I sat down with a former Grunt Sergeant, Jake Stone, on a calm, sunny, Saturday November morning, to ask about his experience in the Marine Corps. Mr. Stone is a rather frail looking man in a wheelchair that you can tell used to be a powerful man despite his age which is approaching late seventies. I learned a lot from him. For example, Mr. Stone was a training officer during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in California teaching hand to hand combat, bayonets, pistols, rifles, hand grenades, flamethrowers, just a wide assortment of deadly weapons. He led ninety men in a strike team that was prepared to be deployed at any time. They were to be ready to pack up and leave in an hour.
Just because he wasn’t deployed, that’s not to say he didn’t see his share of the action, he just didn’t get to see enemy fire, he saw plenty of horrors that would terrify many people.
He also had access to quite a bit of classified information that has since been declassified. One of them being a strike team tactic that seems quite dangerous.
A jet designed originally designed to drop bombs was outfitted with four marines instead. A few jets would fly real low altitude, and just before the targets, the pilots cut the engines so their flying would be nearly scant, opening the bay doors, the pilots drop the payload of marines, instead of bombs, who’d parachute down onto the enemy from above. This was a strategy designed to confuse and overwhelm the enemy. This idea was scrapped after too many people broke their legs and dislocated ankles in training,
I also learned about a training accident that killed twenty one people. His men were practicing a beach style invasion, everyone was fully equipped and had landing vehicles, boarding craft, b...
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...e of his accidents and the nature of the officers above him.
I may have even asked for more details about his involvement in security detail, I got lots of various detail but no finite description. I don’t know the details which is what I largely base my writing on. I take details and make the reader see it clearly, I did not receive the visual detail I would have enjoyed writing about.
I would have asked him more of what his day to day life was like and what he felt at any given time. I expect anxiety but that’s not something I can just assume. I will be looking in the archives for other people with similar stories.
Perhaps I would ask about his involvement with the Commandant, four star general in the Marine Corps. I would ask what it felt like to be near the most powerful man in the marines, and to be in a position of securing and protecting him from harm.
After America was brought into the Second World War, The 82nd Infantry Division was reactivated back into the United States Army under the command of General Omar N. Bradley. With this division being reactivated meant there was many untrained and unexperienced men in this infantry division. Most of the soldiers volunteered after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. All of the paratroopers were volunteers. Bradley taught these men how to use a gun, conditioned these men to run for long periods of time, and made all these men muscularly stronger. By August 1942 the 82nd...
Frustrated by the commissioning programs of the time, Sledge begins his journey by resigning from the officer candidate program in an effort to more quickly reach combat. He subsequently volunteers to be a sixty millimeter mortar-man and joins Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment (K/3/5) of the First Marine Division. It is within this command framework that Sledge experiences two of the bloodiest campaigns of the Second World War...
The Marines’ survival struggles during their first century and a half were mere skirmishes compared with what was to commence following the Second World War. Even as America was still trying to see through the smoke of Pearl Harbor, there were problems which were seen that were far more serious. A carefully designed plan which, if implemented, would destroy the Marine Corps as a fighting force. The scene was set according to Krulak by three events. In early October 1942 Krulak was a member of a team of four Marine officers assigned to the Army’s 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii to conduct instruction for the divisi...
Put into another form, “[The Marines] pour forth with the poignant power of superb human beings doing what they believe is truly righteous. There is grace and magnetism in the way these clean-cut kids hurl themselves out of planes, surge through forbidding terrain and leap with awesome fortitude over one barricade after another. The ads use sophisticated psychology to lure today 's peace-loving young adults into our "humanitarian" military.” (Kronstadt, 2014). It’s through these images and power attached to words and amazing propaganda that gets youth to dive into the world of war with the Marines. The ad under analysis, tells the recruit they will get to “walk with honor”, “command with resolve” and “take your place among the most elite warriors on earth”. They get to ‘take their place’, saying it as though they already have their place, as if the place is waiting for them. The ad also highlights the that the Marines are the more elite warriors on earth, the word warrior itself is captivating. Warriors are seen as the best of the best when it comes to fighting, adding on to the that the elite warriors, projects a view of the ultimate, best fighters there could ever be – and for a lot of people, that is beyond exciting. The ad is also illuminating the fact that they will ‘command with resolve’, meaning they will become firm and determined as a leader. The Marines will give them the skillset and knowledge to be able to command and hold people’s lives in their hands by training and lead them into battles – even though that word is not touched upon in any advertisement. The “walk with honour” has already been highlighted in this essay, but it is important to note that honour, patriotism, freedom and democracy are all tied together in...
The United States Marine Corps, established in 1775, is known for their production of the strongest offensive soldiers that defend our country. Their training includes amplified endurance, multiple styles of hand to hand combat, and artillery accuracy. Marines are trained to be the steel of the front lines that cut through and push back enemy lines. The branch rose to this dedication primarily in the 1940-50s thanks to one warrior-leader’s dedication to his country and men in his command. Lieutenant Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller is the prime model of every marine due to his dedication to service, desire to better his men through training and education, and the instilment of esprit de corps.
To the best of my knowledge there has never been a sociological study of the effects of Marine recruit training, and only one or two non-fiction books have been written about the training of male Marine recruits, most by someone who never served in the Corps. This paper will make reference to those works, but for the most part will rely on the experiences of the author, a Marine for more than 30 years; five of those as a drill instructor whose primary...
"Discipline, heart, Attention to detail and pride"are all qualities that Timothy feelsare nessacary to being a Marine.The Marines are the toughest branch of the military. They break you down and build you back up. It requires strength, endurance, and determination. Everyone is not tmade for the Marines because it is both a physical and mental challenge. You have to be able to take instruction and follow them apprioatley. You have to me Marine quality."
As a young Lance Corporal, my first impression of the NCO’s around the Recon Company was varied. As I got to know the others in my platoon, one started to stand out in my daily interactions, SSGT Moeller. He had just gotten off crutches, after a parachute accident broke his tibia and fibula, sitting on the catwalk icing his ankle. When I asked why he was icing his ankle he told me he had just finished an 8-mile run. Now, this was from an injury that should have caused months of painful rehab before running would have been possible, but here he was, sacrificing personal comforts, trying to get back to mission fitness. His reasoning being, he was scheduled to be the Assistant Team Leader (ATL) on the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU) and didn’t want to miss his chance for Afghanistan. It was at this moment that I got my
This career is important to society because every great nation needs warrior’s battle ready to defend it from oncoming threats and onslaughts. These brave young men and women defend and fight for those who can’t do it for themselves. Fighting a war test a soldier’s skill but defending his home tests a soldier’s heart. The Few, the Proud, the Marines………………..
My grandfather Roy Gene Lakin was a U.S. Marine. He had many ranks which were private, private 1st class, lieutenant corporal, corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant, gunnery sergeant, master sergeant, and an E8. He was in the maintenance platoon and he was stationed in Vietnam for only 13 weeks. He was a repair shop machinist in which he also helped the “optics team install infrared on big war tanks” . His base was stationed at 12 miles south of Dangha and when I asked him if he was in the jungle he said, “Yes, it was very humid and raining the majority of the time. Even the beer was warm but whenever we went with some of the other guys to go have some ice cold beers, it made those beers seem like heaven.” He said that he loved his job because he loves guns and all other kinds of weapons. He can be considered a weapon specialist to most people.
Since the days of World War I trenches, men and women of the Chemical Corps have honorably served the needs of America’s Army. On the battlefield and off, courageous CBRN Soldiers have had an essential role in preserving our country’s freedom. As a Dragon Soldier it is important to know the history of the Corps (U.S. Army Chemical School, n.d.). Most of the Soldier’s in the Army think that Chemical Soldier’s are the ones you see that one time of the year for mandatory training; such as round robin type training or the CBRN gas chamber. However, as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq started there was a need for Soldier’s that had a certain mind-set. Those that could and would do things that were necessary at the time of war that other regular Soldier’s would not or could not do. Those types of Soldier’s are typically suited for life in U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). This paper is a brief history of The Chemical Corps, USASOC/Delta Force, and a Chemical Soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice, SFC Mickey E. Zaun.
The following was a submitted report for a U.S. History research paper assignment We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea. First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine. Our flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun. We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take a gun. In the snow of far off northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes, You will find us always on the job, The United States Marines. Here's health to you and to our Corps which we are proud to serve. In many a strife we've fought for life and never lost our nerve. If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines." The Marine hymn is eternally etched in the mind's and soul of every recruit and officer who have served in the United States Marine Corps. Every Marine has gone through boot camp, each sacrificing blood, sweat, and tears. One thing that has never deteriorated in their years of existence is the fact that they have yet to lose a war they have put effort in. Is this exceptional record due to their extensive training? Is it because of their aggressive nature and mindset? What is to follow may shed some light on these questions and perhaps give some type of insight on how the Marine Corps was so prevailing and what conflicts had they had conquered. 1775, November 10th. This date is memorized and celebrated by every United States Marine as something of excellence, a date of honor. This date is non other than the "birthdate" of the Marine Corps. It was on this date that the Continental Congress passed a resolution to create two operational battalions of American Marines. These men would ultimately be headed by Captain Samuel Nicholas, of the United States Naval department. It was in Philadelphia that the first Marines were grouped and trained for their inaugural mission. The three hundred Marines that had been recruited, were placed aboard eight transport ships, all destined for the beaches of New Providence (the Bahamas). Upon their landing on March 3rd, 1776, they fought up the beach, sweeping through a barrage of bullets, and took command of two small stone forts and a number of military storage complexes.
As Marines, we have a well-known motto “One Team, One Fight” that creates an image of strong unity that everyone regardless of rank or size plays an important role. Everyone is necessary to complete the mission. In this book, one particular Marine, (then) Captain Bill Barber, has a story that since has become a crucial tool used as teaching material today for multi-level Marines everywhere. This book serves as a testimony to Captain Barber’s will in the midst of extreme opposition and sets the example of the for mentioned mindset
Exemplary performance has always attracted accolades and numerous prices; this gives morale and vigor for everyone to achieve their best. In the disciplined forces, particularly the marine, the service members always receive a major reward that elevates them in rank; this is the medal. This rewards them for their bravery and contribution in the missions they are involved in. Indeed, they contribute a lot to the peace and security of the world at large and they truly deserve these medals for recognition (Tucker, 2011). This has been a practice for the U.S. Marine to issue Corps medals since the Civil War to present day. Among the Corps Medal categories include American Defense Medal-WWII, Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal among others. Since the Civil War there have been over 120 U.S. Marine Corps Medals. This paper identifies Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller and describes why he has been one of the most decorated marines in the history of the U.S.
honest, and told me one reason he wanted to go to war, he also said he thought it would have been better than what he had at home.