It's Now official...

[Makalakumu]

Interesting private comments, I expected some heat and negative comments, yet I think what I said above still has merit.

Also, its a good thing this thread was posted in the study in the first place...

In that regard, lets put it this way. If I had to tell a kid what I thought about joining the military, taking an oath to defend the constitution, and then going overseas to fight for American corporate imperial interests, I would try to talk them out of it.

A lot of guys I know are on their sixth tour over there. They've got families and kids they don't even know. And what are they really fighting for? Not for my freedom or anyone elses. Not for my safety, but maybe for the safety of the infrastructure our corporations want the taxpayers to build.

I feel really bad for them and I feel really bad for kids who feel like their only option to better themselves through education is to join an organization that sold out on the principles in which they take oaths.

I realize that this will seem inflamatory to a lot of readers and I assure you that this has nothing to do with the young man who is trying to find his way in the world. It reflects the disappointment in my country for abusing the good intentions of our youth in order to benefit the elite.

For the young man who is joining the Marines, I hope the gamble pays off. I hope you come out of it in one peice, physically, mentally and spiritually. I hope you come through this and its just another positive step toward your goals.

 

[CuongNhuka]

Good luck...As you know, its not going to be easy...just be ready for it! If at all possible, talk to a few Marines who ARE NOT recruiters and who DO NOT work at the MEPS. I've know a heck of a lot of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines who have horror stories about their recruiters. Just remember, whatever they tell you - they will never have to see you again, and when they do, they'll outrank you by enough that it doesn't matter what they said to you!

Good luck in Basic and keep us posted. I might run into you out there too.

Actually, I have to keep going back to them for pre-boot camp training.

 

[Andy Moynihan]

Interesting private comments, I expected some heat and negative comments, yet I think what I said above still has merit.

Also, its a good thing this thread was posted in the study in the first place...

In that regard, lets put it this way. If I had to tell a kid what I thought about joining the military, taking an oath to defend the constitution, and then going overseas to fight for American corporate imperial interests, I would try to talk them out of it.

A lot of guys I know are on their sixth tour over there. They've got families and kids they don't even know. And what are they really fighting for? Not for my freedom or anyone elses. Not for my safety, but maybe for the safety of the infrastructure our corporations want the taxpayers to build.

I feel really bad for them and I feel really bad for kids who feel like their only option to better themselves through education is to join an organization that sold out on the principles in which they take oaths.

I realize that this will seem inflamatory to a lot of readers and I assure you that this has nothing to do with the young man who is trying to find his way in the world. It reflects the disappointment in my country for abusing the good intentions of our youth in order to benefit the elite.

For the young man who is joining the Marines, I hope the gamble pays off. I hope you come out of it in one peice, physically, mentally and spiritually. I hope you come through this and its just another positive step toward your goals.

Then take comfort in the fact that this sort of abuse to the system will all be over soon. Our current administration leaves this year, and after that it won't be but five or so years at best before We're All Finished.

 

[CuongNhuka]

Then take comfort in the fact that this sort of abuse to the system will all be over soon. Our current administration leaves this year, and after that it won't be but five or so years at best before We're All Finished.

Thankfully, if McCain get's elected, the whole situation will only get worse. The knuckle head said that he'll keep 2,000,000 U.S. soldiers in Iraq for the next 100 years. Keep in mind, 2 million is the total peace time force of our military.

A freind asked me once why I (who doesn't support the current war) would join the military, and say that McCain will probably win, and then all hell will break loose.

 

[CoryKS]

OOH-RAH! Congratulations! You'll do great!

btw: Annex C is crap, too. But nobody realizes that until like two months after boot camp.

 

[CuongNhuka]

OOH-RAH! Congratulations! You'll do great!

btw: Annex C is crap, too. But nobody realizes that until like two months after boot camp.

I know. But, until then it makes a good way to get people to bug off. So does telling them that my PFC rank in the Marines means I out rank there cadet-General rank. It doesn't, but they don't know that either.

 

[jks9199]

I know. But, until then it makes a good way to get people to bug off. So does telling them that my PFC rank in the Marines means I out rank there cadet-General rank. It doesn't, but they don't know that either.

Actually, legitimate or real ranks is superior to any cadet rank. Cadet rank is a training body rank, and only valid within the training body. A Midshipman-Lt at USNA only holds the "real" rank of Midshipman, not lieutenant.

But... until induction, you don't have any rank!

I'm gonna steal the chance to tell a funny story about cadet/ROTC ranking, though... Every year, Army ROTC holds their Marshall Awards at VMI, since Mother I is the alma mater of George C. Marshall. Recall that, until just a few years ago, VMI did not admit women, though Army ROTC nationwide did have female cadets, of course. So... you had female cadets with all sorts of glorious cadet ranks traipsing around Post during the Marshall Awards. One young lady, a cadet major or somesuch high-falutin rank, entered the Guard Room in Barracks. The VMI cadet at the desk asked her what she needed... and she became livid! "Don't you pop to (come to attention) when an officer enters a room?!"

The VMI Cadet Officer of the Day (the cadet nominally responsible for everything on Post that day), happened to be taking his ease in the Guardroom... and, without putting his feet down from the desk where they were resting, responded "Yes, we do."

The young lady reportedly became so upset by this that she became speechless, sputtering... The Tac Officer (a commissioned officer who supervises the cadet OD and Barracks for the day) was in his adjoining office, and called the young lady in, and made it quite clear to her the difference between cadet rank and real rank...

Or at least that's the story I heard!

 

[CuongNhuka]

Actually, legitimate or real ranks is superior to any cadet rank. Cadet rank is a training body rank, and only valid within the training body. A Midshipman-Lt at USNA only holds the "real" rank of Midshipman, not lieutenant.

But... until induction, you don't have any rank!

That's my point.

 

[MBuzzy]

Actually, I have to keep going back to them for pre-boot camp training.

I realize that, a lot of recruiters have programs like that - and I applaud them for it. It does help to send people in with a little more information. Hopefully you got lucky with one of the better recruiters. I was referring to after basic - you go away to basic, do your thing, and go out into the military....very seldom will you see that recruiter again....and if you do, he'll still outrank you so much that no matter what he told you, there's nothing you can say! Not to knock your recruiter at all, just be sure that you take things with a grain of salt.

 

[MBuzzy]

I know. But, until then it makes a good way to get people to bug off. So does telling them that my PFC rank in the Marines means I out rank there cadet-General rank. It doesn't, but they don't know that either.

And be sure that if you run into any of them, you let them know it!!! The basic trainees during my field trained REALLY didn't like the cadets!

Plus, a few knocks from real enlisted troops help to make better officers with less of a chip on their shoulder about being an officer...IMHO.

 

[arnisador]

Yeah, cadet/candidate rank is in a funny status. Seniors at the academies (e.g., Firsties at USMA) think of themselves as "Third Lieutenants" but it's more complicated than that. I think a lot of people who know just enough to be dangerous (to themselves) confuse them with warrant officers.

Your recruiter will surely have, uh, embellished military life for you. Go in expecting that things won't be exactly as you were told, and don't be bitter about it. You're about to become a Marine, and that's a thing to be proud of.

 

[CuongNhuka]

Folks, I mean JROTC rank. Not full ROTC, or military acadamy rank. I mean JROTC rank.

 

[morph4me]

Don't ask what's in store for you in boot camp...I won't spoil the surprise and nothing I could tell you would really prepare you for it anyway. Best of luck, recruit. (I'll call you Jarhead when you graduate).

Gee, I don't remember being called recruit when I was at P.I. I was called alot of things, but nothing as nice as recruit :lol2:

The recruiters played a video of boot camp while I was talking to them, and several times there-after. I have an idea of what I've gotten myself into.

Actually you have NO idea, they're showing you the diluted version for public consumption, but congratulations and thank you for your service. Semper Fi and stay safe :asian:

 

[FieldDiscipline]

Congratulations. Please read the below and take these thoughts with you. These words were spoken by an exceptional British officer on the dawn of the war in Iraq. I believe there is a copy of this speech in the oval office.

From the BBC News report: UK troops told: Be just and strong originally from a pooled report by Sarah Oliver of the Mail on Sunday.

Collins's extempore address was a moving occasion. "He delivered the speech completely off the cuff," she recalls. "He said to me, 'I'll have to say a few words to the men to explain to them why they should take their anthrax drugs and malaria pills, or they just won't bother'. It just grew and grew into something magnificent - it made you realise the true meaning of the term 'rallying cry'.

"It was just after a standstorm and all the men were standing around him in a U-shape in the middle of a very dusty courtyard. A lot of the Irish Rangers are very young and he wanted to explain something of the history and culture of Iraq to them. They knew that the public at home had doubts about the rightness of the war, and he wanted to reassure them and tell them why they were there. He delivered the speech without a note and went on at length. By the end, everyone felt they were ready for whatever lay ahead."

We go to liberate, not to conquer.
We will not fly our flags in their country
We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own.
Show respect for them.

There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly.
Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send.
As for the others, I expect you to rock their world.
Wipe them out if that is what they choose.
But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory.

Iraq is steeped in history.
It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham.
Tread lightly there.

You will see things that no man could pay to see
-- and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis.
You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing.

Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country.
Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.

If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day.
Allow them dignity in death.
Bury them properly and mark their graves.

It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive.
But there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign.
We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back.
There will be no time for sorrow.

The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction.
There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam.
He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done.
As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity.

It is a big step to take another human life.
It is not to be done lightly.
I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts.
I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them.

If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family.
The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please.

If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer.
You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest -- for your deeds will follow you down through history.
We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation.

(On Saddam's chemical and biological weapons.)

It is not a question of if, it's a question of when.
We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself.
If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack.

As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there.

Our business now is north.

Copyright Tim Collins, 2003

Good luck. Semper Fi.