OT Are Marines "Soldiers"?

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:06 pm

Now, I know (or at least I HOPE) most of you are thinking, "what the hell kind of stupid question is that?" But I just had two conversations with two E-5's, Soldiers, who told me that Marines are Soldiers. One said that anybody who deploys is considered a Soldier.

I have always been under the impression that Soldiers were in the Army, sailors were in the navy, Airmen were in the Air Force, and Marines were in the Marine Corps. I would never call a Soldier a Marine, and I would never ever ever call a Marine "Soldier." It really irritates me when I hear reporters, for example, do this.

Am I out in left field here?

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:12 pm

Marines are not soldiers. Marines would be offended and soldiers would raise their eyebrows.

SFRanger7GP · Post by **SFRanger7GP** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:29 pm

You are correct. When I hear people make those types of errors I immediately "nothing them" and seriously doubt their knowledge of anything.

moxgrove · Post by **moxgrove** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:31 pm

marines are Naval infantry or naval ground forces. Marines were originally used by the Brits for shipboard security, shoooting from the rigging into enemy ships,repelling boarding parties,etc. They also established beach heads for invasions. The US thought enough of it to establish their own. Lines have blurred these days, but Marines and soldiers are different animals, with similarities. Semper Fi

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:37 pm

SFRanger7GP wrote:You are correct. When I hear people make those types of errors I immediately "nothing them" and seriously doubt their knowledge of anything.

I was stunned to hear not one, but two other Soldiers say this. Not just young PV-1's but experienced NCO's.

Bruce Scott · Post by **Bruce Scott** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:39 pm

This is worth a look: http://www.angelfire.com/ca/dickg/soldier.html

Gun Smith · Post by **Gun Smith** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:09 pm

Marines are not soldiers, therefore they can be stationed in foriegn countries to protect American Embassy staff and U.S. property. Soldiers in a foreign country could be considered a military presence and could only be stationed there with the existing government's permission. That's why the Marines were sent to Grenada to protect American students.

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:23 pm

Officers and enlisted personnel of the US Marine Corps are Marines.

Officers and enlisted personnel of the US Army are soldiers.

Those two soldiers who said that Marines are "soldiers" are grossly mistaken.

Semper Fi,

Noah

Bruce Scott · Post by **Bruce Scott** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:35 pm

Noah Zark wrote:Officers and enlisted personnel of the US Marine Corps are Marines.

Officers and enlisted personnel of the US Army are soldiers.

Those two soldiers who said that Marines are "soldiers" are grossly mistaken.

Semper Fi,

Noah

This gentleman, author of the article referred to in my post above, does not entirely agree:
Dick Gaines, GySgt USMC (Ret.) 1952-72

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:42 pm

Well, I'm a Marine and will always be a Marine. I'm not a military historian, and the article by the gunny is probably correct, but I think modern understanding of the term soldier refers to Army personnel.

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:10 pm

Bruce Scott wrote:This gentleman, author of the article referred to in my post above, does not entirely agree:
Dick Gaines, GySgt USMC (Ret.) 1952-72

It's not unusual to find people in middle management who either wish they were something else or jusy plain have their head lodged in their lower receiver.

In my experience, it offends Marines to be referred to as anything but "Marine" or one of the many (not always complimentary) "nick-names" rightfully earned.

Any Marine who wears the uniform earned the title, worked darn hard to do it, and works just as hard to keep and deserve it.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:16 pm

FWiedner wrote:
Bruce Scott wrote:This gentleman, author of the article referred to in my post above, does not entirely agree:
Dick Gaines, GySgt USMC (Ret.) 1952-72
It's not unusual to find people in middle management who either wish they were something else or jusy plain have their head lodged in their lower receiver.

In my experience, it offends Marines to be referred to as anything but "Marine" or one of the many (not always complimentary) "nick-names" rightfully earned.

Any Marine who wears the uniform earned the title, worked darn hard to do it, and works just as hard to keep and deserve it.

You gotta admit though, there are a lot of nicknames for marines. My boys point out that it is caused by jealousy. Those two darned leathernecked, sea going bell hops might be onto something. Shees, they keep calling me a blind ole airedale. I just remind them that blind dogs bite just as hard as one that can see, and probably more often. Why oh why couldn't they have just joined the Air Force like good little boys. Someday the wife is going to throw us all out of the house.

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:18 pm

FWiedner wrote:Any Marine who wears the uniform earned the title, worked darn hard to do it, and works just as hard to keep and deserve it.

I agree completely, but I also think it is disrespectful to a member of ANY branch, to refer to them incorrectly. If I were still in the navy I would be annoyed to have someone call me "Soldier" and, now that I am a Soldier, I don't want to be called "sailor" or "Marine."

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:49 pm

In all honesty ----- i have to say --- most people who would consider themselves "operators" dont give a flip what you call them. I spent 5 years in the 75th Infantry --- that doesn't quite make me an "operator" in my opinion, but i have spent countless hours training alongside USMC and US Navy personnell, along with members of the commonwealths Royal Marines among others.

The USMC line cook, vehicle mechanic or 2nd Louie with an administrative MOS might get bent because of such semantics, but the man who sleeps with his favorite knife or pistol and a "16" an arm reach away, doesn't.

I have experience with ship boarding exercises, and can use a Draeger -- but i am most definitely not a "Marine". And, from a technical perspective, i am more a "Marine" than a lot of Marines in that regard (flak gear and K-Pot deployed for the flame fest

)

Bear 45/70 · Post by **Bear 45/70** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:01 pm

According to Wikipedia;

A soldier is a general English term that refers to a land component of national armed forces, soldier also means someone trained to kill. In most societies of the world, "soldier" is also a general term for any member of the land forces including commissioned and non-commissioned officers.

Etymology

The word soldier is derived from an Old French word, itself a derivation of Solidarius, Latin for someone who served in the armed forces for pay, as opposed to warriors in tribal society where every grown man is automatically a member of his clan's fighting force. Solidare in Latin means "to pay"; Roman soldiers were paid in solidi, so-called because they were a new type of solid silver coin brought in after a reform of the Roman monetary system.

Occupational specialities

In most armed forces the word soldier has been mostly abandoned with increasing specialisation in military occupations that require different areas of knowledge and skill-sets, and have been replaced by names which reflect Arm, Service or Branch of individual's service, type of unit or operational employment or technical use such as: trooper, tanker, Commando, dragoon, infantryman, marine, paratrooper, ranger, sniper, engineer, sapper, or a gunner.

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:03 pm

Streetstar wrote:In all honesty ----- i have to say --- most people who would consider themselves "operators" dont give a flip what you call them.

Well yeah. But you don't think "ordinary" infantry would prefer to be properly identified?

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:06 pm

All right lets set this straight.

Yes Marines are know as Soldiers of The Sea this is a term that we have used with pride for a long time.

But if you value your hide I highly recomend against refering to a Marine as just a soldier. To us especialy those of us that have worked closely with the Army (no offense to you dog faces out there) it is almost like making unkind remarks about our mothers. We take great pride in our identity and our accomplishments ( quite a few involved bailing out soldiers) and the fact that we are a small force. So in todays Marine Corps the only title that is proper is Marine.

That is my input the Gunny has spoken.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:12 pm

Gun Smith wrote:Marines are not soldiers, therefore they can be stationed in foriegn countries to protect American Embassy staff and U.S. property. Soldiers in a foreign country could be considered a military presence and could only be stationed there with the existing government's permission. That's why the Marines were sent to Grenada to protect American students.

The Marines were sent because they are the only armed service that the President can deploy en mass with out congesional permision.

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:14 pm

JReed wrote:But if you value your hide I highly recomend against refering to a Marine as just a soldier.

Now look here...

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:19 pm

Otto wrote:
JReed wrote:But if you value your hide I highly recomend against refering to a Marine as just a soldier.

Now look here...

Sorry buddy but thats how us Devil Dogs see it.

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:23 pm

JReed wrote:
Otto wrote:
JReed wrote:But if you value your hide I highly recomend against refering to a Marine as just a soldier.

Now look here...
Sorry buddy but thats how us Devil Dogs see it.

Yeah, yeah. You outrank me so I better not push the issue.

By the way, I was so busy being a smart-alec, that I never did offer congrats on the new rocker. Congrats on the new rocker.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:37 pm

sol·dier (sljr)
n.
1. One who serves in an army.
2. An enlisted person or a noncommissioned officer.
3. An active, loyal, or militant follower of an organization.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:39 pm

Otto wrote:
JReed wrote:
Otto wrote:
JReed wrote:But if you value your hide I highly recomend against refering to a Marine as just a soldier.

Now look here...
Sorry buddy but thats how us Devil Dogs see it.
Yeah, yeah. You outrank me so I better not push the issue.

By the way, I was so busy being a smart-alec, that I never did offer congrats on the new rocker. Congrats on the new rocker.

Thanks.

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:41 pm

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:26 pm

as just a soldier

Bite me, Gunny

I don't care if you're the CinC....keep a civil tongue in your head about your fellow service members.... If you're gonna talk smack about the other guys, be sure to tell us of the danger of static electricty and bare wires

This Old Soldier has spoken

S.B. · Post by **S.B.** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:36 pm

moxgrove wrote:marines are Naval infantry or naval ground forces. Marines were originally used by the Brits for shipboard security, shoooting from the rigging into enemy ships,repelling boarding parties,etc. They also established beach heads for invasions. The US thought enough of it to establish their own. Lines have blurred these days, but Marines and soldiers are different animals, with similarities. Semper Fi

Still use as fleet security today!
Steve

Gobblerforge · Post by **Gobblerforge** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:38 am

As one who didn't serve militarily, I would like to offer another perspective. My father was a marine in the early 50's. All my life I heard the same stories and the cocky talk and he always seamed to talk down the navy "swabbies". Other marines I have known in my life always were the same, cocky and arrogant. I came to learn that this is what makes a marine a MARINE. It doesn't seem to be that they are any better trained than any other branch, their attitude is better trained to be generally more aggressive.Then my BIL joined the army and I got to watch his career for 22 years until he retired Command Sergeant Major. I've always been vary proud of him. With his career he worked with all other branches and the one time I ever heard him make a comment on another branch was when he went to drill instructor school. He said the most impressive boys he'd ever seen was the navy's Seals. I never heard him talk down another branch, ever. But back to the topic, as a civilian, I always felt that a soldier was different than a marine and that they, along with sailors and airmen, were all "servicemen". I tip my hat to one and all.
Gobbler

SFRanger7GP · Post by **SFRanger7GP** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:13 am

There is a bit of confusion here on a couple of points. All military forces need a deployment order prior to being used outside of the US. This is often a lengthy process that requires approval from one or more of the following person(s) or agencies: SECDEF, POTUS, US Ambassador, Dept of State, Host/Partner Nation, US Justice Dept, Office of Regional Affairs, etc. Most Deployment Orders have a blanket statement that says "forces must be available for any and all world wide contingency operations". Marines that are on a float are already deployed and are therefore "available for any worldwide contingency operation". That is one of many things that makes them such a unique first strike option.

US Military advisors, US Army Special Forces and Special Operations Command Task Forces are regularly stationed outside the US or "deployed for training" so they will fall under that same blanket statement.

As for Grenada, this was the first successful joint task force operation. It was not just a Marine op. US Army Special Operations were there long before the operation started and a US Army Ranger task force (1st and 2nd Ranger BNs combined) conducted a low level parachute assault on the airfield to kick off the festivities so to speak.

Just a bit of information for those who are interested.

Nazgul · Post by **Nazgul** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:55 am

With respect to all my brothers and sisters at arms, we Marines are NOT soldiers.

Don

SGT USMC
'75-'82

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:50 am

Nazgul wrote:With respect to all my brothers and sisters at arms, we Marines are NOT soldiers.

Don

SGT USMC
'75-'82

No need to qualify your statement. To the contrary, I think it would be disrespectful to call you Soldier, or for you to call me Marine.

Marines are not Soldiers. Airmen are not sailors. Coastguardsmen are not Marines. Ducks are not geese.

EDIT Winchesters are not Marlins! Or, if you prefer, Marlins are not Winchesters.

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:58 am

My last stateside duty assignment was as a "black hat" at Ft. Benning. In this capacity, i have had the chance to see all branches of the service together. I have seen them all succeed and fail at roughly an equal rate. Training at 110% is the ultimate BS Filter. Marines probably got hammered a bit more than some of the other trainees in the first couple of days of training when they came in with a false sense of USMC instilled bravado, but as soon as they realized that everyone gets treated alike (just like stuff) most of them settle down to be good little boys.

Some marines have a chip on their shoulder about mess like this --- but as i said in an earlier reply, most who do seem to be "barroom heroes" and support level MOS types who have nothing better to get all harrumped up about.

Rangers lead the way

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:37 am

BlaineG wrote:
as just a soldier
Bite me, Gunny

I don't care if you're the CinC....keep a civil tongue in your head about your fellow service members.... If you're gonna talk smack about the other guys, be sure to tell us of the danger of static electricty and bare wires This Old Soldier has spoken

Slow down there turbo.
I was not trying to insult Soldiers and if you took it that way sorry. My point is if you refer to a Marine as only a Soldier you are looking for trouble. We often call our selvs as Soldiers of The Sea but never as the one word title of Soldier.
If you had read my previous coments you may have caught that I had mentioned this before.

Dont jump on me with out giving me a chance to explaine if you think I said something out of line. Thats just poor form Sir.

Post by **Hobie** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:48 am

I learned early on, serving with all branches as I did, that one did not refer to or call a Marine a soldier. I was so instructed by Non-Coms of all branches. All the definitions and common misuse by "journalists" aside, that is current accepted tradition.

I remember one incident where an Army Officer was trying to get a Marine's attention. He kept calling, louder and louder, "soldier" with no response. Finally a SENIOR NCO in normal tone said, "hey, Marine" and got an immediate response. This infuriated this particular officer who proceeded to show all the world how big an *** he was. He then walked directly into the Marine Liaison Officer's office to complain about the Marine (a Lance Corporal IIRC). The Marine Major listened politely to this and stepped to the door and called the Marine in. He then congratulated the Marine on knowing the difference between a Marine and a Soldier. The LCPL made CPL about 2 weeks later and the rumor was (true or not) that it was a direct result of this encounter.

I have never mis-called any member of any other service. While we might joke about the differences I've never been insulted by anyone serving in another service. There is no need. The way I see it, a guy who bakes bread for boots his whole career is doing his part, too.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:55 am

Nice thing about all this inter-service bickering is it is just like a tight family. Brothers fight like cats and dogs with one another, but let someone from the outside pick on a family member, and they are in deep doo-doo with everyone of the brothers!!!

Thank you all for your service to our country!!!

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:25 am

You bunch of JARHEADS can talk your smack as much as you like. One fact remains the same. SOLDIERS are carrying the main force in the current engagements in both theaters at this time for real world conflicts! The standard duration of deployment for SOLDIERS at this time is approx. 12-18 months. Marines is approx 6 months and Airforce go TDY for 4 months. Regarding OIF and OEF more SOLDIERS have paid the ultimate sacrifice than any of the other services combined.

DUTY FIRST!

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:36 am

horsesoldier03 wrote: SOLDIERS are carrying the main force in the current engagements in both theaters at this time for real world conflicts!

That is at least partially because the Total Army is a much larger force than USMC+ USMCR.

The standard duration of deployment for SOLDIERS at this time is approx. 12-18 months. Marines is approx 6 months and Airforce go TDY for 4 months.

There are advantages, at least for regular forces, in shorter but more frequent rotations. It can be burdensome for reserve troops trying to attend school, for example. But keep in mind that, during WWII, the entire NG was mobilized by summer 1941, and was deployed for 2, 3, 4 years or more.

Regarding OIF and OEF more SOLDIERS have paid the ultimate sacrifice than any of the other services combined.

Again, this is logical, since we are a much larger force. Way too many either way.

Let's not get bogged down in an interservice urinary competition.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:37 am

horsesoldier03 wrote:You bunch of JARHEADS can talk your smack as much as you like. One fact remains the same. SOLDIERS are carrying the main force in the current engagements in both theaters at this time for real world conflicts! The standard duration of deployment for SOLDIERS at this time is approx. 12-18 months. Marines is approx 6 months and Airforce go TDY for 4 months. Regarding OIF and OEF more SOLDIERS have paid the ultimate sacrifice than any of the other services combined.

DUTY FIRST!

Carefull! I have lost and Marines I work with have lost close personal friends in OIF and OEF. We only go 7 months at a pump but many Marines have deployed there multiple times in a 4 year enlistment. If you want to look at the numbers you have to take into acount the total streangth of each branch and their total force deployment obligations. OIF and OEF are not the only comitments we have.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:06 am

On a more humorous note.......

I remember at a Boy Scout function bumping into a man, in uniform, and saying, "excuse me sir....". He said something like "it's ok", "no problem", or something like that. He then politely pointed at his stripes smiling and said, "I work for a living. You may call me sergeant." This was in the early 1970's. That has always stuck in my head.

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:13 am

Guys, guys !!

No need to get the thread locked -----

Many of us have served our country in one capacity or another, --- and darn right there is a bit of inter service rivalry going on --- always has, always will be.
In the end, members of all branches have and still are making the ultimate sacrifice everyday in battlefields across the world. I earlier made the statement that the differences are trivial at a certain level (the whole 'soldier vs. Marine' terminology debate) , but i still refer to USMC personnell as Marines. However, in personal encounters, they are typically addressed by name and rank, same as anyone else (or by more colorful terms if in one of my training classes)

A few of us are armchair quarterbacking the thread and too many hostilities are coming out

In the immortal words of rodney king -- "Cant we all just get along"

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:21 am

Streetstar wrote:Guys, guys !!

In the immortal words of rodney king -- "Cant we all just get along"

Ah The voice of cooler heads. Roger Copy All.

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:31 am

What streetstar said.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:45 am

Streetstar wrote:My last stateside duty assignment was as a "black hat" at Ft. Benning. In this capacity, i have had the chance to see all branches of the service together. I have seen them all succeed and fail at roughly an equal rate. Training at 110% is the ultimate BS Filter. Marines probably got hammered a bit more than some of the other trainees in the first couple of days of training when they came in with a false sense of USMC instilled bravado, but as soon as they realized that everyone gets treated alike (just like stuff) most of them settle down to be good little boys.

Some marines have a chip on their shoulder about mess like this --- but as i said in an earlier reply, most who do seem to be "barroom heroes" and support level MOS types who have nothing better to get all harrumped up about.

Rangers lead the way

It was an honor to stand side by side with Marines, Para's, Navy Seals and fellow Soldiers at Airborne school.... truly all of America's best. Training at 110% as you say, tends to make the differences go away. And as Ysabel and others point out and service members know...ribbing each other is mostly a sign of brotherly rivalry and acceptance. Thank you all for your service and nothing but respect here for all of you!

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:57 am

JReed wrote:
horsesoldier03 wrote:You bunch of JARHEADS can talk your smack as much as you like. One fact remains the same. SOLDIERS are carrying the main force in the current engagements in both theaters at this time for real world conflicts! The standard duration of deployment for SOLDIERS at this time is approx. 12-18 months. Marines is approx 6 months and Airforce go TDY for 4 months. Regarding OIF and OEF more SOLDIERS have paid the ultimate sacrifice than any of the other services combined.

DUTY FIRST!
Carefull! I have lost and Marines I work with have lost close personal friends in OIF and OEF. We only go 7 months at a pump but many Marines have deployed there multiple times in a 4 year enlistment. If you want to look at the numbers you have to take into acount the total streangth of each branch and their total force deployment obligations. OIF and OEF are not the only comitments we have.

I have been deployed 3 times! Needless to say YES you have upset me off with comments praising marines over Soldiers. Not to be petty, but I didnt start this BS thread but I am passionate about defending the honor of my fellow Soldiers as well.

I agree this probably isnt something we should be arguing about but you wont back me down.

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:02 pm

JReed wrote:But if you value your hide I highly recomend against refering to a Marine as just a soldier.

YES as a matter of fact, "Just a soldier" is a huge insult and was taken the way you meant it!

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:04 pm

Come on, let's keep this simple.

We have already seen Wikipedia's definition of "soldier" as being a land based fighter. The word "Marine" refers to mariners, or "mar" for sea in Spanish (I suppose it is something like "marius" from the Latin!).

Marines are, I suppose, GI's... but I haven't looked that up and I always call a Marine a Marine. if you want a generic name, use warriors, or Servicemen, or Armed Forces Personnel. How hard is that? Would you call a soldier a sailor or an airman??

Just like peace officers - deputies don't like being called policeman, and policemen certainly are never called deputies.

So that's that - why get our panties all up in a bunch? We are what we are, we've done what we've done. If we are happy with ourselves and our accomplishments, that is - if we are truly secure in our manhood or whatever - we don't have to hang onto a handle. I know quite a few Marines who went through the tough training and never saw battle or left garrison duty. I know more, however, who went through much more than I did. I know many soldiers who fought in Viet Nam and went through more than members of other services - including some Marines. I know some of my fellow VFW members who think that they are superior to American Legion guys because they think they are the only ones who went overseas. They disgust me, frankly.

As a matter of fact, due to this elitist attitude that one can find even on the general VFW websites, I don't go to VFW meetings; I am active with American Legion, since my fellow Legionnaires in my post don't feel the need to carry on so foolishly - and many are war vets.

So I get sick and tired of these armchair commandos who feel compelled to flaunt their branch of service - or worse yet, lie about their service experience - just to bolster their otherwise failing self-image. Those who fight or have fought usually don't talk much about it - they not only don't need to; they really don't want to.

And give respect to whomever served - many ran away to Canada instead.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:10 pm

Gunny, I was seeing "JUST a soldier" and took it as, well, just like it sounds.....Ah, well......for what it's worth, ya should hear what the SEALs think of both of us....
Poor form? I think not. You're all High Speed Low Drag with that new rocker, but there's no need to talk down to others, or like we're not in the room.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:53 pm

Numbers, numbers! What does this all mean anyway? Who does what, and what they like to be called is really unimportant in the big picture. Who gave the most is the individual who gave all, regardless of what branch of service he joined, or what he was doing when he gave his life for other's freedom. My son in law just headed back to Iraq for his 7th time, (yea seven tours!) with his Seal team. Every time he leaves we nervously wait for his call to tell us he's safe and headed home again.
This whole post is getting tiresome to me. Bickering about what name someone likes to be called is insignificant, when what all our service members want is to do their duty and come home safely.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 1:06 pm

This (usually) bloodless conversation takes place anytime the different services get together. I went to a Navy school for 6 weeks for advanced training in my MOS and usually went to the club after studying. The Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines would all test each other out a bit, and then go about the business of getting a good buzz to ease the trials of the day. About 2300hrs, the SEALS would come in and all us mere mortals would move away from the bar and cede ground as required

Trust me, Riflemen, this is a very mild iteration of what happens on a worldwide, daily basis

Post by **Hobie** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 1:12 pm

Well fellas, I feel like locking this horse beating topic.

I have friends in all services. I've lost friends in this conflict (Iraq and Afghanistan) and earlier in non-combat "training" accidents. They were soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. One was a Coast Guardsman. All served, all sacrificed time away from family (if nothing else), all are or were good people. I miss every one of them I can't see now.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 1:16 pm

Every Man and Woman that raises their hand and swears an oath is in fact signing a blank check that Uncle Sam can write for any amount and cash anytime he wants. All blood is red. God bless em all, past and present.