Author: SgtGrit

It Should Never Happen

In regards to Sgt Ted K. Shimono, concerning Marine officers training recruits: it will never happen and it should never happen. On my first West Coast monitor trip in 1979 with then LtCol Charles Krulak, Commandant Robert Barrow and SgtMaj of the USMC, SgtMaj Leland Crawford, I did some recon for myself at MCRD San Diego. I found that while some of the language was toned down when others were around, our Drill Instructors were maintaining our traditions and regulations the same as when I was a recruit in 1965. I did not know until later that SgtMaj Crawford did the same; he found where a platoon commander (and some series officers) were promulgating their own instructions on behavior of DI’s that contradicted some of what the DI schools at both Parris Island and San Diego were teaching. read more

50 Years Since I Graduated

March 15th, 2016, will be 50 years since I graduated MCRD in San Diego, CA, and on June 10th of the same year, I was graduating the Drill Instructor School. This is something I feel very proud and eternally grateful due to everything that I’ve lived as a professional and a person. Thanks a lot to my Drill Instructors who trained me and shaped me with their effort and military discipline. Our Drill Instructors did their best at sharing all the experience gathered in the swamps and forests of Vietnam; telling us what the real deal was. read more

Patriot Guard Bike

Attached are a couple of photos on how I am using the clips and a decal I just got from ya’ll. One of the uses for my newest ride is as a Patriot Guard bike. I needed a way to attach my windshield banner when I ride with the PGR and yet be able to easily remove it when not. I chose your clips over the plain ones and mounted the decal center of windshield where it is always on display. I sent two photos of the clips, one a closeup and the other shows the decal and all 4 clips in use. read more

The Long Goodbye

In the closing hours of the fight to hold the Khe Sanh Combat Base, after the longest and bloodiest battle of the Vietnam War, Tom Mahoney inexplicably walked away from his platoon, unarmed, and was shot to death by enemy soldiers hiding nearby. His fellow Marines made several desperate attempts to recover their well-liked comrade, but were finally forced to leave him behind, though never forgotten. read more

Marine Corps Bikes

One of the benefits of being old and retired is that you can take trips and see new things anytime you want to. The wife and I took a day trip across the valley to go see the new Harley Davidson dealer in Scottsdale. When we walked in the door, there were five motorcycles on display which were representative of the five branches of U.S. armed services. read more

Please Bring Back C-Rats

The essential value of C-Rats… C-Rats vs MRE… The essential value of C-Rats is a list I will share with you… because C-Rats are canned… they are FRESH… because of the various size cans… You have the choice of the following… you can make a heat tab stove… you can have a vessel to boil water… you can make a booby trap… using a can to hold an M-67 frag… you can add a couple drops of zippo fluid to the peanut butter… light it up… instant light AND heat… you can hang the empty cans on concertina wire… read more

Celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday with us!

Stop by our showroom in Oklahoma City next Tuesday, November 10th, to celebrate two hundred and forty years of the United States Marine Corps with some birthday cake and refreshments! We'll also be giving double punches on your punch card, and if you fill up your card, you'll receive $10 off your order or get a free t-shirt ($18.99 value). read more