View Full Version : What do Marines in Iraq lack?
Smalcom
08-29-06, 08:11 PM
Im doing a project... i need to know what Marines in Iraq are currently short on... examples are the Helmet liners that were donated to them because they dont get them unlike soldiers.
just small things like that. pieces of equipment that could maybe save their lives... or make their jobs more comfortable.
Marine84
08-29-06, 09:51 PM
they're short on fear? I think even the most hard Corps grunt we have would tell you they ain't short on fear................
Rockabilly
08-29-06, 10:10 PM
When I was little i hung around a metal/mechanic shop and I had this buddy who worked there and taught me some things but he just got back from Iraq and he said he had to weld more metal on the undercarriage of the humvees and the doors and what not and even then it wouldnt work so well so maybe the doors and undercarriage could be more blast proof but thats not lacking its more of a factory componet
Smalcom
08-29-06, 10:37 PM
any other ideas... PLEASE
WannabeDevildog
08-29-06, 11:54 PM
Pretty similar to Rockabilly's post, but Up-Armored Humvees. There's a lot of IED's over there and not enough Up-Armored Humvees. Real expensive, but would probably save a lot of lives over there.
Marine84
08-30-06, 08:25 AM
They're lacking support from a lot of folks here - it's hard to keep your motivation up when you're wearing your a$$ out everyday to make sure a bunch of people back home can call you a baby killer without getting their tongues cut out by their own government.
WannabeDevildog
08-30-06, 09:10 AM
They're lacking support from a lot of folks here - it's hard to keep your motivation up when you're wearing your a$$ out everyday to make sure a bunch of people back home can call you a baby killer without getting their tongues cut out by their own government.
That's definately what they're lacking most.
That's definately what they're lacking most.
I second that, but without actually being over there, I don't think we could ever give them the support they have *earned*, not just deserve.
Mike McIntyre
08-30-06, 10:48 AM
They are lacking a decent pay raise from a country that can spend TRILLIONS of dollars on every thing accept what is really important!
They are lacking support from the Media who thinks Freedom is Free!
They are lacking the benefit of the doubt from our court system that would rather prosecute someone in a US uniform rather than prosecute a "Towel Head" that would like nothing more than to bring down our entire way of life!
They are lacking support from the Liberal Politicians because this is an Election year and they won’t support the opposition even if it is the right thing to do. (i.e. Joe Lieberman)
They are lacking support from some who only gripe but never offer solutions.
They are lacking support of many young people who think that the only reason to join the Military is to see “How much the government will give them.” Or who won’t enlist because that is for kids who don’t have an option.
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But you can support OUR TROOPS with you praise, your money, your vote, and above, all your PRAYERS!
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jryanjack
08-30-06, 11:15 AM
They're lacking support from a lot of folks here - it's hard to keep your motivation up when you're wearing your a$$ out everyday to make sure a bunch of people back home can call you a baby killer without getting their tongues cut out by their own government.
Now I don't know what's going on down in GA - but here in PA we support the troops 100%! No government regs needed, we'll do our own tongue cutting!
I PM'ed Smalcom the website of where you can send Marines in Iraq things they can use but I'll post it here again. I have no ties to this site but have used it a lot to send stuff. It's AnySoldier.com You can go to "where to send" and pick the branch of service you want. There are postings from the Marines who are presently deployed with what they can use and need. Anything from a postcard to you name it, some one over there will appreciate it. If every member of this site would take some time from talking about how tough we used to be, to seeing how we can help our brothers (and sisters) overseas, it would do more good than all the letters to congress, the newspapers and flying ribbons off your vehicle. The Post Office will send all the packaging materials you need for free and you can ship, using flat rate boxes, for about eight bucks, no matter what the weight or APO/FPO. Limited by the size of the flat rate box only. Hell, I've had guys request duct tape and shoe goo to keep their boots together-these kids need OUR help. I'm sure there are other sites as well that are doing this, it doesn't matter how you accomplish it, just step up and let these Jarheads know we are behind them, no matter what the papers say, and our government does. And remember, "The older we get, the better we used to be." :)
Now I don't know what's going on down in GA - but here in PA we support the troops 100%! No government regs needed, we'll do our own tongue cutting!
Here in Washington (state) its another story. I've had my bouts with war protestors and hippies. I'm sick of this liberal-ass state. The Marines in Iraq aren't lacking anything. We had everything we needed to kill, and all the protection that was feasable. You have to have a boundary between protective gear and mobility. That gear weighs a lot, is bulky, and will slow you down or get you hung up on something. The interceptor vests with SAPI plates, the neck, throat, and nut protectors are all the average Marine needs with his kevlar. If you need a helmet liner, you are a puss. The new helmets fit great. There are also shoulder protectors and kevlar shorts for the machinegunners in hummers. We never wore the shorts because it was too damn hot, and it limited mobility. I only wore my left shoulder guard after arguing with my company gunny because I'd rather be able to put good shoulder pressure into my M-240G rather than be safer. I'd rather kill bodies than feel better about my own safety. My Marines needed me to be accurate and if I couldn't shoot well, then all the safety in the world was useless!
I'm following along with the 'LACK OF SUPPORT', but pin pointing it on CONGRESS !!
We're not lacking in troops, just not sending all we need over there. The Corps has past recruiting goals AGAIN, and will be over par for the year. If we're lacking in equipment, it's because CONGRESS won't put the wheels into motion to get it over there.
This country is able and willing to kick any bodys a$$ that it sets a mind to. Unfortunatly that mind can't get made up... IN CONGRESS.
How much time goes into COMMISSIONING an OFFICER. Isn't it an act of congress ?? If they provide that commission, then it is probably because they (congress) trust the 'FIDELITY AND ABILITY OF...' to uphold the values of this country.
It's time for congress to DECLARE WAR, and let the Officers do what they are trained to do. Lead their troops into victory.
But for that to happen, every swinging d*#k and c@&t in congress will have to put their own agendas aside, and do what they were elected to do.... SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, SO HELP ME GOD !!
Why is it so Fkn hard to figure out.
There, my 2¢
Smalcom
08-30-06, 01:49 PM
k now can i send what i have to a particular unit??? or is it all distributed wherever?
outlaw3179
08-30-06, 01:59 PM
Im with Seeley. We didnt really need a whole lot . I know theyre always talking about the hummers are inadaquate but really how much can you up armor a hummer against 2 155's stacked on a pressure mine. I mean the protection you have is adequate if you use it correctly . Goggles during movements , gloves to protect you from fire and chest, throat and nut protector . The one thing if you want to help seriously , send the Marines magazines, porn, stuff to kill time with , little debbie cakes , things like that. You might think its small but little crap like that makes a huge difference. Dont send baby wipes , Im sick of baby wipes. We had tons and tons of baby wipes, hand sanitizer, candy , crap like that. I always really enjoyed getting letters from litel kids cuz theyre so innocent and they have no idea what theyre saying. Stuff like "dont die", or "dont get shot" lol...stuff like that always made me laugh. Semper Fi Marines.
Mike McIntyre
08-30-06, 02:59 PM
It's time for congress to DECLARE WAR, and let the Officers do what they are trained to do. Lead their troops into victory.
But for that to happen, every swinging d*#k and c@&t in congress will have to put their own agendas aside, and do what they were elected to do.... SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, SO HELP ME GOD !!:thumbup:
jryanjack
08-30-06, 02:59 PM
Here in Washington (state) its another story. I've had my bouts with war protestors and hippies. I'm sick of this liberal-ass state.
That's just wrong - whatever your thoughts on the war itself are irrelevant, we must always support our troops, no questions asked. Its a shame that people can't see that - but then again, liberals' eyes are usually closed, so asking them to see if a little difficult.
Over here on the right coast I have not seen anything of the sort, but then again, I can't drive a mile without seeing at least seeing 2 USMC front plates!
Covey_Rider
08-30-06, 03:24 PM
I live in Iowa, and I tell you what...it makes me sick to see the lack of support. Every wednesday there are protestors outside of the MEPs building protesting the war. Out of a school of almost 3,000 students, I'm the ONLY student who decided to join the Marines. There were a grand total of about 15 students who actually joined the armed services. The type of crap that I got when I told people that I was joining the Marines was disgusting. I still strongly believe in the Marines and nobody can convince me otherwise...but it still sickens me when I see what people are doing to our troops.
If you know the FPO/AP address you can send it to a unit.
outlaw3179
08-30-06, 04:54 PM
Covey! I just drove by those bastards a few minutes ago. Its the second time Ive seen them out there , next time Ill come pick your ass up and well go down and chew some ass poolee. I cant stand seeing those people . They have absolutely no idea what the hell theyre talking about.
WannabeDevildog
08-30-06, 11:49 PM
That's just wrong - whatever your thoughts on the war itself are irrelevant, we must always support our troops, no questions asked. Its a shame that people can't see that - but then again, liberals' eyes are usually closed, so asking them to see if a little difficult.
Over here on the right coast I have not seen anything of the sort, but then again, I can't drive a mile without seeing at least seeing 2 USMC front plates!
Man you wanna talk about support? For those of you that don't know, the President of the United States came to Utah today, and Salt Lake City's very own mayor organized an anti-war/anti-Bush rally for the day he arrived!
lol, saying that liberals should stop protesting and support the war is kind of ridiculous because it implies that there is no question or ambiguity about whether we should be fighting the war. Those in the armed forces I have spoken to (a USMC 2nd Lieutenant and a Navy guy) haven't said that support is something that lacks- what might be demoralizing is not the lack of support itself, but the unclear objectives in Iraq whose clearest symptoms are political debate about the war and some political protest. I very much doubt that the defeat of Joe Lieberman in the connecticut primaries has done anything to our troops. America has a long history of protesting wars as they are happening, and it's un-american to contradict that right. Think back to the Civil War, when many Americans wanted to let the South secede. There were rallies, protests, and speeches. With that war, however, there remained a majority in favor of seeing it through. But it came very close when McClellan ran for the presidency in 1864 on an anti-war platform.
The biggest discrepancy between the two wars is that Congress was a hugely effective scrutinising body during the Civil War. Today, it is a rubber-stamping factory. Party loyalty has increased, and our Representatives have become too focused on arguing with each other rather then asking the President and the generals hard questions about the progress of the war. Just think about how many generals the Army of the Patomac went through before we ended up with Grant! We've hardly seen any (metaphorical) heads rolling with the commanders in Iraq, yet the situation there can hardly be called successful.
My conclusion? It is that what the troops are lacking is a Congress that is willing to do its job.
I don't know what precise material things the Marines specifically are lacking; but I know that the Army struggle a bit. Read Colby Buzzell's 'My War', which is fascinating (and in which the Corps comes across quite well).
Also, in this video clip you can see Donald Rumsfeld in Iraq being asked questions about their lack of equipment in front of a huge crowd of soldiers. When the soldier asks Rumsfeld why they don't have certain equipment, all the soldiers cheer... so maybe the Marines aren't lacking equipment, but this certainly suggests parts of the Army (at least the reserves and national guards) are short of equipment.
(By the Way, the part with Rumsfeld is about 2:20 into the clip- the first part isn't directly related to this topic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CdkwyuUq_U
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Smalcom
08-31-06, 12:11 PM
Okay guys... what the hell, can we get back on the subject at hand.
Well, based on the video I posted, 'ballistic glass' for the humvee's (that's why I posted it btw). The Marine humvee's in Iraq might be better equipped then the army's ones though.
lachica
08-31-06, 02:13 PM
I had really good luck finding postings from Marines that needed any items, from letters to food to literature on anysoldier.com. It's a shame our troops don't have what they need, to do a job they are not getting paid enough for.