Author: SgtGrit

DRESS BLUES

I also fell in love with the USMC Dress Blues, after high school I took Summer vacation, signed up Nov/67. My recruiter talked me into the 120-day delay plan for the holidays. Left on 8/Jan/68, discharged 7/Jan/72.  While in at that time they did not give out Dress Blues, you had to buy them; around $400. I could not buy a set, but still loved those Dress Blues. In the middle of 1969 anyone active by 31/Dec/67 were being let out early. Due to the delay plan, I finished up my 4-year tour. I'll always be proud of being a Marine. I have a bulldog tattoo on my left upper arm, Semper Fi on the back of my neck, wear Marine Corps t-shirts year round, leather Marine Corps jacket. Once A Marine, Always A Marine. OOOORAH! read more

Sgt Grit Embroidery – Stitching Out Marine Corps Pride

At Sgt Grit we have five embroidery machines that produce high quality stitching of text and graphics. We offer embroidery on such products as Hats/Covers, Jackets, Polo shirts, Denim Button-up shirts, Hoodies, Robes, Pajama Bottoms, Beanies, Canvas iPad Cases, Leather face mask, Leather Motorcycle Gloves, and Leather Vests… just to name a few. We also offer embroidery of Custom Rocker Patches and Marine Corps regulation Nametapes. read more

Props For The Design

We had a Marine come in to our clinic for a brace to help him walk (he'd had a few strokes and needs one to walk). He brought us one of your t-shirts and asked us if we could build it into his brace. I thought you'd get a kick out of it and also wanted to give you props for such a cool design. read more

Marine Dress Blues

I would just like to weigh in on the dress blues conversation currently going on. If it was not for dress blues, I may have never joined our beloved Corps. You see, when I was a young lad of 17 my Dad took me to see the recruiters as I was interested in military service. The first recruiter he took me to was the Navy. We went in and discussed things a while and I took a preliminary ASVAB test in the office. I did well on the test and so the recruiter started telling me about the nuclear submarine program. He was pushing it hard. Being 6'1" I had no desire to be cooped up inside of a submarine underwater for months at a time. Incidentally, I have met a number of submariners in my life since that time and I have the greatest of respect for them. One of my regrets in life is that I probably never will be able to bust up through the polar ice cap and walk up at the North pole like most of them end up doing. That has to be one of the coolest things to do. read more

About Wearing Blues

Speaking of leggings. These are the leggings and dungaree cap I wore in Korea (1950-51). They're still folded down. Some of us folded them down for comfort, and when the weather permitted, unbloused our trousers. When we went into action as the 1stProvMarBrig, the North Koreans called us 'The Yellow-Legs'. Except for the 'USMC' on our pocket, from a distance they couldn't distinguish us from the Army. We had been ordered to remove our helmet camouflage covers. Surprised the heck out of them. read more

Iwo 1956

In Feb 1956 the 3rd Mar Div went and played war games on Iwo Jima. I was with Hq Co Anglico Plt. We went ashore set up radio nets. I was in a radio jeep remoted to the CP. I don't remember it before we played war games, but the pics are Mt Suribachi from below, then from on top looking at the shore line. The last pic is of the monument on top. I was a Pfc. then, was honorably discharged a Cpl Sept. 1957. read more

175MM Gun

I appreciated GySgt Rousseau's discussion about the merits of several rifles used by Marines, and that all weapons are just an extension of the proud Marine using them. I have fired most of the small arms used by Marines in the early 70's, including the M16. I have also used the M1 and M14. My opinion as to their relative merits: it depends on the situation. All three are fine rifles. For long work, greater than 300 yards, the M1 or M14 would be my preference. I really did not see much difference in accuracy between the two. One thousand yard shots could be made with confidence. For shorter distances and humping through the boonies, the M16 would be my preference. The lighter weight of the rifle, magazines, and ammo; and shear fire power are obvious advantages. read more

Formal Events

I noticed on your web page was written "The Marines of WWII and Korea were not issued leggings to be worn with utilities." Not so, at least my experience.

My reserve unit was activated in August 1950 and the next month found us at Camp Pendleton, Calif, where we were issued leggings. I have attached a photo showing me and 3 buddies at Tent Camp 2 wearing leggings under our barely visible bloused utilities. From a few photos I have, I am also shown wearing them for formal events with dress greens, but also some times no leggings while in utilities, so I guess they weren't worn for all events. read more

Close To The Runway

After seeing the photo of the plane over MCRDSD, I got to digging in my photos and found one I shot while I was as going through BES/RFS/Ground Radio Repair. I was in C&E Schools Bn. when I took the photo. We were at the north end of MCRD close to the runway. On foggy mornings we would watch for recruits trying to go AWOL across the runway. read more