Posted on 08/01/2004 5:56:36 PM PDT by Ben Chad
By Pamela Hess Pentagon correspondent Published 8/1/2004 5:06 PM
RAMADI, Iraq, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Living on a Marine base on the edge of restive Ramadi is a shock to a civilian's senses. It's endlessly dusty and loud; the latrines smell; it's beastly hot. There is no color other than brown, and everyone is armed.
But mostly you marvel at how they go about their days: run with M-16s flapping against their backs for miles at high noon when it's topping 115 degrees just for the exercise; how they wear long sleeves, pants, suede desert boots, 30 pounds of armor and man a gun on top of a Humvee, faces encrusted with dust; how they work at least 12 hours a day, every day, with no days off, under a constant threat of mortars and rockets.
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(Excerpt) Read more at upi.com ...
"That said, there are some a--holes in the world that just need to be shot. But you go on and find your next victim or he's gonna kill you or your buddy. It's kill or be killed."
Gen. Mattis USMC
Excellent article. Definitely worth clicking on the link.
Excellent! It is about time these reporters start to report from our side of the front lines instead of taking pictures from BEHIND the islamic jihadists
Seconded. And for any who haven't seen it, an outstanding article here.
As Genghis Khan said, "Man's greatest joy is to slay his enemy, plunder his riches, ride his steeds, see the tears of his loved ones and embrace his women." Even though they are Americans, they are also human. This will forever remain true.
If you FORGOT your < sarcasm > tag, I would forgive that attack on the patriotism, honor and integrity of our nation's finest.
If there was no < sarcasm > you may stay in your state of origin according to your home page - and may the sea take you slowly when the quakes slide you under the murky waters.
"If you love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."
-- Sammuel Adams
As for California, yeah I hope it does slide into the sea.
Thanks for the link. Somehow I missed that one.
Great read. Thanks for the link!
Excellent article. It's no accident that Pamela Hess works for UPI which is owned by the people who own the Washington Times.
Mattis commands a powerful loyalty and respect from his troops.
"He leads from the front," one Marine noted in the cool and noisy morale, welfare and recreation tent at Camp Blue Diamond.
When Mattis' "jump platoon" goes out in a convoy -- it is not uncommon for the general to have his head out the turret, assuming the same risk as the gunners.
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:)
Kinda makes ya proud, don't it?
Great article!
Bump for later read.
Bump!
bttt
What a commander. Those young men and women are safe with him!
Amen..May God be with them.
He derides the experience in Vietnam when the newest guy - FNG, in profane military parlance -- - was sent out his first night to stand point to see if he'd get shot.
I think this is more apocraphyl Oliver Stone b*llsh*t. I don't think it was standard operating procedure.
Actually, I'm sure some units pulled about every bone head idea possible...
However -- the THOUGHTFUL and Survivor all realized that the man on point was the "early warning" canary. You wanted the Marines with "extra senses" and a LOT of experience walking point... To SEE what was there, to SMELL what was there, and to HEAR what was out there...with the ability of moving forward without being Seen, Heard or Smelled.
The point man MUST see the "signs" and determine how to get to where the team must go....and not be sucked into booby traps, tiger pits or ambush...
Putting the NFG on point, immediately - is a self destructive practice..
Semper Fi
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