What would the Marine Corps greats think about the organization today? Would they be proud? Would they be ashamed? Would they think things were awesome?
Would they believe that an organization that many gave their blood, sweat and tears to...an organization that some gave their lives for...would they believe that it was in good hands, making the right moves.
They wouldn't.
And it starts from the top.
Even professional publlications for the Sea Services have been bitten by the stupid bug. USNI allowed several articles that amounted to sniveling and whining. Should I do 4 more years? You're shitting me right? Make up your damn mind son. 20,000 Marines are due to be forced out and this is what the Naval Institute publishes?
The Gazette is nothing more than a cheering section for the Commandant.
Procurement is a mess too. I mean seriously? Vickers Slings? 50 dollar a piece slings for the most frugal service?
The greats must be punching walls. They wouldn't recognize the Marine Corps today. Not because of technological advancements...a grunt is a grunt is a grunt. It would be because the Marine Corps has lost its reason for being.
Unless we get our act together. And quickly. Then the nation doesn't need this type of United States Marine Corps. Just shut our doors. Expand the Ranger Regiment and be done with it. As we curently stand we are NO pillar of strength, no fortress against the silliness that ravages society and no place that a parent should want to send their sons to be forged into men.
Who's the one with the sniper's rifle?
ReplyDeleteGranddaddy of the scout sniper community. Carlos Hathcock.
ReplyDeleteOf all of those people, the only you didn't know was Hathcock!?!? Seriously??
ReplyDeleteCarlos Hathcock would have the humility to admit that was above his paygrade I think.Smedley Butler was rugged and brave beyond belief but not the sharpest knife in the drawer to start with. And he was batsh*t crazy in the end. So I don't want to know what he would have thought.
ReplyDeleteNow, Chesty Puller is a personal hero of mine, so what he would think WOULD be something worth knowing IMHO.
I was fortunate enough to meet Chesty, after he retired, in 1967. I was in the Marine Guard Detachment, NWS Yorktown, VA and he lived just across the York River, in Saluda. The Weapons Station was the closest PX/BX for him. He always made time to chat with us snuffies. We were all between combat tours in the barracks, so he had much to share.
ReplyDeleteHe was already ashamed of the way the Corps was heading, as a second land army in Nam.
of all the greats he's the one i'd most like to meet. and you hit my point exactly on the head. i'm glad i'm not alone in being a bit alarmed at what i'm seeing. identity politics creeping into the Marines? like i could tell a gay guy from a straight one but the fact is they want to shove it in peoples faces. females wanting to be grunts but not having the strength or endurance yet they will get it because they're part of a group. people being promoted because they fill a quota and aren't qualified? it all sucks and its all a shame.
Deletethe biggest disappointment is that Marine Corps isnt' fighting it. just rolling over and being just like everything and everyone else. its not special if its just like everyone else.