Posted on Aug 6, 2014
Can you be a Marine Veteran and not be a Marine?
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If you are in USMC basic training and you become injured and are medically discharged, which then entitles you to disabled veterans benefits would you consider yourself a Marine? I have an in-law who started Marine Corps basic, sometime during 1st phase had some kind of injury where they had to decide whether to stay in PRP or discharge medically. This individual discharged medically and is now collecting disabled veterans benefits. This individual purports to be a Marine and has Marine Corps Paraphernalia everywhere. Even though this individual is a medically discharge veteran, would you consider this person a Marine?
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Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 364
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Regardless of the sheet of paper, if you did not earn that Eagle Globe and Anchor, you are not a Marine.
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LCpl Lennie Twaskas
Exactly if you didn't get threw boot camp. Get the Eagle,Globe,and Anchor you are not a Marine.
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Cpl Christopher Bishop
One either DID or DID NOT complete the mission. In this case, Becoming a Marine is incomplete. It matters not WHY. Just because the VA takes pity upon you for you're falling down and going boom...does not change the fact that Recruit Training's purpose is to develop you into a person worthy of a Graduation Ceremony on a Parade Deck at either Parris Island or San Diego...and "preparing you to serve" isn't really Service in and of itself. Honestly I don't even believe the TIME you spend in training should even count towards your first 4-year enlistment. When you land the 20 year retirement, it should mean the full 20 years of actual service, separate from whatever u had to do to prepare for that service. This is why in my mind those who do 21+ years are more worthy, they "served" a full 20 and change.
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CPT (Join to see)
Personally, I would cut the guy some slack and not call him out or embarrass him. He obviously REALLY wanted to be a Marine. As long as his behavior honors the tradition, I would leave him be.
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PO2 Walter Savell
I served in the U S Navy from 1963-1967. When I Thanked a Marine for his service, he replied, "Semper Fi". I replied "We rule the waves" Since I was not a Marine, replying "Semper Fi" might have been considered stolen valor.
Walt Savell ETN2
Walt Savell ETN2
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Let's see.. I was called all kinds of colorful things during all three phases of boot camp, but never once was I called a Marine until I stood on the Parade Deck graduation morning. So no, if he didn't graduate he doesn't get the title. Good try buddy, but you didn't make it.
I don't have a problem with folks wearing moto gear in support of the Marine Corps, but don't call yourself a Marine because you went to boot camp for a week or two. Unless you heard the words "Good Morning Marines" on that glorious morning then you are not a Marine.
I don't have a problem with folks wearing moto gear in support of the Marine Corps, but don't call yourself a Marine because you went to boot camp for a week or two. Unless you heard the words "Good Morning Marines" on that glorious morning then you are not a Marine.
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Cpl Kannon Parker
Everyone who has went through Marine corp boot camp know your not a Marine until you get you eagle globe and anchor during crucible. Its a lot of blood sweat and tears to earn the title of A United States Marine
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LCpl Josh Irizarry
Absolutely it's the concept of finishing . You wouldn't say you have a bachelor's degree if you dropped out of school before graduating.
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SPC Geoffrey Jenkins
You are so right Cpl,
I had a friend who washed out during Marine bootcamp because this asshole missed home and his girlfriend after three weeks.This motherfucker still calls himself a Marine and bragged about being at Marine bootcamp.
I had a friend who washed out during Marine bootcamp because this asshole missed home and his girlfriend after three weeks.This motherfucker still calls himself a Marine and bragged about being at Marine bootcamp.
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Cpl Michael Martin
I knew a guy with the last name Marine. They would only refer to him using his laundry number until he graduated boot camp.
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He would be absolutely safe in stating that he was training to become a Marine and got badly injured, which permanently prevented him form completing his training.
He is not a Marine, which is unfortunate, because it was not his fault, but he is not a Marine.
He is a veteran, evidenced by the fact that he is receiving benefits. It is what it is.
He is not a Marine, which is unfortunate, because it was not his fault, but he is not a Marine.
He is a veteran, evidenced by the fact that he is receiving benefits. It is what it is.
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CMSgt James Nolan
PO2 Douglass Simpson and SSgt Robert Kitchens I agree with what you are saying Doc, but...I guarandamntee that any Marine who needed the services of a medic, would forever call you his brother. And even further, outside of the military, the Docs who go out with us get the same treatment. Time and time again, Docs have gone through Hell to get to and help the injured. You guys rock.
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LCpl Chris Frye
I agree with the 1st sgt and all the others you must compleat training and graduate. To earn the title of MARINE. Of course it is unfortunate He was injured. He may have earned the benefits but as far as being called a Marine no
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SPC Donovan Buss
He may be a disabled vet because he took the oath and signed the dotted line but he didn't finish boot camp so he didn't earn the title at all
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SGT Anthony Bussing
in the eyes of almost 99.999998% of combat arm Marines...any "DOC" who is in the field with them...doing he humps, loading the ammo, sitting radio watch etc...are about as CLOSE to being a Marine as you can be without having actually attended USMCRD...any combat arm Marine will knock a person out for messing with their "DOC"...in 3rd Tank Bn at 29 Palms...not a single 3rd tank Corpsman EVER bought his own drinks...
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