To: All
Youve doubtlessly heard of the heroic exploits of the K-9 dog troops, but here are some other canine Marines, all of whom may be found in the Second Division:
Chow Hound - He knows that the food is the worst in the world and the cooks are pampered as distant cousins of the General, but he somehow manages to be at the head of the line every time the bugle blows. He is very choosy about his victuals, and has been known. to refuse third or fourth helpings.
Sack Hound - He is a horizontal figure who operates under the theory that he was born in bed and has no reason to ever leave there. He is not completely inactive, though; sometimes he turns over.
Liberty Hound - He will turn out for an inspection looking like a grease monkey with a hangover, but for two hours before liberty call goes he is primping. He will not return to camp until two minutes before liberty expires, but he will immediately spin a pitiful tale of nothing there to do, swearing he will stay on board from now on.
Mail Hound - This species has been threatened with eradication time and time again by the Mail Clerk Union, but is nevertheless prevalent at all camps. The hound starts in at reveille and continues until taps asking the poor post office boys the same question: Any mail today? When he does get some, he gathers up his 14 or 16 letters and asks disappointedly, Is that all? Beer Hound - Full details may be found in W.C.T.U.** bulletin 346B.
** W.C.TU. = Womens Christian Temperance Union.
ADDENDUM
(1) SAM BROWNE BELT (ORIGIN)
The belt is named after Gen. Sir Samuel Browne (1824-1901), who lost an arm at the Battle of Selporah during the Indian Campaign/Mutiny.
Accordingly, he devised a new sort of saber belt which was used in the British expedition to Afghanistan in 1879. The British expeditionary force brought ft to France in 1914 and other allied members adopted it
(2) STACKING SWIVEL
The stacking swivel was shaped like a chain link with one side open. When a rifle squads 4 fire teams of 3 men each received the command stack arms, the 2 outer men would link their swivels and the man in the middle would twist his swivel into theirs, thereby completing a pyramid. All three men would then leave the stack and return to attention.
This maneuver was practiced as part of formal drill. But, in the field, the fire team would never stack arms. Rather, the members would lay their weapons down to go to chow, erect tents, etc. Also, one of the most used instruments of torture ever devised in Pains Island. The stacking swivel was held between the thumb and first finger, at arms length until you thought your arm would become dislodged from you shoulder. Invariably someone would drop their rifle just as the drill instructor told you to bring them down, of course you know what followed
(3) SWAGGER STICK STORY
Probably the best description of its function may be quoted from a British regimental sergeant major instructing new officers. Now gentlemen, the swagger stick is not for rattling along railings, cleaning out drains at home, or swiping the heads of poor innocent little flowers. Nor is it for poking into stomachs or for fencing duels in the mess line. No, gentlemen, it is to make you walk like officers and above all to keep your hands out of your pockets. In the Marine Corns, the swagger stick came into vogue in the latter part of the 19th century, and was a required article of uniform until WWI. The first actual presentation of the swagger stick was made in 1569 when Charles IX of France made his brother Henry generalissimo and gave him one to signify his appointment. Swagger sticks evolved from the leading cane prescribed for British officers in a General Order of 1702. On parade, this cane was used for leading men. But it was also used administering on-the-spot punishment of up to 12 strokes for minor violations of regulations. Examples of the latter were: sneezing in ranks, scratching the head, or giving an officer a dirty look.
In 1959, the Marine Corns had a new commandant. General 0. M. Shoup had changes on his mind when he took over the position. Most famous of these changes was the banishing of the swagger stick to a place on the closet shelf next to the Sam Browne belt. Shoup stated that a clean, neat, well fitted uniform with the Marine Corns emblem was tops.
There is one piece of equipment about which I have a definite opinion. ft is the swagger slick. ft shall remain an optional item of interference, if you feel the need, carry it. The swagger stick almost disappeared overnight.
The fact that the carrying of a club denoted authority is almost as old as history itseif. Despite the American prejudice against military show, swagger sticks appear from time to time with official sanction of local commanders. Not only do they satisfy the human desire for something to occupy the hands, but they also help combat that horrible and most undesirable tendency of putting your hands in your pockets.
(Thanks to Col. Blackie Cahill, USMC (Ret.), who added:) I carried the swagger stick until just before I retired in 1978, when it was deleted from tire Clothing Manual as an item. At no time did any senior officer suggest to me that I put it on the shelf. I was definitely in the minority. Other Marines of equal and lower ranks would confide in me that they also would carry it, but didnt want to make a statement.
To me it was a question of guts. On the bulkhead in my egomania room I have a plaque with four of my swagger slicks. Two are official as officer and SNCO sticks. Another, with a .50 caliber cartridge at one end and the bullet at the other, I carried in Vietnam when I commanded a Marine Infantry Battalion at Khe Sanh.
64 posted on
11/28/2002 8:54:17 AM PST by
Dubya
To: Dubya; radu; Johnny Gage; Radix; bentfeather; LaDivaLoca; Kathy in Alaska; WVNan; SassyMom; ...
Manama, Bahrain (Nov. 25, 2002) -- The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is pinned on the uniform of Chief Boatswain's Mate Jim Prewitt. Chief Prewitt was presented the medal for heroism while serving with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit Six, Charleston, South Carolina on September 11, 2001, where he displayed extraordinary heroism and bravery in the face of extreme danger. Chief Prewitt was working with the Secret Service in New York City during the attack on the North Tower of the World Trade Center. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Denny Lester.
65 posted on
11/28/2002 9:09:35 AM PST by
tomkow6
To: Dubya; radu; Johnny Gage; Radix; bentfeather; LaDivaLoca; Kathy in Alaska; WVNan; SassyMom; ...
At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Nov. 26, 2002 -- Commander, United States Central Command, General Tommy Franks, speaks with Sailors aboard Abraham Lincoln during a recent USO sponsored concert. General Franks spoke of the importance of the carriers mission before introducing legendary entertainer Wayne Newton and his cast of friends who performed aboard the aircraft carrier. Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are currently deployed on a scheduled six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Philip A. McDaniel.
At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Nov. 26, 2002 -- Wayne Newton entertains the officers and crew aboard Abraham Lincoln during a concert held on the ships flight deck. The show, introduced by General Tommy Franks, Commander, United States Central Command, also included comedian Paul Rodriguez, country singer Neal McCoy and cheerleaders from the Dallas Cowboys. Abraham Lincoln is currently deployed on a scheduled six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tyler Clements.
66 posted on
11/28/2002 9:13:31 AM PST by
tomkow6
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