The hater’s guide to the US Marine Corps
The military branches are like a family, but that doesn’t mean everyone always gets along. With different missions, uniforms, and mindsets, troops love to make fun of people in opposite branches. Of course when it counts in combat, the military usually works out its differences.
Still, inter-service rivalry is definitely a thing. We Are The Mighty has already showed you how everyone usually makes fun of the Navy and Air Force. Now, they’re taking on the U.S. Marine Corps.
For the easiest way to make fun of the Corps, why to actually hate the Corp, and what to love about the Corps, read on. Semper Fi!
Category: Politics
After having spent years locked up, terrorized, and abused in a state mental institution, when I was finally released, in 1965, 1966, and 1967, I tried to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. I even wrote a letter to the President of the United States requesting that my draft classification be changed to make me eligible for military service – – – which was done! I ALMOST succeeded in 1967, when after completing testing, they said I would be assigned to the Marine Air Wing. Then, thirty minutes before I was to be sworn in, they called me on the telephone to say that I could not be accepted. They made an excuse about Marines having to go to Viet Nam, and they didn’t want me going to Viet Nam, because I had a head injury. That really broke my heart! I wanted so badly to be a Marine! So, I went to the other Armed Services. The Navy and Air Force had long waiting lists, and the Army said I couldn’t enlist. Thus, I volunteered to be drafted. That automatically put me at the top of the list, and since the Army, as the senior service, gets first pick, that meant I was automatically destined to be a soldier in the United States Army! Do you know who else went into the United States Army after being denied enlistment by the United States Marine Corps? AUDIE MURPHY, who went on to become America’s most decorated hero during the Second World War. Also, one of my favorite movies is, “BABY BLUE MARINE”, starring Jan-Michael Vincent, about a guy who flunks Marine Corps boot camp, and goes on to honorable service as a soldier in the United States Army. When I was in Germany, a sergeant was wearing a combat patch on his right shoulder that I didn’t recognize. In response to my question, he told me it was a Marine Corps unit. I asked him why he left the Marine Corps, and he said it was because he wanted a military career, but he wanted to stay alive, as… Read more »
I’m especially grateful that the children could be here today to hear such authentic frontier gibberish…..
Haha +1 (where is the damn like button?)
I’m sorry,
My current understanding of United States Army regulations do not permit former Marines who while engaged in combat as a Marine to where shoulder sleeve Insignia former wartime service of their Marine units. I was part of the 2nd Infantry Division and Iraq a signed under a Marine Division. We were authorized the wear of the shoulder sleeve Insignia of the 1st Marine Division. Unless regulations changed and I don’t believe they have that NCO was incorrect. I’ve experienced more than one or two former Marines wearing their services SSIFWTS during my career
In Iraq, assigned, damn talk to text
That was in 1968, in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and Army personnel who were in combat with a Marine unit were authorized to wear the Marine unit’s patch on their right sleeve.
Used to see that more than a few times, but around ’74 the Army said “stop that”. Soldiers with Marine combat service were not officially allowed to wear Marine patches on Army uniforms although some continued to do so for awhile.
During my years in the United States Army, I saw more than one (actually, at least two or three) soldiers who had served in the United States Marine Corps, and they wore the Marine Corps division’s insignia on their right shoulder, with no problems.
I remember reading someplace that it was authorized.
Yes, Army Personnel who were in combat with a marine unit not Marines who were in combat with a marine unit who then transfer to the Army and we’re not in combat with the army in a marine unit it’s just a silly uniform issue that’s all, just like I have a foreign award that’s higher than some US army awards but I have to wear it below the Army Service ribbon
This is a no way meant to the greater service all service is of great importance. Just like I have always been branched Infantry I’ve been awarded the blue cord twice as an enlisted Soldier and an officer however when I worked on the general staff I was not permitted to wear the blue cord however I retain my cross rifles but I did wear the general staff star again just simple uniform regulations
I love the Marines. I always wondered what their recruiting pitch to support is though.
“Join the toughest service! Learn how to kill the enemy in close combat! Then spend the remainder of your enlistment shuffling papers.’
There was a Marine detachment at APG and we had some Marine instructors in our branch because about twice a year a Marine class would cycle through as part of their MOS training. That was when I learned the Marines used a systems mechanics concept, which was well before the Army ever got around to it. Yeah, we used to joke about them (look like soldiers, talk like sailors), but they were a great bunch to work with. We even had an LDO LT for a branch chief for awhile, who was a vast improvement over his Army CPT predecessor.
They finally got on board with SOF with their MARSOC units too.
We were told there was a metric buttload of money available to such units, and you know what happens when you wave money in front of Marines.
Beer and women?
We are the mighty is a fun site.
The founder started here at TAH.
I joined the Marines on my 17th birthday as a HS dropout with a probation officer in the background telling
me if I didnt unfuck myself I would soon be in the adult system.
I ended up a 106mm Recoiless Rifleman, made Sgt before I could legally drink, went through the Warrant Officer ranks, got a regular commission with only having a GED and can honestly say the Marine Corps saved me from myself. I will always be grateful to the men who guided me and pushed me to suceed when I was largely written off by my family and the community I came from.
Life got in the way of my Marine Corps career and I returned to civilian life and a sucessful corporate career but when 9/11 happened I knew I had to finish it. Unfortunately I had been out 9 years and since I was in my early 40s I was not able to go back into the Corps and found only the Army National Guard even remotely interested.
I did 9 more years active duty as an AGR as an 11B, got to deploy to OIF as 1SG of an Infantry Co and I retired as a CPT O3E USA even though I was never a CPT in the Army. All of my strange and rewarding career sucess started on the yellow footprints of MCRD San Diego 40 years ago this comming Oct.
I treasure my Army time and would change nothing but if you cut me, I still bleed crimson and gold. Semper Fidelis.
Guard Bum – I’ve see a few Marines who were in the same situation that you were in when you enlisted and become leaders, both in uniform and when they left the service. Every one of them give credit to the Corps and an NCO for helping them get their life on track.
That’s a great story, Bum, a true American Dream story, one you should proudly pass down through your family.
Bravo Zulu and Semper Fi, Soldier/Marine
Guard Bum: One of the best stories ever on TAH.
We always got along with the embarked Marine BLT from Moorehead City NC when we operated down in the Carribean. We usually got the same BLT when we operated there and one of the attached Navy Corpsman went to the same H.S. that I graduated from. We were Comphibron 8 under Admiral John Mcain sr. and his pet alligator.
One of the greatest bar battles in the lore of the 327th Airborne Infantry and other unremembered elements of the 101st Airborne Division took place at the EM Club at Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station in 1961 following a jump-in exercise to seize the airfield. I was there to see it throughout its several hour duration. When the exercise ended, the muddied, grubby paratroopers were allowed to shower and shave and put on clean uniforms to go drink beer after 1600 hours at the only place serving: The EM Club. As a fairly new PFC combat MP with the 101st MP Detachment, I drew a short straw and got assigned to police the club with a couple of other unlucky low-rankers. By 2200 hours when we finally shut the place down, we had the better part of two squads of MP’s and several shore patrol, commanded by the full colonel Division Chief of Staff, in and around that club breaking up brawls. The problem was, it was a primarily Marine Club meaning Marine territory and they had a large contingent in there waiting to defend it when I walked in just before 1600. When our first shuttle of paratroopers walked in a few minutes later, the place went dead silent for a few minutes and then the catcalls and jeers began. The Marines all moved to the far side of the dance floor and it was but minutes before the first beer can went sailing across it. And it was only another minute till a beer can bounced off my highly polished white helmet liner to raucous cheers from the jarhead side. By the time I left, that helmet liner had been hit by so many beer cans, from both sides, that it looked like a paint chart. My partners and I managed to handle the first fights that broke out but were quickly overwhelmed and calling for help. By the time the sergeant squad leader got there the entire dance floor was a brawl area. He called for additional reinforcements and it just continued that way until, for some… Read more »
Correction: I should have said, “As someone on scene and SOBER…”
Joined the Marine Corps in 1975, my first decision as an adult. My parents were not happy, but these are the same people who had a very Nietzschen mode of parenting. I served 4 years and got out with an Honorable. With the training the Corps gave me I was able to get a job a week after I got out and this lead to the career that I am still working in.
I am proud of my service, the Units I was in, some of the people I served with and will always be a Marine. I respect my Brothers and Sisters in the other services but I know I was in the best. They didn’t teach us humility at Parris Island.
So Semper Fi, Do or Die, Let me win your hearts and minds or I’ll burn down your Hut.
😉
War Story Alert: I have the privilege of serving on the CINCPAC staff as an Air Force NCO at Camp Smith, Hawaii. Met some great Marines, primarily enlisted, and what had to be the most hard headed 2nd lieutenant I encountered in 40 years of active/civil service. Regardless, I’d go into battle following them anytime as long as I can have two BAM’s for road guards and someone to count Cadence.
Today, Saturday the 29th of July, I had the privilege and honor to escort SSG Robert Cox to his final duty. SSG Cox was one of the Marines killed in the C-130 crash in Mississippi.
The funeral was in Ventura Ca., with the burial detail in the small town of Santa Paula. Over 300 riders of the Patriot Guard and American Legion, escorted the procession some 20 miles, along with nearly every law enforcement and fire departments, along the way. Pretty much the city of Santa Paula turned out to welcome their son home, with well over 1200 attending the private service graveside. Along with a fly-over missing man, full rifle detail, bagpiper, and his entire Company of fellow Marines brought up from Camp Pendleton.
Beautiful weather helped fly the many hundreds of American and Marine Corps flags surrounding the family and guests.
Each member of his Company, approached, saluted, and left behind an EGA. Very moving and personal. I was good until a Navy Commander walked up, saluted, and removed the Trident from his uniform, and banged it into the casket.
My face flooded, and I wasn’t the only one. It’s usually Taps that get the water going for me, but I was strong for that. Even the rifle salute didn’t faze me like usual. But seeing a SEAL (yes a really real one), offer the ultimate gift of respect to SSG Cox…
Military service is tough, and people still die outside the combat zones. SSG Cox will be sorely missed.
That brought me to tears just reading about it. Semper Fi, SSgt Cox!
As a Marine member of Air & Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO)in Vietnam (1970-72) I was assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade for several months, 11th Armored Cav, 1st Air Cav, Special Forces at Baria (III Corps), one operation in IV Corps Special Forces and several months with the Australians at Nui Dat. Flew air operations with Army Bird-dog Pilots out of Xuan Loc and Hueys out of Long Bihn and Nui dat.
All those I worked with were exceptional.
I have nothing but respect for the US & Australian Army, US and Australian Navy.
&Navy.
Good natured ribbing, sure, but I trusted my life in their hands and theirs in mine.
This speaks for itself:
http://terminallance.com
Many pages are Not Safe For Work.
I had the privilege, as a young USAF Lt, of taking The Basic School by correspondence. (I was hoping it would give me an edge toward being selected for Squadron Officer School in residence, which I had already completed by correspondence.) It gave me a deep respect for the Marine Corps and its amazing traditions. One of my big regrets is that life got in the way, and I never completed all of the modules.
I had a Love/Hate relationship with the Marine Corps so I get this article. Except for a brief “invitation” back to active duty in the very early 90’s, I did a 4 year enlistment during one of the quieter times in Marine history. Learned a lot. Met some good people. Needed it badly as I was a punk teenager. Found myself. Never regretted serving, very proud of serving, and will always carry the lessons and experience with me. “Lifer” was never going to be me and I still have nightmares of me having to go back to boot camp but I still treasure every moment of that short period of my life even the bad times. Interestingly, people I meet seem to always know I was a Marine even though I am now 50+, 25+ years removed from service and not as thin as I used to be. Semper Fi.