Parris Island history

[killtoilie]

I heard stories of recruits getting killed(pinebox killed not PT-ed) at Parris Island, i want to know more about it from anyone who knows the real stories.

[davblay]

The Ribbon Creek Incident

<dl> <dd> Main article: Ribbon Creek Incident (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbon_Creek_Incident)
</dd> </dl> On April 8 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_8), 1956 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956), at 20:00 hours, a drunk Staff Sergeant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staff_Sergeant) Matthew McKeon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_McKeon), a decorated veteran (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veteran) of World War II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II) and the Korean War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War), led Platoon 71, his assigned platoon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platoon) of 74 recruits, on an extra exercise to Ribbon Creek as a disciplinary measure. McKeon led the platoon toward a swampy tidal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tide) creek (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creek_%28tidal%29) on Parris Island (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parris_Island%2C_South_Carolina), South Carolina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina), near the eponymous Marine Corps recruit depot, and, upon arrival 45 minutes later, McKeon entered the creek and ordered the platoon to follow. From that point forward, the platoon marched along the creek bed, moving into deeper water when ordered. Hearing sounds of panic from the recruits upon encountering the viscous creek mud in water at shoulder level, he ordered the platoon to exit the creek. On exiting, McKeon noticed that six of his men were missing and began searching for them. Although McKeon was the last man from the march to leave the creek alive, his attempt to find and rescue the recruits was for naught: all 6 had drowned, trapped in the suction-like grip of the mud. The entire march, from beginning to end, took about fifteen minutes.

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If you click on the links you can read more about this and other incidents!

[jinelson]

by davblay - The Ribbon Creek Incident

On April 8, 1956, at 20:00 hours, a drunk Staff Sergeant Matthew McKeon, a decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean War, led Platoon 71, his assigned platoon of 74 recruits, on an extra exercise to Ribbon Creek as a disciplinary measure. McKeon led the platoon toward a swampy tidal creek on Parris Island, South Carolina, near the eponymous Marine Corps recruit depot, and, upon arrival 45 minutes later, McKeon entered the creek and ordered the platoon to follow. From that point forward, the platoon marched along the creek bed, moving into deeper water when ordered. Hearing sounds of panic from the recruits upon encountering the viscous creek mud in water at shoulder level, he ordered the platoon to exit the creek. On exiting, McKeon noticed that six of his men were missing and began searching for them. Although McKeon was the last man from the march to leave the creek alive, his attempt to find and rescue the recruits was for naught: all 6 had drowned, trapped in the suction-like grip of the mud. The entire march, from beginning to end, took about fifteen minutes.

A truly sad day in our Corps and the advent of the pussification of our recruit training. Let our Drill Instructors make Marines as we have always been made. We are not trained to be greeters at WalMart we are trained to eliminate threats to our nation. What happens in the platoon stays in the platoon! What ever happened to that?

Jim

[killtoilie]

When someones child dies because of the doing of someone else IN TRAINING it should be investigated. I dont think they or we are pussified, they followed his lead to their deaths.

[DWG]

a drunk Staff Sergeant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staff_Sergeant) Matthew McKeon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_McKeon)

That says it all; no NCO should be allowed near the recruits if impaired.

Per the original question; people die in any endeavour, especially when you have large numbers involved in potentially hazardous situations. Just try not to screw up in a fatal manner.

When someones child dies; Once you reach PI you are no longer a "child" (a maggot maybe, at best recruit, but not a child)

[davblay]

When someones child dies because of the doing of someone else IN TRAINING it should be investigated. I dont think they or we are pussified, they followed his lead to their deaths.
I think you missed Jinelsons point, they did what they were supposed to do, they followed instructions. Far be it, it resulted in their deaths, but if you read the article, you saw that all but 1 recruit was FOR the DI! Chesty Puller stated it better than anyone when he tesitfied, in that trial, that the Army had lost 10 recruits and not much was said about that!

I agree it should have been investigated, but like Chesty said "IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE GONE TO COURT"! Ribbon Creek is the most tragic incident in the history of the Corps! But the Corps learned from that tragic event and restructured our training and it hasn't happend since, and never will! We have had a few accidental deaths during training, of course, but that happens in all branchs of military!

If you, or any other prospect, thinks the training at MCRD is to hard, then I suggest you join another branch of miltary service! It is, after all, ALL VOLUNTEERS, ya know!

[killtoilie]

When someones child dies; Once you reach PI you are no longer a "child" (a maggot maybe, at best recruit, but not a child)
If you have a child that will always be your child if he is 18 or 81, MARINE or coast gaurd

[killtoilie]

If you, or any other prospect, thinks the training at MCRD is to hard, then I suggest you join another branch of miltary service! It is, after all, ALL VOLUNTEERS, ya know!
NO SIR iam join the CORPS because i want to Earn everything i have not have it and not work for it.

[davblay]

If you have a child that will always be your child if he is 18 or 81, MARINE or coast gaurd

What's the matter Poolee? Afraid you might get hurt? My GOD what are you worried about? The odds are better that you'll get struck by lightning that it is that you will get hurt, or killed in training!

I answered your question, now move on! :mad:

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

When someones child dies because of the doing of someone else IN TRAINING it should be investigated. I dont think they or we are pussified, they followed his lead to their deaths.

Marines die in training. It is a part of life. I did two CAX's in 96, 97, and 98 and one CAX in 1999. I think the one in 1999 was the only one where no Marines were killed or seriously injured in the training. During Operation Purple Star I watched as two helos made contact and went into the ground, no survivors. It happens. When you are training for war it is a dangerous business.

If we allow the Mother's of America to water down our training because people die here we will lose far more people to enemy action. It is a simple fact- realistic training is dangerous, but it saves lives.

[Marine84]

NO SIR iam join the CORPS because i want to Earn everything i have not have it and not work for it.

You should include education.

HAHAHAHAHAHA! That's funny - sounds to me like you want to join but you're a tad worried about going through Parris Island? Join the Coast Guard - maybe you can smoke some of what you seize. But, be careful, you're liable to fall off the boat.

[DWG]

Join the Coast Guard - maybe you can smoke some of what you seize. But, be careful, you're liable to fall off the boat[Quote]

That's why you have to be 6 feet tall to join the Coast Guard-if your boat sinks(or you fall off), you can wade ashore!!!:banana: :)

[killtoilie]

You should include education.

HAHAHAHAHAHA! That's funny - sounds to me like you want to join but you're a tad worried about going through Parris Island? Join the Coast Guard - maybe you can smoke some of what you seize. But, be careful, you're liable to fall off the boat.
The coast gaurd are for pussies. Im not one but I do get it.

[USMC90]

The coast gaurd are for pussies. Im not one but I do get it.

Pussies that protect your ass from terrorist organizations, drug dealers and other things that could be the death of you.

I'm not joining the coast guard nor have I ever wanted to but they still provide an important service to your country and that deserves some respect.

[249gunner]

RIP
http://homepage.mac.com/namasteaz/aqf/B1389452129/C382951906/E1181125878/Media/2920408_BG1.jpg
http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2005/02/20/inside-tharp.jpg
This recruit drowned during 2nd phase.

[killtoilie]

Pussies that protect your ass from terrorist organizations, drug dealers and other things that could be the death of you.

I apologize for the lack of respect but i dont no of 1 time the Coast Gaurd stop a terrorist organization or attacting anything but sealife stranded on the Flordia coast and cubans.

[Kurby494]

I apologize for the lack of respect but i dont no of 1 time the Coast Gaurd stop a terrorist organization or attacting anything but sealife stranded on the Flordia coast and cubans.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-coast7jun07,1,7570368.story?coll=la-headlines-world

[USMC90]

I apologize for the lack of respect but i dont no of 1 time the coast gaurd stop a terrorist organization or attacting anything but sealife stranded on the Flordia coast and cubans.

I don't really follow CG busts so I wouldn't know

“Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence”

[davblay]

I apologize for the lack of respect but i dont no of 1 time the Coast Gaurd stop a terrorist organization or attacting anything but sealife stranded on the Flordia coast and cubans.

You've never been out of Mississippi have you? But you DID learn to read the newspapers didn't you? How about history books? Do you know how to google?

[249gunner]

http://www.60wwii.mil/Presentation/images/pic_cg_sign.jpg

[killtoilie]

You've never been out of Mississippi have you? But you DID learn to read the newspapers didn't you? How about history books? Do you know how to google?
I have, I was on the East Coast for fleet week(at least three days of it). Four years ago i stayed in Vermont.

[BR34]

Original topic: On the first day of rifle week, or whatever it's title is, my SDI brought us to the pits on Starlite range and gave us a rundown of the Ribboncreek incident. It had a hell of a effect on some of us since we were standing in around-about the area that it happened.

With all the safety rules boot camp has the only thing a recruit could do to die is not hydrate enough.

[davblay]

That's right Marine, and all you have to do is remember to drink all the water they tell you to, even if you don't feel thirsty! It will keep you hydrated and away from a heat stroke!

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

This is about the second half of President Bush's speech to the graduating class at the US Coast Guard Academy. He seems to disagree with you.


The history of the Coast Guard dates back more than two centuries, to the Revenue Cutter Service, established under the presidency of George Washington -- or as I call him, the first George W. (Laughter and applause.) Since its inception, the Coast Guard has conducted search and rescue missions, enforced our maritime laws, protected our marine environment, come to the aid of stranded boaters, and helped staunch the flow of illegal drugs and illegal migrants to our shores. And in this new century, the Coast Guard continues to carry out these vital missions.

Americans rely on the Coast Guard in times of disaster. When Hurricane Katrina hit our nation's Gulf Coast, the men and women of the Coast Guard swung into action, hanging from helicopters, pulling people off rooftops and out of trees, and rescuing more than 33,000 people. (Applause.) When storms and floods and tragedy strike, Americans know that they can count on the United States Coast Guard. (Applause.)

Americans relied on the Coast Guard on September the 11th, 2001. After terrorists struck the Twin Towers, the Coast Guard station on Staten Island put out a call for "all available boats," and organized a massive flotilla of military and civilian craft that evacuated hundreds of thousands of people from lower Manhattan. It was the largest waterborne evacuation in our nation's history. And in the days that followed, the men and women of the Coast Guard stayed on the job, assisting operations at Ground Zero, sending chaplains to comfort the bereaved, and coordinating a round-the-clock defense of New York Harbor and other vital ports. In a time of crisis, the Coast Guard did its job, and did it well. (Applause.)

On September the 11th, the home front you protect became a battlefront in a new and unprecedented war. That day, our nation changed forever, and so did the mission of the United States Coast Guard. This service assumed new and essential responsibilities: to defend our nation against terrorist infiltration, and to help stop new attacks before they kill our people.

As part of Operation Noble Eagle, the men and women of the Coast Guard are protecting more than 360 ports and more than 95,000 miles of coastline. Overseas, the Coast Guard is conducting maritime intercept operations in the Persian Gulf, patrolling the waters off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The men and women of the Coast Guard are serving with courage, and the American people are grateful to live behind your Shield of Freedom.

President George W. Bush addresses his remarks to U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduates Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in New London, Conn., where President Bush honored the USCG saying, “When storms and floods and tragedy strike, Americans know that they can count on the United States Coast Guard.” White House photo by Joyce Boghosian Soon you'll join your fellow Coasties in carrying out these and other missions. And this Academy has prepared you well for the new challenges you will face in this war on terror. During your time here, you've taken courses in terrorist tactics and counterterrorism strategies; you've studied radiation detection, remote sensing, and the handling of hazardous materials; you participated in military exercises that have prepared you for the threats of this new century.

You'll need all this training to help keep your fellow citizens safe. In this war, we face a brutal enemy that has already killed thousands in our midst, and is determined to bring even greater destruction to our shores. We're blessed that there has not been another terrorist attack on our homeland in the past five-and-a-half years. This is not for lack of effort on the part of the enemy. Since 9/11, al Qaeda and its allies have succeeded in carrying out horrific attacks across the world; al Qaeda leaders have repeatedly made clear they intend to strike our country again.

In January of last year, Osama bin Laden warned the American people: "Operations are under preparation and you will see them on your own ground once they are finished." Seven months later, British authorities broke up the most ambitious known al Qaeda threat to the homeland since the 9/11 attacks: a plot to blow up passenger airplanes flying to America. Our intelligence community believes that this plot was just two or three weeks away from execution. If it had been carried out, it could have rivaled 9/11 in death and destruction.

This was not the first al Qaeda plot that has been foiled since 9/11. In December 2001 we captured an al Qaeda operative named Ali Salih al-Mari. Our intelligence community believes that Ali Salih was training in poisons at an al Qaeda camp in Afghanistan, and had been sent to the United States before September the 11th to serve as a sleeper agent ready for follow-on attacks. He was ordered to our country by 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, who is now in U.S. custody. Our intelligence community believes that KSM brought Ali Salih to meet Osama bin Laden, where he pledged his loyalty to the al Qaeda leader and offered himself up as a martyr. Among the potential targets our intelligence community believes this al Qaeda operative discussed with KSM were water reservoirs, the New York Stock Exchange, and United States military academies such as this one.

President George W. Bush, wearing the sunglasses of U.S. Coast Guard graduate Steven Matthew Volk, poses with Volk for a thumbs-up photo following the President’s address to the graduates Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement in New London, Conn. White House photo by Joyce Boghosian We also broke up two other post-9/11 aviation plots. The first, in 2002, was a plot by Khalid Sheikh Mohammad to repeat the destruction of 9/11 by sending operatives to hijack an airplane and fly into the tallest building on the West Coast. During a hearing at Guantanamo Bay just two months ago, Khalid Sheikh Mohammad stated that the intended target was the Library Tower in Los Angeles. And in 2003, we uncovered and stopped a plot led by another suspected senior al Qaeda operative named Abu Bakr al-Azdi. Our intelligence community believes this plot was to be another East Coast aviation attack, including multiple airplanes that had been hijacked and then crashing into targets in the United States.

There is a reason that these and other plots have thus far not succeeded: Since September the 11th, we have taken bold action at home and abroad to keep our people safe.

To help stop new attacks on our country, we have undertaken the most sweeping reorganization of the federal government since the start of the Cold War. We created the new Department of Homeland Security, merging 22 different government organizations, including the Coast Guard, into a single Department with a clear mission: to protect America from future attacks.

To stop new attacks on our country, we've strengthened our nation's intelligence community. We created the position of the Director of National Intelligence to ensure our intelligence agencies operate as a single, unified enterprise. We created the National Counter Terrorism Center, where the FBI, the CIA, and other agencies work side by side to track terrorist threats across the world. We directed the National Security Agency to monitor international terrorist communications. We established a program run by the CIA to detain and question key terrorist leaders and operatives. These measures are vital. These measures are working. And these measures have helped prevent an attack on our homeland. (Applause.)

To help stop new attacks on our country, we passed the Patriot Act, breaking down the walls that had prevented federal law enforcement and intelligence communities from sharing information about potential terrorist activities. We've transformed the FBI into an agency whose primary focus is stopping terrorist attacks. We've expanded the number of FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces from 35 before 9/11 to more than a hundred today. And we saw their effectiveness recently when one of these teams helped disrupt a plot by a group of al Qaeda-inspired extremists to kill American soldiers at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

President George W. Bush and U.S. Coast Guard graduate Brian Robert Staudt offer the Texas Longhorns hand sign out to the audience following the President’s address to the graduates Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement in New London, Conn. White House photo by Joyce Boghosian To help stop new attacks on our country, we launched the BioWatch program, placing state-of-the-art equipment in major U.S. cities to detect biological agents. To help prevent terrorists from bringing nuclear or radiological weapons into our county, we're placing radiation detectors in all major U.S. ports. We placed advanced screening equipment and U.S. Homeland Security personnel at foreign ports, so we can pre-screen cargo headed for America. We're determined to stop the world's most dangerous men from striking America with the world's most dangerous weapons. And the Coast Guard is on the front line of this battle. (Applause.)

To help stop new attacks on our country, we've strengthened international cooperation in the fight against terror. A coalition of more than 90 nations -- nearly one-half of the world -- is working together to dry up terrorist financing and bring terrorist leaders to justice. We launched the Proliferation Security Initiative, a vast coalition of nations that are working to stop shipments of weapons of mass destruction on land, at sea, and in the air. With our allies, we have uncovered and shut down the A.Q. Khan network, which had supplied nuclear-related equipment and plans to terrorist states, including Iran and North Korea. With Great Britain, we convinced the leader of Libya to abandon his country's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. The key components of Libya's nuclear program are now locked up in a storage facility right here in the United States. And today the world is safer because Libya is out of the nuclear weapons business. (Applause.)

All these steps are making our country safer, but we're not yet safe. To strike our country, the terrorists only have to be right once; to protect our country, we have to be right 100 percent of the time. That means the best way to protect our people is to take the fight to the enemy. So after 9/11, I vowed to America that we would go on the offense against the terrorists, fighting them across the world so we do not have to face them here at home. And since 9/11, that is precisely what that United States of America has done. (Applause.)

President George W. Bush holds a coin presented to him by U.S. Coast Guard graduate Daniel Kyung-Hyun Han, after President Bush presented him with his commission Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement in New London, Conn. White House photo by Joyce Boghosian In Afghanistan, we removed a regime that gave sanctuary and support to al Qaeda as they planned the 9/11 attacks. Today, because we acted, the terrorist camps in Afghanistan have been shut down, 25 million people have been liberated, and the Afghan people have an elected government that is fighting terrorists, instead of harboring them. (Applause.)

The Taliban and al Qaeda are seeking to roll back Afghanistan's democratic progress -- but forces from 40 nations, including every member of NATO, are helping the Afghan people defend their democratic gains. Earlier this month, Afghan, American, and NATO forces tracked down and killed a top Taliban commander in Afghanistan. His death has sent a clear message to all who would challenge Afghanistan's young democracy: We drove al Qaeda and the Taliban out of power, and they're not going to be allowed to return to power. (Applause.)

In Iraq, we removed a cruel dictator who harbored terrorists, paid the families of Palestinian suicide bombers, invaded his neighbors, defied the United Nations Security Council, pursued and used weapons of mass destruction. Iraq, the United States and the world are better off without Saddam Hussein in power. (Applause.) And today the Iraqi people are building a young democracy on the rubble of Saddam Hussein's tyranny. In December 2005, nearly 12 million Iraqis demonstrated their desire to be free, going to the polls and choosing a new government under the most progressive, democratic constitution in the Arab world.

In 2006, a thinking enemy responded to this progress and struck back with brutality. They staged sensational attacks that led to a tragic escalation of sectarian rage and reprisal. If the sectarian violence continued to spiral out of control, the Iraqi government would have been in danger of collapse. The ensuing chaos would embolden Iran, which is fueling the violence, and al Qaeda, a key driver of Iraq's sectarian conflict. The chaos could eventually spread across the Middle East, and generations of Americans would be in even greater danger.

So I had a choice to make: withdraw our troops, or send reinforcements to help the Iraqis quell the sectarian violence. I decided to send more troops with a new mission: to help the Iraqi government secure their population and get control of Baghdad. As we carry out the new strategy, the Iraqi government has a lot of work to do. They must meet its responsibility to the Iraqi people and achieve benchmarks it has set, including adoption of a national oil law, preparations for provincial elections, progress on a new de-Baathification policy, and a review of the Iraqi constitution. The Iraqi people must see that their government is taking action to bring their country together and give all of Iraq's a stake in a peaceful future.

Following President George W. Bush’s address to U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduates Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in New London, Conn., cadets toss their hats into the air. White House photo by Joyce Boghosian Now, in 2007, we are at a pivotal moment in this battle. There are many destructive forces in Iraq trying to stop this strategy from succeeding -- the most destructive is al Qaeda. Al Qaeda knows that a democratic Iraq is a threat to their ambitions to impose their hateful ideology across the Middle East. And al Qaeda knows that our presence in Iraq is a direct threat to their existence in Iraq. Our security depends on helping the Iraqis succeed and defeating Iraq -- al Qaeda in Iraq. (Applause.)

Some in our country question whether the battle in Iraq is part of the war on terror. Among the terrorists, there's no doubt. Hear the words of Osama bin Laden: He calls the struggle in Iraq a "war of destiny." He proclaimed "the war is for you or for us to win. If we win it, it means your defeat and disgrace forever."

Bin Laden is matching his words with action. He attempted to send a new commander to Iraq, an Iraqi-born terrorist named Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi. According to our intelligence community, this terrorist had been a senior advisor to bin Laden, he served as his top commander in Afghanistan, he was responsible for all al Qaeda's military operations against our coalition in that country. Abd al-Hadi never made it to Iraq. He was captured last year, and he was recently he was transferred to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay.

There is a reason that bin Laden sent one of his most experienced paramilitary leaders to Iraq: He believes that if al Qaeda can drive us out, they can establish Iraq as a new terrorist sanctuary. Our intelligence community believes that, "al Qaeda leaders see victory in Iraq -- the heart of the caliphate and currently the most active front in their war -- as a religious and strategic imperative." If al Qaeda succeeds in Iraq, they would pursue their stated goals of turning that nation into a base from which to overthrow moderate governments in the region, impose their hateful ideology on millions, and launch new attacks on America and other nations. Victory in Iraq is important for Osama bin Laden -- and victory in Iraq is vital for the United States of America. (Applause.)

I've often warned that if we fail in Iraq, the enemy will follow us home. Many ask: How do you know? Today, I'd like to share some information with you that attests to al Qaeda's intentions. According to our intelligence community, in January 2005, Osama bin Laden tasked the terrorist Zarqawi -- who was then al Qaeda's top leader in Iraq -- with forming a cell to conduct terrorist attacks outside of Iraq. Bin Laden emphasized that America should be Zarqawi's number one priority in terms of foreign attacks. Zarqawi welcomed this direction; he claimed that he had already come up with some good proposals.

To help Zarqawi in these efforts, our intelligence community reports that bin Laden then tasked one of his top terrorist operatives, Hamza Rabia, to send Zarqawi a briefing on al Qaeda's external operations, including information about operations against the American homeland. Our intelligence community reports that a senior al Qaeda leader, Abu Faraj al-Libi, went further and suggested that bin Laden actually send Rabia, himself, to Iraq to help plan external operations. Abu Faraj later speculated that if this effort proved successful, al Qaeda might one day prepare the majority of its external operations from Iraq.

In May of 2005, Abu Faraj was captured and taken into CIA custody. Several months later, in December 2005, Rabia was killed in Pakistan. Several months after that, in June of 2006, the terrorist Zarqawi was killed by American forces in Iraq. Successes like these are blows to al Qaeda. They're a testament to steps we have taken to strengthen our intelligence, work closely with partners overseas, and keep the pressure on the enemy by staying on the offense. (Applause.)

Despite our pressure, despite the setbacks that al Qaeda has suffered, it remains extremely dangerous. As we've surged our forces in Iraq, al Qaeda has responded with a surge of its own. The terrorists' goal in Iraq is to reignite sectarian violence and break support for the war here at home. And they believe they're succeeding. A few weeks ago, al Qaeda's number two, second in command, Zawahiri, issued a video in which he gloated that al Qaeda's "movement of violence" has "forced the Americans to accept a pullout -- about which they only differ in regard to its timing." We can expect al Qaeda to continue its campaign of high profile attacks, including deadly suicide bombings and assassinations. And as they do, our troops will face more fighting and increased risks in the weeks and months ahead.

The fight in Iraq is tough, but my point today to you is the fight is essential to our security -- al Qaeda's leaders inside and outside of Iraq have not given up on their objective of attacking America again. Now, many critics compare the battle in Iraq to the situation we faced in Vietnam. There are many differences between the two conflicts, but one stands out above all: The enemy in Vietnam had neither the intent nor the capability to strike our homeland. The enemy in Iraq does. Nine-eleven taught us that to protect the American people, we must fight the terrorists where they live so that we don't have to fight them where we live. (Applause.)

The question for our elected leaders is: Do we comprehend the danger of an al Qaeda victory in Iraq, and will we do what it takes to stop them? However difficult the fight in Iraq has become, we must win it. Al Qaeda is public enemy number one for Iraq's young democracy, and al Qaeda is public enemy number one for America, as well. And that is why we must support our troops, we must support the Iraqi government, and we must defeat al Qaeda in Iraq. (Applause.)

We're thankful to the military, the intelligence, and law enforcement personnel who work tirelessly to stop new attacks on our country. With every plot they foil, every terrorist they capture, we learn more about the enemy's plans and persistence. In the minds of al Qaeda leaders, 9/11 was just a down-payment on violence yet to come. It's tempting to believe that the calm here at home after September the 11th means that the danger to our country has passed. I see the intelligence every day. The danger has not passed. Here in America, we're living in the eye of a storm. All around us, dangerous winds are swirling, and these winds could reach our shores at any moment.

The men and women of the Coast Guard know how to navigate the storm. We're counting on you to help America weather the challenges that lie ahead. As you begin your Coast Guard careers, you can approach the future with confidence, because our nation has faced dangerous enemies before, and emerged victorious every time. Terrorists can try to kill the innocent, but they cannot kill the desire for liberty that burns in the hearts of millions across the earth. The power of freedom defeated the ideologies of fascism and communism in the last century, and freedom will defeat the hateful ideologies of the terrorists in this century.

Victory in this struggle will require valor and determination and persistence, and these qualities can be found in abundance in the Class of 2007. (Applause.)

Your class has chosen a motto: Let Courage Part the Seas. America will be counting on your courage in the years to come. You will take your oath as Coast Guard officers in a time of war, knowing all the risks your service entails. I thank each of you for your bold decision to wear the uniform. My call to you is this: Trust in the power of freedom to overcome tyranny and terror; show leadership in freedom's defense, and character in all you do; be ready for anything. The Coasties who came before you never thought they would be organizing a flotilla in New York Harbor, or patrolling distant coasts in the Persian Gulf. Like them, you will serve in ways you cannot imagine today. But if you bring the skills and creativity you learned at this Academy to every task, our nation's security will be in good hands. (Applause.)

You leave this Academy "strong in resolve to be worthy of the traditions of commissioned officers in the United States Coast Guard."

I respect your passion for service, and the courage of your choice. Your country is grateful, and proud of each of you. Congratulations. God bless. Semper Paratus. (Applause.)

[Integrity57]

My grandfather was a Petty Officer Second Class in the Coast Guard and did serve in Vietnam from what I'm told.

[HurricaneRJ]

The Coast Guard may not be a warrior first service like the Army or Marine Corps, but its very much important as the Army and Marine Corps.

[Matlock09]

The Coast Guard may not be a warrior first service like the Army or Marine Corps, but its very much important as the Army and Marine Corps. Very true, my dad is a CWO-4 in the Coast Guard and tells me stories all the time about drug dealers and people from foreign countries trying to break into our country.

I remember one time when I was a freshmen talking to a recruiter at lunch and he asked me why I didn't want to join the Coast Guard like my dad. I replied like "Not hardcore enough for me" or something like that and he said, "****, it takes a hardcore dude to jump out of a perfectly fine helicopter into hurricane force conditions to rescue people in a sinking ship". He was ofcourse talking about the rescue swimmers I would have to agree with him.

On Topic: Does anybody know how that recruit in the 2nd Phase drowned? Was it his error or what?

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

I would guess it was during swim qual, and it is a risk. A bunch of people in the pool, the DI may miss you on the bottom. They're as careful as they can be, but things happen. When they happen in boot camp it makes big news. When it happens in the fleet it is just a training risk.

[foxman]

killtolie> Son it sounds to me like you are truely a wannabe. You want OUR Title but you don't want to have to work to get it. You have to do what you are told, When you are told to do it and do it the best you can. That's called Self Discipline and Self Control. He who can control himself has the opprotunity to control the situation in which he finds himself, He who can not control himself is of no benifit to himself or to others who may depend on him. That DI, even though he may have made a mistake did not put those Recruits in the water by themselves, He led them every step of the way. I'm sure that if they had had the Self Discipline and and Self Control to not panic they would have made it through the ordeal. You think wadeing through a muddy creek is Hell, Just wait til you get your ass caught in an ambush or a Seige like we were caught up in at Khe Sahn.

[Phantom Blooper]

advent of the pussification


Jim,

I am going to be like Marine 84 (Kim) and let you know that I had to clean my monitor on that one! :banana:

[davblay]

killtolie> Son it sounds to me like you are truely a wannabe. You want OUR Title but you don't want to have to work to get it. You have to do what you are told, When you are told to do it and do it the best you can. That's called Self Discipline and Self Control. He who can control himself has the opprotunity to control the situation in which he finds himself, He who can not control himself is of no benifit to himself or to others who may depend on him. That DI, even though he may have made a mistake did not put those Recruits in the water by themselves, He led them every step of the way. I'm sure that if they had had the Self Discipline and and Self Control to not panic they would have made it through the ordeal. You think wadeing through a muddy creek is Hell, Just wait til you get your ass caught in an ambush or a Seige like we were caught up in at Khe Sahn.

Amen! :thumbup:

[killtoilie]

killtolie> Son it sounds to me like you are truely a wannabe. You want OUR Title but you don't want to have to work to get it. You have to do what you are told, When you are told to do it and do it the best you can. That's called Self Discipline and Self Control. He who can control himself has the opprotunity to control the situation in which he finds himself, He who can not control himself is of no benifit to himself or to others who may depend on him. That DI, even though he may have made a mistake did not put those Recruits in the water by themselves, He led them every step of the way. I'm sure that if they had had the Self Discipline and and Self Control to not panic they would have made it through the ordeal. You think wadeing through a muddy creek is Hell, Just wait til you get your ass caught in an ambush or a Seige like we were caught up in at Khe Sahn.
How do you figure that i dont want to work for the title MARINE? I will do whatever it takes to EARN that title. I know i do and if there was to prove it to you MARINES now, I would. the only way is to do it at Parris Island. I just heard STORIES and wanted clarification.

[bgsuwoody]

You really do need to get your history down and stop listening to stories. What you did was assume and you made an ass out of u and me. However, if you do some research you will find that one of the...

[bgsuwoody]

The numbers weren't in the story for some reason, but Doug Munro was responsible for the rescue of over 600 Marines that day!

[zackmerc]

Is there a high number of recruits dying at boot camp? Maybe 1 or even 2?
How does that happen? I sure as hell don't wanna get an injury and get sent home in shame.

[Marine84]

Is there a high number of recruits dying at boot camp? Maybe 1 or even 2?


OH GOOD LORD!!!! Not unless they do something stupid and CAUSE a DI or another Recruit to kill them.

[BR34]

Is there a high number of recruits dying at boot camp? Maybe 1 or even 2?
How does that happen? I sure as hell don't wanna get an injury and get sent home in shame.

heh...you won't go home anyway. I know a Marine that went to P.I. as a PVT and left a LCpl with no meritorious promotions. He got hurt and stayed on the island for 18 months.

The quickest way off the island is gradating. Don't get hurt!

And not to scare you or the others but Drill Instructors will touch you, and so will other recruits, if you mess up enough. My S.D.I. had a thing for standing on footlockers while we were popping sticks in the squad bay and if a recruit messed up he'd get a swift boot to the chest.

You'll hurt in boot camp in one way or another. Stand by.

[zackmerc]

Well, that's a relief seeing how I won't get sent home in disgrace if I get injured. I expect bruises, cuts, sprains, and other injuries of that matter. I just hope I don't break my leg.

[Phantom Blooper]

And not to scare you or the others but Drill Instructors will touch you, and so will other recruits, if you mess up enough. My S.D.I. had a thing for standing on footlockers while we were popping sticks in the squad bay and if a recruit messed up he'd get a swift boot to the chest.

You'll hurt in boot camp in one way or another. Stand by.


This statement is merely allegations. There is and never has been in the illustrious history of PI,San Diego or my Marine Corps that anything like this has ever happened. The recruit was always clumsy from TD 1 and slipped and fell.............:evilgrin: End of story. Blood,sweat sometimes tears but unless loss of life or limb IT NEVER HAPPENED!:evilgrin: <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->