THE MARINES

PBS.org ^

[KeyLargo]

Just a heads up for interested freepers.

The Marines

Examining the unique warrior culture of the United States Marine Corps, this documentary focuses on Marine training, the strong bonds between Marines and their devotion to the corps.

"Semper Fidelis, always faithful. You'll take the corpse off the battlefield even if it means your own life ... Alive or dead, they come back with you."

- Nancy Sherman, professor and author of Stoic Warriors

THE MARINES, airing Wednesday, February 21, 2007, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET on PBS, examines the unique "Warrior Culture" of the smallest but fiercest branch of the U.S. armed services. With significant access to Marine Corps training facilities in Parris Island, South Carolina; Quantico, Virginia; and Twentynine Palms, California, THE MARINES reveals what it takes and what it means to be a Marine - from the first moments of a recruit's arrival at boot camp.

THE MARINES offers extensive coverage of the often grueling Marine Corps training, including the Martial Arts Program, confidence course and intense rifle range instruction. The program also demonstrates how the Marines evaluate and shape their future leaders with the rigorous Officer Candidate Leadership reaction course and infamous "Quigley" exercise.

More than 30 current and former Marines of all ranks, authors and military correspondents were interviewed to tell the story of the rich history, traditions and continuing importance of the Marine Corps and the warrior ethos it instills.

"How the Warrior Culture is engrained and how it sets the Marines apart from other armed services branches are critical aspects of Marine development and understanding," said producer/writer/director John Grant. "This program offers an in-depth and unvarnished look at the rigorous physical and psychological training employed to create this tenaciously loyal, highly skilled breed of combatant ready to defend country and comrade at any cost."

Other segments of THE MARINES focus on the Wounded Warrior Barracks in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; the new Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia; and women in the Marines. The program also travels to the country's largest Marine base in California, where Marines are seen training in mock Iraqi villages just weeks before deployment overseas.

Underwriters: Alfiero Family Charitable Foundation, Public Television Viewers and PBS.

[KeyLargo]

More links:

http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/iraqmarines.html

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE http://www.mcleague.com/mdp/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=97

[Blueflag]

Being PBS, I have an expectation of 'faint praise' for the Corp, and the strong expectation that they'll find a way to say "how can anyone be a warrior and be a genuine, 21st century non-barbarian human being?"

I won't see it til FReepers say it's great.

[oh8eleven]

Thanks for the heads up. Semper Fi ...

[Popocatapetl]

The Marines need several things as a branch now independent from the Navy.

First is a unit reorganization more in line with their projected missions. Their current organization is far too administrative, and less practical than it should be.

Second is to discontinue most of the "guard duty" assignments for Marines around the world. There is a peculiar quirk in international law about Marines guarding embassies; however, Congress could create a separate sub-branch of "guard Marines", who are distinct from combat Marines, to perform this duty in the future.

Third is that the Marines need their own equivalent of DARPA or the Office of Naval Research, for R&D of next generation weapons unique to the Marines. Their subsisting on Army and Navy hand-me-downs is a major embarrassment.

Fourth, which is already happening to some extent, is for the Marines to both establish elite units within their organization, and to task assign those units in cooperation with the other military branches. Though they initially resisted doing this, it has proven to be most efficient and effective.

[Leisler]

Long time ago, when I did my part to defend the frontier against hostile injuns...

I was in the army, a medic assigned to combat arms units. It was good, the troops treated me well, and I got to fire all the weapons I wanted, didn't have to carry them or clean them. Some times I would be assigned to the rages for weeks as each company came through, so I got to fire every day, and in a way, got more familiarity then infantry types.

Anyways, what I noticed was how happy the staff, office, cooks, truck drivers and such were to be doing real military stuff. It really improved their moral, made them better soldiers. Naturally, the officer corps never seemed to pick up on it. It was always back to sweeping the broken asphalt in the motor pool for a couple of days. That was thought of as being a 'good platoon.' Basically, it could be summed up as, if it looks good and the paperwork is in order, then we're a good unit. That bullet firing stuff doesn't count. I could never figure it out.

[jonascord]

There is a commonality amoung Marines. Anytime you see a real marine on TV in dress uniform, either Blues or Greens, there is a medal, sometimes two. Whether it is the Commandant or some rear-rank, fresh-out-of-boot-camp snuffie. That is the Marksmenship Badge.

EVERY Marine spends two weeks at the Range, every year. Every Marine fires for Record on Friday. Dan Dailey, Chesty Puller, Manila John Basilone, Ira Hayes, all were prone on the 500 yard line, doping the wind, blacking his front sight, squeezing it off...

[USMCWife6869]

Just a question, no disrespect intended. Are you a Marine?

[ken5050]

And the Corps could fully absorb and integrate the Army in about 2 years...

[ken5050]

Also don't forget the ethos imprinted on each young Marine that by surving, and graduating, from Basic Training, they have "one up" on their officers, who didn't have to undergo the pleasantries of Parris Island. The other branches of the service promote the rigorous training of their officers..which begets the legend that they bare better/tougher than the troops...via the 4 year service academies...the Marines do it differently...

[BluH2o]

EVERY Marine spends two weeks at the Range, every year.

Not exactly ... I served 3 years active and qualified twice ... Parris Island the first time (high Sharpshooter) ... some 18 months later at Lejeune (Expert).

[Mr. Lucky]

Two things:

1) The United States Naval Academy serves as the service academy for United States Marines,
2) While OCS at Quantico certainly differs from basic training at Parris Island or San Diego, it is nonetheless physically rigorous.

[BluH2o]

Just a question, no disrespect intended. Are you a Marine?

Same question I have; doubt it.

[SaintDismas]

Ah yes, The Crucible. My son, a new Marine last July, told me all about that, but he did his training in San Diego. He is in a reserve unit in Ft. Worth, but is hearing rumblings about them going to Somalia. I thought we were done with them

[USMCWife6869]

They didn't do the Crucible when my hubby went through boot camp. I went to an EGA ceremony after one with a KV unit. It was such an emotional experience. I had heard they don't do them anymore. Anyone know if that's true. (The EGA ceremony, not the Crucible)

[VoyagerXII]

I qualified three times in four years. The most memorable
was Jan 1991, Inchon range Parris Island. Shot expert too.

The fourth year they made me a coach, so i didn't get to shoot.

[BluH2o]

Also don't forget the ethos imprinted on each young Marine that by surviving, and graduating, from Basic Training, they have "one up" on their officers, who didn't have to undergo the pleasantries of Parris Island.

On occasion Marines graduating bootcamp at Parris Island or San Diego are selected for OCS. After 'boot leave' they report to Quantico and start the process over again ... that's a tough way to get a commission.

[JoeSixPack1]

That may be tough, but upon graduating boot camp and through a series of reassignments while on boot leave, being reassigned to a schools company back at Parris Island for MOS training was scarey.
(Beats original orders to VN).
I thought I was going to have to go through boot camp again!!

Semper Fi

[rusureitflies?]

After an Honorable Discharge from the Marines I kicked around a bit. Then I married and had two boys. My wife and I struggled to make ends meet. I was at my wits end. Things were very tough. One morning as I was shaving and looking in the mirror it came to me that I was a Marine. It was like a shot of adrenalin. I was determined to not to be defeated by my circumstances. Using every nickle of my Vet benefits I earned a College Degree in 4 years. (got my GED while in the Marines)then taught school for 15 years. When my sons graduated from High School I went on to get my Masters. Hey, I'm an old guy now have have accomplished much thanks to my Marine training and my Faith...
I also believe our Commander and Chief President Bush has more Honor, Resolve and Integrity in his little finger than most folks who call themselves Americans... Semper Fi

[Mr. Lucky]

Great story.

[Marine Inspector]

I think it's pretty obvious the poster is not a Marine.