'Devil Dog' Steps in as New Depot Mascot (PUPPY POWER!!!!!)

Defend America News ^ | Cpl. Brian Kester

[SandRat]

Hummer, the new mascot for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, is undergoing his obedience training. The puppy will follow recruits through several trainings events before earning the title of depot mascot. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Kester

U.S. Marine Corps ‘Hummer’

'Devil Dog' Steps in as New Depot Mascot

By Cpl. Brian Kester
Parris Island

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C., April 7, 2006 — He is only 12 inches long, covered with white and brown hair and barks at the wall. Yet, the Marine Corps wants him to be one of the few, the proud.

His name temporarily is Hummer, and soon he will be going through recruit training to earn the title of Marine. He will then stand among a long list, including Lance Cpl. Mac and Cpl. Hashmark who have served as mascots and represented the proud tradition at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

"They are going to try to get him attached to a platoon," said Cpl. Jenna Bender, logistics clerk, Headquarters and Service Battalion and depot mascot handler. "They want to have him in the spotlight, so he can become a Marine."

Hummer will accompany recruits at various points during training, simulating his transition into a Marine. At the early age of 11 weeks, Hummer already demonstrates he has a keen mind for absorbing instruction

"He is one of the best puppies I have ever had," said Bender. "He learned to sit the first week I had him. I think he is going to be a great dog to represent Parris Island."

To simulate the transformation into a Marine, Hummer will follow recruits through several trainings events before earning the title of depot mascot.

Bender, with the help of Lance Cpl. Steve Crabbe, animal control officer for Parris Island Military Police District, will teach Hummer how to stay, come when called, lie down and roll over.

The pup will also go through obedience training to learn the discipline it takes to perform his duties without barking or acting up in a public scenario.

"(Right now) he is working on learning who the boss is," said Bender. "He is being socialized. It helps (him) to have interaction with other dogs."

Hummer's responsibilities aboard the depot begin by spending time every week in the depot's Douglas Visitors' Center, where he will greet the graduation day visitors.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jenna Bender, logistics clerk, Headquarters and Service Battalion and depot mascot handler, plays with Hummer, the depot's new mascot, March 24. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Kester

"He will also have to be at the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremony, graduations and morning colors," said Bender, who has been around dogs her whole life. "Anytime we are told to have him somewhere, he will be there."

Hummer even has his own "barracks" inside the Douglas Visitors Center where he has room to roam freely.

"It is cool to put something together that everybody on the base will see, it took a lot of work," said Sgt. David Carlson, Weapons and Field Training Battalion maintenance carpenter.

The pen was constructed with a puppy in mind and contains the mascot's doghouse.

The Mascot's ceremonial handling duties will be rotated out to the Headquarters and Service Battalion non-commissioned officer of the quarter.

"(Their) responsibilities will be to handle and escort the dog during his duties at the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremonies," said Dixon.

Hummer was born in Valdosta, Ga., to the same individual who breeds the University of Georgia mascots, said Bender.

"One of his cousins is working at the University of Georgia," added Bender. "(Hummer) could easily have been a show dog."

That being said, Hummer is a show dog of sorts, and will proudly carry on the duties of depot mascot.

[SandRat]

Four legged Marine Recruit!!!

[proud_yank]

Hummer? Keep it away from Bubba!

[RepoGirl]

He still ain't as cool as Otis.

[battlegearboat]

Fortunate son of a bitch.

[Bahbah]

He's going to make it :)

[AprilfromTexas]

Great story! Impressive that he learned to sit the first week. My dog is 14 and she still has to think about it...

[armymarinemom]

Hehehe. I sell Marine Corp dog T's and get a lot of orders when Marines are due home. Ya gotta love the Devil Dog dog.

[RenegadeNC]

Dear Hummer,

If you want to run with the big dogs...

stop pooping like a puppy!

Regards.

[hedgetrimmer]

My dog is 14 and she still has to think about it...

Well maybe if you had cashmere carpets, your dog would sit more readily?

[AprilfromTexas]

You're probably right. Obviously, the tile floors are not doing it for her.

[usmcobra]

He's no Soochow of the 4Th Marines, but I guess he'll do.

[FairOpinion]

Doggie PING

[FairOpinion]

He is so adorable!

[SandRat]

Name another Marine Recruit that gets played with, tickled, tummy scratches, hugs and kisses from his good looking lady Lance Corporal. Lucky doggie!

[FairOpinion]

Taht's probably because of his incredible "adorableness factor". ;)

[Fire_on_High]

Awfully pudgy for a Marine! Very cute pup.

[SandRat]

Hey I was adorable when I went in and I didn't get that sort of treatment. At least my Mom thought I was adorable, and the future Mrs. SR too.

[SandRat]

That's just American culture they harden that up soon enough with PT.

[Lurker]

I thought that was just me.

"Whats the matter? Didn't everybody make it with a beautiful MP last night?"

Then I woke up.

L

[clintonh8r]

Semper (woofin') fi!

[clintonh8r]

Fortunate son of a bitch.

Perfect!

[Kimmers]

Semper fi(do)

[Jonah Hex]

Dear Hummer:

Cocking a leg and peeing on an E-5 is NOT a good idea, and reflects poorly on the Corps.

Try to aim for a Navy O-6 next time.

;-)

[andysandmikesmom]

Thats one adorable pup..good luck Hummer...

[Calpernia]

[SandRat]

I approve of that dog. Gunny R. Lee would approve of that dog.

[El Gato]

He's no Soochow of the 4Th Marines, but I guess he'll do.

That is yet to be seen. Ya never know, with dogs, or with people.

[usmcobra]

No dog could ever match Soochow, A China Marine, The Phillipines, Corregidor, a POW for three years in a japanese prison camp, and then finally the San Diego MCRD mascot.

Hummer got it easy, Those Olde Corps devil dogs were dogs amoung dogs.

;)

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Valin]

"He is one of the best puppies I have ever had," said Bender. "He learned to sit the first week I had him.

Memo to recruits:
Watch and learn

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[Slings and Arrows]

http://www.mcrdmuseumhistoricalsociety.org/pages/museum/archives/bulldogmascotsinusmc.htm

Another well-loved Marine mascot was “Sgt Jack (Siwash) Cornelius”, a duck adopted by a 75mm pack howitzer unit of the 2nd Marine Division. At Tarawa, on D-Day plus one, he paddled ashore and chased a Japanese rooster up the beach when the fighting was at it height. Siwash went ashore on Saipan on D-Day and hit the beach at Tinian on D-day plus one. Sgt Siwash stayed by his 75mm until the islands were secured. On the battlefield Siwash was always the last to waddle into a foxhole and the last to get out.

There's a Marine who didn't duck combat duty!

[Slings and Arrows]

Jenna Bender is a certifiable nitwit. I recall when she first showed up at Sgt. Grit's and the Mickey Mouse crap she would post. She was only too happy to share photos of herself in various stages of undress with anyone who asked.

Shocking. Disgusting. A disgrace.

(Got the pix?)

[doberville]

Look at the PAWS on that Hummer!

We've had GSD, Labs and Dobies but NEVER have I seen feet that gigantic on a pup!

[Xenalyte]

Y'all think Salty needs one of these? Might help instill some discipline!

[Allegra]

Y'all think Salty needs one of these? Might help instill some discipline!

Plus, Salty has his own "Weapons of Mass Destruction" built in.

[SandyInSeattle]

He barks at the wall? He'll fit right in at the recruit depot!

[Reboot04]

This comment was brought to my attention this afternoon and I have to reply as I view it as at least a little bit slanderous. If I was a "Certifiable Nitwit" I don't believe the Marine Corps would have let me BACK IN after six years out...If anyone on Grit's saw me "in states of undress" it was in a bathing suit. And I don't believe that anyone asked to see any pictures of that sort, though I do have many friends IRL from Grit's. I do not post "Mickey Mouse" crap on Grit's and I have been a member of good standing since September of 1997...when did you join because I can't find you on Grit's right off the bat, unless you care to let me know your user name?

Jenna Bender
(RebornAngels on Grit's)

[Slings and Arrows]

I'm not a member of the Grits, whatever they might be, and I didn't make the comments about your behavior on the Grits - you want the guy whose comment I quoted above my wisecrack.

[Reboot04]

I know...and I had already posted my above post before I noticed my error. I apologize. I assumed whoever read my response would know who I was talking about.

Again...my apologies.

Please know, the picture that fellow is painting is highly suspect.

Jenna

[Slings and Arrows]

Apology accepted, and I'm always skeptical of anything I read on the web - after all, I post there too.

[Reboot04]

Thanks...good to know!

Jenna

[GAB-1955]

So how is Hummer doing?

[Reboot04]

Hummer will most likely be called "Recruit Tripoli" coming up here real soon. He starts boot camp next week! He's shaping up to be a great poolee! I think he'll make the Marine Corps proud. He's weighing in at 24.8 lbs right now and has been microchipped. He's losing his baby teeth as well.

Jenna

[GAB-1955]

We wish Recruit Tripoli well!

Although I was in the Army, I respect Marine drill instructors. I've seen them train at Parris Island. I've talked to them off duty. They are intelligent, alert, fit, and moral men and women. If I had to put an only child into the hands of a total stranger to save her life, I would give her to a Marine Drill Instructor.

[Centurion2000]

He barks at the wall? He'll fit right in at the recruit depot!

Make him a drill instructor, he's got the pre-requisite talent.

[Reboot04]

Well...

Recruit Hummer (as they decided to officially call him) is in boot camp. He has already completed his IST, his Company Commander's Inspection, Pugil Sticks and Swim Qual (he's obviously not "company track" for training)and will complete his MCMAP training and the Gas Chamber today. Please email me if you'd like to send him motivational mail!

Jenna