Author: SgtGrit

USNS Lewis B. Puller Christened

General Dynamics NASSCO, on Saturday christened the U.S. Navy's newest ship, the USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3 AFSB). The ship is named in honor of the late U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Lewis "Chesty" Puller, the most decorated Marine and the only one to be awarded five Navy Crosses. read more

USMC Dog Tags

Marking something off my bucket list. After 50 years of not having one, I decided to get a tattoo for my 50th birthday. It’s my dog tag, with the years I served, and my rank when I got out in front and my son’s USMC dog tag with just his name showing in back. The cross I bought while I was stationed at Marine Barracks, Naples, Italy and wore with my dog tags and now my son wears with his dog tags. read more

Am I a Marine, I feel I am!

After serving 6 yr, 5 mo, and 19 days US Army, 27Feb1961 to 15Aug1967, and being civilian for approximately 5 years, I decided to re-enlist to be able to retire from the military with 20 years service. At age 29, and having an Honorable Discharge from the US Army as an E-4 with over 6 years service, the only branch that would take me was the USMC. I was sworn in 24Jul1972, passed the initial PFT with a dislocating left shoulder doing the pull-ups that was witnessed by one of the DI’s, the rest of the PFT was a piece of cake, even for a 29 year old, old man. I was also the only man in my platoon with Jump Wings on my breast as I was in the 82 Airborne, while in the army. During my first 28 days of training I was able to help the YOUNG men in my platoon learn , ‘The Code of Conduct, General Orders, Chain of Command, how to make a rack, and how to field strip and reassemble a M-14 Rifle, blindfolded in under 2 minutes. Then one day while I was on a message run from Medical Rehabilitation Platoon, the same DI saw me, I wish I could remember his name, had me strip to the waist, and instructed to “give me one good  pull-up” if I could. As I jumped to grab the pull-up bar, my left arm dropped useless to my side. The Drill Instruct told me, with a string of usual expletive delete’s to go to sick call and instruct the corpsman to have my shoulder repaired.  The next 8 months was a different story as they were spent at Balboa Naval Hospital. During that time before and after my shoulder surgery, I assisted the Master Chief (E-9) with control of the Marine and Navy recruits during their recovery and subsequent discharge from the military. Also while there I was told the recruit platoon I started with graduated number one in the Training Regiment. I didn’t get my EAG, and because of that some say I'm not a Marine. However with what I did, I feel as much a MARINE as any that successfully complete their training. Am I a Marine? I don’t know, but from what I learned while at Balboa Naval Hospital, and the fact that I have an Honorable Discharge from The Marine Corps. I feel I AM A MARINE. Semper Fi! I welcome any and all comments, but will not change my mind! read more

My Jacket Honors My Service

In your last newsletter you had a Fire Fighter and a Marine with 'follow your dreams'. I was a Fire Fighter for 36 years in Rochester New York and in the Marine Reserve for 6 years. I had a jacket made up to honor Both. The front of the jacket has a Maltese Cross with 9-11 on the inside and Never Forget for the Twin Towers. The other side the Eagle Globe and Anchor with Semper Fidelis. On the back it says it all. The Jacket is worn by my son Cameron for the picture. read more

Old Corps Badge

Here is something that I've never seen before. I was talking with this woman who was giving haircuts and she said her dad served in the Marines in the WWII. She then brought out his ribbons and medals. Wow, it was something to see something that I've never seen before. I took a few pictures so I could pass it along. Enjoy! read more