OK, I said earlier that I wasn’t going to comment further on the “IED Hunter” video, as it was not needed. After reflecting on it some more, I’ve decided to go back on that statement.
The more I think about it, the more ironic it is that I came across that video this week. Heading to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving was a disaster, thanks for the most part to a policy put in place by II MEF that forces everyone in the MEF (basically a Corps-level command) to leave Camp Lejeune at the same time. I cursed the Marine Corps for the better part of the weekend, and tried to remember why I stuck around when my initial obligated service was up.
The Marines in the video answered that question. You have them in almost any command – the guys who can make you laugh your ass off and forget that you’re standing outside in 40 degree weather and driving rain (or in 120 degree weather and in constant threat of getting killed or maimed by IEDs). They’re also the guys who will keep their cool as the lead/air density ratio starts to climb, and through their calmness will help the others maintain cool as well. Forget the paycheck, forget all of the high-minded ideals like fighting for freedom, these are the guys that make this job worthwhile.
If you haven’t watched the video yet, you’re missing out. Scroll down and check it out.
There’s some definite homoerotic undertones in the “Show Me the Way to Amarillo” vid. Are you sure those guys are Brits and not Kiwis? ;)