U.S. Marines storm Virginia Town

CBS 48 hours

[VaBthang4]

...The story is coming up. Let's see if they mention F.F.A.S.T. company[First Fleet Anti-Terrorist Security].

[VaBthang4]

It is possible that he was at F.F.A.S.T. at some point but I dont think he was.

He claimed to have been there for four [4] years and though it may be possible, you only serve at F.F.A.S.T. for two years[I know of one scenario that will pretty much insure you remain for four [4] years but I will let him explain his position first before I say what it is.].

LOL...I cant remember a whole lot of people from the fleet and truth be told I dont remember the F.F.A.S.T. Company CO but I do remember the XO.

You are expressly not allowed to divulge other members of the Company. To me I really dont think it is a big deal but I am sure that some of the officers who were there would differ.

He didnt answer any simple questions I put to him. Fundemental things to F.F.A.S.T. Marines such as what you are required to sign before being accepted into F.F.A.S.T. or simple questions about the Security Force School itself[things you cant pull off the web].

But thanks for responding.

Semper Fi

[VaBthang4]

The beginning "F" in F.F.A.S.T. actually stands for "First" which is the company designation for the F.A.S.T. company in Norfolk.

If I am not mistaken the 2nd F.A.S.T. is located in Yortown.

F.F.A.S.T. is the proper acronym.

[VaBthang4]

Hey!

I just looked at your page and saw that you were an 0331.

Me too.

M-60, .50 cal and Mark 19.

For the most part I lugged around the 60 more than anything else.

[The KG9 Kid]

General rule of thumb is that all 'Special Duty' only lasts two years, as I recall... but I also remember that Marine institutions were changing a lot under Al Gray.

For instance: I remember School of Infantry always being called 'SOI', but I was in the first class to graduate from 'MCT'. Later, they went back to calling it 'SOI'. When I got a FNG in my squad reporting in from something called 'Camp Devil Dog MCTTA', I just stared at him and said 'Um, what?'.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

One-Two-Three-Four!!
United State Marine Corps!!

[The KG9 Kid]

Yeah, I was heavy weapons too: M2 and Mk19 MOD 3.

... And before *I* start getting quizzed, YES I know how to strip a Ma Deuce at night and keep from losing the critical sear return spring.

;-]

[VaBthang4]

When I went through...you went to MCT [glorified BWT] first and then after that we went to SOI.[so we did both]

Camp Geiger.

[VaBthang4]

Awe Bro, you wanna hear a downer...

I'm attached to 3/8 India Company and we're tasked with taking down an enemy position [Recon Boat docks out at Onslow...].

...and instead of assaulting by Helo or those little boats that one of the other companies used...

...No...our CO declares in a fit of vainglorious oneupsmanship that India Company alone will infiltrate by foot and take the position.

So we hump 13 miles out to Onslow...

"Did you march along the two lane road?"

Oh heck no.

Because doing that would mean cetrain death for our entire company as the Recon Marines would surely have an ambush set up to deal with any fool line company trying to walk in the front door.

Instead....we march in through the swamps just north of the position. Knee, Waiste, Chest and in some parts shoulder high swamp. Imagine an entire company marching through this...[Yes, the CO was a Moron].

Now for the kicker and point of the whole story...

Somewhere along the way, my second 60 gunner [Rhoulac] loses the entire pistol grip housing whatchamathingy that attaches underneath the 60 and is held in place with a pin and a little clip attached to the pin...dont ask me for the jargon.

We get ready to assault and Rhoulac explains what has happened. "Forgetaboutit" we leave him behind and assault the position.

For the next week they had Rhoulac out there in scuba gear diving down in that swamp to find that pistol grip housing.

In the end.....it came out of his wallet.

:o)

[VaBthang4]

"Stupidest Headline Ever on FreeRepub."

Did you click on it?

Mission accomplished.

[fnord]

I was at Camp Geiger in '79, small world. Don't remember a name or face, except this one nice WM I was dating then.

[JoeSixPack1]

Thanks for the ping. I also suffer from severe CRS seperated in 1975, 2ndAnglico was my last unit and they were disbanded sometime in the early 90's. .......

but the bottom line would be to PRINT YOUR DD214 and the argument is mute. (I doubt anyone would do that though)

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

FFAST may have been an unofficial acronym in 90-91 but according to Battalion history, the two FAST Companies weren't established until 1998. It's 1st FAST Co. and 2nd FAST Co., not FFAST. 4th MEB is going to add a 3rd FAST Co. Of course scanning in the header off of a copy of one of your PCS orders showing the acronym FFAST will clear everything up.

Initially organized as the Marine Detachment, Naval Operating base in 1920, Marine Barracks, Naval Base, Norfolk was received its formal designation in 1939. On 1 April 1987, the Barracks was commissioned as Marine Corps Security Force (MCSF) Battalion, Atlantic. The battalion exercised administrative control over MCSF Companies and Marine Detachment afloat assigned to Atlantic region. On 16 December 1993, the Battalion was again commissioned as Marine Corps Security Battalion, and assumed control of all MCSF Companies as well as the Marine Detachments. Beginning in 1998 with force reduction and realignments, several MCSF Companies and the Marine Detachments were disestablished. In their place, two Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Companies were established. These Companies provide Antiterrorism/Force Protection platoons to fleet CINCS to protect vital Naval assets. Furthermore, MCSF Battalion provides cadres of Marines to the security departments at designated Naval installations to provide training and supervision to Navy security personnel in antiterrorism and physical security.
(emphasis added)

What happened to that cheesy photo you ginned up of yourself on your profile page?

[VaBthang4]

"FFAST may have been an unofficial acronym in 90-91 but according to Battalion history, the two FAST Companies weren't established until 1998."

:o) You wouldnt be trying to muddy up the water now would you?
F.F.A.S.T. at NAB was established in 1987. As for the official establishment of a F.A.S.T. Company at Yorktown, I cant speak to that. I know in the early nineties it was only a security force unit guarding Nuclear stockpiles.

I''ll quote you and the "official" site...

Initially organized as the Marine Detachment, Naval Operating base in 1920, Marine Barracks, Naval Base, Norfolk was received its formal designation in 1939. On 1 April 1987, the Barracks was commissioned as Marine Corps Security Force (MCSF) Battalion, Atlantic. The battalion exercised administrative control over MCSF Companies and Marine Detachment afloat assigned to Atlantic region[which is the "first fleet"]. On 16 December 1993, the Battalion was again commissioned as Marine Corps Security Battalion, and assumed control of all MCSF Companies as well as the Marine Detachments. Beginning in 1998 with force reduction and realignments, several MCSF Companies and the Marine Detachments were disestablished. In their place, two Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Companies were established.
[emphasis on the emphasis added.... :o)]

Now with all of that said...

F.F.A.S.T. was indeed in existence in 1987....how the Marine Corps chose to "officially" designate it, I dont know and to be brutally honest...dont really care. It is what it is...if you have chosen to waste your time trying to debunk it then have at it Gomer.
Since he has chosen to make it public record, I will post this confirming the existence of a F.A.S.T. Company at Norfolk prior to your date of 1998.

Crucify me if you'd like but I am under the distinct impression that while I was at F.F.A.S.T., 2nd F.A.S.T. was located at Pendleton and handled Security concerns for the Pacific fleet. I have looked to find a second F.A.S.T. group early on but have found none. It appears that this reorganization during the Clinton years gave responsibility for all naval security concerns over to Norfolk & Yorktown Companies.

FFAST may have been an unofficial acronym in 90-91 but according to Battalion history, the two FAST Companies weren't established until 1998. It's 1st FAST Co. and 2nd FAST Co., not FFAST.

Symantics.....what I have said, I have said.

"4th MEB is going to add a 3rd FAST Co."

Thanks for the history lesson...especially considering it has nothing to do with the point of our discussion.

"Of course scanning in the header off of a copy of one of your PCS orders showing the acronym FFAST will clear everything up."

Are you serious?

My PCS orders?

HAHAHAHA...I suppose a wannabe conspiracy theorist might still have a copy of his cook school orders...

....I however didnt maintain a shrine of useless materials confirming my service in the Corps. I dont suppose too many other "real" Marines have either.

I can however try and find my DD214.

Stand by...

I took the photo of myself down out of a personal conviction not to continue to try and identify with my service in the Corps. It represents the past and to be quite frank...I am no longer the same man anyway.
With that said...If you are wanting to check out that once, fine specimen of Marine, it is still a part of the FReeper photo album.

[VaBthang4]

Thanks anyway for responding...

"2ndAnglico"

Forgive me but...I always wondered what you guys did? I never got to know any ANGLICO guys.

What exactly was your MOS? What service/functions did you guys provide?

[VaBthang4]

I remember a few faces but....

....uhhh....

....nope, no names. [With the exception of one friend] not any from SOI either.

The only reason I remember him is because we pretty much ran the same track throughout our four year stint....Same Battalion @ Parris Island, then on to MCT, SOI, Security Force School and assignment to F.F.A.S.T. and then to 8th Marines.

[JoeSixPack1]

http://www.anglicoassociation.org/anghstory.htm

[VaBthang4]

Wow...

I had a pretty good idea but I didnt know the depth of your training. That is awesome stuff.

[bluefish]

I'm FASTER than all you guys. I can run the mile in just under.... oh wait a minute...you Marine dudes are talking about something completely over my head, aren't you?

[VaBthang4]

bump

[thinden]

coming soon to an american city near you?

north carolina, virginia, ohio, and arkansas....and counting.