Once a Marine - Always a Marine

[AMEIER]

Thank you Major for the heartwarming story. Thanks for serving in Vietnam and bringing us home a great memory.

[CplFly]

I am so glad I joined the Marines![78-81,E-4,2531,3rd 175mm Gun Btry[sp],4/11,MCAGCC 29 Palms] The people at work just don't understand,there work habits are so weak. There's a mission [job] to do,DO IT! stop complaining , know your job, do it well, do it the best that you can, take Pride in what you do. Is it that hard! I'd like to send most of the young men[boys] I work with to boot camp!!! I always like the fact that where ever I go I meet Marine's[I wear my cover alot] It's like meeting a old friends you have never met.When were you in,mos,duty stations,where did you go to bootcamp. I work at the airport here [Seattle] We have the Blue angels come in every year. alot of times my company hosts a " Meet a Blue Angel " lunch for the kids. I was watching the kids. I saw one of the pilots waiting to talk,so I went to say Hi. It was the Marine pilot. I said " Semper Fi,Sir". And it was like we were old friends!! We talked for 20 minutes before he had to do his thing and talked some more after he was done. That is what I Love about being a Marine!!! I also get a hard time[in a fun way] from a helicopter pilot that fly's from are place. he was a army pilot,he was a OH-6 scout pilot in Vietnam[2 tours!!] We always give each other a hard time. he's the army puke, I'm the Jarhead!! I always tell him, "Its hard to be humble,When your the finest" Semper Fi

[Tennessee Top]

I wear a white lab coat at work (hospital) and proudly display a black eagle, globe, and anchor on my lapel...can't miss it. Have met a lot of Marines that way.

[jarheadjj]

One day at work coming out of a coffee shop with a friend from work saw an older gentleman coming in with a scarlet tie w/ the Marine Corps Emblem on it. All I had to say was "Semper Fi" he stopped and we talked for about five minutes. The whole time my work friend stood there dumbfounded. After we said goodbye my friend said to me "what just happened? you said one thing to that guy and then you're talking to him like old friends." I said "that's our codeword for the best fraternity in the world!"

[Wrench3516]

"A Marine is a Marine. I set that policy two weeks ago - there's no such thing as a former Marine. You're a Marine, just in a different uniform and you're in a different phase of your life. But you'll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego or the hills of Quantico. There's no such thing as a former Marine."
The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James F. Amos

[mcvet57103]

Was at the local discount grocery store yesterrday. Was wearing my leather USMC jacket, and my USMC cap. The old gentlman bagging my groceries asked me when I was in. I told him right at the end of the Nam era 74 to 78. He said, he was in Korea. I shook his hand and said the forgotten war, Semper Fi Marine. He smiled and said thanks. Sad to see a Korea Vet having to bag groceries for a living. But even over the years we still had that bond. SF

[tracs1833]

I was a reservist from 1969 to 1975 and am totally immersed in all things Marine. I can't imagine what I would be like if I had been a regular. Can you say, "Gung Ho on steroids"?
My wife, who died about 5 years ago, was constantly amazed at how two complete strangers could carry on conversations and act like long lost brothers just because they happened to be Marines. Two examples of this occurred during a Caribbean cruise that my wife and I took shortly before she passed away.
When entering a jewelry store (my wife called them her 'toy stores') in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, I immediately removed my USMC ball cap (old habits die hard). One of the salesmen saw me and walked over. He was a Marine from the 60's just as I was. "Old Home Week" commenced and he sent someone into the back of the store to bring us a couple of beers. We talked the whole time my wife shopped and when she was ready to check out, he made sure she got a good deal on everything.
2) While going to a formal dinner aboard the cruise ship, a fellow passenger came over and started talking. He had noticed my small gold Eagle Globe and Anchor lapel pin (doesn't everyone wear one on their dress coat lapel?). We talked for about half an hour or so. None of this surprised my wife, who had seen it all happen before. As he left, my wife could on ask, "How did he see that samll pin from across the room?". I just smiled and replied, "Marines can always recognize a fellow Marine".
Do I believe in Once a Marine, Always a Marine? You d***ed straight I do!

[DrZ]

If you walk into my office.... posted behind me is my Marine Corps flag and a POW/MIA flag. As long as I am there... they will be as well.

I have caught a little hell from my HR person but I asked her who paid for her freedoms? Her response was her Dad. WW2 Marine. Told her to tell him that she requested I remove the flags. She said she will pass.

The flags stay!

[doc h fmf]

I Was In A Lawyers Office And The Lawyer Was A Retired Marine. He A Alot Of Marine Corps Relic One Had A Marine Corps Flag That Had Semper Fi.
I Said Semper Fi Dan, I Was A Navy Corpman And His Eyes Were Misty And Said Godbless You Doc

Stephen Doc Hansen Hm3 Fmf

[Wyoming]

This thread ought to be required reading by all the poolees on this site!!

They don't need to clutter it up with their BS text message style replies, just simply read the thread and go comment on it in the wading pool.

[Matthewop]

good points guys!








Airwolf Seasons 1-3 DVD
Journeyman Season 1 DVD

[Brianhipwell]

I've been out of the Corps a year longer than I was in (in four, out eighteen), and I still don't carry anything in my right hand, unless it's absolutely necessary. After all, you never know when you'll have to salute someone.
"The Marines Hymn" still gives me cold chills, and a picture of Mount Suribachi brings a tear to my eye.
I always stand at attention for the national anthem, with hand over my heart. I don't put my hands in my pockets when walking, and walking in step is a must.
A rack is still a rack (not for hanging hats), a head is still a head (not the one on your shoulders), and the deck is still the deck (we're not talking sailboats, either).
At the office, co-workers think I'm crazy, using terms like guard mail (instead of interoffice correspondence), direct order (instead of directive), and locked on (instead of understood). The task at hand is always a "mission," and no mission is ever too tough.
Even the days aren't long enough. Not that I complain about a 9-to-5 job, or working regular hours; I don't. But it seems that others - civilians - are always complaining about how hard and/or horrible their work is. Get real. Join the Marine Corps....
A headache, stomach ache, or cold might keep the average employee home. Calling in sick, except in case of rare disease or disaster, is out of the question for a Marine. Being late is equally unsat. (What's that? Ask a Marine.)
The word "Sir" involuntarily rolls off my lip when addressing senior management. Some think it's great; others don't care for it at all. (Remember the first sergeant's cry? "Don't call me 'Sir', I work for a living!") At any rate, I find myself explaining that it's "ingrained Marine Corps training," which is always a door opener for further conversation.
Such a statement can also be beneficial during other interactions, such as those with police officers. Fortunately, my experience in that area is limited, but any mention of "Marine" is usually a good icebreaker and lead in to conversation about the Corps. It seems that there's a mutual respect between the Police and the Marines; many are Marines (former and reserve). Not everyone can be a Marine, and if you are, say so. A Marine bumper sticker in the window and dog tags hanging in the rearview mirror can also go a long way.
Speaking of bumper stickers, have you ever noticed how many there are out there? Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, proudly displayed on cars and trucks from New York to California. Marines are everywhere.
And when they're not in their bumper-stickered vehicles, you can otherwise spot them in their bright, red and gold USMC jackets, caps (not hats), T-shirts, and other assorted accessories. But not all Marines are that easily recognizable. Some garb is understated in black, silver, green, or camouflage. Designs range from a simple Marine Corps emblem, to the Tasmanian Devil, or a leatherneck tattoo, to an elaborate display of Marine weaponry. Sayings may include "Once a Marine, always a Marine", "Semper Fi" (do or die), or any variation thereof. The words may be different, but the theme is always "Marine".
Marines will proudly inform you, and anyone else who happens to be listening, that they were in the Corps. Their comment may have no connection with the present conversation or situation, at least not to the common ear, but anything can, and will, rouse memories in a Marine.
You could be in a crowded doorway, taking refuge from a storm, and a 40-something gentleman tells you he doesn't need an umbrella because he was a Marine, and compared to the monsoons in Southeast Asia or Okinawa, this downpour is just a sprinkle.
Or the moving man mentions in passing that he developed strength and endurance in the Corps. And there's the real estate agent, who points out, with pride, his previous service, when you pass by the local Marine monument.
From city to city, women in grocery lines and beauty parlors tell stories about their children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces who are, or were, Marines. From barroom to bowling alleys, from boat to backyard barbecue, fathers and grandfathers vividly recall life in the Corps to anyone who will listen.
Marines will seize any opportunity to volunteer information about their adventures in the Corps. They may casually note their branch of service, or unload an entire bag of sea stories. Fortunately, most folks don't mind unless, that is, they find themselves in the company of two or more Marines. In that case, they can forget getting in a word edgewise.
And remarkably, Marines always seem to find each other. In the midst of any crowd, two leathernecks will somehow get together, and when they do, it's an instant reunion. Forget formal introductions; these men are brothers. Call it "Marine bonding."
I recently attended a business conference (not Marine related) and found myself at a roundtable discussion. Actually, it was a luncheon, but the conversation was supposed to be business. Somehow, someone mentioned "Marine," and the gears immediately, and permanently changed. Another gentleman, who also happened to be a Marine, wanted to know what battalion, when, where served, with whom, how long. Of course, he too, was asked to share his case history.
None of the other people at the table, who included a Navy corpsman, Army sergeant major, and Air Force pilot, could compete. In fact they tried to offer tidbits about their service, but a mere "Oh really?" or "That's nice" was the only reaction they could get from the Marines. Interestingly, the non-Marines didn't seem to be perturbed. They were too busy listening to the sea stories.
Occurrences like these are not rare. In fact, they're probably the norm. Esprit de corps transcends the barriers of time and space, religion, and race. A Marine is a Marine. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. It's training you never outgrow, and a brotherhood you never forget.

You are a Marine's Marine, Oooh rah
HIP

[Brianhipwell]

I have an almost uncontrollable urge to tell a group of people walking together to "Get in step... and how about some cover and alignment"
I cannot enter a building without taking my cover off; even in Country Western clubs were wearing your cowboy hat is the ‘norm’.
I want to tell people standing around with there hands in their pockets, "You in the Army now? Nice gloves..."
I cannot smoke a cigarette while on the move - I must be stationary and out of the way - all butts must be field-stripped.
I cannot walk past trash without 'policing the area'.
No matter where I am, I stop and stand at attention for the National Anthem AND Marines' Hymn.
I walk to the left of anyone in a position of authority.

On and on... The Drifter and Super Dave got it right, it becomes a part of your very being..., and this is a good thing!

Yet I have to shake my head at the young 'pukes' that wear camo trousers hanging from their butts. You wanna get six free sets of 'cammies'..join the Marines
HIP

[Brianhipwell]

And the best part of it all is that I have passed this along to my daughter who departs for the sandbox in about a month.

May God be with her. May Chesty keep a hand on her shoulder. I salute her and I salute you for giving the utmost to the Corps. may she be safe.
SEMPER FIDELIS
HIP

[Brianhipwell]

I almost never mention anything about my service in the Marines, unless its another Marine. I dont know why, maybe I dont like to blow my own horn. Kinda funny story that happened not long ago, I was at my girlfriends family get together and I met her grandfather for the first time. He said nice to meet you, and then he said I bet you were in the Marines. I said to him, oh somebody must have told you. He said nobody ever mentioned my service time. He told me he could tell by the way I walked, the way I looked him in the eye, and the way I shook his hand. I was shocked. He served in the army in WW2 and always had the utmost respect for Marines. Made me feel good.

There is a certain 'air' that Marines posses. It's not one of Godliness, it's one of confidence, honor, humility, bravery, and courage. Be proud of what you posses. You are a United States Marine. That says it all.
HIP