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Marines do it their own way
MSNBC ^ | 9/30/01 | Sue Lackey

Posted on 09/30/2001 2:28:55 PM PDT by kattracks

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To: SMEDLEYBUTLER
Hogwash. It's long past time that America knows that one branch of the military didn't succumb to that Commie Clinton ...

Oh, I see. So in this time of trouble and turmoil, when Americans of every political persuasion are coming together for the common good, YOUR primary concern is that "eveyone in America" knows that Clinton was a Commie.

Oh, and that would be the America that voted for him twice, and nearly voted for him a third time, by proxy, in the person of Algore.

IOW, you think that after 8 1/2 years, Americans are finally gonna "get it" because some of the Marines' boosters (that would be yourself) want to continue a pointless p*ssing contest with the other branches of the service.

If you're haven't yet reached adulthood, please forgive what I'm about to say. But you are an adolescent moron.

We have far more at stake here than your endorphin levels. We happen to be at war, and it will take every man-jack of us--even a hyper-extenuated teenager like yourself--to pull through this thing.

And if you're trying to convince ME that our other SpecOps assets are without any merit, and ONLY the USMC can save the day, then you've failed. I happen to respect and admire ALL of our highly-trained and highly-motivated fighting men, the Marines not least of all.

Go back to your comic books. The adults have work to do.

21 posted on 09/30/2001 4:58:31 PM PDT by Illbay
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To: SMEDLEYBUTLER
It's long past time that America knows that one branch of the military didn't succumb to that Commie Clinton and his gang of fellow lefties on the Hill who have attempted and in some cases succeeded in weakening the United States and it's ability to defend itself.

I have to agree with you. I'll never forget when Clinton's female Deputy SECDEF got on national television, and called the Marine Corps "an extremist organization." She confirmed the idiocy of their whole mindset.

22 posted on 09/30/2001 5:04:41 PM PDT by FlyVet
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To: LadyX
"Calling in a few friends..:))"

Reporting for duty Lady Marine!
*SALUTE!*
This tin can sailor has the utmost respect for the Marines!
23 posted on 09/30/2001 5:15:38 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
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To: Illbay
I think you misinterpret SMEDLEYBUTLER's words. The Marines have always stood apart. It is well that they do. I speak as a former naval officer who saw up close and personal what a different breed of cat they are.

The people in this country who need to grow up are the ones who think we can have Congress mandate handicapped access battlefields or that calling the nearest female a "naval aviator" makes her one.

And if SMEDLEYBUTLER will accept the salute from a cousin ... Semper Fi.

24 posted on 09/30/2001 5:25:43 PM PDT by Gumlegs
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To: Illbay
"And if you're trying to convince ME that our other SpecOps assets are without any merit, and ONLY the USMC can save the day, then you've failed."

Junior, we Gyrenes don't give an airborne sex act what you believe!
People like you couldn't last the first day of boot, much less a firefight.
There are some real heroes on this forum, and a lot of them are my fellow Marines.
When you step on one of their toes you step on mine and all the rest of us, and I assure you, you don't want to do that!

There has always been a rivalry between the services and there always will be. It's part of the life of being military.
Try a hitch in the Corps before you start evaluating any part of our psyche.

25 posted on 09/30/2001 5:40:17 PM PDT by COB1
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To: COB1,onedoug
"There has always been a rivalry between the services and there always will be."

How very true, but what some people do not understand is that
when the fighting takes place all military,
regardless of what branch, stand together as one.
In Feb '69 my ship was involved in Operation Bold Mariner
which at that time was the largest amphibious assault since Korea.
I was injured while clearing a hangfire of a 5" willy peter round in the forward gun mount.
All we had on board was a corpsman, no MD's, so I had to go to the nearest ship with a hospital (USS Iwo Jima).
When I was in the hospital there I spoke with many wounded Marines.
And everyone of them thanked me for being a gunners mate and giving them gunfire support.
26 posted on 09/30/2001 5:58:39 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
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To: SMEDLEYBUTLER
General Gray was my Commandant during my term.

The difference between the Corps under Al 'Fireplug' Gray, and under P.X. Kelley his predecesor, was a very stark contrast.

Immediately following Boot Camp, I was one of the first of six SOI (School of Infantry) platoons that was selected for an experiment at Camp Geiger called 'MCT' (Marine Combat Training). They stretched us to the breaking point, then calibrated the training down a pip and instituted it in regular Basic Training called 'The Crucible'.

In USMC Basic, the 'Crucible' lasts two days. For us, it went on for eight weeks. Sleep deprivation, poor living conditions, scarce food, MOUT training, and a 21-mile road march (no roads that I saw, BTW) came at us with no warning when we thought we were going to hit the rack one evening. Two days later, we humped 21 miles back -- again with no warning. Lots of head games, physical fitness regimens, mixed with some outstanding training in weapons that even the old lifer sergeants hadn't even seen yet.

Toughest time of my life. School of Infantry training was actually a few steps down in pain, by comparison. That was when the fun came in: Amphibious assaults by LCAC (hovercrafts) and Amtracs, doing 'Jacob's Ladder' drills from Gator Navy ships, etc. All the MEU and BLT exercises.

General Gray was a son-of-a-bitch, let me tell you. I only appreciated it after MCT was over. Everyone was taken to the limits, even the instructors. I was only 20 years old then.

I'm sure I'd die if I tried to do it again at my age. :)

27 posted on 09/30/2001 6:00:52 PM PDT by The KG9 Kid
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To: kattracks
As an airdale on the USS New Orleans (LPH-11), it was an honor and a privilege to provide support and transportation for the Marine units. If only they would have left something in the ship's store to buy.
28 posted on 09/30/2001 6:12:50 PM PDT by A Navy Vet
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To: The KG9 Kid
I missed MCT by one Boot cycle as I recall. DI's told us about it near graduation. Although we did participate in an experimental Rifle Qual course (can't recall it's designation) but it was interesting. It was a dynamic course, fire and move with pop-up targets. It even included a portion with gas masks dawned. I enjoyed it. Seemed much more realistic than standard Rifle Qual. course. Although I always found 500 yards challenging (hit 7 out 10 bulls at Edson Range almost scoring high enough to get my name on that Trophy in the chow hall).

Semper Fidelis
29 posted on 09/30/2001 6:16:29 PM PDT by Texas_Jarhead
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
"all military, regardless of what branch, stand together as one."

Unless they've been military, Tonkin, they won't understand that.
The closest I can come to your experience are the bar fights we used to have with the swabbies in San Diego who were our best buddies the next night.

30 posted on 09/30/2001 6:17:35 PM PDT by COB1
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To: Prodigal Son
Plus Marines have the best uniforms

There is not many a finer sight than a Marine in his dress uniform.

31 posted on 09/30/2001 6:19:51 PM PDT by riley1992
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To: Illbay
"I don't think we really, truly understand the scope of what we are facing."

There are many things that you don't understand illbay, with the inter-service rivalry being just one. For a panty-waist like yourself to be calling Smedleybutter an "adolescent moron" is laughable. Why don't you tell us about your service record, illbay?

32 posted on 09/30/2001 6:28:15 PM PDT by Godebert
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To: The KG9 Kid
General Gray was a son-of-a-bitch, let me tell you. I only appreciated it after MCT was over

I couldn't help but think about my Dad when I read that. He was a USMC lifer who survived WWII and Korea while all of his best friends didn't. As a boy I wondered why he was such a tough SOB, but of course that was what allowed him to survive and why he demanded the best efforts from others.

BTW, he is still going strong.

33 posted on 09/30/2001 6:45:53 PM PDT by OK
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To: SMEDLEYBUTLER,Mudpuppy,Katracks
Semper Fidelis. Yes we (Mr. Teacup and I) know these folk very well, LOL. Mr Teacup was part of the MEF.
34 posted on 09/30/2001 6:59:07 PM PDT by Teacup
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To: LadyX
Thanks for the Semper Fidelis bump. 226 years this November 10th.
35 posted on 09/30/2001 7:01:54 PM PDT by Teacup
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To: SMEDLEYBUTLER
I agree, the Army probably wastes more than the entire Marine Corps budget in a given fiscal year. BTW I'm a 14 year vet of the Active Army and National Guard. The Marines also have a more streamlined procurement system, and they consistently develop better and more practical gear for their soldiers.
36 posted on 09/30/2001 7:03:24 PM PDT by Tailback
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To: Gumlegs
The Marines have always stood apart. It is well that they do.

I think you misunderstood MY statement. At this point, this is about as apropos as arguing who's going to win the Army-Navy game.

It ain't about the winner of the p*ssing contest these days. The only contest is with the enemy.

37 posted on 09/30/2001 7:04:09 PM PDT by Illbay
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To: COB1
Junior, we Gyrenes don't give an airborne sex act what you believe!

And I, in turn, don't care what you think about the folks paying your salary, so long as you get the job done.

38 posted on 09/30/2001 7:07:21 PM PDT by Illbay
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To: Godebert
There are many things that you don't understand illbay, with the inter-service rivalry being just one.

I understand inter-service rivalry perfectly well. Go back and read my post (let me know if you need help with the long words).

What I said was, there is a time and a place for everything, and NOW is not the time, and the MIDDLE EAST is not the place, for a stupid-*ss teenage p*ssing contest.

39 posted on 09/30/2001 7:09:46 PM PDT by Illbay
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To: SMEDLEYBUTLER
Do you mean that the commies didn't make them sew 'diversity quilts' like they did the CIA? I'm still trying to figure out who made them 'paste, color, and sew' these quilts. I would have QUIT! Welcome to the SICKO world of 'sensitivity training'. Seven thousand people gave their lives because of it and I want someone to pay! To start the list of SICKOS...
Bill Clinton
Hillary Clinton
Al Gore
Madeline Albright
Sandy Berger
Janet Reno
40 posted on 09/30/2001 7:10:40 PM PDT by kcvl
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