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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) — A Marine facing dismissal for running a Facebook page criticizing the Obama administration is now backed by a team of lawyers and federal congressmen as he fights to stay in the military and test its age-old policy of limiting the free speech of service members. Sgt. Gary Stein will appear before a military board at Camp Pendleton on Thursday to argue his case. The 26-year-old Marine has been rallying for support since he was notified last month that the military was moving to discharge him after determining he was in violation of the Pentagon policy...

Liberals are starting a boycott against Katy Perry because of her music video - Part of Me.

I guess I'm the only one outraged by this. I did a search for previous posts and didn't find anything. So there's this commercial for the Marines that has run at least twice now that I've seen. Lot's of guys hitting the beach &c., but no enemy. But one of the helicopters is full of boxes labeled "AID." I'm not a Marine, but I feel sorry for those I've know, who see their Corps relegated to a meals-on-wheels brigade. I searched for a video of this commercial, but was unable to find one. ML/NJ

A Marine sergeant who started a Facebook group that is openly critical of President Barack Obama and posted comments saying he will not follow the unlawful orders of the commander in chief is facing possible dismissal from the Corps.

The Marine Corps Times previews its cover story about anti-Obama Marines at their 'Battle Rattle' blog. According to the article, of the 792 active-duty troops and mobilized reservists who responded to this year's Military Times Poll, 44 percent said that they disapprove of the way Obama is handling his job as commander in chief. The article cites hot button issues such as repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," relaxing restrictions of women in combat, and steep budget cuts, behind the disapproval numbers. The report highlights the recent controversy over a Tea Party Facebook page operated by active Marine Sgt. Gary...

For the past 37 years, Oral Alfred Stuart Jr. was classified as AWOL and a Marine Corps deserter. But his family never believed it. Even if Stuart had left his beloved Corps, which he voluntarily joined in 1974 and proudly tattooed on his arm, he never would have left his parents without so much as a goodbye. "I always believed something must have happened to him. He loved the Marine Corps ... (and) he would have been in touch with our mother," insisted Carl Stuart, Stuart's older brother and one of only a few surviving family members. Now, after all...

For the first time in history U.S. Marines, in a war zone, were ordered to surrender their arms while attending a dog and pony show speech by a visiting Secretary of Defense.Before addressing 200 troops gathered at Camp Leatherneck. As Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta’s plane was landing a suicide driver attempted to ram it, but crashed into a ditch before it could get onto the runway. Mr. Panetta and his entourage were not hurt. Overreaction In a case of overreaction the base commander, Major General Charles Gurganus, ordered the camp Sargent Major to have the attending Marines secure their...

In a sign of possible frayed nerves in the military, U.S. Marines were asked to lay down their weapons today before entering a tent where Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was scheduled to speak. It happened in Helmand province, after Panetta had met with tribal elders in nearby villages, assuring them that the U.S. mission was on track. The unusual order comes within days of an attack by a U.S. staff sergeant on unarmed Afghan civilians that left 16 dead and enraged Afghans. The 200 Marines were inside a tent at Camp Leatherneck along with Afghan guards and troops from other...

Her daddy's been away for years, serving two combat tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He's getting ready to go Afghanistan again soon, but 10-year-old Belle Worbington got to spend Friday at work with him at Camp Pendleton. "It's sad when he's gone, but I know he's doing something good," said Belle, a fourth-grader at Escondido's Reidy Creek Elementary School. Several dozen Marine spouses and children spent much of Friday taking part in exercises that their military parents routinely perform, including calisthenics, shooting and working with amphibious assault vehicles. Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/military/military-marine-kids-get-a-glimpse-of-what-their-parents/article_8c6152d0-17b1-581a-8bf2-1cd2dbc3fb83.html#ixzz1oiuMIC5T

The Navy Department plans to implement fleet-wide Breathalyzer tests for sailors and Marines; crack down on smoking and drinking; and soon phase in many other major personnel policy changes, its top leaders announced Monday. The broad collection of new policies, dubbed "21st Century Sailor and Marine," reflected many longstanding issues or goals for the department, bundled together in an ambitious single push.

The gay marine whose homecoming kiss with his boyfriend went viral yesterday has revealed that their passionate embrace was the couple's first ever. Sgt Brandon Morgan, of Oakdale, California, told Khon2.com how a four year friendship with Windward Oahu artist Dalan Wells turned to long-distance love while he was serving with the US Marines in Afghanistan. He said: 'We couldn't talk, I can barely talk now, his hands went numb, my legs were shaking, our first kiss after just knowing how we felt about each other'

Two marines have it down, alright: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W57aBMYKvU

"Five months after the military's ban on openly gay service expired, a photo of a young gay Marine's homecoming kiss has gone viral".

Ryan Jerome is a U.S. Marine now working in the private sector as a jeweler in Indiana, where he has a state permit to carry a handgun. On a recent business trip to New York, he took his gun with him as personal protection, given that he was also carrying some valuable merchandise...

“Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” is often cited as being the most reproduced photograph in history. It is also probably the most parodied image in the world. The “Iwo Jima pose” has become a popular symbol for organizations or movements wishing to convey victory, teamwork, or patriotism. The use of the image has ranged from respectful homage to what some consider offensive misappropriation

Seven Marines died when their helicopter collided in midair Wednesday night...

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Cheers erupted inside Tampa International Airport on Sunday as 22-year-old Marine Corporal Mike Nicholson arrived home. Nicholson was on foot patrol in Afghanistan when he lost both legs and part of his left arm in an I.E.D. explosion July 6, 2011. He has been recovering at Bethesda Naval Hospital for months and is now using two prosthetic legs. "It makes it all real, but also makes me really proud that he survived it," Nicholson’s uncle, Jim Hall, said. "He's toughed it out. He’s had great support in Bethesda. I can't say enough about the support here, from the church, to...

Flags will be lowered in New Jersey Saturday, the day of Whitney Houston’s funeral. But a Marine mom in Arlington says it’s an honor Houston doesn’t deserve. When Phyllis McGeath heard Gov. Chris Christie had ordered flags lowered to half-staff for Houston, she said she felt a pain deep inside her. “I was hurt and offended. Disappointed. Saddened,” she said. “I felt like the honor that was given to my son was tarnished.” McGeath had three sons who were active duty Marines. Her oldest, Philip, was killed by a suicide bomber just four weeks ago in Afghanistan. He was 25....

Twin brothers Osbrany and Osmany Montesdeoca enlisted in the Marines together shortly after they graduated high school. Now, just over a year later, Osmany is returning from Afghanistan to attend his brother's funeral after Osbrany was killed on Friday while serving in Helmand Province. 'They were always talking about the Marines,' said the boys' uncle Andriano Moreta.