Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
Patrol Base Fires, Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan
The view from this platoon outpost in southern Afghanistan is unobstructed, both visually and strategically. On all sides stretch flat, bare, winter farmlands dotted with walled compounds. The strategy is aggressive patrolling to kill and drive out the Taliban, who have acted as the rural government here for 15 years.
True-Life Grit
Marine-to-Marine reporting from Bing West in Afghanistan
Bing West is the author of the new book The Wrong War: Grit, Strategy, and the Way Out of Afghanistan. West is a combat vet himself, and the book is an on-the-scene chronicle of the war we’re in. The 70-year-old West compares himself to “the old football player invited to sit on the bench” and tells National Review Online’s Kathryn Jean Lopez that “the young grunts are stronger and smarter than we were, but we were better looking.”
I was a Corpsman with 1st Plt/2nd Batt./3rd Marine Div. from late Mar.’67 til Sept.’67.I joined the Navy to become a Corpsman so I could serve with the Grunts. I so loved the Corps that to honor the Men I served with that in 1999 I had the Memorial tattooed on my back. Thank You Vernon R. Wike aka mogilla gorilla,T.B.,doc wike
Treating L/CPL William Roldan during the hill fights 860-861-881N Rock”s M-16 jammed while taking hill hill 815.Tho the Marine Corps & newspapers said it was hill 881 N.Just ran up to Rock & checking him out.
The helmet kept falling in my face,so I took it off while I found his wound which was aT&T in his chest.
Was listening to his heart beat which was getting slower & softer.
Looking up in disbelife that Rock had died
Looking over shoulder @ Roger Maras asking who it was.I was getting pissed off& shouting I was going to kill the SOB.
I had jumped over Rock grabbing his M-16,cleared it & grabed several mags.Planed to charge up the hill,when Maras yelled Don’t do it,Doc Then added that J.K. Johnson was hit & needed me.
My Greatest achievements in life have been the United States Marine Corps, My Wife of 36 years, My two Sons, both Honest, Intelligent, professional young men. This Tat is a gift from my young son Chris. After 40 years…He Said Go For it Dad…I Did… Thank You, Son
