Marines, why are we so arrogant?

[chesty]

We are the smallest branch of service in the US, we have some of the ugliest women, there is a debate about which is the oldest service by a few months, Marines or Army. We arguably have the best looking uniforms, the longest boot camp and the hardest as well.

We are not an occupying force "To seize and defend forward Naval bases" is our primary mission. We have the least amount of resources, yet accomplish the impossible. Have stiffer rifle qualification requirements, a harder pft (physical fitness test), we don't allow fat bodies for any reason, can march like there is no tomorrow, command respect and cause fear where ever we go. Now that we are back in Iraq, the first thing we do is shut down access to Fallujah (site of most of the terrorist/insurgent acts and source of same to other parts of Iraq) Why didn't the Army do this?

Any way, I was just wondering why we are so arrogant and why others think that as well? I just can't figure it out.

 

[Synpax]

From Endgame (not yet published, will be released next week. I have a copy for review)

A number of foreign journalists described the Marines i was with as "bloodthirsty." I heard one female correspondent asking - or was it telling? - one of the Marine minders that she had "never seen so much bravado, machismo, or arrogance" in her life. The young NCO listened to her complaint, appeared to mull over her grievance, and then replied, "Yes, ma'am, that's why they call themselves United States Marines."

From the introduction written by Lt. Col. Oliver North

 

[Code]

Marines HAVE[/H] to be arrogant.
Afterall, they're nothing more than sandbags for the US Army. It takes steel balls and a HUGE ego to go into certain death, just so some Army boys can use your dead corpse for cover.

 

[big4rt]

We are the smallest branch of service in the US, we have some of the ugliest women, there is a debate about which is the oldest service by a few months, Marines or Army. We arguably have the best looking uniforms, the longest boot camp and the hardest as well.

We are not an occupying force "To seize and defend forward Naval bases" is our primary mission. We have the least amount of resources, yet accomplish the impossible. Have stiffer rifle qualification requirements, a harder pft (physical fitness test), we don't allow fat bodies for any reason, can march like there is no tomorrow, command respect and cause fear where ever we go. Now that we are back in Iraq, the first thing we do is shut down access to Fallujah (site of most of the terrorist/insurgent acts and source of same to other parts of Iraq) Why didn't the Army do this?

Any way, I was just wondering why we are so arrogant and why others think that as well? I just can't figure it out.

Well, I have to be honest, bro. You guys do some amazing shit with little to no resources, but the Fallujah thing was a matter of "someody else's turn". I am currently a civilian contractor in Tall Afar, Iraq up near the Syrian border. The money is real good, and the test enanthate 250 is only $1.50 per amp, but I don't know about this too much longer. I was in the army for 10 years. There are a few marines here now, and I make sure they get prime care from us just because I know what they go through back in the rear: Poor housing, AAFES etc. We are, however, on one team--army, marines, navy, air force with one fight. You guys, again, get most of my respect.

 

[chewyxrage]

we don't allow fat bodies for any reason

I don't know about that one, I know a couple fatass marines.

 

[chesty]

Well, there are exceptions that is why we have the PCP platoon.

That is right we are on one team. And while we may brawl in the bars and rag each other about who is better, in the end we are brothers and we live together and we die together.

 

[chewyxrage]

Well, there are exceptions that is why we have the PCP platoon.

holy shit they give marines PCP?!?

no wonder they all crazy

 

[chesty]

Pork Chop Platoon

 

[BrandonXJ]

hooooah!

I'm not a marine, I just like making that noise...

 

[milo hobgoblin]

Oh please... They get stuck with tougher jobs but anyone in any service would do the same thing..

I was marine and we had plenty of fat asses... ESPECIALLY the staff NCO's

and as far as the PFT, it was a joke... most guys would never dream of maxing it out... and when I was in all you had to do was run 3 miles in 18 minutes, do 80 situps in two minutes and do 20 pullups (LOL in my sleep)...

we had so many guys.. even when I was in the infantry who couldnt do ten pullups to save their life.

The housing sucked.. you get treated like absolute shit.. and Marine Officers are the most self serving, cannabilistic lot that walks the planet... when they say "they look out for their own" they are referring to other officers... not the enlisted schmucks that do all the work.

BTW if you cant score Expert on the riflerange everytime... you have a fucking problem... That damn M16a2 practically aimed itself. You would have to have fucking parkinsons to miss.

The marines are NOT whta people think they are.. fact is most peope put in that situation would do EXACTLY the same thing.

and the boot camp wasnt that hard.. ya they bust your ass physically and you have to put up with some illiterate MORON for 13 weeks... yelling at you for every trivial mistake... but anyone who isnt schizo or afraid of his own pillow could make it through..

I hate to say it... but most average people under 30 in the US could make it through boot camp and do anything the typical Marine does..

Oh yes.. need I mention the HORRBILE pay for putting up with all this bullshit...

 

[GoldenDelicious]

because people still rent "full metal jacket"

 

[Forge]

because people still rent "full metal jacket"

Rent? You mean everyone doesn't own this by now?

 

[JarHed]

"SEMPER FI" to all my Jarhead bro's out there!

 

[guards]

Rent? You mean everyone doesn't own this by now?

serioulsy!

GD, you are behind the times my man

 

[Synpax]

I hate to say it... but most average people under 30 in the US could make it through boot camp and do anything the typical Marine does..

That may be true, but take pride in the fact that Marine OCS wouldn't look twice at 90% of the people under the age of 30 and of the branches has the most difficult ability to access.

PFT 288 right here.

 

[Code]

Has it been a long time since you were in?
I ask cuz I work closely with Marine officers, and the quality has dropped severely in the past 8 years.

I hate to say it... but most average people under 30 in the US could make it through boot camp and do anything the typical Marine does..

That may be true, but take pride in the fact that Marine OCS wouldn't look twice at 90% of the people under the age of 30 and of the branches has the most difficult ability to access.

PFT 288 right here.

 

[strongsmartsexy]

BTW if you cant score Expert on the riflerange everytime... you have a fucking problem... That damn M16a2 practically aimed itself. You would have to have fucking parkinsons to miss.

This is damn near worthy of sig material!

 

[GoldenDelicious]

ahem i do have it, but as a divx

wouldnt say own though

 

[big_bad_buff]

I couldn’t even count how many stories friends have told me about marines getting jumped and beat down around here. I’ve met a few cool guys, but most are arrogant brain washed dick head.

These 3 guys I work with see marines getting dragged out of the local bar and pummeled down because they start doing that HOORAAAHH thing. funny stuff

 

[guards]

I couldn’t even count how many stories friends have told me about marines getting jumped and beat down around here. I’ve met a few cool guys, but most are arrogant brain washed dick head.

These 3 guys I work with see marines getting dragged out of the local bar and pummeled down because they start doing that HOORAAAHH thing. funny stuff

LOL

 

[strongsmartsexy]

I couldn’t even count how many stories friends have told me about marines getting jumped and beat down around here. I’ve met a few cool guys, but most are arrogant brain washed dick head.

These 3 guys I work with see marines getting dragged out of the local bar and pummeled down because they start doing that HOORAAAHH thing. funny stuff

When I was at technical training in Devner for the Air Force, there was a short statured Marine who stood in front of the Airman's club every Friday and Saturday night just looking for trouble. He was beat down more than Tina Turner when she was married to Ike. But, he was back looking for more every week.

 

[javaguru]

I attribute it to the brainwashing.....

 

[chesty]

Yeah, there is some brain washing, I scored 284 without trying. We sure have our 10% of dickheads and I agree with some of the officers of being self serving. I did work though with many who were top notch.

I do believe the caliber has severely degraded over the years, what a shame.

In my time, I never saw a fat Marine, not even a field grade officer. Times must have changed.

On the A2, I agree. But do you realize that the Army only qualifies at 75feet with simulated 300 meter target?

I was really being sarcastic in the title, we sure got some who have had a bitter experience. Too bad.

 

[milo hobgoblin]

No, I didnt know that about the army...

I just remember joing the Marines and that being the first time I ever picked up a M16.. I shot a 232 my first day. We had guys who couldnt even hit the target and I kept telling them their rifles were broken.. cuz there was no way in hell they could be that bad.

And yes I had some HORRIBLE officers.. when I was in 1/5 (1988-89) we had one officer we called Lt sugarpants because he pranced around like Richard Simmons and whenever he spoke to enlisted personnel he would sneer..

One of the other officers drove a prosche (he was a 1st lt) that his mommy and daddy bought him.. openly hated being a Marine but his daddy made him join..

Our company XO got us lost daily while on patrol in S. Korea.. we finally ditched him and told the CO... the CO wouldnt let him take us on patrol anymore... we called him Lt vinny becasue his new york accent was so bad and he had the IQ of a bag of hammers.

When I got moved to mainside Camp Pendleton things got worse.. all our staff NCO's were chain smokers just counting the days till they could retire..

The few good ones we had died shortly after the gulf war due to cancer.. Hell we lost 3 staff NCO's in one year... all gulf war vets.. all from cancer.. weirdest thing...

LOL we had one officer get busted banging a female corporal in a humvee by the MP's

Oh ya our leaders were top notch.

 

[PHATchik]

serioulsy!

GD, you are behind the times my man

Is it bad then that I have never seen this movie? I've heard of it though, that should count for something right?

And I got to witness a company of Marines firsthand back in November when I went to their military ball. I had never been around them very much before, and the only Marine I could say I even knew was my date. There was a presence there though that was just awesome. These men were truly a family. Many of them were arrogant as all get out too, but they were a family first and foremost.

 

[milo hobgoblin]

LOL a family until one of them gets in trouble... then he is the red headed step child.

The Staff NCO's and officers will abandon him faster than a crack baby in a ghetto.

Because they sure as heel arent going to take any sort of media blitz...

Ask around and see what happens to a Marine who writes a bad check.. or even worse gets a DUI off base..

Better yet... watch what happens to a Marines career if he gets accused of something like sexual harrasment... just being accused and his career is over..

Most of you have no idea how self serving some of these guys are...

I have had so many friends get screwed for the most moniopr of offenses.. some of which arent even illegal in the civilian world.. yet they are in the brig for it because they are a marine..

 

[Robert Jan]

It doesnt really matter, all defense branches are fascist bullshit yesmen

 

[Code]

In your country, yeah no doubt. But then thats the heart of fascism anyway.

It doesnt really matter, all defense branches are fascist bullshit yesmen

 

[Synpax]

Has it been a long time since you were in?
I ask cuz I work closely with Marine officers, and the quality has dropped severely in the past 8 years.

I haven't gone in yet. I'm waiting for them to let me know if I am in or not for the summer OCS session. I took the oath and technically they own my mind and body for the next 8 years if they want it. I'm not very optimistic about being selected as the recruiters were extremely discouraging.

I know they get some kind of bonus for enlisting guys, but it seems that they get a meal voucher pulled out of their pocket every time a guy applies for OCS.

 

[milo hobgoblin]

Snypax.. just remeber one thing.. you are there to lead and help them men that work for you.. the enlisted guy.. they are NOT there for you.

This is where most officers drop the ball..

Those enlistyed guys below you should be treated like a valuable treasure... they will MOVE fucking mountains for you if you repsect them and go up to bat for them when they get in trouble or need your help...

Do yourself a favor.. read a little history and the leadership principles of Napolean vs. Wellington and they way they viewed their men..

You'll understand then to a great degree why Im right about this.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Someone said it up above - Marines in falljuah are there now because the Army is stretched too thin; no forward naval bases in Fallujah.

I trained with just about every type of special ops person there is. I was an Army ranger. The Army Special Forces guys were the most professional, SEALs definitely loved themselves the most, Delta Force guys were so laid back I thought they were asleep, then it was time to train and they were amazing.

But the toughest, most competent, hardest dudes, the dudes I would want to take to war, were the Marine Force Recon guys. (on the other hand, Battalion recon guys were often assclowns).


Now, as to arrogance...I think it has to do with a force comprised largely of marginally educated high school kids being torn down and rebuilt into beach stormers. Rangers are the same way, just change "beach" to "airfield".

 

[Code]

I didn't think you could sign up for 8 years. I thought four + one in reserves was the max??

I haven't gone in yet. I'm waiting for them to let me know if I am in or not for the summer OCS session. I took the oath and technically they own my mind and body for the next 8 years if they want it. I'm not very optimistic about being selected as the recruiters were extremely discouraging.

I know they get some kind of bonus for enlisting guys, but it seems that they get a meal voucher pulled out of their pocket every time a guy applies for OCS.

 

[Synpax]

Milo - Thank you for the info. I'm walking in without any preconceptions. I was not aware until recently that there was such a bifurcation of the forces and am only begining to understand it's necessity.

Matt - That's awesome. You mention recon and that would be my goal. Qualifications for that area are 10 miles in 2 hours with a 50 lbs pack (just to get in, I know suceeding is harder). I'm going to do my first test run for that on Sunday.

Code - it's 3.5 active + 4.5 active reserve. It use to be only 1.5 active reserve.

 

[Code]

Just as a word of advice, "active reserve" means you're the first mofo to go to war, right??

If you are doing this for school and thinking you won't go to war, think again.

Milo - Thank you for the info. I'm walking in without any preconceptions. I was not aware until recently that there was such a bifurcation of the forces and am only begining to understand it's necessity.

Matt - That's awesome. You mention recon and that would be my goal. Qualifications for that area are 10 miles in 2 hours with a 50 lbs pack (just to get in, I know suceeding is harder). I'm going to do my first test run for that on Sunday.

Code - it's 3.5 active + 4.5 active reserve. It use to be only 1.5 active reserve.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Matt - That's awesome. You mention recon and that would be my goal. Qualifications for that area are 10 miles in 2 hours with a 50 lbs pack (just to get in, I know suceeding is harder). I'm going to do my first test run for that on Sunday.

I was a light infantry officer and Ranger, I travelled many distances on foot with heavy-ass rucksacks.

Advice you can use:

Walk with the ruck first, a lot, if you are already not. As you get accustomed to it, up the weight in the ruck, and up the distance. For example, try to walk 15 miles with an 80 pounder before you get into speed.

Here's why:

Ruck marches are really really bad for you. They hurt your shoulders, your back, your hips, knees and legs, and they can fuck up your feet. I came to the Army after being a college basketball player; I was in super shape, and I still had to adjust to the new demands of a heavy ruck.

Additionally, many guys who are mentally tough enough end up crapping out because their feet just aren't conditioned to handle the stress of a long walk or run with a heavy ruck.

Your feet should be blistered, callousm leathery etc before you even show up day 1. It will make your life much easier. Once you get them in that condition, you'll be able to add speed, distance and weight with relative ease.

 

[big4life]

My father was a retired Gunny. He wasn't arrogant, but everyone that met him respected him, even without knowing that he was a Marine.

 

[Code]

You might want to also work out your lower back, add some muscle there.
Maybe doing Good Mornings.

I say this cuz when I went through the ruck-walks, the one thing that really fucked me over was lower back pain. Big knots and wicked pain.

I was a light infantry officer and Ranger, I travelled many distances on foot with heavy-ass rucksacks.

Advice you can use:

Walk with the ruck first, a lot, if you are already not. As you get accustomed to it, up the weight in the ruck, and up the distance. For example, try to walk 15 miles with an 80 pounder before you get into speed.

Here's why:

Ruck marches are really really bad for you. They hurt your shoulders, your back, your hips, knees and legs, and they can fuck up your feet. I came to the Army after being a college basketball player; I was in super shape, and I still had to adjust to the new demands of a heavy ruck.

Additionally, many guys who are mentally tough enough end up crapping out because their feet just aren't conditioned to handle the stress of a long walk or run with a heavy ruck.

Your feet should be blistered, callousm leathery etc before you even show up day 1. It will make your life much easier. Once you get them in that condition, you'll be able to add speed, distance and weight with relative ease.

 

[Rex]

I have 4 years active duty, then 4 years inactive Reserve. Pretty much after my 4 years active I don't get called back unless the war is going big time and troops are dropping all around. 2 active duty are under the belt. 2 more to go.

Active Reserves is the one weekend a month/ 2 weeks a year stuff. They don't deserve all the ragging people give them for being "weekend warriors". A lot of the infantry reserves are over in the desert right now.

I respect the officers that were enlisted before commissioning. They know the bullshit that the enlisted get, and they're able to relate better. The 22 year old butterbar out of OCS with a degree in basket weaving knows shit, and treats us like shit. Of all of the officers I have been lead by, through FAPs or multiple changes in chain of command, my favorite was the Mustang.

 

[powerslave]

I respect the officers that were enlisted before commissioning. They know the bullshit that the enlisted get, and they're able to relate better. The 22 year old butterbar out of OCS with a degree in basket weaving knows shit, and treats us like shit.

I found that to be true as well. We had several officers that were prior enlisted.

 

[p0inko]

USMC

uncle sam's misguided children

 

[WolfPack Charlie]

hooooah!

I can't believe this made it through almost 2 pages without another Marine jumping all over it. Hoooah and HooYah are NOT from the Marine Corps. Ooh Rah, which unlike the previously mentioned, has a particular meaning and is used by The United States Marine Corps!! The most feared and hated fighting force in the world! Semper Fi!