Category: Laugh

Survey your man card In 2005 as a newly promoted Gunnery Sergeant, I found myself working at Headquarters Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. I’m still not sure how it happened. Just prior to this assignment I served as a Rifle Platoon Sergeant in an Infantry Battalion in 29 Palms, CA with two combat deployments to…

Beware the mermaid kiss Those who know what that means are laughing right now and thinking “that is disgusting”. If you don’t then stand-by. WARNING: If you have a weak stomach read no further. Those who have been in uniform and gone the field you are familiar with the long row of port-o-johns. They are…

That’s my Commandant In 1995 I was a Lance Corporal on my first deployment. We were on a “med float” aboard the U.S.S. Whidbey Island. The Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) at that time was General “Chuck” Krulak. General Krulak began his career as a Rifle Platoon Commander in Vietnam. His father, General “Brute”…

A visit to the White House I went to the White House once.  It was a somber occasion.  The President would be presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to the family of Corporal Jason Dunham.  Many of us, veterans of Kilo Company, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines were present.  Some of us were still on active…

This recruit has a rash Anyone who has been to Marine Corps Recruit Training is familiar with the hygiene inspection. It’s quite a humbling affair. I was surprised at the number of uncomfortable situations I was exposed to in boot camp. I expected yelling, high stress, strenuous activity, discomfort, and doing everything quickly. Other things…

Never lost a fight Marines are tough.They are.We are. It takes a special kind of person to join the Marine Corps. Some would derisively agree and say “yes…special”. A good friend of mine says the Marine Corps is a cult. Valid point, but that will be addressed another time…Consider the recruiting slogans throughout the years:“We…

The Lieutenant and falling asleep I served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Rifle Platoon during Operation Iraqi Freedom I, during “the March Up”. I had just under ten years in the Marine Corps. My Platoon Commander was a Lieutenant from Long Island, NY. He worked in finance or some white-collar job in the city…

Black coffee When I first came into the Marine Corps I noticed that all of the old salty Marines, particularly Staff Non-Commissioned Officers, drank black coffee, seemingly non-stop. Some out of mugs emblazoned with a ship’s logo from a previous deployment, some just dirty old cups that were never washed, and some out of aluminum…