Clean socks a boon to infantry in Fallujah

Marine Link ^ | Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 
Clean socks a boon to infantry in Fallujah
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification Number: 200441645438
Story by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen



FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 14, 2004) -- The gruff bark from the platoon sergeant was music to the ears of the infantrymen of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.

"Your dog-gone packs are here, now lets get a working party going," said Gunnery Sgt. James E. Dinwoodie, platoon sergeant for Weapons Platoon, Company E.

After days of gunfire, sweat and grime, there's something to be said for the luxury of changing into clean socks, shirts and skivvies. Simple pleasures in life, such as sleeping bags and toothpaste caught up to the Marines who fought against enemy forces in the city for more than a week.

"It's about time we got our packs because we stink," whispered Cpl. Jeramy Whitley, an infantryman in 1st Platoon.

Water, meals and other supplies are arriving more regularly now. Earlier supply convoys were reserved for essentials in combat - food, water and ammunition. Marines, until now, just had to make do without.

"Well, it's nice to have our packs now because we have our sleeping bags," said Cpl. Justin M. Rettenberger, a squad leader in 1st Platoon.

Still, Marines found ways to make life as comfortable as possible. They established shower rotations with a Navy hospital corpsman's approval, after finding running water in some of the abandoned buildings in the city. That water, though, was only good for a quick wash. Drinking water was coveted.

"Now we can shave and we haven't brushed our teeth for over a week, so it sucked," Rettenberger explained. "But we're grunts, so we're used to it."

Living without even regular change of socks wasn't a morale breaker, Rettenberger explained. Getting the gear though, boosted spirits.

"This is a great platoon. The morale of my Marines is high," Rettenberger said. "We're out here doing alright, and we're accomplishing the mission that we got out here to do."

-30-

Photos included with story:

	Lance Cpl. Steven J. Barnes III reaches into his pack for clean socks, shirts and skivvies during the suspension of offensive operations in Fallujah. Barnes is a machine gunner with 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (USMC photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen) Photo by: Sgt. Jose E. Guillen
	Marines of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division search for their packs to change into clean socks, shirts and skivvies during the suspension of offensive operations in Fallujah, Iraq. (USMC photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen) Photo by: Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 14, 2004) --  After days of gunfire, sweat and grime, there's something to be said for the luxury of changing into clean socks..

"Now we can shave and we haven't brushed our teeth for over a week, so it sucked...(Cpl. Justin M. Rettenberger, a squad leader in 1st Platoon)....But we're grunts, so we're used to it."

"This is a great platoon. The morale of my Marines is high...and we're accomplishing the mission that we got out here to do."

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

          Eternal Father

 

  Eternal Father, grant, we pray,
To all Marines, both night and day,
The courage, honor, strength, and skill
Their land to serve, thy law fulfill;
Be thou the shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps. 

          ~ J. E. Seim (alternative verses, 1966)

 

             (Ooh rah!)
                  ~  ~

 

[tomball]

May God bless all our military in Iraq, and may He keep them safely in the palm of His hand.

[squarebarb]

For those on special missions
May God unfold around them
to the left and to the right
His luminous and invincible
Wings.

[Ben Chad]

People, let's get those care packages in the mail.

[TruthNtegrity]

Amen and AMEN!

[amom]

Joining in on the amens here! What a great group of guys. Bless them all.

[DuncanWaring]

Bill Mauldin drew one of his "Willie and Joe" cartoons in which one of them is saying to the other (while handing him a pair of socks):

"You saved my life today and I promised I'd pay ya back. Here's my last pair of dry socks.".

[Amelia]

People, let's get those care packages in the mail.

I sent one last week from The U.P.S. Store, and when they found out it was going to a Marine in Iraq, they quietly gave me a discount...I don't know if they always do that or if it was just that particular clerk, but it warms my heart every time I think of it, and I'll definitely use them for shipping other things now.

[Tailback]

Skivvies in the field? I never wore them because letting the boys "breathe" prevents jock itch in hot weather. Especially when you know showers are few and far between.

[opbuzz]

Send this pic to Charlie Ranbel.

[ASOC]

My hope is that -- I can be the citizen these men think I am.....

[Alamo-Girl]

Amen!

[chuckwalla]

I second that.
With a heap of shame on all dimocrats who don't support them 100%.
Just imagine a world under sharis and realize the tremendous job they are doing.
"Never in history have so few done so much for so many"
Churchill

[Natural Law]

The worst thing I remember about dropping our packs was that by the time we got back to them some REMF had looted them.

[Terabitten]

Skivvies in the field? I never wore them because letting the boys "breathe" prevents jock itch in hot weather.

My first thought too. Although, maybe it's dry enough over there that the sweat can still evaporate. It sure doesn't work anywhere humid.

[SAMWolf]

USMC Bump

[Jimmy Valentine]

Any one ever in the field will tell you that your weapon and your feet are the primary pieces of field gear that need the most care.

If either lets you down you have got big trouble.

regards,

[FRMAG]

As I recall and it may be urban legend, Patton required his troops to carry a spare pair of clean dry socks in the webbing of their helmets. It was a matter for spot inspections by NCOs and Officers. If a troop was found without the clean pair headed into battle his pocket got lightened up. Uf course he also required his troops to wear neckties.

[Ben Chad]

We found out the hard way that shipping packages to Iraq via UPS is not accepted. Don't ask me why. Expect your package to return in about a week. Send via USPS.