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Post by puffy on Nov 22, 2020 21:54:34 GMT -5
I was talking to a fella today who seemed to have a pretty tough attitude about things..He said that he's an ex Marine..It seems to me that every ex Marine that I've talked to has that mind set..It makes me wonder if those who join the Marines are naturally tough or if the Marines make them that way..Just so you don't get a wrong understanding..I have great respect for those who serve in the military.
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Post by Plainsman on Nov 22, 2020 22:25:03 GMT -5
I don’t believe it’s possible the be a “ex” Marine.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Nov 22, 2020 22:27:58 GMT -5
 Larry it's been my experience you have hard asses in all services. The marines I served with Lurps were the best, most ex marine I know are confident men sure of themselves, and you can generally count on an exmarine to be a squared away guy. IMHO!
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Post by trailboss on Nov 22, 2020 22:31:50 GMT -5
Historically they have always had a pretty tough vetting process through boot camp and combat training. Add the military campaigns that they fought in, and it is a pretty tall order to live up to.
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Post by trailboss on Nov 22, 2020 22:34:42 GMT -5
I don’t believe it’s possible the be a “ex” Marine. None of the Marines that I have known have ever referred to themselves as an ex-marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Not to say that there aren’t Marines that refer to themselves that way. |
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Post by bigwoolie on Nov 22, 2020 22:57:31 GMT -5
My second son, as many of you know, is a Marine. He was never a loud or mean kid, but he was always the one that marched to his own drum. He always had a way of going straight to the heart of the matter, and his one physical fight in school was over a kid mouthing off about our family. Jesse didnt say a word, didnt get angry, didnt give a warning. He just punched that kid, knocked him flat, bloodied his nose...then just turned and walked away. Taking care of business. He was 10 years old.
I think good Marines are often born...and then the Corp just brings out what is already there and gives it direction.
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Post by Stearmandriver on Nov 22, 2020 23:26:52 GMT -5
I remember reading an article about "Army vs Marines" during the first gulf war. First, they asked a marine why he joined the Corps instead of the Army, and he waxed rhapsodic about the elite brotherhood, the best of the best, being held to the highest standard, etc.
Then they asked an Army guy why he didn't join the Marines instead. He thought it over for a minute, then answered, "well, you know, I have a few friends who are Marines... and those guys are all crazy. So I thought the Army might be a better fit." 😁
I repeat this story as the soldier told it - tongue in cheek, with great respect for all servicemen and women.
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Post by toshtego on Nov 22, 2020 23:58:39 GMT -5
Having known some over the years, they seem to have one characteristic in common. They own every situation they are in.
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Post by pepesdad1 on Nov 23, 2020 8:23:17 GMT -5
I think the term "former Marine" is the one they prefer...having known several Marines...they go through very tough training. Army Delta a lithe, whippy sort of guys...don't ever get in a fight with one...you'll be dead before you know it in ways you can't imagine. All of our forces are trained to be the best...and they are!!
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Post by Plainsman on Nov 23, 2020 11:43:50 GMT -5
There are all sorts of ways of looking at this. I can only speak for what I know personally. “Ex” and “Former” are terms I have only heard for those who went in, served a term, and got out. Lifers and long-term non-coms I know and have known do not recognize those terms and are offended if you use them in referring to them. Even after retirement they consider themselves “Marines” and nothing else. And if you ever need to have someone watch your back, those are the guys for the job.  |
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Post by oldcajun123 on Nov 23, 2020 12:08:16 GMT -5
At Exxon I met a small wiry dark guy, he called me a Coonass, I called him a Spic, former Marine, that moment we were friends for life. I used to go to his home in Saint Francisville, he was divorced and lived in the woods, I would bring him eats my wife cooked, never saw him eat it, always had a drink in his hand. Would give you the shirt off his back. I retired, and one night I got a phone call from the plant, my Marine had died in his chair at work. He was buried in back of his place, the close friends made a date to really do him right. We came back with whiskey and beer, some Hank Williams, the old man, he loved the old man, we dreank , poured some on his grave, told him jokes , sent him off after another good friend gave him a volley from his old Garland. Sad day in my life.
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Post by taiguy66 on Nov 23, 2020 19:39:46 GMT -5
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines... yes we have service rivalries but at the end of the day they are my brothers and sisters.
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Post by trailboss on Nov 23, 2020 19:53:17 GMT -5
My brother and son are Marines.
They are very different from one another but share a common bond, they are eminently proud of being Marines.
While living with my brother in San Diego in 1978 as a long haired High School graduate, I watched him take out 3 guys in about 1 minute. I was there illegally drinking beer and a more peaceable type, so my beer never got spilled. We had to get out of there quickly.
In my brothers defense, he tried talking the guys out of going further as they tried to goad him and really overstepped the bounds, but it came to a point that they just needed an arse whooping and they got it.
I don't hang out in bars with my son.
Not to take anything away from the other branches, just that this is a Marine specific thread.
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jay
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Post by jay on Dec 2, 2020 23:45:28 GMT -5
I remember reading an article about "Army vs Marines" during the first gulf war. First, they asked a marine why he joined the Corps instead of the Army, and he waxed rhapsodic about the elite brotherhood, the best of the best, being held to the highest standard, etc. Then they asked an Army guy why he didn't join the Marines instead. He thought it over for a minute, then answered, "well, you know, I have a few friends who are Marines... and those guys are all crazy. So I thought the Army might be a better fit." 😁 I repeat this story as the soldier told it - tongue in cheek, with great respect for all servicemen and women. I suspect part of it is the great respect in which marines are held. On the other hand, like the soldier above, I figured that the Army would be better for me and what I wanted to do. Besides, not only could I read and write, my parents were married...to each other. 😉 |
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 3, 2020 0:09:24 GMT -5
My BIL who was in the Army in Vietnam always joked about the Marines. He said they stripped down to their underwear and charged into the jungle with a knife in their teeth. I figured he was jealous.
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Post by pappyjoe on Dec 3, 2020 8:12:34 GMT -5
I don’t believe it’s possible the be a “ex” Marine. None of the Marines that I have known have ever referred to themselves as an ex-marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Not to say that there aren’t Marines that refer to themselves that way. My thoughts exactly. I know former Marines and retired Marines but I've never met an ex-Marine that I know of. That being said, I have a cousin who is a retired Marine and he says the only ex-marine is someone kicked out of the Marines after a courts-martial. |
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Post by Pistol Pete 1911 on Dec 3, 2020 8:56:07 GMT -5
I don’t believe it’s possible the be a “ex” Marine. You are absolutely 100% correct |
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Post by oldcajun123 on Dec 3, 2020 9:53:11 GMT -5
At bars we used to hurl insults at each other. My favorite that got scowls, was What do you get when you breed a Marine with a Gorilla, answer/////////////////. A Retarted Gorilla!! 
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Post by toshtego on Dec 3, 2020 11:24:47 GMT -5
I am certain this has been posted before.  |
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Post by lizardonarock on Dec 3, 2020 16:08:08 GMT -5
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rconix9
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Post by rconix9 on Dec 3, 2020 21:15:48 GMT -5
I remember the first time I referred to a retired marine as an ex-marine. I was the recipient of a very intense lecture On the flipside, I work with a guy who was deployed more than a few times but considers himself an "ex-marine". I told him that I thought "once a marine, always a marine" was the typical view. He said that's typical, but while being fiercely proud of his service, that part of his life is long over and he sees no reason to call himself a marine. My BIL is also a retired marine. I called him an ex-marine just to see what his reaction would be - I got the reaction I wanted. To any marines or other armed service branches represented here on the Patch, THANK YOU! |
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jay
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Post by jay on Dec 3, 2020 21:44:06 GMT -5
One of my attorney coworkers asked me why so many of the former military people she talked to had some sort of VA disability. I told her that between the intense and dangerous training, heavy machinery, screaming loud engines, toxic chemicals, harsh environments...and the occasional hostile bullet, the former service member without some sort of disability was unusual.
Whether you're a marine, coastie, sailor, flyboy, or grunt, you put yourself in harms way for at least some period of time. For that, there are not really enough thanks.
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Post by pappyjoe on Dec 4, 2020 9:13:11 GMT -5
One of my attorney coworkers asked me why so many of the former military people she talked to had some sort of VA disability. I told her that between the intense and dangerous training, heavy machinery, screaming loud engines, toxic chemicals, harsh environments...and the occasional hostile bullet, the former service member without some sort of disability was unusual. Whether you're a marine, coastie, sailor, flyboy, or grunt, you put yourself in harms way for at least some period of time. For that, there are not really enough thanks. I had it easier than the majority of men and women serving in the other services because I didn't deploy to a combat zone. Came close three times, but that's another story. I thought I had made it through 21 years in the Coast Guard unscathed because my medical record was less than 2-inches thick. Then, 25 years later the tinnitus and hearing loss started. I also found out I had damage done to my lower back during my time in service ( a couple of hard landings in helicopters and a pounding from Coast Guard small boats in rough waters). I also worked around a couple of Superfund sites that required complete physicals every six months to monitor possible health issues. The worse for me is the occasional bad memory from some of the search and rescue cases I was involved with and a couple of suicides I assisted in investigating. Both of those were men I had served with and knew. I'm sure first responders can relate to this - it's always about the ones that weren't saved. |
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Post by trailboss on Dec 4, 2020 9:38:07 GMT -5
One of my attorney coworkers asked me why so many of the former military people she talked to had some sort of VA disability. I told her that between the intense and dangerous training, heavy machinery, screaming loud engines, toxic chemicals, harsh environments...and the occasional hostile bullet, the former service member without some sort of disability was unusual. Whether you're a marine, coastie, sailor, flyboy, or grunt, you put yourself in harms way for at least some period of time. For that, there are not really enough thanks. "Pay a man to not work, and he isn't going to work"~ unknown author Many that served in the military share the same temptations that any civilian would have when given the chance at free money. My brother is a retired Marine (master Gunnery Sgt.) that has worked in the sandbox with contractors on 100% disability, drawing a military pension and making 150-200k...he told me that when he asks them why they aren't living in a nursing home, they get pretty pissed. I worked freight with a guy that had been in the Air force for 4 years, decades ago and sustained an injury back when he was on active duty, that he admits has never been an issue since. A fellow veteran told him "if you sustained any injury during active duty, re-file on it. After the VA scandal in Phoenix, they aren't asking questions just cutting checks. He now has a $300.00 monthly check coming to him for life. I know a 36 year old that is collecting disability for life that is the same amount that it took me 30 years to accrue as a Teamster, I know him very well and his MOS. He undoubtedly saw some stuff in the sandbox, but his job wasn't on the front lines. In an unguarded moment after a few drinks he told me "I saw how my dad has worked his whole life, I want no part of it, retirement is for me". He smokes weed daily, and doesn't do much but constantly surfs on his phone and buys "stuff". But I wasn't over there, have no first hand knowledge on what he saw or did, but i have been around veterans my whole life and know human nature. The WWII generation faced a holy hell in the battles they faced, it may have been clinically diagnosed with the WWII generation and probably relived it back home., but I never heard about it until after the Vietnam war. But work serves a purpose and gives meaning to one's existence, and I think that for some returning home even with legitimate disabilities, getting a check and a lot of free time not being used constructively can lead to a downward spiral. We should certainly take care of those that served, and/or suffered mentally and physically on their tours of duty, but it would be great to fund only legitimate claims. If I had the opportunity to file a claim and collect 3-4K per month for life, I have to say that the temptation would be pretty great...it is just that someone has to pay the freight on it all. |
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Post by oldcajun123 on Dec 4, 2020 9:54:16 GMT -5
Well said Charlie, I had a good job with Exxon, made good money, good benefits. My Daughter is a Big Shot with the VA, she told me a while back, Dad I can get you free medicines from the VA. Told her drop that right now, I can afford it, and by taking that I may deny another deserving vet the meds. Never was one for handouts!
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Post by taiguy66 on Dec 4, 2020 18:49:59 GMT -5
Well said Charlie, I had a good job with Exxon, made good money, good benefits. My Daughter is a Big Shot with the VA, she told me a while back, Dad I can get you free medicines from the VA. Told her drop that right now, I can afford it, and by taking that I may deny another deserving vet the meds. Never was one for handouts! I appreciate where you’re coming from but it’s not a handout! As a veteran you are entitled to everything you need/require. When you joined you made a contract with America. Now that you’re honourably discharged it’s America’s turn to fulfill its part of the agreement. From one veteran to another, “Thank you for your service.” |
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Post by trailboss on Dec 4, 2020 18:52:55 GMT -5
That was my thought also, Ted.
Brad earned it and so did Pappyjoe.
I would rather wrestle an alligator than argue with them southern boys though.
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Post by pappyjoe on Dec 5, 2020 8:47:56 GMT -5
Well said Charlie, I had a good job with Exxon, made good money, good benefits. My Daughter is a Big Shot with the VA, she told me a while back, Dad I can get you free medicines from the VA. Told her drop that right now, I can afford it, and by taking that I may deny another deserving vet the meds. Never was one for handouts! I appreciate where you’re coming from but it’s not a handout! As a veteran you are entitled to everything you need/require. When you joined you made a contract with America. Now that you’re honourably discharged it’s America’s turn to fulfill its part of the agreement. From one veteran to another, “Thank you for your service.” I understand what your are saying and I do agree that it is something that veterans are entitled to. But from my perspective I would like to add two thoughts. 1. I don't use the VA hospital because I am a military retiree and as such the wife and I have been covered by Tricare (the military health insurance) from the day I retired until we were eligible for Medicare. At that time, Tricare because a secondary insurance plan that pays what Medicare Part A & Part B doesn't pay. 2. Another reason I don't use the VA system is because I have seen how overburdened and inefficient the system is. It probably doesn't matter much, but my not using the system opens up at least one space for someone who isn't covered by Medicare and Tricare. Again, I am a retiree and I've always just felt that the VA was intended for those who served but didn't retire from the service. |
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Post by toshtego on Dec 5, 2020 10:55:36 GMT -5
There are variations among Marine veterans.
My Grand Uncle left the Corps in 1919. I knew him in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was influenced more by his 30 years with the NYPD.
Our County's Undersheriff, is all Marine all the time. His posture indicates his training. He owns every situation he is in and is quite humble at the same time. He is much like the character Robert Mitchum played in the movie "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison".
A neighbor of mine is a vet of Viet Nam. One would never know he served in the Corps if he did not bring out the photos.
One thing all of them have in common is they can be depended upon when needed.
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Post by Gypo on Dec 6, 2020 12:59:06 GMT -5
Some folks think of or thank vets on Veterans day. I think of veterans and and thank you all as many times as I can in the year. There is not a day that goes by on the calendar that many died or made a sacrifice on that very day so that I may have live the way that I do. Only one thing I hold above a veteran in my God and there is a very small gap there. Veterans are not given anything the earned everything. Bless you all including the USMC
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Larry it's been my experience you have hard asses in all services. The marines I served with Lurps were the best, most ex marine I know are confident men sure of themselves, and you can generally count on an exmarine to be a squared away guy. IMHO!
