Maggie’s Once a Marine Always a Marine?

Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

I am the original replier of this thread. Just a FYI I served in the USMC and the Army Reserves. No intent was made to say the Marines are the best....although they are
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just thought I would bite on the bait.

Semper Fi
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

We all like to bag on each other and hate and play games but when it comes down to it and the shit hits the fan, we are ALL going to have each others back no matter what branch. I definitely have more respect for those that have served or are serving in any of the branches than I do for those that choose not to play.
For the Record I was in the Nasty uggh National Guard for a little while and then realized home was in the Marine Corps.
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GYSGTMUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We all like to bag on each other and hate and play games but when it comes down to it and the shit hits the fan, we are ALL going to have each others back no matter what branch. I definitely have more respect for those that have served or are serving in any of the branches than I do for those that choose not to play. </div></div>

+1000
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Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

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Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cavscout1983</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Aside from the spelling error of "If you can't be them, join them"...Be? if you can't "be", how will you "join"...I find that poster as tongue in cheek as can be considering both branches offer MOS's which would lead to "job" training and the college money is the same as far as the GI Bill.

in recognition of the absurdity of what this thread has become (for no one has really answered how such a bad ass Marine could possibly be a sub-par performer in the lowly Army)...

Jointhecav.jpg
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Yes that is true that both branches or even all branches do have the GI Bill and its the same. But let me ask you this, have you ever seen a Marine commercial that ever talks about the GI Bill? Absolutely fucking not. And why is that you may ask? All the army commercials have something to do about college money and that shit. If you want to join for college money you join the army. You want to go and fight the nations battles you join the Marine Corps.

Now to answer why an assbag Marine cant perform in the lowly army. Maybe he was an assbag to begin with and thats why he went to the army where assbag is standard. Just a thought.
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

Wow USMC Grunt! So bitter.....

It's funny you guys mentioning college money.

So no shit there we were. Middle of no where shit hole Somalia. Been there a couple months. Pretty much sucked all the way around. I was but a young private. One day the Specialist in my platoon just breaks down, "I only joined for the college money", he cried. Being the loving and caring infantrymen we are, we called him names and made him cry some more. Hmmmmmf, probably get a court martial for doing that now in the kinder gentler Army. LOL!
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shakey yankee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow USMC Grunt! So bitter.....

It's funny you guys mentioning college money.

So no shit there we were. Middle of no where shit hole Somalia. Been there a couple months. Pretty much sucked all the way around. I was but a young private. One day the Specialist in my platoon just breaks down, "I only joined for the college money", he cried. Being the loving and caring infantrymen we are, we called him names and made him cry some more. Hmmmmmf, probably get a court martial for doing that now in the kinder gentler Army. LOL! </div></div>



Im bitter in a lot of ways. But not really Im glad of where Im at right now and glad that I got out after 8 yrs and losing 4 ranks to be a Marine. Its a whole new ball game on this end of the spectrum. I can see the night and day differences between the 2 services. And theres so much more that I could add to this since we are on the subject. But I will do it at times and not at once.
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

I have been following this thread with amusement. Take an individual case of a shit bird, an individual you can find in any branch if you look hard enough and it turns into a generalization of different branches of the service. So here is mine;The Marine Corps differs in several ways to the army, people join the Corps to become Marines first, they do not tend to join for college money or occupational training reasons. Second the Marine Corps has two sides to it, you either kill people and break things or you support those who do, civil affairs may say otherwise but that is the basic fact. The army has many more mission demands than the Corps. Do not point the Marine Corps at anything you do not intend to destroy.

As far as the bond we hold between us it is also different, case in point I was shopping awhile back and an elderly gentleman was wearing a WWII USMC cover I approached him with a Semper Fi, we spoke for quite some time. Our bond crossed 50 years of generational brotherhood, and we departed as friends. My wife jokes with me if I enter a room with 100 people and there is a Marine in the crowd we will sniff each other out like dogs (devil dogs that is) in a matter of minutes and instantly create a friendship. I do not see or find other service members, current, retired or vet have that same bond. Place combat time together on top of it and you will find Marines who would still give one’s life for each other many years later in civilian life.

A quote from an army general

“There are two kinds of people who understand Marines, Marines and the enemy, all others have a second hand opinion”
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jaeger308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been following this thread with amusement. Take an individual case of a shit bird, an individual you can find in any branch if you look hard enough and it turns into a generalization of different branches of the service. So here is mine;The Marine Corps differs in several ways to the army, people join the Corps to become Marines first, they do not tend to join for college money or occupational training reasons. Second the Marine Corps has two sides to it, you either kill people and break things or you support those who do, civil affairs may say otherwise but that is the basic fact. The army has many more mission demands than the Corps. Do not point the Marine Corps at anything you do not intend to destroy.

As far as the bond we hold between us it is also different, case in point I was shopping awhile back and an elderly gentleman was wearing a WWII USMC cover I approached him with a Semper Fi, we spoke for quite some time. Our bond crossed 50 years of generational brotherhood, and we departed as friends. My wife jokes with me if I enter a room with 100 people and there is a Marine in the crowd we will sniff each other out like dogs (devil dogs that is) in a matter of minutes and instantly create a friendship. I do not see or find other service members, current, retired or vet have that same bond. Place combat time together on top of it and you will find Marines who would still give one’s life for each other many years later in civilian life.

A quote from an army general

“There are two kinds of people who understand Marines, Marines and the enemy, all others have a second hand opinion” </div></div>


Very well put.
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMC Grunt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Yes that is true that both branches or even all branches do have the GI Bill and its the same. But let me ask you this, have you ever seen a Marine commercial that ever talks about the GI Bill? Absolutely fucking not. And why is that you may ask? All the army commercials have something to do about college money and that shit. If you want to join for college money you join the army. You want to go and fight the nations battles you join the Marine Corps.

Now to answer why an assbag Marine cant perform in the lowly army. Maybe he was an assbag to begin with and thats why he went to the army where assbag is standard. Just a thought. </div></div>

Why the need to bash? Why not just say you're a Marine, who was in the Army, and you prefer the Marine Corps? Why do you feel the need to harp so much?

I know plenty of people in the Army who didnt join for the college money...What if they gave up an academic scholarship to join the Army? What if they chose to enlist in an MOS that is a combat MOS?

what did YOU do in the Army? What was your MOS? What unit(s) were you in? Ever think that perhaps those factors could have shaped the way you feel and it wasnt an Army problem, but a unit problem or perhaps even your own outlook and attitude?

Why give up 4 ranks to join the Marine Corps when you could have reclassed to become a Ranger or go to SFAS? Not enough challenge there for you?

If you wanted to become a Marine, thats fine and an honorable and worthy answer...but frankly you just sound bitter and whiny about what you had to give up to become a Marine.

I know plenty of former Marines who have come IN the Army and I've talked to them about the differences and the biggest thing I hear, is at the core of it all, the smaller nature of the Marine Corps allows them to be more selective in who is promoted to leadership positions and that of course effects the unit in a positive manner. They never lose or forget the pride they had in being a Marine. The Army is a very big machine in the grand scheme of things, like any big machine, there are more parts and thus it is more prone to failure. But that doesnt mean we should forsake technology, in a metaphorical sense.

If you stayed in 8 years, you obviously re-enlisted at some point. If you gave up 4 ranks, I'm assuming you were at most a SSG...so obviously you were successful to a degree while in the Army. If the Army is such a shit organization, where does that logically lead one to an opinion about your role in the Army?

To be honest,my first choice WAS the Marine Corps. I had too many tattoos by the time I tried to enlist and did not meet the enlistment standards simply because of that. an 18 year old with a full sleeve...all I wanted was 0311, and I had an 85 on the ASVAB...the recruiter was fucking pissed at his command. But am I bitter? Not in the least. I had a great experience for the most part in the Army. Did certain things piss me off? sure. Do I think the Army could do better? of course. Ive long thought that both the USMC and the US Army could benefit by putting their heads together on marksmanship and qual, tactics, etc.

Being in a Combat MOS, I saw relatively FEW Scouts or Grunts who joined for the college money... for many, that was just an added benefit. The ones whose motivation was a bonus, college money, or any of the other horrible things that are offered to make us such fucking pansies, did not have a good time, did not succeed, did not stay and for the most part- were not liked by those of us who joined to be in a combat MOS for the purpose of combat.

 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMC Grunt</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jaeger308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been following this thread with amusement. Take an individual case of a shit bird, an individual you can find in any branch if you look hard enough and it turns into a generalization of different branches of the service. So here is mine;The Marine Corps differs in several ways to the army, people join the Corps to become Marines first, they do not tend to join for college money or occupational training reasons. Second the Marine Corps has two sides to it, you either kill people and break things or you support those who do, civil affairs may say otherwise but that is the basic fact. The army has many more mission demands than the Corps. Do not point the Marine Corps at anything you do not intend to destroy.

As far as the bond we hold between us it is also different, case in point I was shopping awhile back and an elderly gentleman was wearing a WWII USMC cover I approached him with a Semper Fi, we spoke for quite some time. Our bond crossed 50 years of generational brotherhood, and we departed as friends. My wife jokes with me if I enter a room with 100 people and there is a Marine in the crowd we will sniff each other out like dogs (devil dogs that is) in a matter of minutes and instantly create a friendship. I do not see or find other service members, current, retired or vet have that same bond. Place combat time together on top of it and you will find Marines who would still give one’s life for each other many years later in civilian life.

A quote from an army general

“There are two kinds of people who understand Marines, Marines and the enemy, all others have a second hand opinion” </div></div>


Very well put. </div></div>

+100

Semper Fi brothers, and just like that 3 Marines are now brothers. Can you do that Army?..............

Why in hell can't the Army do it if the Marines can. They are the same kind of men; why can't they be like Marines.
Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, USA; 12 February 1918

The United States Marine Corps, with its fiercely proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals, and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth.
Thomas E. Ricks; Making the Corps, 1997

I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!
General of the Armies Douglas MacArthur; Korea, 21 September 1950

We have two companies of Marines running rampant all over the northern half of this island, and three Army regiments pinned down in the southwestern corner, doing nothing. What the hell is going on?
Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., USA, Chairman of the the Joint Chiefs of Staff
during the assault on Grenada, 1983

They told (us) to open up the Embassy, or "we'll blow you away." And then they looked up and saw the Marines on the roof with these really big guns, and they said in Somali, "Igaralli ahow," which means "Excuse me, I didn't mean it, my mistake".
Karen Aquilar, in the U.S. Embassy; Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991

I have only two men out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold.
1stLt. Clifton B. Cates, USMC
in Belleau Wood, 19 July 1918

Lying offshore, ready to act, the presence of ships and Marines sometimes means much more than just having air power or ship's fire, when it comes to deterring a crisis. And the ships and Marines may not have to do anything but lie offshore. It is hard to lie offshore with a C-141 or C-130 full of airborne troops.
Gen. Colin Powell, U. S. Army
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff
During Operation Desert Storm


I got more......Any retort yet?.....Any?
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

Oh, and this.....

You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth- and the amusing thing about it is that they are.
Father Kevin Keaney
1st Marine Division Chaplain
Korean War

The Marine Corps has just been called by the New York Times, 'The elite of this country.' I think it is the elite of the world.
Admiral William Halsey, U.S. Navy

I am convinced that there is no smarter, handier, or more adaptable body of troops in the world.
Prime Minister of Britain, Sir Winston Churchhill

The American Marines have it [pride], and benefit from it. They are tough, cocky, sure of themselves and their buddies. They can fight and they know it.
General Mark Clark, U.S. Army

They (Women Marines) don't have a nickname, and they don't need one. They get their basic training in a Marine atmosphere, at a Marine Post. They inherit the traditions of the Marines. They are Marines.
LtGen Thomas Holcomb, USMC
Commandant of the Marine Corps, 1943

If I had one more division like this First Marine Division I could win this war.
General of the Armies Douglas McArthur in Korea,
overheard and reported by Marine Staff Sergeant Bill Houghton, Weapons/2/5

And a favorite:
Ronald Reagan’s words of tribute “Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have made a difference to the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem.”
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jaeger308</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Do not point the Marine Corps at anything you do not intend to destroy.</div></div>

That's funny...
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cavscout1983</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMC Grunt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Yes that is true that both branches or even all branches do have the GI Bill and its the same. But let me ask you this, have you ever seen a Marine commercial that ever talks about the GI Bill? Absolutely fucking not. And why is that you may ask? All the army commercials have something to do about college money and that shit. If you want to join for college money you join the army. You want to go and fight the nations battles you join the Marine Corps.

Now to answer why an assbag Marine cant perform in the lowly army. Maybe he was an assbag to begin with and thats why he went to the army where assbag is standard. Just a thought. </div></div>

Why the need to bash? Why not just say you're a Marine, who was in the Army, and you prefer the Marine Corps? Why do you feel the need to harp so much?

I know plenty of people in the Army who didnt join for the college money...What if they gave up an academic scholarship to join the Army? What if they chose to enlist in an MOS that is a combat MOS?

what did YOU do in the Army? What was your MOS? What unit(s) were you in? Ever think that perhaps those factors could have shaped the way you feel and it wasnt an Army problem, but a unit problem or perhaps even your own outlook and attitude?

Why give up 4 ranks to join the Marine Corps when you could have reclassed to become a Ranger or go to SFAS? Not enough challenge there for you?

If you wanted to become a Marine, thats fine and an honorable and worthy answer...but frankly you just sound bitter and whiny about what you had to give up to become a Marine.

I know plenty of former Marines who have come IN the Army and I've talked to them about the differences and the biggest thing I hear, is at the core of it all, the smaller nature of the Marine Corps allows them to be more selective in who is promoted to leadership positions and that of course effects the unit in a positive manner. They never lose or forget the pride they had in being a Marine. The Army is a very big machine in the grand scheme of things, like any big machine, there are more parts and thus it is more prone to failure. But that doesnt mean we should forsake technology, in a metaphorical sense.

If you stayed in 8 years, you obviously re-enlisted at some point. If you gave up 4 ranks, I'm assuming you were at most a SSG...so obviously you were successful to a degree while in the Army. If the Army is such a shit organization, where does that logically lead one to an opinion about your role in the Army?

To be honest,my first choice WAS the Marine Corps. I had too many tattoos by the time I tried to enlist and did not meet the enlistment standards simply because of that. an 18 year old with a full sleeve...all I wanted was 0311, and I had an 85 on the ASVAB...the recruiter was fucking pissed at his command. But am I bitter? Not in the least. I had a great experience for the most part in the Army. Did certain things piss me off? sure. Do I think the Army could do better? of course. Ive long thought that both the USMC and the US Army could benefit by putting their heads together on marksmanship and qual, tactics, etc.

Being in a Combat MOS, I saw relatively FEW Scouts or Grunts who joined for the college money... for many, that was just an added benefit. The ones whose motivation was a bonus, college money, or any of the other horrible things that are offered to make us such fucking pansies, did not have a good time, did not succeed, did not stay and for the most part- were not liked by those of us who joined to be in a combat MOS for the purpose of combat.

</div></div>


Ok so you want to know what I did. I was an armorer. First I was active duty and then reserves. On my first deployment to Iraq in 2003 I did actually thought about going to the Rangers and then SF and then maybe to that other unit no one talks about. I actually so still hold a high respect for Rangers and SF. I know that both of them for a fact would be challenging. So is being in a Scout/Sniper Platoon too. But I was so damn tired of the army and wanted something else. I have done two deplyments with the Marine Corps and Im currently deployed as we speak. Why did I give up for ranks? I think the answers that I have given earlier is why. I dont mean to bash the army and I try not too do that. Especially on a site like this or even when I have to do business with them. The only thing that I was trying to do is to explain the difference between the two branches. And BTW Im in no way pissed because I had to lose 4 ranks to be a Marine. In fact I got promoted faster than the ones that have been in longer than me. All ranks have been meritoriously too.
 
Re: Once a Marine Always a Marine?

Unlike the Kevin Bacon unscientific method of 7 degrees, there are actually only 2 degrees of separation between Marines. If I don't know you, and we have never met, the fact of the matter is that one of your best friends is also one of mine. The truth of this idea grows exponentially after at least a decade of service.

People that only serve a few years still use its marketability to stay employed. Some will even follow the camps. Even shitbirds are sure to list it as the main bullet on their resume. People that never even considered serving will spend hard earned dollars to have the same gear and equipment, perhaps even a decal. I show my bias.

Pride is a one-syllable word. Marketing is a three-syllable word...

One of the major differences between services is that Marines of any MOS can kind of relate, whereas anyone not required as their primary duty to employ a weapon in the other services seems to have had a completely different experience than my own.

As my list of older sailor and soldier friends grows, I find that professionals care little about what your hat looked like.