Meaning Of "once A Marine...."

[DDBS225]

Hello

I've been a Marine since early 2006. Recently, i got diagnosed with asthma and i am getting separated. I've never served overseas, or in a conflict. Pretty much I believe that i dont deserve the EGA, for i feel that i have never done anything significant in the Corps, and since im getting separated there is no way i cant contribute, all i ever did was train and thats pretty much it. So my question is: Does the "once a Marine, always a Marine" quote really apply to all Marines despite some being separated, even medically or dishonorably? I suppose you can also state what the quote means to you.

As for myself im just currently ****ed off the I cant serve till my EAS at least, but i can see where they are coming from for i would be a burden during combat, and possibly a body bag.

>Ceez

[Isrowei]

... Being a Marine doesn't mean that you HAVE served in combat. If that were the case, it would become a combat decoration similar to a CAR.

Being a Marine is a lifestyle... a mindset. And for that reason, yes, once a Marine... always a Marine. The strive to do the most with your life should never go away.

If you don't feel you've earned it, I feel sorry for you. Whoever sold this story about Marines only being Marines if they've seen combat is doing a huge disservice to the hundreds of thousands of Marines who legitimately earned the title and served their time with honor, yet never saw a second of combat.

[PatriotGirl422]

I can understand how you feel, but it is absolutely true that once you are a Marine, you are always a Marine. Nothing can take that away from you. This post reminds me of the "Are all Marines equal?" post that was started a while ago. You should read that.

[jrhd97]

Once a Marine, Always a Marine. So therefore you are a Marine. You made it through boot camp.
Not seeing combat doesn't make you not a Marine. If that were the case half the Marines here wouldn't be Marines. Marines don't not see combat due to there not wanting to. It is all luck or unluck of the draw determined by the politicians. All we can do is train and be ready.
You aren't being seperated through any fault of your own. You are beign seperated due to health. There have been thousands upon thousands of Marines through history who have been seperated on medical.
You are a Marine. Carry that pride with you, knowing you did something that 98% of Americans aren't willing or can't do. You are a member of the worlds greatest fraternity( stole that from a shirt on Sgt. Grit ).
SEMPER FI!

[sparkie]

Hey, Lunkhead. You are my brother. And that makes you What?????? Put it away, Lance. It don't fly with me and mine. SF.

[outlaw3179]

Semper Fidelis Marine.

[ecfree]

Hey DDBS225,look at it this way.
There are alot of wantabes in other branchs of the armed forces,that want to be U.S.Marines,but they knew they couldn't make it thru recruit training at PI or Hollywood.You did it....YOU ARE A U.S.MARINE.....and how can you forget it.
Once a Marine,Always a Marine....
CARRY ON MARINE.:evilgrin:

[darkgreen0311]

Yo, Bro keep your head up ask yourself did you go through the most intense training of your life and did you make it through. Well, if you answered yes than you know that you are a Marine and always will be. SEMPER FI MY BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER!!!




:marine: :flag: SEMPER FI 4 LIFE
YOURS IS NOT QUESTION WHY BUT TO DO OR DIE!!!

[Big Jim]

Hello

I've been a Marine since early 2006. Recently, i got diagnosed with asthma and i am getting separated. I've never served overseas, or in a conflict. Pretty much I believe that i dont deserve the EGA, for i feel that i have never done anything significant in the Corps, and since im getting separated there is no way i cant contribute, all i ever did was train and thats pretty much it. So my question is: Does the "once a Marine, always a Marine" quote really apply to all Marines despite some being separated, even medically or dishonorably? I suppose you can also state what the quote means to you.

As for myself im just currently ****ed off the I cant serve till my EAS at least, but i can see where they are coming from for i would be a burden during combat, and possibly a body bag.

>Ceez

HEY...YOU BECAME A MARINE WHEN THEY HANDED YOU THAT EAGLE, GLOBE AND ANCHOR YOU EARNED, REMEMBER? THEY DON'T TAKE THAT BACK BECAUSE YOU ARE NOW AND FOREVER, A MARINE!! DON'T YOU FRIKKIN FORGET IT AND DON'T LET ANYONE EVER TELL YOU ANY DIFFERENT! I WILL BACK YOU UP IN ANY SNOOP -N- POOP, BRAWL, CONFLICT OR WAR IN ANY FOREIGN LAND OR ANYWHERE! I MEAN THAT, BROTHER.....THAT GOES FOR ANY AND EVERY MARINE!!

[egbutler1]

In my opinion once you earn that EGA it is forever yours (that is of course you dishonor the Corps in someway). Going to combat doesn't make you a Marine. Man i'm no pussy but combat ****ing sucked, I'm no war junkie i don't know who would love to go out there and be at war. I was called upon to go fight for my country and did it, but it wasn't for politics or some stupid underground right to keep the title Marine. I did it because of the Marines around me the Marines under my charge. I fought for them for there lives not mine. So not deploying or seeing combat doesn't mean you are not a Marine, i think it makes you one lucky son of a *****. I would never force the **** i went threw upon anyone not in a million years. The things you see and do the buddies lost forever, you have nothing but the rest of your life to relive those situations. Your a Marine for life brother campaign ribbon or combat action ribbon or nothing you will always be a Marine.

[sdk87to91]

Once a Marine always a Marine means alot of things to me. Whatever your skills and specialties you are probably in a mental state of readiness and if circum$tance$ allowed you would probably keep your gear ready as well.

I am still representing the Corps to the community just by being myself, ie.. comunnity peace of mind, undercover recruiter, and PR etc....
I am part of an unofficial ever ready force here in the foothills of the Sangres. I know of 5 or 6 other Marines here between Truchas and Vadito and you know who would be riding the ridges and patrolling the backroads in the event of a situation.
I can call on those other Marines as they can call on me and know what we will get even though we dont hang together enough to evaluate eachothers skills.
I keep my firearms, bows and arrows, knives etc... ready, clean, and serviceable. My wife is also prepared to handle them or load them for me at least.
My kids are learning to do what I tell them and as fast as they can. My 2 year old dont talk but he know the first rule of life..get up when you fall as fast as you can .
My mules and horses are in shape and although they are unshod for the winter I do have new shoes, nails, and tolls for quick application.
I have gas in my trucks, air in the trailer tires, pack saddles, food, water...
I have an idea and have shared it with my wife of waht to do in situations.....



So that is the sort of thing any Marine could do, and I learned it all the first year in the Corps, not on the last day of my 4 years. I am actually getting squared away more every year because I am still a Marine and I dont know what my country, my neighbours, my church, or my God will need me for someday.

You are still capable of doing somethings better than the average american. Disabled, elderly, or even dishonorably discharged Marines can pull triggers, give fast quick orders, think ahead, react without hesitation......etc....
Get my point?

[Camper51]

Hello

I've been a Marine since early 2006. Recently, i got diagnosed with asthma and i am getting separated. I've never served overseas, or in a conflict. Pretty much I believe that i dont deserve the EGA, for i feel that i have never done anything significant in the Corps, and since im getting separated there is no way i cant contribute, all i ever did was train and thats pretty much it. So my question is: Does the "once a Marine, always a Marine" quote really apply to all Marines despite some being separated, even medically or dishonorably? I suppose you can also state what the quote means to you.

As for myself im just currently ****ed off the I cant serve till my EAS at least, but i can see where they are coming from for i would be a burden during combat, and possibly a body bag.

>Ceez

You EARNED the title. It was not a gift, it was not arbitrarily given to you by some paper pusher, you EARNED the right to be called a Marine by completing the trials of bootcamp, therefore you ARE a Marine...

I, too, had a medical discharge after putting in 8 years. but I still completed those requirements and served as asked...

[Chumley]

LCpl DDBS225,

Sorry to share in your bad news! I suggest that you stop feeling sorry about this, and move on through life as you've learned to...as a Proud Marine.
Once you've earned it, NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY.

In my book, there are two primary definitions of Marine once you've left service. To me, any dis-honorably discharged Marine is an ex-Marine. Any one that is not an ex-Marine is a Former Marine. The common denominator here is Marine.

There is a third definition...rarely used...one that holds true for the scum that killed the WM he was bangin' in Jacksonville and ran away to Mexico...just caught recently. Don't correct me here by filling in his name...I didn't use it on-purpose. He is not a Corporal anymore, nor is he a Marine anymore due to his complete betrayal of his family and the Corps. He should live (or die) without honor and without our Title associated to him any longer. He is the exception to Once a Marine, Always a Marine.

Short and sweet, Semper Fidelis LCpl DDBS225!