War troops to undergo ‘don’t ask’ repeal classes

CAMP PENDLETON, California (AP) — Marines fighting in Afghanistan will begin undergoing training to prepare for the repeal of the military's ban on openly gay troops, and most will have participated in the mandatory classes before they return home, a senior U.S. Marine general in the country said Thursday. read more

Doberman’s in WW II

Sgt Grit,

I think a USMC Tee-Shirt with Doberman's recognized as the real USMC War Dog/ “Devildogs” would be appropriate.  Admittedly the English Bulldog is the USMC Mascot but the Doberman was the real hero in many WW II campaigns, he was a fighter. I have had eight Doberman's and my current Marine, Baron, is 32.5″ to the withers and 112 pounds of protection and companionship. read more

USMC – IN THE BLACK (FY12 BUDGET)

Marine Corps Operating Concepts; 3d Edition

Background. The third edition of the Marine Corps Operating Concepts (MOC) provides a conceptual guide for current and future force development and operations. Today’s complex security environment is marked by hybrid threats and a myriad of possible futures that requires an adaptable and forward deployed, multi-capable force like the Corps. You can download the full MOC text at http://www.quantico.usmc.mil/seabasing/index.htm. read more

The Skin Gun–a must see!!!!

 

My tank's driver in Vietnam ended up taking over my flame-thrower tank after my tour was over and I returned to “The World.”  About two years later, he was hitchhiking across the US and he came by my home in Denver.  He had been medically retired from the USMC the previous six month after suffering a horrendous & fiery explosion where his tank had exploded and left him horribly burned over the right side of his body…and where his arm was burned to the bone in places. This new discovery would have saved him most of the year that he spent in the burn ward in US Navy hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. read more

Heroes of the Vietnam Generation By James Webb

The rapidly disappearing cohort of Americans that endured the Great Depression and then fought World War II is receiving quite a send-off from the leading lights of the so-called 60s generation. Tom Brokaw has published two oral histories of “The Greatest Generation” that feature ordinary people doing their duty and suggest that such conduct was historically unique. read more

President Warren G. Harding Watches “Pickett’s Charge” – USMC History

A bit of Marine Corps history that I will bet you did not know about.  The reenactment of Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg in 1921 for President Harding.  Generals Black Jack Pershing of the Army and Smedley D. Butler and  John A. Lejeune were there with two [regiments] of Marines.  read more

Fallen Marine’s family adopts his best friend

“Whatever is mine is his,” Marine Corps Pfc. Colton W. Rusk wrote about Eli, his military working dog, in the final days of their deployment in Afghanistan. On Feb. 3, Private Rusk's family helped prove his words true when they adopted the black Labrador retriever in a retirement and adoption ceremony at the military working dog school here. read more

George P. Shultz Lecture Series With General James F. Amos

Marine Memorial Club, San Francisco, Calif.

I want to thank the World Affairs Council of Northern California and the Marines’ Memorial Association for inviting me here tonight to speak about our Nation’s Marine Corps. 

I’m also grateful for Major General Mike Myatt’s faithfulness to our Nation over many years.  His service as a Marine is the stuff of legend.  His leadership as the First Marine Division Commander during the first Gulf War is what movies are made about.  I also want to acknowledge Secretary of Defense William Perry. read more