Posted on Jan 28, 2016
Given how important tabs are in the Army, should a prior service Marine now in the Army have a special tab indicating their background?
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NOTE: This post was originally asked by a former member who didn't want to be associated with the debate. In the interest of retaining the question and everyone's comments, we have migrated the discussion here. Thank you!
Uniforms
Prior Service
Marines
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 124
I am just going to say being a Marine is nothing special. I don't see how just because one was a Marine they should get a special tab or badge. I would actually see it as being something that could negatively impact you. A soldier that has been in the Army may know more about the Army than a prior marine so in that case I would rather have the soldier. I know the tab check is something that so many people get all butt hurt about. I wear my Ranger and Airborne Tabs. I went to the schools and I am in an Airborne unit. I think Skill Tabs like Ranger/SF/Sapper are bit more different than a Marine Tab. Would a cook in the Marines get a Marine Tab? It just makes so sense.
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Being in the National Guard, I see and meet a lot of prior Marines, in fact about 10% of my company use to be in the Corps. They are some of the greatest guys that I've met. Lately I can tell who use to be in the Marines is the ones that have been wearing the 1st Marine Division patch, for the ones that deployed while they were in the Marine Corps.
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SFC (Join to see)
That is incorrect wear of the patch unfortunately. The patch is authorized for wear to Soldiers who were deployed while in the Army and subordinate to that Command.
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CPT (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) - I see that all the time. It is an Army Patch for a Marine unit. They don't understand that.
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I have been in Field artillery or Ordnance associated with FA most of my career, and I don't agree with everything you said. Are there tab checkers, sure there is, but it is not universal. I think it gets down to the respective branch of the army you are affiliated with. I was a few in FA ever make it to Ranger school, even less wear the tab so I guess it down to that 1% of the infantry world. I was more impressed when I would see guys on the old 8 inch howitzers hump a "Joe" on each shoulder. That was impressive,that was 400 pounds of steel. I don't care what tab you had, we gave those guys respect! If you getting into a bar room brawl you always wanted the 8 inch guys on your side.
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That was a very noticeable thing about the Navy and Marines. No extraneous stuff all over our uniforms. Ribbons, rate and rating and hash marks. ( If you had them) Some stuff was temporary like a badge or agilet if you were attached to a command or general staff, an "E" shoulder patch and badge for UDT, Subs, etc. I think SEABEES now have a combat badge now if you pass the infantry training course.
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I hate to see that happen, especially if someone's been there, done that. I know the Marines who crossed into the AF I worked with would kind of just quietly let us figure out their backgrounds. Some were surprisingly bland, while others did more than expected. It does suck to have to prove yourself worthy based on how many, and which, merit badges you wear. Being born from the Army, the flying side of the AF is no different. I always thought we looked like dogs sniffing each other's butts, checking what type of wings, what command patch, and what unit patch the other person was wearing to decide where they stood in the hierarchy. Additionally, guys like me who branched fairly far out from my community to do work on the ground, had to sit back like you as others assumed we sat back eating chicken nuggets all day. I guess the answer I have is, you know who you are and what you've done. Those who should know, will also know. As for the rest of them? Screw them, you've done your part and shouldn't have to prove yourself to anyone.
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SFC (Join to see)
If you want to be recognized as a Marine, you should have stayed a Marine. Most people in the Army don't give one damn that you are a prior service Marine... And why should they? You should be proud of and loyal to your current service. If you cannot do that and must denigrate it, you should get out.
The Marines, of all the services, are all about hype and presentation... more-so than any other branch. Having served with all the military services, frankly, there is no vast difference between any of them, least of all between the Army and Marine Corps.
If you want to be recognized as a Marine, you should have stayed a Marine. Most people in the Army don't give one damn that you are a prior service Marine... And why should they? You should be proud of and loyal to your current service. If you cannot do that and must denigrate it, you should get out.
The Marines, of all the services, are all about hype and presentation... more-so than any other branch. Having served with all the military services, frankly, there is no vast difference between any of them, least of all between the Army and Marine Corps.
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SFC Jeremy Stocker
I love the Marine Corps and always will. While I have had personal reasons to switch to the Army does not take away from that. If I could have stayed were I was, and it would not have adversely affected my family at the time I would have never left. This was not the case my family was young and I was a place that had a 92% divorce rate at the time.
Once a Marine always a Marine is not just something people say. While I was in the Army I brought tools I had acquired from the Marine Corps and added some new ones from my various duty stations, leaders and assignment. I was a Marine serving in the Army and also a Soldier. Now that I have retired from the Army I am still a Marine and Soldier, I just happened to retire from the Army.
This choice was not made lightly and looking back at 19 years of marriage and still going strong it is a choice that I would make again.
Once a Marine always a Marine is not just something people say. While I was in the Army I brought tools I had acquired from the Marine Corps and added some new ones from my various duty stations, leaders and assignment. I was a Marine serving in the Army and also a Soldier. Now that I have retired from the Army I am still a Marine and Soldier, I just happened to retire from the Army.
This choice was not made lightly and looking back at 19 years of marriage and still going strong it is a choice that I would make again.
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
SFC Jeremy Stocker - SFC Stocker.. Thank you for your service to your country, both as a Marine and as a Soldier. Your experience in both gives you the credibility to speak with authority.
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PO2 Robert Cuminale
"The Marines, of all the services, are all about hype and presentation... more-so than any other branch. Having served with all the military services, frankly, there is no vast difference between any of them, least of all between the Army and Marine Corps."
Your comment about the Marines was out of line. I spent enough time closing down military facilities in the '70s to have seen the differences in the attitudes between the personnel. I found the most slackers present with the Army and Air Force with the the AF having the most. Cushy bases with too many snack bars and clubs. Too many personnel with divided responsibilities in a craft. "I only do that. You need someone else for this." One craft divided into six parts. Military personnel who are merely technicians with a limited leadership functions and abilities. And I never had to shut down a Marine facility.
I joined the Navy precisely because the Petty Officer carried all responsibilities. The Marine Corps was a second choice. Perhaps because we can do it all is because we do it without a fat Officer corps structure. The Enlisted personnel carry a great deal more responsibilities in both their technical field and military function. This SEABEE was happy to spend more time with Marines than the other services. Still is. My other home is near Lejeune and further from Pope and Bragg.
Your comment about the Marines was out of line. I spent enough time closing down military facilities in the '70s to have seen the differences in the attitudes between the personnel. I found the most slackers present with the Army and Air Force with the the AF having the most. Cushy bases with too many snack bars and clubs. Too many personnel with divided responsibilities in a craft. "I only do that. You need someone else for this." One craft divided into six parts. Military personnel who are merely technicians with a limited leadership functions and abilities. And I never had to shut down a Marine facility.
I joined the Navy precisely because the Petty Officer carried all responsibilities. The Marine Corps was a second choice. Perhaps because we can do it all is because we do it without a fat Officer corps structure. The Enlisted personnel carry a great deal more responsibilities in both their technical field and military function. This SEABEE was happy to spend more time with Marines than the other services. Still is. My other home is near Lejeune and further from Pope and Bragg.
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
PO2 Robert Cuminale - I understand your opinion, forged by your personal experience, as mine was. I have had military personnel of all services work for me and that is what I based my opinion on. All services have their strengths and weaknesses, but all are outstandin, in my opinion. I am, of course, partial to the Army, as that was my service for 30 years and my dad's for over 40.
While there are certainly some "slackers" in the military, that is not a true characterization of the vast majority. Anybody who seriously believes that is out of touch and/or ill-informed.
While there are certainly some "slackers" in the military, that is not a true characterization of the vast majority. Anybody who seriously believes that is out of touch and/or ill-informed.
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My son is a Ranger. ...go do that! Then ask why marines don't get a tab!
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I was checked yesterday for not being proud of being an aviator cause I was not sporting my master aviator wings on my flight suit. In the breath of the army trying to close the gap between aviation and all others with the flight suit mirroring the combat uniform of the ground Soldier, then why am I expected to pin on or sew on wings to separate myself. I am proud of my aerial service, but still like to represent as a Soldier first, officer second and aviator third.
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