When then LT. Col. "Blue RIbbon" (CMH Recipient) Wes Fox took command of 1st Battalion,6th Marines in the summer of '82,he made many changes to the BLT'S General Operational Orders.Naturally.Wes Fox is the real life John Wayne.His Memiors are titled "Marine Rifleman,43 years in The Corps.All Marines should read it.
One if these changes was to re-intoduce the practice of "Stand to, stand down" at dawn and dusk everyday.100% alert,in position with all gear.Ready for any possible enemy action.
"Stand to johnson" could be seen everytime dutifully facing forward. Alert. No grab***. A picture of the Infantry Marine.Perfect.
Of course, this did not go unnoticed by us junior NCO's. But there was just one question we had for him one day.
"Private Johnson,why is it when you drink from your canteen you hold it to the side of your head and pour water in the direction of your mouth?Just drink from it Marine,you are wasting precious water
"Cpl. Jones,Colonel Fox said that when we were at stand to do not take your eye's away from your sector,for any reason.If i drink normally,that canteen blocks my vision"
A True Marine,First Seargent Johnson Retired from the Corps a few years ago.
Former Cpl. "D.T. Jones,Alpha 1/6,1981-1985
Semper-Fi