enough to be on a recruiting poster. Anyone know if there are/have been any lady Grunts assigned to the job?
Not when Slick Willy was in office- she would have kicked his philandering ass.
Most are Infantry. They come from 8th&I either from the ceremonial marchers (who are all infantry) or from the Guard force who are awaiting their Yankee White clearance for Presidential Support (also all infantry)
I can only imagine how happy they are they don’t have to open the door for Cankles?
And hold her umbrella for her. Yea, that would’ve sucked balls.
Cool vid, BTW. As I watched it, I thought back at some opportunities like MSG duty I missed by getting married so young (29 years and counting this Dec). No ‘regerts’, tho.
Yeh, honor roll position, except when you have to hold an umbrella for that pussy obozo!
One sunny day in January, 2017, an old man approaches the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue where he’d been sitting on a park bench. He speaks to the U.S. Marine standing guard and says, “I would like to go in and meet with President Obama.” The Marine looks at the man and says, “Sir, Mr. Obama is no longer President and no longer resides here. ”The old man says, “Okay,” and walks away.
The following day the same man approaches the White House and says to the same Marine, “I would like to go in and meet with President Obama.” The Marine again tells the man, “Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Obama is no longer President and no longer resides here.” The man thanks him and again just walks away.
The third day the same man approaches the White House and speaks to the very same U.S. Marine, saying, “I would like to go in and meet with President Obama.” The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looks at the man and says, “Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Obama. I’ve told you already that Mr. Obama is no longer the President and no longer resides here. Don’t you understand?”
The old man looks at the Marine and says,“Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it.” The Marine snaps to attention, salutes, and says, “See you tomorrow, Sir!”
That one STILL makes me grin, MC!
🙂
ROFL!! I like this variation better than the one about a person calling the White House switchboard.
Yet every Marine E4 and below claims incessantly that “Marines guard the President”
The Secret Service guards the President, Marine sentries are just there for ceremonial purposes. That said, Marines do guard U.S. embassies.
And to hold the occasional umbrella.
I thought President Trump employed his own bodyguards? Or did he give them up for the Secret Service and their specialized knowledge and skills?
Not true. Marines guard areas the president attends as well. So while they are not personally tasked to the president they are part of the network of presidential security. The program is called yankee white marines assigned to 8th and I barracks.
I was almost one of them, but they didn’t take anyone from the east cost that cycle, but we had a Maine rotate from that program into our infantry company due to disciplinary problems.
Yeah, no. Not going to let that one slide. I’ve never heard a Marine say that we guard the President. Only that Yankee White are a bunch of peacocks and that 8th & I duty is basically the last ring of hell.
Not sure what kind of pog dumbasses you’ve been hanging around, but thanks for playing.
I knew a couple of Devil Dogs who were part of 8th and I and Camp David Det.
All of them were smart and sharp. They also were glad as hell to get away from under that Microscope.
Got your back on this one, K/3/7. I have never in my life heard any Marine claim that “we guard the president.” Don’t think I’ve ever met any one who would admit it if he had. Heck, even the Stolen Valor pukes won’t make that claim. Has there ever been anyone exposed on TAH for claiming they were a presidential detail Secret Service agent? You can probably pick up more chicks claiming you were a chauffeur for a drug dealer.
No, but there was an actual former member of the Tomb Guard who disgraced himself and his badge by some stolen valor and criminal activity a while back. I believe his name was stricken from the rolls of the Tomb Guards.
The PSB is a permanent award That Marines wear even after leaving the Duty.
I know if you screw up while posted they rescind it.
I can’t cite the source but Ive heard that it can be taken back if you fuck up on your next duty station as well.
There aren’t that many of us, but we are around. You don’t hear us talking about it because we realy didn’t think that we were that special. Ya, we got a clearance and stuff, but we still played mind f#$% games. At Camp David I only wore my blues twice in two years, for the Ball. You’re thinking about ceremonial marchers who are the peacocks.
An entire Company of Marines guard Camp David. The President has his Secret Service Detach close to him there, but Marines guard the perimeter and enforce regulations on foreign dignitaries and the press.
The reason there are four is one assigned, two road guards and one to count Cadence.
I looked at the ribbon rack of the young Sergeant(Hodges). Maybe my eyes are getting old, but it looks like the top two ribbons were an Air Force Achievement Medal and an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V device.
I noticed that too. He may have been in the Air Force; or, if he was a Marine assigned to an AFB we could have received the awards. When the Wing at Chanute was awarded the Air Force Outstanding unit award; all permanent party Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen received the award; students and other TAD/TDY personnel did not receive the award.
I’m a little confused by the original posting. Are the Marines you see different than the 4 guarding the doors at the White House? I know I heard the Sgt say that if the President leaves they go inside and hang out.
So….Army guards the Tomb and Marines open doors. hehehehehe. couldn’t pass that one up.
Army guards the Tomb and Marines open doors
Just because ya’ll don’t know how to handle people that move. Nothing but love though. Honest. -:-)
lol, just one comment back from TAH?
I do wonder just how much of a career booster or anything else this duty does for a Marine. I’d have been interested in the selection process.
As a 0311 recently returned from Vietnam and well on my way to becoming a stateside shitbird pogue the idea of getting a position like that with blues and ceremony was the least of my worries until the 1st Sgt called me in before going on liberty one Friday, Cpl Major Mike, what do you think about going on sea duty? Not much 1st Sgt. Well think about it, you’re going next week! Turned out to be pretty good duty, seen some places I would never have seen otherwise, got drunk and in trouble in most of them, played a very, very tiny part in one of Americas brighter moments at that time.
Which ship?
Did a hitch as a Sea going Bell Hop on Little Rock and Independence.
USS Hornet, 67-69
Slightly before my time…
1976-77
Rah
At least Trump doesn’t have a latte salute.
Very interesting!
Any truth to the rumor of the numbers of Marines who have requested WH duty under Trump versus Obama?