Sorry Marine -- You're Too Old

Smoke Signal (Vanity) Times | 10-3-01 | CHIEF negotiator

[CHIEF negotiator]

The nerve of that Marine Corps recruiter telling me I'll too old to re-up!

I said,

"But I'm a 2nd Force Recon Scout Sniper that can still pic-a-tic off a gnat's ass @ 1K meters, in a snow storm! We lay-in-wait, and over the last 30 years I've had a lot of experience. Snipers only need to be able to "snoop & poop" and carry a 50 caliber. We don't have to do 50 squat thrusts before lights out, or hump 20 miles in full pack before sunrise! Put me up against your best 20 year old. It takes a lot to get a snipers heartrate up, 'cause we've been trained to "relax" if you want "one shot -- one kill", and I invented "relax".

I'll die my hair to cover the gray, get lippo-suction and a face-lift, if you can push this paperwork through, Sergeant."

He didn't go for it. Should I lie about my age?

MARINES

THE PRESIDENT'S OWN

[CHIEF negotiator]

WAY TO GO TONKIN!!!

[CHIEF negotiator]

That's the attitude. We old pharts can be of great assistance, if we can find the right "rule-bender".

[JoeSixPack1]

What was the name of the organization of civilian retirees that rotated Pacific shore watch during the ww2?

[Lurker]

Yes, it is.

Semper Fi.

L

[jwalsh07]

Mt brother and I tried the Army reserves, the guard and have a letter into Tom Ridge asking him if he can use old unit NBC NCO's. So far no luck.

[115thINTC]

I know just how you feel Chief. I'm 61. But, if I had a One Wish Magic Lamp, I rub it to be 27 and back on active duty as a 95B with some "special skills". so far I'm sticking with being a team leader for our local county OES Community Emergency Response Teams, the new fill in for the old Civil Defense.

[gwmoore]

Hey Thanks!!! I'm TGYC '70, and just think, when the sats go down from the EMP, they are gonna need us oldies that still can start up vacuum tube equipment and work CW. I don't think that age and spinal injury will be too much of a drawback ;-)

Keep the faith for Freedom

Greg

[The KG9 Kid]

"... I haven't found a Marine yet, that didn't try to re-up!"

Allow me to be your first. I did my hitch.

Now, I'm a Militia of One.

(Note to FBI/NSA/OHS lurkers: I'm utterly harmless and luv my country, the good ol' USA! *smoochies!*)

[AppyPappy]

You ain't too old. You're too mean. You'll scare the recruits.

[Mr. Lucky]

They are always damned handsome in their dress uniforms.

(pause here while I prepare to vent on a pet peeve)

I would venture that the biggest single distinction between the Marine Corps and the Army (except for the girlie boot camp thing) is that Marine brass does everything possible to instill a sense of warrior honor and tradition, while the Army brass does everything to quash it.

The Marine Corps dress unifrom is essentially unchanged since, well, since Christ was a lance coporal. The Army Dress uniform seems plagarized from the wait staff at the Plaza Hotel. Every stitch in the Marine Dress Blues means something, represents a fellow Marine who gave his all and is worn by a Marine who would do so today at a moment's call. What the Hell does the Army dress uniform stand for?

The combat arms of the United States Army have a tradition as rich with valor as any force on earth, but the brass seems embarrassed about it. My dad was a combat infantry officer in the Big Red One in North Africa (wherein he learned something about dealing with recalcitrant Arab allies). Instead of drilling the traditions of a victorious warrior Army into today's recruits, the brass substitutes sensitivity training and bus drivers' uniforms. The sooner the brass to re-emphasizes the warrior tradition and restores a traditional uniform, ie: the one warn on VE Day, (OK, and does something about the girlie boot camp), the sooner we can all sleep better (and Osama can sleep eternally).

Semper Fi

[CHIEF negotiator]

A snappy salute . . . you're doing an important job.

[COB1]

Just for you, CHIEF, and all the other old Gyrenes who would do it again for our country:

JUST CLICK ON THE GLOBE AND ANCHOR

[JoeSixPack1]

WOW!!! I just caught you post!! Your going back in!!!!!!!!!!! OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHRAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhh Congrats, kudos, screaming jealousy!!! Semper Fi & make sure you take your meds hehehe

[clamper1797]

G-D I shudder to think of trying to get back into my old uniform ... I'm probably 50 lbs heavier now

[LadyX]

"Isn't it the 226th birthday of the Marine Corps in November?"

Yes! November 10th is printed on our hearts, and we DO remember.

Prepare major bandwith!

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

I'm with you, CHIEF!

In fact, I think that Special Forces should consider putting together some "A"-Teams made up of Vietnam veterans- we are perhaps a little older now, a little slower, and probably can't climb up into a C-130 carrying 120 pounds of equipment anymore- but by God, we are mean and sneaky! (Just ask my wife...)

[Lazamataz]

Warfare changes.

Then it meant shooting a man with a rifle. Now, it means being especially productive here in America. Our war is to make America extraordinarily strong.

I am unusually focused at work, and getting that extra 20% out of myself. This is how I will defeat the Taliban.

Warfare changes.

[COB1]

"I'm 61. But, if I had a One Wish Magic Lamp, I rub it to be 27 and back on active duty "

I echo everything you said, my friend.
If you find that Magic Lamp, let me know.
Semper Fi

[Lazamataz]

Also, State Guards (as opposed to the National Guard) take older soldiers, provided you have prior military. State Guards are used domestically only, but are very valuable adjuncts to the National Guard and Reserves.

[wimpycat]

"If the Army and the Navy ever looked on heaven's scene,
they would find the streets are guarded by United States MARINES!"

Semper Fi from a Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune hometown girl!