Marines, Not Soldiers

Tampa Tribune ^ | As shown

[gunnyg]

Marines, Not Soldiers

Published: Jan 28, 2002

I have a complaint about some of the news readers for the local television stations, and I am sure there are countless other Marines with the same one.

It is galling to hear the news readers referring to Marines as ``soldiers.''

Marines are not soldiers; they are Marines and always will be. There is no such thing as an ex-Marine or a former Marine. We are all ``Marines,'' period.

Soldiers are members of the Army and sailors are members of the Navy. You wouldn't call a soldier a sailor, so why would you call a Marine a soldier?

Marines are chosen because of their ability to be more than just an average service man or woman. They deserve to be called what they are, and not soldiers. Semper Fi, Mac.<

TONY FAGGIONETampa

[Scuttlebutt]

Touché.

[Lanman]

WHAT IS A MARINE?

The USMC: Over 225 years of romping, stomping, hell, death and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. I was born in a bomb crater, my mother was an M-16. My father was God Almighty. Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your life. I am a roughish looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and I do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself. I am a green amphibious monster made of blood and guts who arose from the sea festering on anti-Americanism throughout the globe, wherever it may arise. When my time comes I?ll die a glorious death on the battlefield giving my life to Mom, apple pie, and the American Flag. We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, the rope from the Army, and on the seventh day while God rested, we overran his perimeter, stole the globe, and have been running the show ever since. We live like soldiers, talk like sailors and slap the hell out of both of them. Soldier by day, Lover by night, drunkard by choice, Marine by the grace of God!

[Kevin Curry]

The Navy carries the load.

Judging from many I've seen, this is true. They must be fed well during those long voyages from home. ;-)

[PISANO]

You wouldn't call a soldier a sailor, so why would you call a Marine a soldier?

The only reason this happens so frequently is because ONE does NOT have to give a few years of his life to serve his country as it was in my youth. You won't find ANY in my age group making that mistake.

[dpa5923]

Uh oh, here we go. . .

A young kid is running around the mall, screwing around and sees a young sailor, home on leave from basic training, walking about the mall in his cracker-jack outfit. The kid runs up to the squid, er, uh, I mean sailor and says, "Hey, ain't you one of those sailors that protect our way of life, sail the seven seas and keeps America free?"

The sailor beams with pride and says, "Why yes, son, I am. Here, you can wear my hat." The sailor then hands his hat over to the kid.

The kid happily puts the hat on and runs about the mall, frolicking to and fro. Eventually, the kid needs to relief himself so he goes to the head (latrine for you illiterate folks out there) and sees a Marine Lance Corporal (God loves LCpl's) in his service Alpha's, laying on the deck next to the toilet, obviously drunk and in a serious state of dishevel.

Sternly, the kid asks the Marine, "Hey, ain't you one of those Marines who runs around town causing hate and discontent, starting bar fights and stealing people's daughters?"

The Marine slowly opens one eye and tells the kid "Suck my $%&^, kid!"

Confused, the kid replies, "But I'm only wearing a sailors hat!"

[gunnyg]

"No, I like all you Navy boys. Every time we 've gotta go someplace and fight, you fellas always give us a ride."
Ref
http://www.godamongusdirectors.com///scripts/fewgood.shtml

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Rumsfeld was a squid.

[JoeSixPack1]

Gunny, we've had to put up with being called every name in the book depending on the nations "FEELINGS" of the moment. Since the days of Tun Tavern on through Afghanistan we answer the call regardless.

Being a graduate of PI or San Diego puts us all in a proverbial semantic jack-in-the-box of what our name is today. It's part of the deal we raised our hands for. No recognition beyond our peers, no thanks beyond our family. But we above all else we know who and what we are.

I do not feel maligned at being mis-titled by the same screwballs who trivalised Presidential sexcapades of the 90's or encouraged draft dodging in the 60's and idolised treason of a certain Hanoi Jane.

Person to person, I am a Marine and will accept no other title. I have been thanked, cursed, looked down at, and looked up to. But I know, as you do who we are. Recognition is/was not part of the MOS discription, but then again being humble isn't there either.. The simple reality is, I am a Marine. The presstitutes are not capable of understanding the implication of that title. Stay Proud, Marine.

Cpl, 2nd Anglico, Force Troops, USMC (72-75)

[gunnyg]

JACK!

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

There is no such thing as an ex-Marine or a former Marine.

I have to disagree. Names like Glenn, Oswald, Lonetree, Carville, Garwood, Dennehy and quite a few others come to mind.

[gunnyg]

Very well-spoken, Marine!

Semper Fidelis!
Dick G

[ericthecurdog]

3. The Navy carries the load.

I could add, "and bugs out like at Guadalcanal"...but I won't....

The 'Load' was carried in their trousers that day.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Dan Blather claims to be a Marine but failed to make it thru basic at PI (medical discharge, I believe).

Nonhacker Rather was discharged as medically unfit on 11 May 1954 and did not graduate from recruit training. A fact which begs the question how was he medically fit to serve in the Army Reserves while a student during the Korean War? You weren't hiding from the draft were you, Dan boy? I've never seen anything definitive on where he was sent for recruit training, but since he was from Texas it's more than likely he was in San Diego. There have been a few from west of the Mississippi who went to Phantasy Island, but not many. That puke is a liar about many things and claiming to be a former Marine will earn him a major a** kicking if he ever makes the mistake of being in my presence.

[kellynla]

Practice what you preach...for the millions of Marines who have fought and died for this country learn how to spell....M A R I N E ...we Marines earned that respect... bought and paid for in full...and I stand by what I said...now go bother someone else because I have a lot more important things to do today than to educate you...

[ericthecurdog]

Notice the Rummy, a Marine himself...

Actually, Rumsfeld was a Naval Aviator (1954-57)

[Paulus Invictus]

My favorite Marine poster, a very rare one from 1944, is framed in my office. It features my own brother as a Marine tossing a grenade. The text: "Aim High...Join United States Marines." I treasure the poster because I know it also represents his 27 years of dedicated service in dangerous places like Saipan, Okinawa, China, Korea, and Viet Nam. Semper Fidelis!

[realpatriot71]

I guess I just don't "get it," but then I'm not a Marine. I'll call you guys whatever it is you want to be called. :-) Thanks for serving our country.

[gunnyg]

Speaking of USMC Recruiting Posters!

[xsrdx]

I am cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and I do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself.

Man, if I had an ex-wife, that would describe her PERFECTLY.

By the way, SOLDIERS are the reason MARINES still have a job. You can rag on the NAVY because you're part of it - altho I think a few NAVSPECWAR studs around here might take exception, and swimming to work would suck - but if you want to take offense at being called a SOLDIER, you should consider exactly what that means, REGARDLESS of the valiant and glorious history of the Marine Corps.

Soldiers have kept this country free - MARINES provided valuable assistance.

I Am The Infantry - Follow Me.

[Docbarleypop]

Since Marines are owned by the Navy, wouldnt that make them sailors? just kidding dont shoot me i am a corpsman!! i reserve the right to harrass the guys who risk theyre lives and drag me along with them