The Marines - PBS Documentary (full length)

YouTube ^

[real saxophonist]

watch

[real saxophonist]

The opening words of this documentary say 'There's a myth out there that Marines are Neanderthals. I actually find the Marines very intellectual.'

I found this to be quite true in my time. My bunkmate on Parris Island had a Bachelor's Degree, I had about 3 years of college, no degree.

There are those here who may differ.

[real saxophonist]

Apparently the original link didn't work.

watch

[RJS1950]

A third of my platoon had at least a year of college and had dropped out to enlist like I did. at least 4 had degrees and one some grad school. That was in 1970.

About half of my barracks had degrees and several of us were offered direct appointments to the Naval academy.

This notion was B.S. then and is more so now.

As an AF officer, more than half of the enlisted force were pursuing a degree and now I am teaching at a college and a large proportion of our students are active duty in both undergrad and grad programs.

Those who think otherwise about the Marines are ignorant, at best.

Semper Fi

[paterfamilias]

There are a lot of Neanderthals in Congress. At least the Marines do something worthwhile.

My son the Marine is a well-educated aeronautical engineer by training. I have met a lot of very, very intelligent and wise Marines through him.

Semper fidelis, all.

Marine Mom and I will watch this tonight. Thanks for the link.

[Excellence]

thanks

[oh8eleven]

About half of my barracks had degrees
In 1970? Where the heck were you stationed, in the Library of Congress?
I was in '66-'69, spent all three years in the FMF and about half of any platoon/company I was in, could barely spell their names.

[Texican]

Sax:
My friend I was in the CORPS in 1942-1946 and I only finished the 8th grade. I will say that the CORPS did me a great service. In the years following, I have raised three children, six grand children and now have three great grand kids. I have no debts, have savings and still working. (by the way, I also have all of my teeth) Ha. I have both the stars and stripes and Marine flag flying every hour of the day and have been for fifty years. (and will fly as long as I am alive.)
Have a wonderful day and the very best to you and yours..
Semper Fi
Texican
Tommie

[righttackle44]

I was in '66-'69, spent all three years in the FMF and about half of any platoon/company I was in, could barely spell their names.

Yeah, and I'll bet they were glad to get rid of you.

[gunnyg]

In ‘52 we simply stated that Marines (small “m”) are amphibious creatures that thrive on sh!t!

Semper Blogging!
Dick G
*****

[Pan_Yan]

When my dad was in Navy basic training in 1945 an officer walked up to his unit and pointing to a man in the front row and at everyone to his right said “from you over; you are now Marines. Go get your gear and get on the bus.”

The aircraft carrier my dad served on was all Marine F-4U Corsairs.

[real saxophonist]

Tommie, always great to hear from you. Glad you’re doing okay. Semper Fi, brother.

[real saxophonist]

Uncle Sam's Misguided Children.

Semper Fi, Gunny!

[slorunner]

I dunno, any outfit whose primary antitank weapon was a K-BAR knife.........

[usmcobra]

You have Marines confused with the Mobile infantry.

Every Marine knows KaBars are for card games.

[RJS1950]

I was at Pendleton and then Barstow. When I finished my enlistment I stayed in the active reserves for 18 months before I went on an AF commissioning program.

It seems that around 1969 when I enlisted the number of guys dropping out of college and enlisting shot up for whatever reasons. I later read a study done by the Marines that documented that phenomenon. Today, and for at least the last 20 years the level of education went way up for enlistees and the numbers who pursue a degree while on active duty has grown. One of my collegue’s sons who had a master’s degree and taught for us as an adjunct decided that he wanted to be a Marine and while he could have gone to OCS wanted the “full” Marine experience and enlisted. He is older, more mature and as I experienced is a little ahead on promotions because of that.

Up until early 1970, the Marines still drafted and part of the report they did indicated that going all volunteer was a large part of the reason why the education level went up.

Yeah, I knew guys who could barely spell their names but many more who came in from about 68 on were levels above those guys.

When I dropped out for financial reasons I wanted to be a part of the best, so enlisting in the Marines the only choice.

[stylin19a]

on the plane, from induction to MCRD -San Diego, I asked the guy next me: enlisted or drafted? He said: enlisted. I asked why he enlisted. He said: “The judge said....”

In boot camp, it wasn't a good idea to let the Drill Instructor(s) know you had a degree or any college.

Semper Fi...

[oh8eleven]

My friend I was in the CORPS in 1942-1946 ...
Hi Tommie - glad to see you're still on board! Hope you and your wife are doing well.
Semper Fi ...

[oh8eleven]

A ten-percenter right here on FR ... who gnu?

[laotzu]

mark

[Red_Devil 232]

Very good video. IMO it was produced to educate civilians to understand who and what a Marine is and how he/she became one.

Enlisted in '69 and spent 4 years in the Marines. I served with many Marines with varying levels of education and from different cultures and backgrounds. When it came down to doing our job we were all part of the Green Marine Machine.

My Father was a 25 year career Marine. I grew up in a Marine Corps culture.

My Father