Navy Commissioned DDG 109, Named for the Medal of Honor Recipient

A year from now, when the Marine Corps turns 236 on Nov. 10, 2011, crew members of the Navy’s newest destroyer may remind themselves that it would also have been Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham’s 30th birthday.

More than six years after Dunham’s death, the Navy commissioned DDG 109, named for the Medal of Honor recipient, on Saturday morning in Port Everglades, Fla. Read the whole story here

Cpl. Dunham's parents dedicated his Medal of Honor to all service members and you can read more here

Corporal Dunham saved the lives of other Marines by giving his own. There is no greater love a man or woman can give than to lay down his or her life for their brothers or sisters in battle. Cpl. Dunham was a man of honor.

Don't Ask - Don't Tell

The issue of "Don't Ask - Don't Tell" has been an issue for quite some time but has recently come under fire and so there is currently a survery being taken and the results of that survey may change how the Marine Corps views the issue of don't ask, don't tell.

The 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James F Amos, had this to say: “There is nothing more intimate than combat and I want to make that point crystal clear.”  The General's whole quote on the subject can be viewed here.

Happy Birthday USMC!

Today marks the 235th birthday of the United States Marine Corps and I just had to write a short note to wish all my Marine brothers and sisters a safe and happy Marine Corps birthday! OORAH! Semper Fi

The Marine Corps Birthday

We are only 12 days away from celebrating the 235th birthday of the United States Marine Corps - OOORAH! If you plan on attending the Marine Corps Ball and have not bought tickets you may be to late but there is always hope that your unit has made allowances for late comers. For information on The Marine Corps Birthday, the Marine Corps Ball, etiquette and how to purchase tickets visit: The Marine Corps Birthday

While Waiting Your Turn at Recruit Training ...

Since your wait to enter Marine Recruit Training could be as long as 9 month from your enlistment you should make good use of that time by making sure you can easily pass the Marine Corps PFT.

The minimum fitness standards, IST (Initial Strength Test) to enlist remains the same as in past years:  2 pull-ups (from a dead hang), 44 crunches in 2 mins and a 1 1/2 mile run in 13 1/2 minutes. But at pool sessions, enlistees are now warned that unless they can do considerably better, they may not be able to keep up with other recruits.  So you might want to make sure you are in top shape (hard as a rock with stamina to spare) if your goal is to become platoon honor man.

I would suggest that you be able to MAX the PFT from the start of your training. That means 20 pull-ups from a dead hang, 100 crunches in 2 minutes and finishing 3 miles in 18 minutes. But there is a lot more you NEED to know to excell during Marine recruit training and here's where to get the edge you need.

For more info visit: Marine Corps Recruit Training

In fact if you have goals of entering special units such as MARSOC , Force Recon and Scout Sniper Teams, you MUST qualify with a 1st Class PFT and Swim. You also must qualify EXPERT on the rifle range. So with that in mind you should take the necessary steps NOW to insure your success when you arrive at MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot).

2 Marines Fishing

Sgt. Earl and L/cpl Bubba are quietly sitting in a boat fishing, chewing tobacco and drinking beer when suddenly Bubba says, "Think I'm gonna divorce the wife - she ain't spoke to me in over 2 months."

Earl spits overboard, takes a long, slow sip of beer and says, "Better think it over.............women like that ...are hard to find."

Beirut Bombing Remembrance Ceremony

On October 23, 1983, in Beirut, Lebanon suicide bombers detonated two truck bombs, one striking the barracks housing U.S. Marines and the other a barracks housing French paratroopers.

The attack on the Marine Barracks was devastating with the death toll at 241 American servicemen: 220 Marines, 18 Navy personnel and 3 Army soldiers, along with sixty Americans injured, representing the deadliest single-day death toll for the Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima during WWII.

Pfc. Christofer Baines covered the Beirut remembrance ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery and his thoughts can be read here: A Brush with History

Amos Takes Command of The Corps

Gen. Jim Amos took command of the United States Marine Corps on Friday, becoming the 35th commandant in the service’s 235-year history. After taking the colors from outgoing commandant Gen. James Conway, Amos’ first pronouncement reflected the electricity in the air and the chorus of “oorahs” ringing out from the stands. Read the whole story here: Amos takes command of the Corps

The Corps May Have a New Toy - The M27

From what I understand the Corps has been testing a variant of Heckler & Koch’s HK416, called the M27 and is contemplating the new weapon as a replacement for the M249 or SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) which in my personal opinion isn't a good move because ...

The M27, with a normal 30 round mag (50 and 100 rnds avail), doesn't have near the fire power capability as the M249 with its 200 round drum of belted ammo. The M27 is a more likely replacement for the M16 or M4. It is a damn fine looking weapon and if it is anything like a shortened HK 92 it is most definitely a fine weapon. You can read more about the possible integration of the M27 as an IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle) here: Marine Corps Times

Marine Corps Enlistment

Marine Corps Enlistment should not be taken lightly because enlisting in the United States Marine Corps is a life changing decision. In fact, it could lead to early death and that is one thing you need to come to grips with before you join the Marine Corps. Read more here: Marine Corps Enlistment

If you are thinking of joining the Marine Corps you may have to wait for your turn at Marine Corps Boot Camp simply because there is a line miles long. Young men are enlisting in the Corps at a rapid rate. They all want a chance to prove themselves worthy of wearing the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. And it's no surprise. Earning the Eagle, Globe and Anchor along with the honor of being called a Marine is not easy.

Waiting List For Marines Boot Camp

For almost a century young men have been going to San Diego or Parris Island for Marines Boot Camp to see whether or not they can pass the test, prove worth and tough enough to earn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor and the title Marine. Young men west of the Mississippi River enter training at MCRD San Diego while men east of the Mississippi and all women enjoy their basic training at Parris Island. However ...

Eventhough our country is at war; according to the Los Angeles Times the line is long and there is an actual waiting list to enter Marines Boot Camp. If you enlist in the Corps today your wait could be as long as 9 months to begin recruit training and that may be a good thing considering so many young men decide to join on the spur of the moment without thinking about what exactly they are jumping into. A long wait for an intense experience

If you are serious about joining the Marine Corps and becoming one of the finest warriors on earth you may want to prepare for boot camp because it isn't easy to become a Marine. You can use the information, tips and strategies taught in Prepare for Boot Camp to actually prepare for your time in Marines Boot Camp.

Marine Physical Conditioning Platoon?

The Marine Physical Conditioning Platoon otherwise affectionately known as the Pork Chop Platoon is designed to help those Marine recruits, who fail the IST (Initial Strength Test) and/or are over or under weight  to lose weight, gain strength, muscle and endurance in order to pass the IST and PFT (Physical Fitness Test).

If you disregard my advice and are unlucky enough to be chosen for PCP you will not like it. You will be PT'd to death and put on special rations to either reduce calorie intake ot increase it which ever is necessary to get you into Marine shape.

The best way to avoid being dropped from your Marine Corps Recruit Training platoon and having to do a tour in the Pork Chop Platoon is to lose weight (if you are overweight), gain upper body strength and endurance and be able to pass the Marine Corps PFT BEFORE you enter Marine Corps Recruit Training.

Thinking of Joining the Marine Corps?

Then you need to check out my site Why Join The Marine Corps because it offers you valuable information that you can use to determine whether or not joining the Marine Corps is the right move for you.

The Marine Corps Times lists 232 reasons to love your Corps and one could definitely consider all or at least a large majority of those 232 reasons as reasons to join the Marine Corps.

You may also find Marines Boot Camp Info of value as well.

Marines with cancer decry Corps' silence ...

About tainted water at Camp Lejeune during the 1980's. According to an article posted two days ago in the Los Angeles Times there is a possibility that hundreds of Marines and their family members (spouses and children etc ...) may have cancer or will contract cancer due to the polution of the water systems in some areas of Camp Lejeune by several chemicals. You can read the whole article here.

Unfortunately chemicals cause or contribute to disease and some can be linked to cancer. Marines and other military members who were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War can attest to the hazards of chemical exposure.

The Marine Corps preaches honor, courage and commitment and instills those values into Marine recruits during basic training and beyond, so if in fact the above article posted in the LA Times is viable then it is this Marine's opinion that the Corps needs to suck it up by cleaning up the hazards, supporting and compensating any Marines and/or family members who may have contracted cancer from the tainted water at Camp Lejeune. It's simply the right thing to do.

Why Join the Marine Corps?

Why would any man or woman with good sense want to join the Marine Corps? Why go through the arduous rigors of Marine boot camp also known as Marine recruit training only to possibly be deployed to a combat zone and become a KIA (killed in action) or a disabled veteran?

There are many reasons men and women just like you, myself included, join the Marine Corps and to get some idea of the reasons why brave men and women join the Corps you can visit this site: Why Join The Marine Corps and if you have already enlisted and are wondering what is in store for you at Marine Corps Boot Camp you can visit this site for answers: Marine Corps Recruit Training

Marines Modify Rifle Qual

It seems that many things have changed since I enjoyed my time in Marine recruit training and was on active duty. One of those changes has to do with the rifle range and qualification. You can read this forum post from Leatherneck -> Marines Modify Rifle Qual

On your way to Marine Corps Recruit Training? If you are you are going to need an edge. It's no Sunday church picnic and if you know what's instore and how to adapt, improvise and overcome you too will be able to join America's most honored fighting force, complete your testing (recruit training) and earn the title Marine. This is the manual you need for success.

After Discharge One of Your Military Service Benefits is the VA Medical Center

For years I had no idea that I could use the VA Medical Center for my personal medical care. I was under the misguided impression that the VA Medical Centers were only for those who had Military disabilities or were retired from the American armed forces. But I found out from a friend and fellow Marine that my thoughts were wrong. So I checked it out for myself to be sure and ...

As a Marine, even with only 3 years of active duty service, one of my benefits is the availability of medical care via the VA. As long as you have been honorably discharged from the American armed forces, any branch of service, you have the opportunity to obtain medical care at any VA Medical Center throughout the United States. It doesn't matter if you are successful and have great insurance or if you are completely destitute and can't pay a dime the VA will make sure you receive proper medical care. If you can pay for medical care great - through the VA you may only have a small co-pay after your insurance covers the bill but if you are less financially fortunate you could be eligible for free medical care. All you need to do is ...

Visit your VA online or at the nearest VA Medical Center location and sit down with a VA rep and give your sitrep. Your VA counselor will help you fill out any necessary paperwork and help you get approved for medical care.

Is Marine Boot Camp Hard? Marines Testify About Boot Camp Abuse

Is Marine boot camp hard? Do bears shit in the woods? When I went through Marine boot camp 38 years ago abuse of recruits was a normal thing. Marine recruit training wasn't a fucking daycare. It was designed to weed out the weak, the "non-hackers" and our platoon lost over half the recruits we started with. Obviously it isn't the same as it was then for now Marine Drill Instructors are disciplined severely for abusing recruits to the extremes that were normal to me when I was in Marine basic training. 1st phase was the worst. It was like "Hell phase." It fucking sucked.

In the words of the Associated Press November 08, 2007

"SAN DIEGO - Several Marines testified Nov. 7 that their boot camp drill instructor smacked them in the head with flashlights and rifles and ordered platoon members to lie in their own vomit." You can read the whole article here: Marines Testify About Boot Camp Abuse

The Marine Corps Times offers another article about abuse in Marine boot camp you can read about it here: $30M abuse case began at boot camp. Scott DiDonato, a former Army man, experienced difficulty while in Marine boot camp. This is an example of an unfortunate injury due to physical abuse but I also saw some of that while in boot camp. Being a squad leader I'd get beat everytime one of my squad screwed up. I've had one DI stand on my back, while I did push-ups and the other smack me in the ribs with his feet. Luckily I never suffered any real damage but several others did.

I remember some of my fellow recruits whining about one of our DI's and his love of making us hang on the pull-up bars and smacking us in the gut with an M14. If you puked the whole platoon ran 3 miles as a reward. Blanket parties (Code Reds) for misbehaving recruits or those who didn't give their all were fairly common during 1st and second phase. One DI used to love to have us gather in the dirt in front of our qhuts, use the hose to water down the dirt, make us piss in it and do PT (push-ups, sit-ups, bend and thrusts) in the mud and then hit the rack with no shower. Now ...

I'm not complaining. In fact, I think it was a good "weeding out" process and I told that whining recruit and the rest of my squad that was sitting around with us that if I could do what was asked of me, live through the mental and physcial stress then they could too. In fact, damn near the whole platoon heard me give my little speach and there was far less whining afterwards.

I could tell you more but chances are you'd think I was telling stories or blowing smoke up your ass but the truth is Marine boot camp was no fuckin picnic, wasn't designed for pussys and those who graduated damn well earned their Eagle, Globe and Anchor. And ...

I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Are you headed for Marine Corps Recruit Training? Here's the "edge you need."

Welcome to Join the Marine Corps ...

I just want to thank you for stopping by my little corner of the world and reading about one of the most interesting and probably the most life changing decisions I ever made which was to Join the Marine Corps. Now you might wonder Why Join The Marine Corps and maybe because of today's economy in America you may be thinking of joining the military as a career move. You may be looking at the Army, Navy or Airforce but you may also be considering becoming a Marine, heck you may have already enlisted on the delayed entry program and are looking for some info or an edge to help prepare you for and insure you graduate from boot camp. If you have already enlisted and are wondering what is in store for you at Marine Corps Boot Camp you can visit this site for answers: Marine Corps Recruit Training

By the way I am not a highly prolific writer so I may not add anything to this blog on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis but if you become a follower I believe you'll get notified when I do add material. Thanks again fro stopping by, I hope you like what you read and stop back often. Good luck and have a great day  :-)