Our Beloved Corps Archives

Sad News from a Marine Wife

By Lt Col P

Folks-- sad, sad news from a Marine wife with a little baby girl. I don't know what to say.

Keep them in your prayers.

Marines Gone "Rogue"??

By Lt Col P

"Or Leading the Way?"

"DELARAM, AFGHANISTAN -- Home to a dozen truck stops and a few hundred family farms bounded by miles of foreboding desert, this hamlet in southwestern Afghanistan is far from a strategic priority for senior officers at the international military headquarters in Kabul. One calls Delaram, a day's drive from the nearest city, "the end of the Earth." Another deems the area "unrelated to our core mission" of defeating the Taliban by protecting Afghans in their cities and towns.

"U.S. Marine commanders have a different view of the dusty, desolate landscape that surrounds Delaram. They see controlling this corner of remote Nimruz province as essential to promoting economic development and defending the more populated parts of southern Afghanistan."

I'll refrain from comment-- you be the judge!

Major John Moder '98-- Heard from Today!

By Lt Col P

The ever-vigilant Brother Rat BullNav, perched high up in a virtual crow's nest scanning the mil news wavetops, zapped this great piece of news to us:

MarSOC officer awarded Bronze Star

Staff report
Posted : Friday Mar 12, 2010 9:37:04 EST

The officer in charge of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command’s assessment and selection received a Bronze Star with “V” device on Tuesday for his actions in Afghanistan.

On May 30, 2008, Maj. John A. Moder, 36, repeatedly exposed himself to Taliban sharpshooters and rocket-propelled grenades during a firefight in the Garmsir district of Helmand province. Then-Capt. Moder was serving as commanding officer of Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Over the course of a 14-hour fight, Moder “fearlessly” led his Marines from bunker to bunker, killing several insurgents with an M240G machine gun and an M4 assault rifle in support of Operation Azada Wosa.

“Calm and courageous under fire, he remained at the front of his company in constant contact with insurgent fighters,” according to the citation. “He was conspicuous throughout in his leadership and heroism. Capt. Moder’s resolute leadership and courage in the face of a determined enemy reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”

Moder, who has deployed four times since Sept. 11, 2001, received his commission in 1998 after graduating from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va.

Well done, Marine. You make us proud!

"Did You Choose To Do This??"

By Lt Col P

NBC News captured some great footage of a Marine disarming an IED in Marjah:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

"Clarity" indeed!

Good work, Marine.

Hard-Headed Marines

By Lt Col P

Glad to be back in the land of bloggage. I have had some horrendous internet issues, which prevented me from connecting effectively. To be honest I'm also enjoying my time with the boys before I have to go back to work.

Here's an amazing story out of Marjah, about a hard-headed Marine:

"MARJAH, Afghanistan — It is hard to know whether Monday was a very bad day or a very good day for Lance Cpl. Andrew Koenig.

On the one hand, he was shot in the head. On the other, the bullet bounced off him.

In one of those rare battlefield miracles, an insurgent sniper hit Lance Cpl. Koenig dead on in the front of his helmet, and he walked away from it with a smile on his face.

"I don't think I could be any luckier than this," Lance Cpl. Koenig said two hours after the shooting."

(Check out the photo; the look on his face is priceless. It's like he's quietly saying, "Fuuuuuuck...") The rest of the article's pretty good too.

Our boys continue to pound the shit out of the fuck-os, despite resistance. I am certain that all of this was expected and planned for. This op has been in the works for a long time.

Quick Update... The WaPo has more, and a very good photo gallery. (Yeah, ok, some of the captions are goofy, but the photos are outstanding.)

More VMI Marine Colonels

By Lt Col P

Thanks to BR BullNav, we (belatedly) bring you the FY10 USMC Colonel Selection List.

Note please the FOUR Marines from VMI '89-- Matt Ans, Wayne Jones, Matt StClair, and John Giltz!

Good news all around.

WTF?? WHAT. THE. F---???

By Lt Col P

I'm speechless.

Way to go, numbnut. Thanks for insulting one of our best allies.

What the hell is going on??

Mike Fay Retires

By Lt Col P

Ever so slightly late but no less heartfelt, we salute CWO Mike Fay, USMC, as he concludes a truly exceptional career in the Marines.

I'm a big fan of his artwork, and we have featured it before. And I'm also privileged to call him a good friend. I'm not going to post any of his work here, because I want you to go to his site and root through it to see for yourself. Some of his drawings will stop you in your tracks.

"What can I say...it's been a great run since I first enlisted on June 11, 1975. I signed up that day alone in the haze of a hangover and under the shadow of dropping out of a third college. Last night I departed active duty in the presence of family and a wonderful circle of friends and comrades. I was completely sober and basking in the glow of a career full of many accomplishments. Thank you Marine Corps. Thank you God. Time to move on."

Good luck, Marine. The place won't be the same without you, but it sure is better because of you.

"Don't Leave Too Soon"

By Lt Col P

Interesting article on 1st Battalion, 5th Marines from the LA Times:

Reporting from Nawa, Afghanistan - It was at the end of a recent after-lunch meeting, with the two sides sitting cross-legged on a tattered rug, exchanging pleasantries and enjoying sweet tea and stone-baked bread.

Haji Mohammed Khan, district administrator for Nawa, a government bureaucrat with three decades' experience in war and shaky peace, had something he wanted to ask the Marines, some of whom will soon return to bases in the United States.

"Please," Khan said in a low voice, his sad eyes looking directly at his guests, "don't let us be here alone. You used your young people, your vehicles, your helicopters to help us. Please don't turn around and leave unfinished your business here."

We've read it before and said it before-- COIN is slow and painstaking, but it has to be given time. It looks like what we're doing is having an effect, finally. Let's finish it.

Read More »

234

By Lt Col P

Happy Birthday, Marines!

Wherever you gather, by the tens or by the thousands, best wishes to all of you, and may the Good Lord bring you home safe and sound, bearing your shields and wreathed with the laurels of victory.

USMC Birthday Ball 2009

By Lt Col P

I attended the celebration of the 234th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps last night at the Embassy in Kabul. I had heard several times before that in the more remote capitals of the world, the annual Birthday Ball was quite the event for the diplomatic community. It's 100% true. Wow. From beginning to end, it was a memorable evening, quite possibly the best I've ever attended.

At least five VMI grads there too-- 82, two 91s, 94 and 89. Of course, we will all get together next week for Founders Day, and I'll have pics for that.

A Tale of Two Marines

By Lt Col P

By now everyone has heard of Matthew Hoh, a former Marine and Iraq vet who loudly and publicly resigned from his post as the senior Foreign Service official in Zabul Province.

I'd like you to meet Gunnery Sergeant D, who has also recently left Zabul Province. Left, that is, after successfully completing a tour of duty attached to SF and EOD units. He's been put in for the Bronze Star (the real kind, for combat), and for the Soldier's Medal for saving a man's life. Part of his fitrep-- not written by Marines-- reads, "His leadership, decision-making, and recommedations to the supported commanders within the province is [sic] sought out and relied upon. His leadership is of the highest caliber and he is the Marine that everyone wants to work with. In an environment where he is the senior Marine within the province, he has surpassed expectations of those he worked with and set the bar for all that follow."

So, I suppose that if you have the luxury of quitting, you can just fucking quit. But if that's not an option, you figure out a way to win. Gunny D is truly no better friend and no worse enemy. The other guy? I think he's the opposite.

Read More »

More Steps Forward

By Lt Col P

"Advancing Marines Test New Afghan War Doctrine:"

BARCHA, Afghanistan (Reuters) – Winning ground is one thing. Convincing Afghan villagers you will not leave, abandoning them to a vengeful Taliban, is a bigger challenge for U.S. Marines advancing deep into southern Helmand province.

The Marines, part of a 10,000-strong force sent to Afghanistan this year, have pushed south into hostile terrain, winning ground and pledging to build the long-term trust and security needed to prevent insurgents from returning.

A day after taking over the former home of a local doctor which had been used as a post by the Taliban, the Marines were building it into a base and trying to win over local people.

"You have to make a decision, please. You want to work with us or you want to work with the Taliban?" the clean-shaven young Marine Captain Junwei Sun asked a wizened and bearded village elder at the first "shura" -- or meeting -- with local people.

Although the title says "new," this ain't anything new. This is COIN 101, what the higher leadership should have been pushing since Day One. Security comes first; mutual trust follows. Believe me, it works.

"There is No Place in the World Like It, VMI"

By Townie 76

A cadet responding to my post on weapons sent me this, very good, and I think really captures the Spirit of VMI.

RIP: Sgt Jeremiah McGraw, USMCR

By Lt Col P

With great regret and sadness I must report the death of one of my fellow 4th ANGLICO Marines, in an accident during jump operations.

He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Godspeed to you, Marine.

Marines Field All-Female Unit in Afghanistan

By Lt Col P

Drawing undoubtedly on similar, successful ad-hoc units in Iraq, 2d MEB has formed an all-WM "Female Engagement Team."

The all-female unit of 46 Marines is the military's latest innovation in its rivalry with the Taliban for the populace's loyalty. Afghan women are viewed as good intelligence sources, and more open to the basics of the military's hearts-and-minds effort — hygiene, education and an end to the violence.

"It's part of the effort to show we're sensitive to local culture," said Capt. Jennifer Gregoire, of East Strasburg, Pennsylvania. She leads the Female Engagement Team in the Now Zad Valley of Helmand province, the heartland of the Taliban insurgency.

Absolutely brilliant idea, and perfect case of round "Pegs" in round holes.

(And BTW, for everyone's edification and especially any young males out there who might be looking for a challenge-- the armored vest, with plates and ammo and water and all sorts of stuff, tips the scales at 45 pounds easily. Think you're up to it? Only one way to find out!)

Marines Continue to Press Gains in Dahaneh

By Lt Col P

Fox News reports from Helmand Province:

The Marines are going house to house, they’re going compound to compound to make sure that there are no militants remaining and they’re doing it while the Taliban that the Marines didn’t kill yesterday try to kill these Marines today.

(Good pics at that link, and others.)

According to almost all reports I've read, this is a town and an area where Timmy Taliban hasn't been opposed by coalition troops much, if at all. Well now, it's nice to see that change. We mourn the losses of our brothers, and we feel for the boys taking it to the enemy wearing several dozen pounds of gear in hideous heat. Yet, it must be done, and the sooner the better. Go get 'em, Marines!

Sketchpad Warrior Back from Afstan

By Lt Col P

It's been a while since we visited the extremely few and awfully proud, the Marine Corps Combat Artists. I recently got an update from one of them, Sgt Kris "King Of" Battles from Sketchpad Warrior, who is recently back from Afstan (sic, in Torch lingo).

Here's one of his latest, on Echo 2/8; be sure to read the accompanying post:

(Also, don't forget about CWO2 Mike Fay at Fire & Ice!)

Range Time: Table III

By Lt Col P

Had a decent session on the range this morning. That is, I shot pretty well...

That's the target after two runs on the Table III course of fire, and then about fifty more rounds on top of that, and then two magazines from a 9mm. The low flyers are all 9mm, double action from 15 meters; the high-and-to-the-left flyers are 5.56mm, offhand at 25 meters or on the move. On the qual I put four (4) out of the kill zones, to earn me a score of 96 and a tie for second place. (First place was a 97, by a Major from 2d MLG.) Had to grit my teeth through one hot brass incident during a fire-while-moving string, but that was the only hitch. Well, that and four flyers that cost me a perfect score.

All shooting is good shooting, and better still when it's in full gear with combat weapons. That's today's takeaway-- if you plan on taking the field in any sort of harness or vest, I recommend that you practice as much as possible in that outfit. It changes your cheek weld, sight picture, and point of impact to name just a few.

Great Warchief No Speak With Forked Tongue

By Lt Col P

Two thumbs up from A Man Who Knows The Deal:

ARLINGTON, Va., July 31, 2009 – The secret to the U.S. Marine Corps’ success is a blending of bedrock principles with innovation, the commander of U.S. Central Command said here last night.

Using two examples from recent history -- the heroism of the last Marine Medal of Honor recipient and the turnaround in Iraq’s Anbar province, -- Army Gen. David H. Petraeus shared his view at an event hosted by the Marine Association Foundation.

“On the one hand, Marines display a stalwart resistance to change in those bedrock values that form the very foundation of what it means to be Marine,” he said. “On the other hand, Marines demonstrate a ready embrace of innovation that allows them to adapt to the environments in which they operate and to the enemies they face.”

Some of those timeless, unchanging truths that describe the Marine Corps include an unflinching devotion to one’s fellow Marines, a ready embrace of hardship and a universal emphasis on the skills and the spirit of the rifleman, he said.

The bold-facing on that last one is mine-- I think it is one of the most important attributes we maintain.

Thanks, General, coming from you this is high praise indeed!

The One-Niner-Eight

By Lt Col P

Behold the M198 155mm howitzer-- museum piece.

I was driving past the 10th Marines area yesterday and saw it sitting there, all clean and painted and shiny, which of course was my first clue that something was amiss. Yes, there it was among all the other museum pieces, the legends of Marine Corps artillery. (When I reported for duty in 1990, we still fielded the M101A1 105mm, as well as 155mm SPs and the 8-inch. All of them are on display too.)

Certainly it was on the big and heavy side, but it never failed to deliver the goods. If the Marine Corps sees fit to send me back into the artillery community proper, I'll be happy to get just as acquainted with its successor, the M777.

VMI and the USMC Colonel Command Screening Board

By Lt Col P

The results of the USMC Colonel Command Screening Board are out. VMI did well--

FURNESS ['87], DAVID J. ... 6TH MARINES

NEARY ['88], STEPHEN M. ... 4TH MARINES

STARLING ['88], CHRISTOPHER C. ... 23RD MARINES

Congrats to all, not just the fellow VMI alumni although it is good to see them do well, and especially to my good friend and roommate from the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2), Sparky Renforth!

More From Helmand Province

By Lt Col P

OK, we like to skewer the WaPo and the rest of the MSM when they do stupid shit, but never let it be said that we don't give them ready thumbs-up when they do good work.

One such instance is the generally good writing and reporting from Ann Scott Tyson, along with some superior photography. The last few posts we've done on Afghanistan have, I think, been on her reporting. She has an embed blog, which is packed with extras, like video. As in, ths one--

The war goes on. Stay tuned to her, and to us.

"Livin' The Dream, Sir"

By Lt Col P

Michael Yon hits the X-ring again with a dispatch from Central Asia:

... One Marine commander told me that during the early part of this war, his men didn’t even shower for three months. We talked for a couple of hours and he was proud that his Marines didn’t need a shower for three months, and that his Marines killed a lot of Taliban and managed to lose only one good man. That’s the Marines. They’ll show up in force with no warning, and their reputation with U.S. Army and Brits who have fought alongside them is stellar. A NPR photographer who just spent more than three weeks with the Marines could not praise them enough, saying he’d been with them in Iraq, too, and that when Marines take casualties, their reaction is to continue to attack. They try to stay in contact until they finish the enemy, no matter how long it takes. Truly they are animals when it comes to the fight. Other than that, great guys. Tonight at dinner, a young Marine Lance Corporal sat in front of me at the crowded dining facility. “Good evening, Sir,” he said. I asked, “Are you living like animals out there?” “Livin’ the dream, Sir!” They are fantastic.

On a more serious but no less realistic note, operations continue apace. (Be sure to check out the photo gallery, especially the caption for #11.)

Operations Continue in Southern Afghanistan

By Lt Col P

2d MEB and our allies press on in Helmand Province. Enemy action continues to take a toll. (WaPo has a good photo gallery of Marines paying respects to their fallen brothers.)

B5 has secured great footage of action at one of the many fortifications left by Alexander The Great in Afghanistan.

Ops continue.

Marines, Mules, Mountains

By Lt Col P

Good story in the LA Times about the Marines' mulepacking course at the Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport CA.

Opened in 1951 to train troops for Korea, the center -- with its administrative buildings, barracks, corrals and an enormous tent for visiting troops -- is set on 47,000 acres of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, where serrated peaks above 10,000 feet are the perfect terrain to teach high-altitude combat skills.

Five donkeys, 24 mules and five sergeant trainers are stationed at the center for the course, which is given eight times a year to Marines, Army soldiers, Navy SEALs and some foreign troops.

Humvees and even helicopters are of limited use in Afghanistan's mountains. There are few roads and the air is thin. But a 1,000-pound mule or 400-pound donkey can easily carry a load one-third its weight -- or more, if necessary.

Now, Our Beloved Corps has been doing this for years. We tend to cling to proven methods, no matter how arcane they might seem.

Strike Of The Sword

By Lt Col P

Marines wield their terrible swift sword in Helmand Province:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Marines and Afghan security forces moved into Taliban-infested villages Wednesday evening in one of the Obama administration's first major military operations in the previously forgotten war in Afghanistan. ...

Dubbed Operation Khanjar, or "Strike of the Sword," the military push was described by officials as the largest and fastest-moving of the war's newest phase. British forces last week led similar missions to fight and clear out insurgents in Helmand and Kandahar provinces.

Looks like they're aiming for the right objective:

"Where we go we will stay, and where we stay, we will hold, build and work toward transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces," Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson said in a statement.

Good luck, Marines. It's the first step in a long march.

Colonel Kenneth Reusser, USMC; 1920-2009

By Lt Col P

A three-war Marine and double Navy Cross recipient died recently-- Colonel Kenneth "Kannibal Ken" Reusser. He was an archetype of the hard-fighting hard-flying Marine aviator, as his two Navy Cross citations will attest. The action in which he and his wingman "ate" the Jap plane is memorably illustrated in LtCol Alex Durr's painting.

Towards the end of his life it looks like he got a bad break, and then a raw deal on top of it. I wish the guy who swindled him could get his ass chopped off by a Corsair prop. But, if he's serving time, that might not be far from the truth...

It's been a bad month for hard-core Old Corps Marine flyers. Here's to you, Col Reusser.

"Fix Bayonets"

By Lt Col P

From today's Washington Post Magazine, a portrait of 2d Battalion, 7th Marines-- "2/7".

The problem was, Karell didn't know what to expect. He was from Arlington. He'd traveled the world. This place, though, was like nowhere he'd ever been. The 2nd Battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment had deployed to Afghanistan last spring to train Afghan police. But when Karell's platoon arrived in Now Zad, the largest town in a remote northern district of Helmand province, they'd rolled into a ghost town.

The Afghans who used to live here, more than 10,000, had been gone for several years, their abandoned mud-brick homes slowly melting into the dusty valley. Insurgents were using the place for R&R. At night, all you heard were the jackals, ululating like veiled, grieving women. The fact that Now Zad had no civilian residents, much less any police, had somehow escaped the notice of the coalition planners who had given the Marines their mission.

A true "What now, Lieutenant?" moment. Good article, go read. The author'll also be online tomorrow for a Q&A.

Read More »

2d MEB on Duty

By Lt Col P

2d MEB is on deck in Afghanistan in force.

These fine young men (and women) will put thousands of boots on the ground and establish that all-important, patient, persistent, presence. Good news for the population; bad news for the bad guys.

Got get 'em, boys.

Opportunity, Missed

By Lt Col P

As promised, a few comments on the article I linked below, on the very beginnings of what turned into the Anbar Awakening. On what could have been, possibly, but wasn't an alternate ending to OIF-2.

Let's get a few things out of the way. First of all, VF is not a publication I normally read. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever read it. Second, the author and the editors probably have a deep-seated policial axe to grind with the Bush Administration. All that being said, the essentials of the story are, as far as I know, correct.

As far as I know. And in this case, I know a good deal. Among other things, Colonel John Coleman (VMI 76, and an exceptional officer) told me the tale a few years ago, when he was about to retire. It was clear to me that this was an exceptional story, and when he suggested (!) that I keep it to myself for obvious reasons, I had no problems with that. Col onel Coleman thought then that this was an effort well worth pursuing. To put it another way, I thought it was a stunning turn of events; if anything, that article is a mild version of events.

What makes Coleman's opinion the key to understanding the opportunity that was offered here-- and missed-- is that if anyone would have been in a position to scoff at counterfeit engagements, it would have been the I MEF leadership. They had been forced, virtually at gunpoint, into a union with the Fallujah Brigade, and had endured more than their share of charlatans and hustlers. (They had also had a taste of the real deals too, like the Showanis.) If Colonel John Coleman thought that the people he met with were speaking with authority, and were capable of doing what they said, he would have the experience to know it.

Furthermore, I have had all of this confirmed by a 3d CAG officer I know well, who was deeply involved with economic engagement before and after this. And, I have seen the documents in Mr Jones's possession, and unless they are very clever fabrications, they bear out the facts. They are priceless historical documents, and I hope they get preserved properly.

I said that, as far as I know, the essentials of the story in the article are true; but I think the author jumps the rails in a few places. For one, he places the blame squarely on the Bush White House. That's one possibility, but not a certainty. There were others involved, and they shouldn't be let off the hook so easily.

What I think is beyond a doubt is that if we had taken the risk and accepted this offer at face value, we'd be a year ahead of where we are now. I have often said that the failure to score a decisive blow at Fallujah in early 2004, or rather the failure to allow I MEF to deliver that blow, set us back a full year. We could have recovered, at a much reduced cost, all of that time and more. And a lot of good men paid the price. But there's nothing to be done about it except to square up to the facts and absorb the lessons.

Ospreys to Every Clime and Place

By Lt Col P

The MV-22 seeks new opportunities to excel:

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2009 – After three successful combat deployments over more than 19 consecutive months, Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys will begin a global deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, a senior Marine aviation official said yesterday.

“The Marine Corps views these first three deployments of the Osprey into combat as marvelously successful,” Lt. Gen. George J. Trautman III, deputy commandant of aviation, said during a “DoD Live” bloggers roundtable. “The aircraft completed every assigned mission, and it did so flying faster, farther, and with safer flight profiles than any other assault support aircraft in the history of military operations.”

While in Iraq, the Osprey flew thousands of missions, impressing those who flew in it with its speed and range, Trautman said.

Three deployments?? Where has time gone. Still, this is good news.

The Navy Cross and "The Sweetest Deal Ever"

By Lt Col P

Two amazing items-- or possibly not, if you know The Corps-- out of Afghanistan.

The first, out of Golf Company 2/7, is about LCpl Brady Gustafson, all of 21 years old:

“Sorry, guys, I can’t keep going.”

Those were the words of Lance Cpl. Brady A. Gustafson to the Marines in his vehicle as he was pulled away from his smoking machine gun minutes after his platoon was ambushed July 21, 2008, by withering enemy fire in Shewan, Afghanistan.

Nobody blamed Gustafson, 21, an infantryman with 2nd Platoon, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, for not being able to continue the fight, since the opening volley on the Marine mounted patrol included a rocket-propelled grenade that pierced the shell of the mine-resistant armor-protected vehicle in which Gustafson was manning the turret gun.

That RPG severed Gustafson’s right leg, and yet he had the presence of mind to locate the enemy positions and place well-aimed machine gun fire on them, providing cover fire for the Marines in his platoon.

Read the whole thing. Good work, young man; when you walk into a room, general officers ought to get on their feet. And since he's 21, someone needs to buy that man a beer. Or two.

Next, meet Cpl Sean Conroy:

On the ground, far from the generals in Kabul and the policy makers in Washington, the hour-by-hour conduct of the war rests in part in the deeds of men this young, who have been given latitude to lead as their training and instincts guide them.

Each day they organize and walk Afghan Army patrols in the valley below, some of the most dangerous acreage in the world. Each night they participate in radio meetings with the American posts along the ridges, exchanging plans and intelligence, and plotting the counterinsurgency effort in the ancient villages below.

In Corporal Conroy’s war, two Marines train Afghans in weapons, tactics, first aid, hygiene and leadership. They keep the firebase supplied with ammunition, water, batteries and food. They defecate in a rusting barrel and urinate in a tube that slopes off a roof and drains into the air. Fly strips surround them. They have no running water; their sleeping bunker stinks of filthy clothes and sweat.

Go read that too.

King Of Battle

By Lt Col P

To commemorate Honorable #2 Son's 1st Birthday, I arranged for the King of Battle to issue a royal proclamation.

U.S. Marines fire a [M777] 155 mm Howitzer during Exercise Mojave Viper on Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms, Calif., March 26, 2009. The Marines are assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. Mojave Viper is a training evolution program to aid Marines in their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. William Greeson

Outstanding New Marine Officer Commercial

By Lt Col P

Niiiiiice.

It's probably a good thing for all concerned that there were no cameras near 4th Platoon, Golf Company in 1988, to capture the candidate-shaped dents in the wall lockers. These kids look ENTIRELY too happy. Well rested. And well fed. Because you see, back in the Old Corps...

Lightning *In* The Sky

By Lt Col P

The first Marine has strapped the Joint Strike Fighter to his ass and taken it for a spin.

FORT WORTH, Texas —

The first Marine Joint Strike Fighter developmental test pilot took off from the flight line at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics plant here March 19.

Maj. Joseph "O. D." Bachmann became the first Marine to pilot the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, which is slated to become part of the Corps’ aviation arsenal by 2012.

Bachmann said the purpose of the flight was to acquire experience and become comfortable with the aircraft so he can to find any potential flaws or issues that may need correction, especially in the short take-off and vertical landing version of the aircraft.

Talks like a fighter pilot too...

"Mission: accomplished," said Bachmann after his first F-35 flight. "It was amazingly easy to fly. It was surreal. It was badass."

OUT-STAND-ING.

Phrogs' Phinal Phlight

By Lt Col P

Didn't see this coming, but I suppose it had to come one day: The last East Coast active duty CH-46E squadron rides into the sunset.

HMM-264’s youngest aircraft hit the fleet in September of 1970. It’s oldest in October of 1966. Between just those two aircraft, disregarding all others in the squadron, they have over 20, 660 hours flown.

Colonel Mark J. Desens, commanding officer of the 26th MEU and a CH-46 pilot since 1987, said the Marine Corps definitely got something right with the Sea Knight by continuing to maintain and upgrade the aircraft despite the fact that it was supposedly going to be replaced in the 90’s.

“They told me in flight school that I would probably only be flying the 46 for three years before the Osprey would replace it, and now here I am as the MEU commander, my 53s are taken away, and the 46, old and tired, carries the MEU,” he said.

A real piece of history; it just never quit. God bless 'em all, and those who flew them.

Marathon Monday

By Lt Col P

A nice bit of good news out of Quantico today: "MCM director joins USA Hall of Champions."

Marine Corps Marathon race director Rick Nealis was one of five people recently inducted into the sixth class of the Running USA Hall of Champions, at a ceremony in San Diego becoming the 31st person to be so honored.

Rick Nealis is a great guy (a retired Marine, so how could he be less?) and real pro, hence the honor. He's the guy who took the Marine Corps Marathon from a seasonal pick-up event (albeit a large one) and turned it into the world-renowned year-long self-sustaining institution it is. I know this to be fact, for in 2002 I did six months of active duty on the Marathon staff, and saw it happen from the inside. Plus, I ran it in '99 and 2000 so I know it from both sides.

Congrtas, Rick! Well done, and long overdue.

Harsh Words, Hard Consequences

By Lt Col P

Last December's F-18 crash has been ruled "clearly avoidable."

"The tragedy that occurred on the 8th of December was caused by mechanical malfunctions on two different engines ... which presented the pilot with a complex emergency compounded by well-intended but incorrect decisions which ultimately resulted in the fuel starvation of the aircraft's remaining engine.," said Col. John Rupp, operations officer for the 3D Marine Aircraft Wing in San Diego.

Among those incorrect decisions, Rupp said, was the decision by maintenance crews to allow the aircraft to fly despite reports of a problem with its fuel flow; the decision by the pilot to try to land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego rather than the nearby Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado despite losing function of the jet's right engine; and a series of miscommunications and bad assumptions by the pilot and officers directing him that eventually caused the left engine to "flame out."

There is nothing good to report here, except perhaps the forthrightness with which the Marine Corps detailed the full extent of the culpability and responsibility. We ground types like to poke the aviators about flight pay and crew rest and whatnot, but the fact remains that their mistakes come with big price tags; they earn their pay and perks every time they bring plane and crew back home in one piece.

God bless the victims, and the pilot.

I Say, Old Chap, Who *Are* These People??

By Lt Col P

Marines are from Mars.

“For many students this was our first real exposure to the Marine Corps."

No shit, genius. That's the problem.

Another Star in the VMI Galaxy

By Lt Col P

Great news from the Marine Corps:

Marine Corps Reserve Col. Paul W. Brier has been nominated for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Brier is currently serving as a [M]arine liaison officer to the Government of Guam.

Make that Col Paul Brier VMI '81.

Col Brier is a fighting Marine; during the Gulf War he commanded the greatest artillery battery in the history of warfare-- Battery H, 3d Battalion, 14th Marines-- in combat they lowered their tubes and engaged Iraqi armor with direct fire. He later went on to command the battalion as well. Recently, he raised and commanded 6th Civil Affairs Group in Iraq. He is a phenomenal officer and Marine. I know this from experience, having myself commanded Hotel Battery when (then) LtCol Brier was the battalion CO.

Congrats, sir, and good luck!

H E A R D - F R O M - T O D A Y.

Uncommon Valor

By Lt Col P

Today, 64 years ago.

Meet The Growler

By Lt Col P

Our Beloved Corps is taking some hits over what is being billed as an acquisitions goat-rope concerning the newest fast attack vehicle, the Growler (shown below towing a 120mm mortar from a 2005 article in USAToday).

Quoth the WaPo:

The idea for such a vehicle was developed in 1999 by the Marine Corps, which wanted a vehicle that could be carried in the V-22 Osprey aircraft to support assault operations and that would tow a 120mm mortar and an ammunition trailer.

Today, instead of one vehicle that could serve both functions, there are two -- one for reconnaissance and a shorter version that tows the mortar and ammunition trailer -- built by the same company.

The first Growlers in the mortar program -- officially called internally transportable vehicles, or ITVs -- have been deployed to Marine units, but with limited combat capabilities. Because of their light armor and ammunition safety problems, "you can't run it up the highway in an urban area such as Iraq," said John Garner, the Marines' program manager for the vehicle. "But it could accompany foot-mobile Marine infantry in a not-built-up area such as Afghanistan," he added.

There is no further elaboration on "ammunition safety problems."

Naturally, there's drama over the contractors.

Troubles with the two systems started in 2004 during the final competition between two bidders for the vehicle contract. One bidder was a team of the giant defense contractor General Dynamics Corp. and a small company called American Growler Inc. of Ocala, Fla., known primarily for building a successful dune buggy using surplus, customized Army M151A2s, a popular version of the military jeep. The other was a contractor in Michigan called Rae-Beck Automotive LLC, which built a popular neighborhood electric car.

By choosing General Dynamics and American Growler, the Marines were able to procure an existing vehicle that was equipped with components that could be purchased "off the shelf," avoiding costs of research and developing an entirely new vehicle. While the Rae-Beck entry was found to be superior in some tests, the Growler, according to Garner, was better "in the most important ones."

The comments in the WaPo article are, as usual, pretty instructive. One of them advocated dusting off the old M151 Super Jeeps (see quote above). I'm old enough and Old Corps enough to remember the Super Jeeps in 24 MEU SOC in 92-94. THEY WERE OLD THEN, AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT HAD TO PUSHED ON AND OFF THE 53S. Nice try, but no dice. (Among other problems, they're manual shift vehicles. How about that for a training issue?)

I'm just glad we have something that can run on and off the V-22 and pull that nice heavy mortar. If that whole package works, then the price tag will be seen in a different light.

Docs on Skis

By Lt Col P

Due to ops in Afghanistan, the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in California is fast becoming the new Twentynine Palms. Among the training events there is the Cold Weather Medicine course.

MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER BRIDGEPORT, Calif.-Petty Officer 3rd Class Salvador Bautista, a corpsman with Company I, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, maneuvers through the snow at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, Calif., near the Goose training area to set up a warming station during a Cold Weather Medicine Course Jan. 14, 2009., Cpl. Nicole A. LaVine

This is smart training, but no surprise to Marines who know how much emphasis the Corps has put on mountain and winter ops. Not to be invidious, but I've often thought it was a substantial error not to deploy more Marine units to Afghanistan from the get-go, since they had so much experience with battalion-level mountain operations.

Bridgeport is the one training evolution I've really wanted to do, but I've never had the chance. Maybe I'll be able to rectify that one day soon. (Reader and frequent commenter Neal did the winter package waaaaay back in the Old Corps, maybe we can get him to cough up a story or two.)

Ode to the Warrior Class

By Slab

Our good friend and fellow Institute man Michael Solovey is working on yet another print honoring our warriors. This one, titled "Ode to the Warrior Class", is a tribute to our heritage and the warriors who have gone before. To quote Michael:

This main image could be a Marine or Soldier. He looks off into battle with allusions to other great warrior cultures in the background--Vikings, Spartans, and Romans. Across the sky, there are silhouettes of Blackhawks, Hueys, and Cobras flying into battle. This future print will be a watercolor with the intent of celebrating the Warrior Class and what we do as a profession.

Here is the concept sketch he sent me. Continue to check the Solovey art website for updates.

Additionally, I created a Military Artwork category for more posts about the work of Michael Solovey and his fellow artists.

Previous work by Michael Solovey:
MARSOC Artwork*
Thus Ever To Tyrants

* Also, Michael posted an update on his MARSOC print, titled "Precision Pride" in the comments section.

All the prints are signed & numbered and ready for release next week. This print is also in memory of Corpsman Luke Milam (Upper left-hand corner). I spoke with his family this week and have given the original to them. Please keep them in your prayers. If interested in one of these prints (they are going quickly already) please send me an email at soloveyart@earthlink.net. Appreciate the support. Semper Fi!
Michael Solovey VMI '96

USMC Selections and Promotions

By Lt Col P

Playing catch-up here after a long drill weekend. Thanks to BR BullNav for rooting through a heap of message traffic, we are pleased to bring you news of the best and brightest of the VMI Marines...

* LtCols Chris Goff, Wayne Sinclair, Steve Neary, Jim Mumma and Chris Starling, all '88, all selected for Colonel

* LtCol John Giltz '89, selected for the College of Naval Warfare... GO SHOVELHEAD!!!

* LtCol Bill Bowers '90, selected for the National War College

Congrats to all. Go forth and do great things.

And Your Point Is???

By Lt Col P

Unintentionally hilarious "indictment" of US Marine Corps recruiting strategies:

U.S. Marine Corps an Orgy Palace of Stoned, Drunk, Horny Teens, New UCSF Study Suggests

By Matt Smith

While doomsayers bemoan America's ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, researchers at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center may have turned up a brilliant silver lining.

Thanks to desperate recruiting methods required to staff those wars, the U.S. Marines may be turning military service into a male sexual fantasy land, where recruits are paid actual money to cohabitate with drunk, stoned, horny teenage girls.

And why was I not informed??

Leadership 101

By Lt Col P

The FedEx CEO holds forth on what the Marine Corps taught him, and how he used it to build his business.

Drill Weekend Jump

By Lt Col P

Just got the pics from last weekend's jump action. We did two days of jumps to keep our jumpmasters current, and to take another chunk out of the ongoing SF-10 transition.

The Marines of VMGR-452 provided the plane.

Read More »

Happy Birthday, Marines!

By Lt Col P

A rousing happy birthday to all Marines, in ev'ry clime and place. 233 years old, we don't look a day over 19. (Sometimes don't act it, either!)

The Commandant's annual birthday message is here.

To close-- and let you get back to the libations-- I am pleased to report that a small yet not insignificant historical wrong has been righted. In the "Hall of the Commandants" in the Pentagon (now 4th Deck, Corridor 7), where hang portraits of all the Commandants, the 4th Commandant, LtCol Anthony Gale, once had a mere one-paragraph mention at the end of his predecessor's bio. Now, this great but mostly unknown man has his own portrait (a generic silhouette), and a much more serious and fitting bio. Where once it began, "A native of Ireland"-- as if to say, in horror, Oh, those wild Irish-- and continued about his "dubious personal habits," it lists the highlights of an active if tumultuous career, including his killing of a Naval officer who pissed him off.

So today we can toast our brethren across the globe, and rejoice in a one Marine finally getting his due.

Colonel Ripley: In Every Clime and Place

By Lt Col P

I reported for duty with 1st Battalion, 10th Marines (1/10) on 16 June 1990. One of the first battalion events I attended was the farewell parade for Col John Ripley, who was relinquishing command of 2d Marines. (BR (and frequent commenter) Neal was in 3rd Battalion 2d Marines; the CO of that battalion is now Commandant.) You see, at that time, the infantry regiments in 2d Marine Division had "habitual relationships" with the supporting artillery battalions. 2d Marines "owned" 1/10-- and deployed with them to various mountain and cold weather exercises in preparation for the long-anticipated day when we'd have to mount out and defend Norway against the Soviets-- and Col Ripley called us "4/2," the fourth battalion, so to speak, of his regiment, hence our connection to him. From there he went to VMI to take over the Naval ROTC unit.

Read More »

Marathon Day!

By Lt Col P

The 33d Marine Corps Marathon gets haze-gray and underway to-day. Weather looks good for the start.

If you're a local or in the area on a visit, get out and see the race. The runners love the energy they get from the crowd (especially on the desolate stretches like Hains Point).

GO GO GO!

UPDATE: FYI, here are some finishers of note...

GEN Renuart, age 58, Commander US Northern Command: 5:15:45

BGen Mark Clark, age 50, Director, Strategy & Plans Division, HQMC: 3:18:04 (not bad!)

BGen Ron Johnson, age 51, Director, Operations Division, HQMC: 4:41:58

Mayor Adrian Fenty, age 37, District of Columbia: 3:37:20 (not bad!)

Good job to all the finishers!!

25 Years Gone -- But Not Forgotten

By Lt Col P

25 years ago today, 241 Americans lost their lives in Beirut.

BR Neal pointed us to this article, and BR BullNav found this one as well.

MMM lists all the names.

The guilty have yet to be punished. When will we settle the score?

Space Ops Sunday

By Lt Col P

This isn't news, in that it's been floating around for some time, but it is newsworthy I suppose.

The American military is planning a “spaceplane” designed to fly a crack squad of heavily armed [M]arines to trouble spots anywhere in the world within four hours.

At a recent secret meeting at the Pentagon, engineers working on the craft, codenamed Hot Eagle, were told to draw up blueprints for a prototype which generals want to have in the air within 11 years.

My questions are: How do we sustain, support, and communicate with those Marines once they've landed? If it's only a squad, what are they supposed to do when they get there? And do they get flight pay? And does the vehicle have onboard holographic porn viewers and Copenhagen dispensers?

There's some Olympic quality conclusion-leaping at the end of the article, but the concept has long merited serious thought. How many military technology advances began as easily dismissed flights of fancy? Interesting stuff.

The Starke Truth, or, Life At Blanding

By Lt Col P

A clean-up note from last week, where I spent several (mostly) pleasant days at Camp Blanding, near Starke, FL.

Normally, we train at Avon Park, but we had to go to Blanding because it has the only KD course in the Sunshine State, and it was time for us to do the full-blown rifle range. Full-blown being a relative term, because in the reserves, unless you do it over an AT, the range is a true ten drills of shit in a six-drill bag.

Blanding, like most Guard bases I've been to, has an impressive array of facilities-- nice lake too-- and it's pretty well run. I give a Hotel Tango to alcon, because we were met with near-universal cooperation wherever we turned for assistance.

Also, I need to give a huge thumbs-up to Johnny's BBQ & Catering. The chow hall at Blanding wasn't able to support us, because our drill there was actually rescheduled from two weeks prior (Tropical Storm Hanna), but Johnny and his band of merry men and women leapt into the breach. Outstanding chow, delivered where and when we wanted it, no questions asked. Highly recommended if you're training there, or even just passing through.

The "Corps" Of Guides

By Lt Col P

Magnificent article in today's WaPo-- I tried to email my praise to the author but the link didn't work-- which I commend to all.

But Tack had to get back to his fellow Marines. "We were a pretty tight group," he explained. "In my mind, I was hanging them out to dry while I was in the rear."

If you can read the article and go to the museum and meet them, then I urge you to do so.

The museum is filled with history they try to make come alive, and they could even donate some of their equipment for the terrorism exhibit. But not yet. They are not ready for their uniforms and guns to be sealed behind a glass partition, relegated to the annals of history.

Their war is not over yet.

This is living history, and those are real Marines.

Inchon: "We Shall Land And I Shall Crush Them"

By Lt Col P

Today is Inchon Day, commemorating one of the greatest military strokes ever delivered. The Navy Historical Center has a great set of webpages on the operation with some memorable photos, including the one below, surely one of the enduring images of the war:

First Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez, USMC, leads the 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines over the seawall on the northern side of Red Beach, as the second assault wave lands, 15 September 1950. Wooden scaling ladders are in use to facilitate disembarkation from the LCVP that brought these men to the shore. Lt. Lopez was killed in action within a few minutes, while assaulting a North Korean bunker.

Lopez was later awarded the Medal of Honor for the action.

It was a singular day for the Navy/Marine Corps team, but it also involved the Army's now-disbanded 7th Infantry Division, units of the Royal Navy, and three ships of the Royal Canadian Navy. Inchon remains a master stroke, a jewel of miltary art and science. It combined the genius of a great captain with the tenacity and skill of first rate naval, air and land forces.

Marine Corps Col & LtCol Command Slates

By Lt Col P

Behold, Marines, thy future leaders:

FY09 Colonel Command Slate

FY09 Lieutenant Colonel Command Slate

VMI has, as usual, been heard from. My own quick glance-- please tell me if I missed anyone-- shows that Col Chip Bierman '87 was named to command 3d Marines, and LtCols Mike Manning and Chris Dixon, both '90, were named to 1st and 3d Battalions, 2d Marines, respectively.

I haven't seen too much of Mike Manning recently, but he is a first-class Marine, and will take over a battalion I have a great affinity for. I spent several months in Camp Fallujah with both Chip Bierman and Chris Dixon. Both were invaluable assets to me in my particular duties, and true professionals.

Congratulations, and good luck to all! Many challenges await you, and many eyes are upon you.

O Quantico!

By Lt Col P

OK, so it doesn't lend itself to music as well as, say, "O Shenandoah!" but few Marines can deny that Q-town holds a certain raffish Old-Corps Smedley Butler sort of charm. I myself think it's a gem, a true diamond in, uhhh, the rough. It's place where you can still get a shave with a straight razor. And it used to have a great gun store that outgrew its humble digs.

How many times have Marines passing through said, This place has lots of potential, too bad someone hasn't... Hasn't what? Razed it and started over? Turned it into a Marine Disneyland? Turned it into a new combat town? Developed the waterfront? So many possibilities spring to mind.

Read ye then what a new town councilman thinks.

Like anything that exists in relative isolation, the town of Quantico has developed some rather unusual characteristics over the years as a result of its geographic circumstances. A civilian island in a camouflage sea, the town, 30 miles south of Washington, faces the Potomac River on one side and is surrounded everywhere else by its more famous and much larger neighbor, the U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico. The town's 550 residents inhabit an area roughly the size of six city blocks, and the only public access road requires drivers to pass through a security checkpoint guarded by rifle-toting Marines.

Quantico has no church, no grocery store and no elementary school, but buzz-cut barbershops proliferate along its Eisenhower-era main street, Potomac Avenue. Alas, so do empty storefronts.

Brown was elected to the council, and in little time he has found himself at the center of a new controversy about an old theme: change.

"This town could be so much nicer," Brown said. "But a lot of people think there's nothing wrong with it."

I'd say he's on to something, and I hope he gets some traction.

Combat Hunter

By Lt Col P

Good article in USAToday about the Combat Hunter program, bringing Marines together with big game hunters and urban cops to teach them how to recognize signs in the environment that show where the bad guys have trod.

Faced with an alarming increase in sniper attacks in Iraq, Marine commanders in late 2006 began looking for ways to turn the tables on an elusive enemy. Among the experts they consulted: a renowned African big game hunter and a former big city cop.

The result is the combat hunter program, an experiment in training Marines to fight insurgents by making the Marines as wily as the enemy they face. The training combines outdoor skills culled from hunting and tracking with the street smarts developed by police and Marines who grew up in cities.

"The motto we … try to instill in these guys is Marines are always the hunter, never the hunted," says Ivan Carter, the safari guide and hunter — born Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe — who helped the Marines develop the program.

A couple of interesting names pop up in there. Ivan Carter, seen on Tracks Across Africa with Craig Boddington (Col, USMCR ret.); and Patrick Lang, former head of DOD HumInt. Lang, unless I'm very much mistaken, is a member of the VMI Class of '62. But I digress. The program has had some success:

Lt. Patrick Zuber, whose platoon was the first unit to get combat hunter training in a pilot program last year, said the training made Marines better able to sniff out trouble before it happened.

The combat hunter Marines were able to spot patterns on streets that had formerly only appeared noisy, chaotic and strange. In one instance, Zuber's Marines were manning a series of checkpoints outside Fallujah, a city west of Baghdad. They received reports of a man illegally charging residents to enter the city, so the Marines carefully watched the throngs of cars and pedestrians that appeared every day. They noticed a man who moved among the crowds and regularly talked to people trying to enter the city.

After the man was detained, Marines discovered he was carrying a list of people who he had been charging and the amounts they owed. Marines determined he was working for the Iraqi police.

Let me toss this out. I see shades of the much feared and hated-- but very effective-- former South West Africa Police Counter-Insurgency Unit, Koevoet, in the sense of trying to deveolp a capability to identify an enemy force by its passing, then ruthlessly follow it up by foot, vehicle and aircraft. Anyone else see that, or am I way off base?

Traditions Handed Down, And Up

By Lt Col P

H/T to Our Man John for alerting me to this outstanding story out of VMI's graduation and commencement.

Some traditions get handed up, as well as down.

Good work, Lieutenant, and welcome aboard.

Dude, Where's My Pistol?

By Lt Col P

About a year ago, the Marine Corps decided to switch the T/O weapon of most officers and staff NCOs from the M9 pistol to the M4 carbine. (See MarAdmin 378/07.) Accordingly, pistols are beginning to disppear from armories as M4s flow in. Interestingly, I didn't really notice this policy change at the time it came out. (Who knows what other item in my warped priority list was commanding my attention at the time... )

At the risk of telling CMC how to do his job, I'm not sure this is a good idea. I'm not alone-- John Farnam weighs not once (scroll down) but twice on the subject, and I generally agree with him, if not completely with his correspondent in the second post.

Here's my opinion-- It's not that I favor the M4 over the 9mm, or vice versa, it's that I want both. The M4, 'though short, is really a long gun; the pistol is the back-up. It's a damn good thing to have when your carbine shits the bed, or runs out of ammo, or you're grappling with your opponent and can't bring the rifle to bear. I want them both. I'd prefer something heavier than the 9mm, but I won't turn it down.

I do realize that the officer's primary weapon is his radio, and his ability to direct his forces, but sometimes the boss needs a rifle. One battalion FAC I interviewed in Iraq about the first battle of Fallujah related how the inital contact in the city was so intense that he couldn't talk on his radios because he was too busy defending himself with his rifle. Nice thing to have when you need it.

Somewhere, somehow there has to be a funding angle to it. I wish HQMC would resolve it and give us back our sidearms. When you need a pistol, you really need it.

Old Corps Meets New Corps

By Lt Col P

We have a detachment mobilized, training now at Quantico to go overseas later this year. Today they got a day off, and it began with a det photo at the Iwo Jima memorial.

Among the crowd there was a large party in attendance at a Marine lieutenant's commissioning, and bus after bus of tourists. And one old timer, moving slowly but surely under his own power. His ball cap read, "IWO JIMA SURVIVOR."

This WWII vet spent a long time relaying stories about his battle, to a rapt audience. All the while, the other visitors moved around a small knot of young men arrayed around one old one passing the torch, absolutely oblivious. The Old Corps lives on!

VMI In Command: LtCol Scott Leonard, USMC, VMI '89

By Lt Col P

First of all, apologies for my absence of late. My wife and I welcomed Honorable Number 2 Son exactly one month ago, and he's been keeping us busy. All hands are doing well too, I'm pleased to relate.

Here's another entry in our irregular series on VMI men in command throughout the military:

In the summer of 92, when I was a Lieutenant on active duty (FDO in A Battery, 1st Bn, 10th Marines), my roommate and BR, who was Motor-T Officer in 3d Bn, 2d Marines, came home one night and said, "Guess who I saw today at 3/2." I gave it the obligatory three tries and was wrong each time; "I give up-- who?"

"Brother Rat Scott Leonard."

"Scott Leonard?? What was he doing at 3/2??"

"Checking in, as an Infantry Officer!"

Sure enough, there he was, having heard the trumpet's blast in 1991, a good two years after we graduated. He sure as hell has made up for lost time, too; check out his bio:

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Death In The VMI Family: 1stSgt Luke Mercardante, USMC

By Lt Col P

This week I received a forwarded email from VMI:

The Superintendent regrets to inform the VMI community of the death ofMarine First Sergeant Luke J. Mercardante, who was killed in action April 15 by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He was serving as acting sergeant major of Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit at the time of his death. First Sergeant Mercardante served as an Assistant Marine Officer Instructor in VMI's Naval ROTC from March 2003 to July 2005. He was an Honorary Brother Rat of the Class of 2007. Information concerning arrangements will be provided when it becomes available.

To become an honorary BR demonstrates just how much influence one man can have on a class, with its varied service options, backgrounds and career intentions. By all accounts he was the consummate Marine. He will be missed, but his legacy lives in his cadets and others who served with him, who are now taking the field across the globe.

Semper Fidelis, First Sergeant, and Godspeed.

Update John - There's a Facebook memorial site dedicated to Sergeant Mercardante, and already several hundred members of the VMI family have signed on to show their support. His daughter Cailin also logged on to write this note, which just broke my heart.

wow.. i cant believe this. this whole thing wasent supposed to happen to us. he was my daddy, my best friend, and my role model. just because hes not really in life here.. dosent mean that hes not HERE. I love this man so much. we shared so many memories together. i was his date to Ring Figure.. it was such an honor to be his date and to be the one lucky enough to put his class of 2007 ring on his finger. i remember this event like it was yesterday. and we were laughing and having a good time.. and now.. just this morning i was at an airport to meet his body there. it was heart breaking. and i remember when i first heard the news.. i was FLABBERGASTED! this man ment and still means so much to me and all of my family. i love you daddy.. and i know that your going to be watching out for me.

♥ Cailin Christine Mercardante ♥

Like Col P said, to be elected an honorary Brother Rat by a VMI class is a tremendous achievement. Each year VMI's second class (juniors) bring two members of the VMI faculty or staff in their ranks. Two people who have had a lasting and powerful impact on the development of each class' cadets. It means that that person is forever a member of the VMI family, bonds which --as Sgt. Mercardante has proven-- can not be shattered even in death.

Sgt. Mercardante loved VMI and VMI loved Sgt. Mercardante. As long as the Virginia Military Institute stands, his name will be etched in the halls of our heroes. Godspeed.

Marine Corps Humor

By Lt Col P

Two amusing items to round out the evening.

The first comes by way of Damian from The Torch: "Never mock an ex-Marine."

And the second one I heard on the Dennis Miller Show: "84-year-old ex-Marine kicks robber."

Of course, a good kick in the nuts is always funny. Unless you're the kick-ee... a week or so ago I hefted my nearly 3-year old son, who was being somewhat uncooperative. While he was flailing about, he managed to kick me square in the yambag. I forgotten JUST HOW BAD THAT HURTS.

Good thing to remember in a fight.

Quantico Rugby

By Lt Col P

By way of Our Man Inside VMI, Op-For proudly brings you this tribute in today's Washington Post, about Quantico's never-say-die rugby team.

The article's about how the team and its devoted members have to "start from scratch twice a year" due to reassigmments and rotations.

The Quantico rugby club has been around for 35 years, and even at its best, it is not among the region's elite. The Hooligans play in Division III, the lowest in the Potomac Rugby Union, and their 40-year-old coach, Lt. Col. Jon Jacobs, said they will not move up in the foreseeable future. Division II clubs need to have an A and B team, which requires more depth than the Hooligans can hope to attain.

During one stretch in the middle of the decade, when Jacobs said "the planets aligned" and a handful of good players were able to stay on the base for multiple seasons, the Hooligans were at the top of their division. But at Quantico Marine Base, known as the "Crossroads of the Marine Corps," such things are not meant to last.

Some members finish school or training and head to another base in the United States. Some are sent on tours of duty to England or Egypt or Okinawa. Others head to Iraq or Afghanistan. Last fall, the team lost five players in midseason because of deployments to Iraq. "And four of them were key guys," said Jacobs, who also plays.

Make that LtCol Jon "Shiner" Jacobs... VMI '89. And you can count on him not to quit.

At the beginning of each season, when newcomers to the game don't know what they're doing in practice, when passes are missed and there's no fluidity to the attack, Jacobs's affinity for the Hooligans keeps him going.

He loves the camaraderie of socials after every Thursday practice, when the team heads to Sam's, a bar in the town of Quantico.

Check out the gallery with the text-- BR Jacobs is in images 8 and 12.

If you're in the greater Quantico area and know the game, I'm sure he would welcome the help... Good work BR, and good luck!

24 MEU SOC In AFGHANISTAN

By Lt Col P

Marines from 24 MEU SOC are setting up for ops in Afghanistan.

Marines with MWSS 271, attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, NATO International Security Assistance Force, lay down AM2 matting while in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. This AM2 matting will be essential in the support of aircraft while conducting operations in support of NATO.

Building an airfield by hand isn't as sexy as kicking down doors and putting warheads on foreheads, but without the hard airstrip you can't run extended helo ops, and definitely can't run Harriers.

“Obviously it is really hot during the day, slamming 155- pound slabs of matting. It takes a lot of those to build an airfield,” explained Warrant Officer Joseph Whitebear, expeditionary airfield and emergency services officer, MWSS 271. “They push through it like Marines do, it’s not an easy job, but they are probably the best at it.”

And here, we get a look at the C-130 Det. What's significant about this is that normally a MEU SOC's two C-130s are on-call in CONUS rather than forward deployed, since they don't fit too well on amphibs. In this case, they were needed right up front (no pun intended.) The planes and crews are getting a workout:

“I think we would all like to do everything our platform is capable of. In Iraq we have become more segregated into certain teams and what we do. Here we have the chance to take a KC-130 and do everything it was built to do, so I hope we get that chance while we are here,” he said.

For him that means, helicopter and fixed wing refueling, resupply drops, and landing on less-than perfect landing strips (short, dirty or at high elevation.)

Flying Leathernecks!

Spanky's Back

By Slab

So, I'm surfing the MNF-W PAO website on the SIPR tonight, and I run across a video clip of GySgt William "Spanky" Gibson. Seems Spanky has returned to Iraq with the I MEF Fires section.

I've got to hand it to him for displaying remarkable courage in the face of adversity.

I mean, volunteering to deploy on MEF staff? Talk about taking one for the team...

Volunteering to deploy after losing a leg is pretty cool, too.

89! 89! 89! Or How Brother Rat Jones Conquered Death Valley

By Lt Col P

On 3 March 1986, the Class of 89 was born.

So it is perhaps fitting that this weekend, LtCol Wayne Jones '89, USMC, entered the Valley of Death, fearing nought, and emerged victorious. He rode his first Death Valley Double Century, an extraordinary feat.

He fought darkness, distance, vicious headwinds, tough climbs, cold, dehydration and mind-numbing fatigue, but he did it. He wrote earlier today that the race director told him those were, "the worst conditions they had experienced in the 6 years of running this event, and that over half the field had dropped out."

I want to say, "unbelievable," but it's all too believable if you know our Brother Rat Jones. Well done!

Chronic Warrior Syndrome

By Lt Col P

By way of the 10-8 Forums, I found a great post at The American Thinker.

First and foremost, having confidence in who they are

Possessing pride in oneself, one's organization and the country they serve

Being knowledgeable of and comfortable with the terms honor, courage and commitment

I agree with every word.

(BTW, I don't know if BGen Mulqueen indeed is the ultimate source, but I have no reason to doubt it, because he certainly is a real Marine.)

Riverine Patrol

By Slab

Hey folks, I know it's been a little while since my last update. In lieu of a long-winded post about nonsense, here are some photos from a recent operation with Riverine Squadron Two (RIVRON 2) on Lake Qadisiyah.

Update: You can't read it, but the Riverine Patrol Boat (RPB) in the second picture has the name "BM1 James E. Williams" stenciled on the side. I had no idea who that was, so I decided to look it up. And that is how I came to find out about the most decorated enlisted Sailor in the history of the United States Navy. One hell of a warrior.

More after the jump.

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"Preferably Within An Hour"

By Lt Col P

Bored Marines, a video camera, an unsuspecting cabbie...

Now, that's comedy.

I think Slab would share the sentiment. Hell, maybe Slab produced and directed this clip.

A Modicum of Justice

By Lt Col P

This story has been out for a few days, but I've only just now read the court transcripts (thanks to our man B5).

When I first read about it, I thought this lawyer was lucky he didn't end up on his hands and knees searching for his teeth, trying to see through a pair of swollen eyes. A property crime, while not a bodily assault, is a nasty little thing, and doubly infuriating when coupled with a smart-ass perpetrator. I think that Sgt McNulty deserves a NAM for sheer presence of mind and self-discipline!

And THEN I read the transcripts. Grodner, you are a little pissant. You were late for your own court hearing. You foolishly handled your own case-- what's that, appearing before the judge alongside all your friends? You weaseled when you were asked a direct question. You complained about the terms of the agreement you just negotiated, terms which were pretty lenient.

Thank God for a few good men representing the people, one good man on the bench, and many more watching and waiting. And thanks to B5 for bringing it all to our attention, and to John Kass at the Chicago Tribune for making sure it didn't fade away.

Chalk one up for the good guys.

Marine Corps Reserve Recruiting Pitch

By Lt Col P

This is aimed at Marines who are in the reserves, or are about to be in the Reserves. If you don't fit those categories, you need not read further. You're welcome to, but it won't mean much to you.

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America's Marines

By Lt Col P

The full version of the new TV commercial.

Outstanding.

Might as Well Jump

By Lt Col P

Flew in last night from another highly successful drill weekend in the Sunshine State.

We did a joint indirect fire shoot with some 81mm and 60mm mortar crews from the FL National Guard, and also pushed about 40 jumpers out the back end of a Marine C-130. I was one of them.

Everyone told me that a ramp jump is much less violent and turbulent than a door jump, and that the MC-1 series chute was a better ride than the T-10. They were right on both counts! Once I got over the sensation of dropping straight down instead of being ripped along, I found the toggles and began to steer around. This was not just idle maneuvering-- I was working hard to avoid landing in the swamp next to the DZ. But all went well, and we got everyone down with no injuries. (BZs to our jumpmasters and the flying Leathernecks of VMGR-234.)

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NATO Intransigence is Official

By Bull Nav

So once again, the US will suck up the majority of a force request in Afghanistan (from Fox News).

THE PENTAGON — A request has been made by top commanders in Afghanistan to send 3,000 Marines to the country, FOX News has learned.
The goal would be to have the Marines in the region by April, the time of year when offensive actions by the Taliban usually pick up after the Spring thaw.
Senior Defense Department officials say International Security Assistance Forces Cmdr. Gen. Dan McNeil made the request, which has to be approved by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Gates will receive the proposal on Friday, but not like make a decision on that day.
The plan calls for sending one ground and one air Marine contingent plus one battalion for a "one-time, seven-month deployment," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morell said Wednesday.
Defense officials are not calling this a surge, rather a specific increase for more troops. Currently roughly 26,000 American troops are in Afghanistan, under NATO auspices. NATO commanders have asked for 7,500 more troops, but Gates has called on allies to contribute the additional forces.

How many countries are in NATO? How many actually want to do something?

How many want to sit back while we do all the heavy lifting?

I still think it was a mistake to let NATO take the lead for the Afghanistan conflict. We should run it lock, stock and barrel with our own forces. No excuses, no silly ROE, no fighting only during daylight hours.

***Charlie says: Dammit, beat me to this. Here's my take:

I've always wondered why we allowed the Taliban to conduct yearly "spring offensives," instead of just dropping a division of troops in the southern mountain regions of Afghanistan to stop it before it starts. Now the Marines have their shot to do just that. Recall a few weeks back, the Marines requested to take over the OEF mission entirely. That got shot down, but perhaps this is the opportunity for the Marines to do what they do best, now that the Anbar province has quieted down.

Also, if they start calling this a "mini surge," I'll go crazy.

Boycott Whole Foods

By Bull Nav

Yes, incendiary as it sounds, BOYCOTT WHOLE FOODS.

In a nutshell, they fired a clerk this week, a former Marine no less, for apprehending a shoplifter. In the process, they have created an unparalleled criminal empowerment zone.

John Schultz says he lost his job at Whole Foods Market in Ann Arbor after he tried to stop a shoplifter from making a getaway.
Schultz says he had just punched out for a break at 7 p.m. on Sunday when he heard a commotion at the front door of the store, 3135 Washtenaw Ave. He said he came to the aid of the manager who yelled for help in stopping a shoplifter. Schultz, the manager and another employee cornered the shoplifter between two cars in the parking lot.
Schultz said he told the shoplifter he was making a citizens arrest and to wait for the police to arrive, but the shoplifter broke away from the group and ran across Washtenaw Avenue and toward a gas station at the corner of Huron Parkway.
Before the man could cross Huron Parkway, Schultz caught up and grabbed the man's jacket and put his leg behind the man's legs. When the manager arrived at the intersection, Schultz said, the manager told him to release the shoplifter, and he complied, and the shoplifter got away.
Schultz said he was called to the store's office the next day, on Christmas Eve, and was fired because he violated a company policy prohibiting employees from having any physical contact with a customer.

Of course, they have a policy.

Kate Klotz, a company spokesperson, said the policy is clear and listed in a booklet that all employees have to acknowledge that they received before they can start work.
"The fact that he touched him, period, is means for termination," said Klotz.

You work in a store, the manager yells for help, you chase down a shoplifter and get fired? ON CHRISTMAS EVE?

And the manager told him to let the shoplifter go after he was caught!!!

Didn't steal too much, though.

The bag contained $346 worth of food and other products.

We will not be shopping there any more, not that we did that much anyway. It sounds to me that they want low-life thieves and scumbags to come in and clean them out. I do not think that it is going to be very safe.

The company's position is that they don't want to be subjected to lawsuits because their employees touch a "customer."

Which is a load of CYA crap.

If I had been standing there and they said they were chasing a shoplifter, you can guaran-Goddamn-tee I would have joined in the chase. I just can't believe they let him go. Only in Ann Arbor...

What is Mr. Shultz's attitude?

Despite losing his job, would Schultz do it again? "Absolutely, 100 percent yes," he said, calling it his civic duty.

So if there is a Whole Foods near you call'em up and tell them you won't be going to shop there any more and tell them this story.

You can read the articles in the Ann Arbor News here and here.

F-35B Lightning-II Reports For Duty

By Lt Col P

FIRST SHORT TAKEOFF/VERTICAL LANDING STEALTH FIGHTER UNVEILED AT LOCKHEED MARTIN

FORT WORTH, Texas, December 18th, 2007 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B Lightning II, the first fighter to combine stealth with short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) capability and supersonic speed, made its debut today amid customers from the United States Marine Corps, the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and the Italian Air Force and Navy.

Attendees at the rollout ceremony in Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth assembly plant included Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway. “The flexibility that the STOVL variant of the F-35 will add to the contemporary Marine Air Ground Task Force is amazing,” Conway said. “This generational leap in technology will enable us to operate a fleet of fighter/attack aircraft from the decks of ships, existing runways or from unimproved surfaces at austere bases. We find that capability extremely valuable.”

The F-35B, designed to replace Marine Corps AV-8Bs and F/A-18s, is one of three variants of the Lightning II. Its first flight is planned for mid-2008, following a series of extensive ground tests. The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing version began its flight test program in December of 2006. The F-35C, designed for catapult launches and arrested recoveries aboard large U.S. Navy carriers, will make its inaugural flight in 2009.

“Think F/A-18 speed and maneuverability, AV-8B forward deployment, F-22 stealth, and astonishing avionics,” said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program general manager. “It’s a combination of technologies that may seem like science fiction, but our abundantly-talented international team has made it science fact.”

OUT-STANDING.

Enter General Jones

By Lt Col P

Interesting news today: General James L. Jones, former Commandant of the Marine Corps and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, has been named Middle East Special Envoy. He is currently Chairman of the Atlantic Council.

I think this is a good choice. Gen Jones was once described to me as "smooth as ice" by one of his former ops officers, and it was meant to be a compliment. Compliment or no, it is accurate.

He definitely has the credentials, among them his experience as CO 24th MEU (SOC) during Operation Provide Comfort in Kurdistan in 1991. (Odd coincidence-- another unit commander in that op was (then) LTC John Abizaid. 24 MEU, especially the battalion landing team, was also chock full of VMI grads.) He was a breath of fresh air when he came in as Commandant, having a clear vision of what he wanted the Marine Corps to do. Let us hope he does the same for this very difficult task.

Meanwhile, Back In Haditha...

By Lt Col P

A good article from Marine Corps Public Affairs highlights progress in Haditha, which was once, well, not a nice place to be.

HADITHA, Iraq -- (Nov. 27, 2007) -- It may be impossible to predict history as it is happening, but some of the battles fought in Iraq are certain to become legendary. Generations from now, school children will learn of the heroes who fought in Fallujah and Ramadi, battling in extreme conditions when their country needed them most. Haditha, another Anbar city once caught in the grip of yesterday’s violence, is now becoming a city of progress and transition.

Without question, Haditha is known for its fierce battles. Many have given their lives in an attempt to reclaim peace in this northern area of the province. It was in this city that six Marines were killed in an ambush during 2005. Days later, 14 Marines died when their armored vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb. The city was a hotbed for terrorists where Marines confronted their enemy in the streets, houses and farm lands. But, if there was ever a place that could paint the picture of the progress being made in Anbar, it’s here.

A battalion of more than 1,000 Marines recently moved into Haditha. Most of them are reservists from New Orleans’ 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment. Others are attachments from Houston’s 1st Bn., 23rd Marines, or active duty Marines from various commands throughout the Marine Corps. Regardless of where they came or their status, their mission is clear.

“A year ago, we were fighting in the streets every day, (evacuating) Marines who were wounded in action,” said [LtCol] Jarrard. “Now, the Marines patrol the streets and the people are talking about problems, which are nice problems to have. ‘Hey, can we get the roads paved,’ it sounds kind of like our neighborhoods back home. The problems are problems that every city has in the world. They’re not the problems of a city in the midst of a civil war.”

Progress. Solid progress. Don't let the naysayers tell you otherwise, and don't let them place the credit where it's not due. This is not just a happy coincidence. Years of hard work, hard fighting, and patient persistent presence are the reasons for these little victories.

Tarawa

By Lt Col P

On this day in 1943, the bloody ugly nasty fight at Tarawa began. Three days later it was over, at the cost of a thousand Marines killed. A full scale diorama at the National Museum of the Marine Corps brings it to life in vivd detail.

VFRMarine Joins The Fray

By Lt Col P

Frequent commenter, and my fellow airborne qualified Leatherneck, VFRMarine has a new blog-- HQLegion. Check it out, and make a regular stop.

He is a formidable Krav Maga practicioner and a member in good standing of the Florida Bar. So, he'll help you compose your last will and testament, and then can put into effect for you; help you draft a power of attorney and then test it out while you're recovering from your injuries. Go to the Chuck Norris Facts website, substitute "VFRMarine" wherever it says "Chuck Norris," and you get the idea.

Happy Birthday, Marines!

By Lt Col P

Happy Birthday to all my fellow Marines, past, present and future. Somewhere out there thousands of small boys and teenagers have seen a Marine in uniform, on a recruiting poster, or on the news and have said, "That's what I want to be." Here's to all of those now in uniform, in ev'ry clime and place, who are providing that shining example.

And let us not forget the nearly one thousand who have paid the ultimate price in this war.

Now stand by for a message from the Commandant:

And finally, Reasons 201 - 236 To Love The Corps...

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Reasons 136-200 To Love The Corps

By Lt Col P

The penultimate post in this series!

136. [There doesn't appear to be a #136. It could have been left blank to honor fallen Marines, just like the empty place setting at the Birthday Ball.]

137. Global instability equals job security. [Always has, always will!]

138. When NMCI goes down, and it will, it’s like having the day off.

139. The honor, privilege and responsibility of leading, mentoring and caring for junior Marines.

140. Gunnery sergeants. Don’t know the answer? Ask the gunny. Need something? Ask the gunny. In trouble? Avoid the gunny.

141. Because Gunny said so.

142. The line to get “tazed” at a military gear expo. Marines will do anything for a free T-shirt.

143. Deployment reunions. Like reliving your wedding night. Sweet! [Unless you're single.]

144. Gig lines. Even in khakis and a polo shirt.

145. Eight-point covers. Even the uniform stands at attention.

146. Marine Security Guards #2. They’re not cute and cuddly, but when they greet you at the hatch, it’s like getting a great big hug from the United States of America, no matter where you are.

147. The Mameluke sword. Distinctive.

148. The NCO sword. Earned, never given.

149. The World Famous Mud Run. Thousands of people pay good money to run through 10 clicks of muck every year at Camp Pendleton.

150. John Philip Sousa. A Marine, the nation’s March King and composer of “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” Ooh-rah.

151. MRE crackers. Hard as Milk Bones but much tastier. You can almost feel your teeth getting cleaner as you eat ’em.

152. Jane Wayne Day. She’ll never ask about work again.

153. Shirt stays. Or garters. Whatever you call them, they’re a triple whammy, keeping your shirt tucked, your socks up and removing all that unwanted leg hair.

154. The slogans: “The Few, The Proud, The Marines.” “We’re Looking For a Few Good Men,” “Once a Marine, always a Marine,” “Tell that to the Marines.”If they could only purchase the rights to Hallmark’s “When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best.”

155. Speaking of slogans, “The Few, The Proud, The Marines” beat out such notables as Nike’s “Just Do It” and Burger King’s “Have It Your Way” for a 2007 spot on the advertising Walk of Fame. Better luck next year, losers.

157. Real duty station garden spots you can go an entire career without being assigned to: Southern California; Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii ; Okinawa, Japan.

158. Rear-party Marines. God bless them. Whatever reason they stay behind injury, impending retirement or being volun-told they are indispensable.They deserve medals for what they have to deal with while a unit is deployed.

159. While field-grade officers are at the company office, company-grade officers are in the field. [HEY!!]

160. Colonels who can take a joke. [Absolutely. And Generals too!]

161. Free flu shots. And smallpox shots and anthrax shots …

162. Former Sgt. Chris Everhart. While camping with his three sons in June 2007, a bear snatched their cooler and made a play for his 6-year-old. Everhart threw an 18-inch log at the bear’s head, cracking its skull before it could attack and killing it instantly. Then, the park ranger gave him a ticket for leaving the cooler where the bear could get it.

163. Standards. The Corps doesn’t lower the bar when recruiting gets tough.

164. Jim Nabors. “Gomer Pyle” becomes an honorary Marine in 2001 and makes Lance Corporal. It takes him six years to pin on corporal. Talk about art imitating life.

165. Vincent D’Onofrio. The other “Private Pyle” is doing pretty well on “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.” He’s still weird, though.

166. If you ambush Capt. Brian Chontosh’s boys, he’s going to take off his Navy Cross and kill you. Then, he’s going to pick up your rifle and kill your buddies. Then, he’s going to pick up your buddy’s rifle and kill your buddy’s buddies. Then, he’s going to pick up a rocket-propelled grenade launcher …

167. Speaking of the Navy Cross, a combat award second only to the Medal of Honor, Marines have earned 15 so far in Iraq, plus one in Afghanistan. Of the six awarded to sailors for those combat zones, five went to SEALs, and
one went to a corpsman who exposed himself repeatedly to enemy fire to evacuate and treat wounded Marines. Along with Chontosh, the other recipients include:

168. Gunnery Sgt. Justin D. Lehew.

169. Lance Cpl. Joseph B. Perez.

170. Sgt. Scott C. Montoya.

171. Cpl. Marco A. Martinez.

172. Sgt. Willie L. Copeland.

173. Capt. Brent Morel (posthumous).

174. Sgt. Anthony L. Viggiani.

175. 1st Sgt. Bradley A. Kasal.

176. Cpl. Robert J. Mitchell.

177. Cpl. Dominic Esquibel.

178. Sgt. Jarrett A. Kraft.

179. Cpl. Jeremiah W. Workman.

180. Cpl. Todd Corbin.

181. Sgt. Aubrey L. McDade Jr.

182. Pfc. Christopher Adlesperger (posthumous).

183. Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Louis E. Fonseca.

184. Iwo JIMA. Japan might have changed the name to Iwo To, but that doesn’t mean you have to acknowledge it.

185. Col. John Ripley. Received the Navy Cross for the destruction of the Dong Ha bridge in Vietnam. The Corps takes care of its own. In 2002, with Ripley near death, doctors finally found a donated liver for his much-needed transplant. So the Marine Corps sent helicopters and Marines to Philadelphia to retrieve it, and they personally rushed it back to Washington in time to save his life. [A great man if ever there was one.]

186. Marine Corps Times isn’t a version of Navy Times anymore. How many careers get their own newspaper?

188. Gatorade bottles wrapped in green, 100 mph tape so as not to offend the sailors in the room.

189. Camaraderie. Marines will hook you up with their sisters, then punch you in the mouth for doing what they knew would happen the whole time.

190. Ingenuity. MRE bombs, 101 uses for cleaning rods and iPods wired into field radio speakers.

191. Getting off the ship.

192. Getting back on the ship.

193. No beach? No problem. Marines inserted 400 miles into landlocked Afghanistan and created Camp Rhino using CH-53 Sea Stallions. Imagine what you can invade with the Osprey.

194. Cases and cases of bottled water mean never having to stand behind a water bull.

195. Race as a nonissue. It wasn’t always the case, but three black Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps in a row show that the Corps has only one color: green.

196. Every day in the Corps is another reason to celebrate. That’s why they call them working “parties.”

197. Riddick Bowe had what it took to be boxing’s undisputed heavyweight champ. He did not have what it took to be a Marine.

198. The U.S. Army Band is called “Pershing’s Own.” The U.S. Marine Corps Band is called “The President’s Own.”

199. “8th and I.” Ten bucks says you have no idea where the Army Chief of Staff lives. Commandants don’t hide. [Not entirely fair-- the ACOS lives at Ft Myer, I think.]

200. MRE “rat boxes.” How grunts trick-or-treat.

Reasons 91-135 To Embrace The Corps

By Lt Col P

91. Service Charlies. They look so good, the Navy’s copying ’em.

92. Fake Marines. No one eats ’em up faster than real Marines.

93. John Lovell. A 71-year-old former Marine is sitting in a Subway restaurant when two armed men try to rob the place. Lovell grabs his .45, kills one and wounds the other. No word on how Lovell’s sandwich fared.

94. 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Six Navy Crosses so far. Six.

95. Staff Sgt. Lawrence Dean II, aka the “BadAss Marine.” He recites a poem. He gets uploaded to YouTube. Thousands get motivated.

96. Gen. James Conway takes over as the new commandant . Among his demands: a new PT uniform, new tattoo regs, a plan to add dress blues to the seabag, a change-up in medals and 22,000 more Marines. Someone’s been thinking about taking over for a while, huh?

97. Body-fat standards. Everyone hates them, until they see a fat Marine.

98. “Jarhead.” Only a former Marine could write a war story about not fighting anyone and make it last for 200 pages, then get Jamie Foxx to star in the movie. [Never read the book, never saw the movie. Next!]

99. The Stumps. The Rock. The Sandbox. Oh, the places you’ll serve.

101. Tattoos #2. Getting a fallen friend’s name tattooed on your other forearm, and knowing the same.

102. The new PT running suit. Sure, the Army had them first, but the Army gets most things first.

103. Marine Expeditionary Units: The cheapest cruise you’ll ever take.

104. Camp Lejeune: The closest interstate and the nearest good shopping mall are both at least an hour away. [An hour?? Try TWO!]

105. Camp Pendleton: There are roads and malls, but try affording a house near the main gate.

106. Tattoos #3. Meat tags. Getting your blood type and other info inked on your ribcage isn’t necessarily a bad idea.

107. The Marine Corps is getting bigger. The Navy is getting smaller.

109. 30 days’ paid vacation, plus federal holidays off, is obscene by civilian standards.

110. Maj. Gen. Marion E. Carl, the Corps’ first fighter ace. First Marine to fly a helicopter. Two Navy Crosses, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 14 Air Medals. In 1998, the 82-year-old was killed during a home break-in when he jumped in front of a shotgun blast aimed at his longtime wife, Edna.

111. Tattoos #4. Reaction to the new policy: Conway says sleeves are going away, Marines run for the chair. Tattoo parlors never saw so much business.

113. Guaranteed pay raises.

114. Marine Security Guard #1. Duty in the Bahamas.

115. Having a WWII Marine say he’s proud of you. [Yes. The WWII Marines are the gold standard for hard.]

116. Drew Carey used to be in the Marine Corps Reserve. Now, he’s the host of “The Price is Right.”

117. Combatant diver pins. No more of that Navy crap.

118. A Red Stripe is a beer, mon. A Blood Stripe is a symbol of pride.

119. NMCI, if only they would remove the “MC.” [And not soon enough.]

120. You watched “300,” and it reminded you of your unit.

121. The “Det One” .45 pistol. Designed by Marines, for Marines.

122. Combat marksmanship. You are creeping death. And you get graded on it.

123. [WE] Never lost six nukes on a plane.

124. CamelBaks. Water tastes like water again.

125. Give a Marine enough free time, and he’ll marry your Bahraini princess. [Or conspire with his buddies to commit some sort of amoral outrage.]

126. Go to YouTube. Type in “bored Marines.” Enjoy.

127. When the President gets on a helicopter, it’s not called “Army One.”

128. The opposite of the Peace Corps. [YES!!!!]

129. Camouflage. You can camouflage anything and make it cool.

130. No Fear #1. Marines aren’t scared of anything. Except apricots. And Charms.

131. Combat optics on M16s. Leave the iron sights, just in case. [Iron sights never fail.]

132. “Combat loss” amnesty for missing gear. It’s like pleading the fifth.

133. Riding a chartered Continental Airlines flight home from the war zone with assault weapons stuffed in all the overhead compartments.

134. In combat, the division band becomes a heavy-machine-gun platoon.

135. What do headaches, broken bones, infectious diseases, missing limbs and hurt feelings all have in common? Motrin. Thanks, Doc.

Reasons 46-90 To Love The Corps

By Lt Col P

The countdown continues!

46. Combat Action Ribbons. IEDs count now, and should have counted all along. Duh.

47. The occasional free beer. Wear your blues into a bar and see what happens. [YES. It happens.]

48. After decades of debate, there remains no resolution on whether sand fleas trump “The Reaper.”

49. The Corps’ doesn’t call its officers, commissioned or not, “petty.”

50. Cpl. Gareth Hawkins, lying on a stretcher after an IED shattered his leg, demanded re-enlistment before medical evacuation. And got it.

51. Whereas Army, Navy and Air Force jokes are funny, Marine jokes are potentially dangerous.

52. The occasional friendly debate. Refer to a Marine staff NCO simply as “Sergeant,” and see what happens. [YES. This happens too.]

53. That troublesome “10 percent,” making good Marines look great since 1775.

54. Everyone at a high school reunion is obliged to justify his last 10 years, except the guy wearing alphas.

55. As if ranks that include the words “Master” and “Gunnery” aren’t intimidating enough on their own, the Corps uses them both. At once.

56. Soldiers have Hooah Bars. Marines have Ka-Bars. The second will generally get you the first.

57. The dress code. You can wear your cammies to meet the Commandant or repair a tank.

58. From “Aliens” to “Doom,” the future vision of warfare almost always includes Space Marines.

59. The Corps was formed in a bar. [And pretty much lives in one today.]

60. Marines predicted the WWII campaigns in the Pacific years earlier and prepared for the inevitable. So when a Marine says, “Hey, I’ve been thinking…” perhaps you should take notes.

61. Give a Marine some free time, and he’ll rip down your dictator’s statue. [Or conspire with his buddies to commit some sort of amoral outrage.]

62. If it ain’t raining, we ain’t training.

64. Duty station garden spots: Jacksonville, N.C.; Yuma, Ariz.; Bridgeport, Calif.; Twentynine Palms, Calif. (Yes, we’re kidding.)

65. Making morning PT on time.

66. Recruiters who promise everything EXCEPT a rose garden.

67. Mustangs #1. It’s easier to take crap from a CO who went to boot camp.

69. Gen. Peter Pace, the first Marine Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He left his four-star insignia with his fallen comrades at the Vietnam Wall when he retired. Classy move.

70. The people zapper. Using microwave energy to disperse a crowd sounds like fun. Semper fry, Gunny. [The Voice of Experience-- that thing hurts like hell.]

71. Nothing says “Good morning” like a mouthful of Copenhagen and freeze-dried coffee.

72. Nothing says “I love you” like a welcome home sheet hanging on a chain-link fence.

73. Bill Barnes. In June, the former Marine beat the crap out of a 27-year-old pickpocket who tried to make off with his dough. Oh yeah, he’s 72.

74. Leftwich Trophy. Heisman winners only think they know about leaving it all on the field.

75. EOD. If you don’t know why this is on the list , defuse the next IED yourself.

76. Tax-free combat pay. Doing what you signed up for and not having to give Uncle Sam a dime back.

77. Montford Point Marines. The first African-American Marines know a little something about honor, courage and commitment.

78. Front toward enemy. It’s not just a visual reference on a Claymore mine, it’s a Marine Corps way of life.

79. Mustangs #2. You know at least three Marines who drive them. It’s like a Ford dealership exploded on base.

80. Fred Smith, founder of FedEx. Only a former Marine could truly appreciate the value of getting your mail on time.

81. CMC: The tallest member of the Joints Chiefs. OK, so we haven’t actually measured, but he looks the tallest anyway. [I've never measured any of them, but Gen Conway is one big boy.]

82. No more spit shining boots. [Thank God.]

83. Chuck Norris was in the Air Force. Steve McQueen was a Marine. [Yes, but, Chuck has a great web page.]

84. The Crucible.

85. 1/9, 2/9 and 3/9. Welcome back, fellas.

86. The FROG uniform. You are now sweat-wickin’ AND flame-lickin’.

88. The M4. More rifles in the fight is generally a win-win.

89. MRAPs. Trucks straight out of Mad Max. We still love a good Humvee, but we loved jeeps, too. Things change.

90. Arty guys who do civil affairs. They blow it up, then they fix it. Circle of life.

MORE TO FOLLOW.

Entries 1- 45 of 232 Reasons to Love The Corps

By Lt Col P

This list has been making the rounds by email today. Someone said that it came from Marine Corps Times, but I don't see it on the site after an admittedly cursory check. (If that ends up being the case, we hereby give them all due credit.)

232 is a lot to handle in one post, so let's do 45 or so each day until we hit the glorious 10th of November. My favorites are in bold, and my $.02 in [brackets]. Some of these are priceless.

1. Cpl. Jason Dunham. First Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since Vietnam. If jumping on a grenade to save a buddy isn’t worth the top of the list, nothing is.

2. Civilians have to find time to go to the gym. Marines get paid to go.

3. The National Museum of the Marine Corps. It’s like a Smithsonian of leatherneck.

4. There’s no such thing as an “ex” Marine.

5. Re-enlistment rates are higher IN the war zone.

6. Stink-proof socks. Well, almost. Systems Command is working on them.

7. Jalapeño cheese.

8. “Every Marine Into the Fight.”

9. Lump-sum re-enlistment bonuses up to $80,000. Many of you would consider doing it for free.

10. New uniforms #1. Pixel-pattern cammies? Yeah, the Corps came up with that.

11. “Doc.” [God Bless every one of them.]

12. Flexed arm hang is harder than it looks. We tried it.

13. Barracks parties on non-payday weekends.

14. Marine Gunners.

15. The Wounded Warrior Regiment.

16. MarAdmin 266/07: Letting 18-year-old Marines drink on base at this year’s birthday ball. [HELL YES. Long overdue.]

17. No receipt necessary for travel claim expenses less than $75.

18. The Lance Corporal underground.

19. Fallujah II. [Let's not forget Fallujah-I !]

21. Archibald Henderson’s couch, re-upholstered, is still in the Commandant’s living room.

22. “No better friend, no worse enemy.”

23. Typhoons approaching Okinawa often spark islandwide beer runs. [Often?? How about always! ]

24. Waivers.

25. Gen James Jones, who followed his tour as Commandant with an appointment as “supreme intergalactic overlord” (OK, it was Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, but close).

26. 10 rounds from the 500-yard line. [That's with iron sights, from the prone, using a sling. No bipod, no sandbags.]

27. Per diem. [OK, that's pretty joint but it's still a good piece of gear.]

28. To civilians, every Marine is recon.

29. Recruiting in Texas is like hunting at the zoo.

30. The “boat cloak.” Because every super hero needs a cape.

31. You can re-enlist in the IRR.

32. The wallet in your sock.

33. Motivating television commercials.

34. The “horse shoe” haircut, gone but not forgotten.

35. The global address list. Find your buddies and send them links to Marine Corps Times.

36. Running cadences that mention napalm. And Eskimos.

37. Stories that begin with, “So there I was ...”

38. Modified parade rest.

39. The transformation. Who you are when you join is not nearly as important as who you become.

40. LtGen Mattis getting a fourth star.

41. If you’ve been on liberty in Twentynine Palms, you’ve been on liberty in Yuma and Barstow, too.

42. Grooming standards. Not only can you not act like a thug, you cannot look like a thug.

43. It’s not the Army.

44. Women in Manhattan have all seen the Fleet Week episode of “Sex and the City.”

45. Combat shotguns.

And speaking of the Marine Corps Birthday...

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