Posted on 06/28/2005 1:06:52 PM PDT by GunnyBob
The pain is mind-boggling. I hate that parachute and every other thing and event that partially disabled me. And I hate the fact that I wasn’t clever enough to realize long ago how I would pay much later in life for my knowing and willing abuse on my body in the Corps. My machismo stopped me from seeking the medical attention I needed after each injury while on active duty, and sometimes the situation was such that seeing the corpsman or battalion surgeon wasn’t an option at the moment. C’est la guerre.
But what I hate the most is how my actions of so long ago would later cause the Marines to turn me down for re-enlistment after I retired. On 9-12-2001, like so many of my retired brother Marines, I demanded the Corps let me back into the fight. They said my broken neck, mangled back, torqued hips, Patella Femoral Syndrome and Gulf War Syndrome added up to just too much damage to let me back in.
This may sound sick, but every time I see my Marines in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan, I yearn to be there with them in the thick of the fight, “knee deep in gore” to quote Warren Zevon. But before you pronounce me a sociopath or psychotic, you should know that the vast majority of Marines long retired feel the very same way. So call us all crazy.
Last night, as she does on so many nights nowadays, my wife of 21 years left our bed at zero dark thirty to sleep in one of our guestrooms. My thrashing in my sleep, erratic breathing and muttered curses keep waking her up, so she quietly leaves, knowing that’s just the way things are and knowing I am what I am. She knows my frustration at not being allowed back into the fray is messing with my head. She deals with it. I deal with it.
It kills me to know that I am missing out on history. A buddy from Recon called the other day from Iraq–he’s a retired first sergeant who is now a private shooter (“contractor”) there–and told me how great a time it is to be a grunt in the Corps. He’s right. How lucky to be a Marine fighting evil men in a new type of war that the Corps has been longing for. A century from now, the lessons learned and experiences gleaned in Iraq and Afghanistan will be studied by Marines in some distant clime and place who will stay alive longer and accomplish missions more readily because of what is happening now in “Indian Country.”
To live history! What brilliant good fortune. I count my blessings that I, too, was able to wage war while serving my country as a Marine. As an Iraqi 120mm mortar unit was walking in rounds on my company as we charged through the first minefield and obstacle belts one morning in February 1991, I knew I was living history as the rounds exploded. As a Marine artillery battery opened up on that Iraqi unit from behind us, I knew, too, that those Iraqis were also living history and were about to die terrible deaths, which they had coming. That’s why the Corps was founded, after all: to make war. Don’t let anyone tell you that no one wants to fight but that someone has to know how. Your Marine Corps is always itching for a fight and most certainly knows how. A quick glance back over the Corps’ shoulder reveals a trail of lifeless bodies of those who tested us. And this utter crap coming from the overflowing oral sewers of the left claiming the US military wants to come home is just that: crap. Ask the Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan if they would like to return home tomorrow, before the mission is completed. Every one of them will say no. It may confuse and alarm you, but Marines want to kill the enemy. That’s the very reason they joined in the first place. It’s their job to kill, and Marines take their job quite seriously.
The Corps is feared by so many because of this attitude we have and the proven abilities that back up that attitude. That attitude is one of victory at all costs, which acts as a combat multiplier no opposing force can reckon with forever. The time will come when all enemies of the Corps pay the price for being stupid enough to lock horns with the progeny of Tun Tavern.
Your Corps rocks on tonight, hunting the enemy who would kill us and our families if given half a chance. From time to time the enemy will draw Marine blood, of course; we are not bulletproof. But for every drop of Marine blood spilled, gallons of enemy blood flow into the sand.
Fortunately, it’s a target-rich environment, too.
You CAN go back - but not with the Corps. Try KBR - that's how I'm getting back in to firefighting. (The flying lead type.)
If you want the link, let me know - I'll post it.
Your friends, countrymen, and comrades in arms are in the line of danger and the bureaucrats won't let you go help them. I'd be angry too.
It isn't just the Marine's who feel that way. Some of us who were Army grunts feel the same way, although after 35 years I'd be more dangerous to GI's than to any Iraqi insurgent.
It kills me to read of people going on their second or third rotation to Iraq -- especially the folks who don't really wish to go. I wish I could take their place.
But there are a thousand other ways for patriotic Americans to serve their country and make this a better place.
GunnyBob,
Let me be the first to salute you. Thanks for giving you body and mind to the service of our Republic.
You've done your part, now you may stand down and enjoy the freedoms that you and your fellow Marines gained for us.
If I weren't partially disabled, I'd already be there.
I forgot to mention - the pay runs $400-$1000 PER DAY - depending on location, etc.
A very inspiring post - Thank you.
Most importantly, Thank you for your service.
Thanks for serving our country, Gunny.
Great post and thanks.
That's the problem. I don't want to stand down any longer, and my injuries prevent me from getting back into the game. It sucks, man.
For help, don't call 9-1-1
Call 03-11!!!
OOOORRRRAAAAAHHHHH!!!
Dirt eater!
Since when is KBR hiring shooters in the mideast?
Their security coordinators are unarmed.
Thank you for your Service.
I know this is hard.
We had an Army "Tiger" platoon with us in the assault. They were all crazy bastards. Fearless.
Thanks for your service Gunny ~ Semper Fi!
I think I understand. I've got a friend who was a Seal, or Delta or something like that (he won't really say) He seems to be itching to get back into it and he's been out for 25 years or so.
I'd be real scared to be on the wrong side of a fight with this guy too.
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