Right. My buddy who was in the Army told me this story because it -was- an abberation. But it seems hard to believe a Marine could get through recruit training and not know about the chain of command. I remember when I was in recruit training we seldom saw officers at all. And when we did, the DI's who regularly treated us like unworthy scum, were practically fawning over the officers when we did see them. It was all an act, I am sure. But it inculcated an attitude. Officers were special. They weren't your drinking buddy.
I think the Marine Corps does things a bit differently than the Army. I think (and I admit that this is my opinion) that the Marine Corps is able to instill institutional values that permeate the whole organization in the way that the Army does not.
To say there is -no- dfference between the Army and Marine Corps, as Prodigal Son did, is just wrong.
Walt
Did I say this? If I did, you have my sincere apology. I started out his thread complaining about Hackworth constantly complaining about something he can't have and won't ever change. I might've generalized to the point where I covered the entire military with broad statements based on my own personal experience and if I went that far- I'm sorry- I don't know jack about the Marines and don't want to know jack about the Navy or Air Force. As far as the AF and Navy go- I only know that if it's a big melee I'm supposed to help the AF guy beat the sailor's a$$ ;-)
But, yes, apparantly, there are great differences between the Army and Marines. But whether you are institutionalized better or more- hmmmm. That's subjective. The Army has values as well and I feel just as much a soldier and citizen now as I did when I was in uniform. I think we won't resolve this issue on this thread.
Like I said, my original post was dealing with Hack. Hackworth is always busting on the military. Our military is going to get this job done for us and you can bet the farm on that- regardless of what Hack says.