Comments on: The Marine Corps Recruiting Pitch

By: Recruitingaswetype

Recruitingaswetype — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:04:06 +0000

Its good to know that the most elite fighting orginization in the world is still able to continuously infatuate the human race. Something you will never truly understand until you MAN UP and attempt to become a part of it.

HUH Snake

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:09:42 +0000

My son — dash two of the section — came to me about seven months ago to ask my opinion. He was considering joining the Marines, and wanted to know what I thought. Swallowed hard, and asked him what led him to that particular crossroads. Several things tumbled out — first were the inputs from a mentor, former Marine, about the life changing aspects (Matt didn’t put it that way, but I knew what he meant). He grew up in my household, so he wasn’t a stranger to doing the right things, without being asked. I’m sure his decision to slowly slide out of college for the big bucks as a young mortgage loan officer, and the subsequent denounement of that particular novel, had something to do with it. Probably the fact that his successful HS peers graduated this year, and the “others”, in finest NFWS speak, were waiting tables, and being his bar buddies. Seeing where that led forty years from now.

So now, a few more questions from the oracle — not knowing if he really wanted advice, or validation. “How long you want to stay in?” “Four years, then out.” “What do you want to do?” “I don’t know.” So, the oracle spoke — “You go down, and take the aptitude test, and tell me what they will let you do.” Came back with a maxed out ASVAB score, so all fields were open. He is now in week nine at MCRD SD — graduates the day before Thanksgiving. Called this week for some info for his clearance investigation — headed to be a SIGINT operator. He listened to the old man, who extolled the interesting work, being “in the know”, and the financial value of an SCI clearance, post enlistment.

But the reason for this isn’t to brag. It is to recognize, and honor, the reason I was willing to entrust one of my two most valuable commodities, to a nation at war. Had Matt said he wanted an enlisted career, I would have steered him to the AF or Navy. But when he said “one and out”, the Marines were the only choice, for one undeniable reason — Marine NCOs, and especially senior NCOs — embodied in the Sgt Purcell of this NY Times story, treat their junior Marines like their own children. They set high standards, but no higher than they themselves can meet. They call their charges to something greater than themselves, and change their lives in the process. I laughed at Matt this summer, telling him he was joining a cult — he replied, “It is a brotherhood.” Well, if it is a brotherhood, it is because of those Marine NCOs who are the keepers of the flame.

By: Snake Eater

Snake Eater — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:02:18 +0000

Padre Harvey, As you probably know old give-em hell Harry was a National Guard Arty Captain in WW1. His animus towards the Marines most likely dates from that time and in particular when the American press reported a great American victory ( forgot which) and credited the Marines, who were not there, instead of the Army, who were.
He also tried to abolish the Marines, when he was President in the late 40s…but the big green( read Jarhead) lobby machine nixed it… a good thing in retrospect… competition after all, is the American way … and both are better fighting organizations for it. Best

By: MajHarvey

MajHarvey — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:37:12 +0000

Hey Snake – remember that Truman once said that the Marine’s have a propaganda machine that is almost equal to Stalin’s.

‘Pears to still be workin’…

/best.

By: virgil xenophon

virgil xenophon — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:10:49 +0000

I see from Snake Eater’s comments the old Army-Marines thing still runs deep. LOL . My Father, being a WWII Co Cmdr in the 42nd Rainbow in the ETO used to mutter darkly all the time about the “damn Marine PR machine” every time a movie extolling the accomplishments of the Marines was shown on TV. Some things never change……Not to mention the Army-Navy game.

By: Snake Eater

Snake Eater — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:54:59 +0000

You know what… the sad part of all this is that the Marines have planted these so-called “first person”, man/woman in the street… totally bull-sh*t stories themselvels ,so often , that they have come to actually believe the jive they are spewing themselves… Best