Memorial back piece

This is a center piece that has more to follow. I never get any tattoo without alot of thought into it. This particular peice has been several years in the making and took the culmination of my mother in law, one of my Marines and one hell of a tattoo artist to take what I had in my mind to put it to paper and ultimately to ink the exact way I wanted it done. My brother and I were both on PTT Teams in Iraq and deployed together in 06′ to Hit and Baghdadi/Rahmadi so it was fitting that we both get it done on the same day by the same artist…took 5 hours to complete and is dedicated to all of our past, present and future fallen who have or will pay the ultimate sacrifice for those that have no clue the price paid for the freedoms they enjoy daily. I would be remice if I didn’t also mention the families that have given so freely of their loved ones for all of us…”we live for others so that others may live” and we do this with great honor, pride, courage and commitment to what we do. Semper Fi, Doc Ramirez and Doc Sedgwick read more

WMs learning to march

Although i am not a wm, this story is totally about one particular wm platoon learning to march, more specifically " halt their forward progress when marching ". 

Most marines seldom forget their senior drill instructor.  I like all marines remember mine, SSGT Capirci, platoon 3006, parris island, in the summer heat of 1967.  I have seen this marine run circles around our platoon while on runs, shoot the ten ring consistently with an M-14 offhand at the five hundred yard line when a recruit would complain his rifle was inaccurate.  I truly didn't think any thing could shock, stupify, confuse, or leave him at a loss for words, but i saw it happen one blazing hot afternoon while we were out on the grinder in preparation for our graduation.  Since we were close to graduation, our senior DI was treating us with a small measure of " respect " and as we were drilling, a very "raw" wm platoon joined us on the grinder.  we were already at parade rest, the DI allowing us to watch the new " wm " platoon going through their initial drill training.  The female DI had directed her recruits in our general direction and while she was very easily within earshot, she hollered "HALT".  Instead of the unified sound of all heels coming together in the final halt, there was the stacatto of an inexperienced platoon.  With that, the female DI screamed at the top of her lungs, " When i hollar halt, i want to hear 46 pV$$!&$ slapping together and sucking in air ".  The look on our very senior and experienced DI was worth the price of admission.  He had absolutely nothing to say, just shook his head and allowed the WM platoon to readjust themselves and march away.  He never said another word about it, but , the female DI's action and our senior DI's reaction made it a priceless moment worthy of hanging onto.   now here it is 44 years later and i still remember it as if it happened yesterday.  read more

Be careful for what you say or wish. It may be true.

Sgt. Grit,

I’ve contemplated writing you about this for several months after I had received some genealogy information from my cousin. I served in the Corps from 1976-1996, my first duty station was at 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. I was a Field Radio Operator 2531 with H&S Company then. I was assigned to Fox Company and Golf Company as their Battalion Radio Operator. I also worked in the Battalion S-3 for a short time after I picked up Corporal. While I was working in the S-3 at that time myself and a fellow Marine were looking at pictures of our past Regimental Commanders. When I was spied Col. Puller's picture. I remember commenting to my fellow Marine and said to him “Man Col. Puller is one ugly man, I would not want to be related to him”. Something I learned after many years of service to now, be careful for what you say or wish it may come true. Man did it come true. read more

My introduction to the Corps

As a young man, I attended Auburn University on an NROTC scholarship.  The unit Gunny at that time was Gysgt. Nolan G. Henry. Gunny Henry had come to Auburn right from the P.I. Drill field, and is the one credited with creating the "Sand Pile" for the motivation platoon. My first or second day there, I was in the unit office trying to find info. about something or another on the bullitin board.  The Gunny was standing behind me.   I turned and asked "Hey sarge wh……" and that was all I got out.  I then received a sterling lecture informing me that dog ass soldiers were called "sarge" and that he would be referred to as "Gunnery Sergeant or Gunny".  read more