Dad's video of run-down barracks sparks military response

CNN ^ | April 28, 2008

[Grizzled Bear]

Gazebo’s and drop ceilings are one thing. Providing decent living quarters is another.

I agree with the idea of decent living quarters. My comment was in response to your "cream puff" remark. At Mannheim AIN a bunch of us Air Force "cream puffs" sacrificed off duty time and worked our tails off to make our Army buildings livable (dorm, vehicle bay, office building).

A lot of Soldiers were "wanna-be Cream Puffs" and asked if they could get assigned to our dorm. Some were welcomed. If they got stupid they were booted out.

[Dick Vomer]

We put ourselves first only when it would benefit our troops, or save them from harm.

God smiled at me when I was around. I had great senior NCO's and officers. I mean, they were in great shape, were Marines first and foremost, and lived the life, walked the walk and asked nothing that they hadn't done or were willing to do.

I've seen other units where that wasn't the case. I might have just been lucky.... very, very lucky.

It actually makes me misty eyed on how idealistic I was. I loved the men who commanded me and they knew that I liked hot temperatures, high humidity and getting in a tussle. So it was mutually beneficial to all concerned. I don't know if you're active now, but show your men that you actually care about them in a manner that doesn't benefit you (no show boating or drawing attention to yourself) and they will stick their heads through a wall for you .... and follow you into the most god-awful mess in order to carry out a mission.

That's what they were trying to show you in OCS.