The Pride of an Infantryman...

Infantrymen have a pride and arrogance that most Americans don't understand and don't like. Even Marines who aren't infantrymen don't understand. The pride of the infantryman comes not from knowing that he's doing a job that others can't, but that he's doing a job that others simply won't. Many infantrymen haven't seen a lot of combat. While that may be ...ideal to the civilian or non-infantry M...............ar...i...ne, it pains the grunt. We signed up to spit in the face of danger. To walk the line between life and death and live to do it again. To come to terms with our own mortality and let others try to take our life instead of yours. We have raised our hands and said, "Take me, America. I am willing to kill for you. I am willing to sacrifice my limbs for you. I will come back to America scarred and disfigured for you. I will be the first to die for you." That's why the infantryman carries himself with pride and arrogance. He's aware that America has lost respect for him. To many he's a bloodthirsty animal. To others he's too uneducated and stupid to get a regular job or go to college. Only he knows the truth.

While there are few in America who claim to have respect for him, the infantryman returns from war with less fanfare than a first down in a high school football game. Yes, people hang up their "Support Our Troops" ribbons and on occasion thank us for our service. But in their eyes the infantryman can detect pity and shame; not respect. Consider this: How excited would you be to meet the average infantryman? Now compare that with how excited you'd be to meet a Kim Kardashian or professional sports player and you will find that you, too, are guilty of placing the wrong people on a pedestal. You wouldn't be able to tell me how many Marines died in the war last month, but you'd damn sure be able to tell me if one of the actors from Twilight died. Yet the infantryman doesn't complain about that. He continues to do his job; to volunteer his life for you, all while being paid less in four years than Tom Brady makes in one game. It's a job most Americans don't understand, don't envy, and don't respect. That is why we have pride as infantrymen." -Unknown

Grunts have the most physically demanding job in the world in my opinion. However, being a grunt has become an elite occupational speciality over the past decade due to their heroic achievements in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's almost impossible to enlist, and even reenlist in the MOS as so many want to be one of the Corps most elite warfighters.

Excellent post Dan. Well said. :thumbup:

My son is infantry...I tired to talk him out of it do to someting else. He said no, I want to be a grunt. I have so much pride in him, its crazy. And I feel the same way, about the athletes and the stupid reality stars. So sad these days who we as Americans idolize.

:beer: While being Heavily Recruited by The Pro's (BASEBALL),I JOINED tha USMC for 1 reason and 1 reason only too be a RIFLEMAN (0311) On that fateful day at P.I...when they were reading off tha Mos's that Us Maggots had attained as we were all sitting on our Squad Bay Deck 92 of Us!!!If mine had been anything else I would have Run and Jumped outta our 2nd Tier Window Head First and committed Hairy Carey.I did not join tha Marines too 1/2 step.Semper Fi dat,ever since I've gotten more Female Ass than a Toilet Seat in tha Women's Head at LAX :D :iwo:

I double that Jack about the female ass, something about us that the women around us cannot resist. However, I did not know that when I joined the Corps. I joined simply to do my duty to my country and to kill as many *******s as they sent against me. I did that well. Without my rifle I am nothing, though I don't carry a rifle today I do carry my 45.

When I realized that I had lived, I came home and spent my last year at Pendleton. I got more than my share of female admiration both in Cali and in TJ. When I got out I went to Memphis and became a cop, Memphis had the most beautiful woman you can imagine, and for a real Marine, I was one lucky son of a *****! Used to run 4-5 of them all the time.

When others today tell me that they failed in life, I look back with no regrets, damn I did some ladies and have no regrets for the memories. Also I succeeded because in the other areas of my life because I had this Marine thing in me that nothing could stop me short of a bullet in my forehead, and that ain't happened yet. Just saying. S/F

in my day all it took was to get drafted...then all of 0311s fields were opend to me...i feel no pride in all that i killed...and deep regret for the brothers ive lost

stop the blowing smoke brothers,, it's comming out my ears...........

Quote:

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Originally Posted by montana

in my day all it took was to get drafted...then all of 0311s fields were opend to me...i feel no pride in all that i killed...and deep regret for the brothers ive lost

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know what you mean brother Bill...
everytime one of these threads get started,
somebody wants to turn it into a
Bissing Contest......

(hope that Bissing doesnt get Filtered)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by m14ed

stop the blowing smoke brothers,, it's comming out my ears...........

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Ain't no smoke my brother. Like Will Rodgers said "It ain't bragging if ya done it."

Its great that grunt pride is as strong as it is, and being drafted in our day was an 0311 MOS, tagged on most of us because they needed bodies to fill the ranks. Yes there is a PRIDE of the grunts and the Do or Die mentality..... It takes a certian kind of Marine to do that job and do it well....Walk point a time or two and you will know just what I am talking about........Semper Fi....

I am proud to be associated with a fine group of men you gents are my friends and heros and i could not have found a better group to hang around with. I truely understand the pride of an infantryman

semper fi and godbless you my brothers


stephen doc hansen hm3 fmf

Oooohraw!!!!!

Good post. Just curious as to where you found it Dan?

I remember when I enlisted my recruiter seemed suprised when I told him that I wanted to enlist as an infantryman. He told me most guys come in wanting to enlist in an MOS that they could translate to a job after they got out. I guess that has changed now though and most recruits try to get an infantry MOS.

:usmc: Different Strokes for Different Folks...Oh by tha way I also was Drafted but beat Em too tha Punch and joined tha Crotch...But I never met an 0311 yet that was an UNQ!!!Yes I grieve for The Marine brothers that were KIA,and those who where Maimed both Mentally and Phsically.But do I feel Bad for tha Gooks I Smoked...The only regret that I have is that I did not Kill more of those Commie Bastards,That's my Survivors Guilt.Semper Fidelis :iwo: