The name of the exercise has changed from ‘CAX’ (Combined Arms Exercise) to ‘Mojave Viper’ (If I’m up to date on that… no guarantees), but it involves infantry battalions, plus attachments and re-enforcements, moving to the Air-Ground Combat Training Center… or whatever they call that particular chunk of California Mojave desert… more commonly known as ’29 Palms’ or, ‘The Stumps’. There might be as many as ten of these exercises in a year, and were about half and half First and Second Division evolutions.
I Informed The Commandant
“A Marine is a Marine… There’s no such thing as a former Marine.”
–General James F. Amos, 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps
Iraq, 2004
Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Hagee, visited his Marines in Iraq for some photo ops at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad. Marines stood in line to have their picture taken with the Commandant. At the end of the line stood an Army CW04 (me). I informed the Commandant that I served in the Marine Corps in Viet Nam with 2/5 at An Hoa in 1967. I then asked if a former Marine could have his picture taken with the Marine Commandant.
When Shadows Danced Under A Fading Red Star
When I open my eyes, I wonder if I’m dreaming. This entire operation has seemed unreal from the start.
It is pitch black and silent. I loosen the top of my sleeping bag, and my fingers reach out to feel the icy metallic floor. I move my body and bump into full ammo boxes. I remember now, I fell asleep in a Humvee.
Battle Plans
In deference to a well-known movie actor re-educating his Recon gang, I must step up and clarify his “Gung Ho” phrase of “Adapt, etc.” We have all heard it numerous times, but the best one I ever heard was from our D.I. Sgt. Richardson. He referred to himself as “the meanest SOB you’ll ever meet, if you f-ck up!” He used a simple phrase/law of his called “The Dinosaur Rule”. If you don’t want to become extinct like the dinosaurs, you WILL adapt or you Will die! Battle plans are good until the first round is fired, then throw it out the window and adapt until you win!
Reunion – MarDet USS America CVA 66
The Marine Detachment USS America CVA 66 (early edition 1965-1969, but others welcome) will hold its sixth reunion in Washington, DC, from June 21 to June 24, 2018. Contact Les Holzmann by email – lesholzmann@verizon.net, for details.
Semper Fi!
PS: Thank you Sgt. Grit for your generous support with our reunions.
Quote of the Week
“My definition, the definition that I’ve always believed in, is that Esprit de Corps means love for one’s own military legion – in my case, the United States Marine Corps. It means more than self-preservation, religion, or patriotism. I’ve also learned that this loyalty to one’s corps travels both ways: up and down.”
-Chesty Puller
USS Ralph Johnson package
The United States Navy commissioned the Arleigh Burke guided missile destroyer, USS Ralph Johnson March 24 in Charleston, South Carolina. The ship is named after Private First Class Ralph H. Johnson who was posthumously awarded the Medal Of Honor in 1968 after diving on a hand grenade to shield two fellow Marines.
Memories of Iwo Jima
On March 26, 1945, Marines secured the island of Iwo Jima after 36 days of combat.
The battle may be over, but the memories live on through these Marines.
Semper Fidelis.
Click here to watch the video>>
Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or Submit your own Story !
A story of how a Marine always stays in the fight!
Story behind my photos and photos from an investigator at “Ground Zero”
I’ll be brief. Approx. 2 months prior to 9-11, my wife and I relocated to Ft. Worth after she was offered a position with Tarrant Co. IT. On 9-11-2001 at the time the first plane hit I was drinking a cup of coffee watching Good Morning America as the broadcast cut to street level showing smoke coming from one of the towers.
GUNNER GILBERT H. BOLTON: A MARINE THROUGH AND THROUGH
“The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war,” said Silver Star recipient Gilbert H. Bolton during a recent presentation to students of the School of Infantry-West on Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Bolton was born in Portsmouth, Ohio and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1959. He served as an infantry Marine and officer until he retired in 1991 at the age of 50. During his time in the Marine Corps, Bolton rose through the ranks from private to an infantry weapons officer, also known as a Marine Gunner. A Marine Corps Gunner is a technical expert of all Marine Corps weapons systems, and their employment.