Posted on Dec 31, 2015
How should a situation in the MCX about wearing a cover in the building be handled properly?
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How should a situation in the MCX about wearing a cover in the building be handled properly?
NEITHER MYSELF OR MY WIFE ARE IN THE HABIT OF TELLING A LIE OR MAKING UP A STORY - IT HAPPENED! FOCUS ON THE QUESTION - NOT WETHER YOU BELIEVE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED OR NOT!
RP Members was this handled properly by the Junior Officer, SgtMaj, or the mother? What would you have done?
THIS WAS A REAL SITUATION THAT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY 12/30/2015
CORRECTION: I've receive collaboration from another lady who also had firsthand knowledge of this incident in the MCX - "The "youth" was not an AD USMC, but part of a group of Young Marines. Her description of this group is that it is one for troubled youth to attempt to instill discipline and maybe bring them into the fold."
I apologize to all of those individuals that I stood firm on with, that it was young Marine Private (based on all the information I received), but the discussion, question, and feedback on how the situation was handled by the Junior Officer, Sgt Mgr, and Mother have been outstanding - that I don't apologize for - thanks
If anything, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and my wife called me at home immediately following the incident - she knew I would enjoy hearing about it. I just said, "that SgtMaj owns that young Marine!"
RP Members this one comes from the wife that works at Camp Pendleton, CA Marine Base in the MCX.
A young "Youth" Marine was in the check-out line with his mother and "CORRECTION" (put his cover on inside!) He was approached by a AD Marine (Junior Officer) and asked to remove the cover. Immediately the young "Youth" Marine took up the defensive and asked the junior officer "who the F*** are you?" The Junior Officer then got into the young "Youth" Marine's face and told him to have some respect and remove the cover - it escalated into a shouting match in the check-out line in the MCX. Coming from the back of the store there was a loud roar from a Sergeant Major in the Marines (built like a tank according to my wife). He bellowed, "both of you shut your mouth there are families in here!" The MCX went silent and several employees and Marines hit the deck (no kidding). The SgtMaj came to the front and grabbed the young "Youth" Marine the by collar escorting him and the Junior Officer out of the MCX with the Young "Youth" Marine's mother yelling, "don't touch my boy!"
NEITHER MYSELF OR MY WIFE ARE IN THE HABIT OF TELLING A LIE OR MAKING UP A STORY - IT HAPPENED! FOCUS ON THE QUESTION - NOT WETHER YOU BELIEVE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED OR NOT!
RP Members was this handled properly by the Junior Officer, SgtMaj, or the mother? What would you have done?
THIS WAS A REAL SITUATION THAT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY 12/30/2015
CORRECTION: I've receive collaboration from another lady who also had firsthand knowledge of this incident in the MCX - "The "youth" was not an AD USMC, but part of a group of Young Marines. Her description of this group is that it is one for troubled youth to attempt to instill discipline and maybe bring them into the fold."
I apologize to all of those individuals that I stood firm on with, that it was young Marine Private (based on all the information I received), but the discussion, question, and feedback on how the situation was handled by the Junior Officer, Sgt Mgr, and Mother have been outstanding - that I don't apologize for - thanks
If anything, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and my wife called me at home immediately following the incident - she knew I would enjoy hearing about it. I just said, "that SgtMaj owns that young Marine!"
RP Members this one comes from the wife that works at Camp Pendleton, CA Marine Base in the MCX.
A young "Youth" Marine was in the check-out line with his mother and "CORRECTION" (put his cover on inside!) He was approached by a AD Marine (Junior Officer) and asked to remove the cover. Immediately the young "Youth" Marine took up the defensive and asked the junior officer "who the F*** are you?" The Junior Officer then got into the young "Youth" Marine's face and told him to have some respect and remove the cover - it escalated into a shouting match in the check-out line in the MCX. Coming from the back of the store there was a loud roar from a Sergeant Major in the Marines (built like a tank according to my wife). He bellowed, "both of you shut your mouth there are families in here!" The MCX went silent and several employees and Marines hit the deck (no kidding). The SgtMaj came to the front and grabbed the young "Youth" Marine the by collar escorting him and the Junior Officer out of the MCX with the Young "Youth" Marine's mother yelling, "don't touch my boy!"
Marines
Discipline
Regulation
Military bearing
What Would You Do
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 937
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In my time he would have been immediately put on restriction to the barracks whether he was married or his mother there or not. This kind of disrespect would not be tolerated in the Marine Corps. As far as the Officer was concerned, he would of been counseled by who ever he was responsible to. This should not happened and will not be tolerated in the Marine Corps.
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Probably, I would have seen this troop the next morning with his NCO chain of command for some serious counseling for wearing a cover inside, failure to follow orders, insubordination, etc. Seriously doubt his mother would be seeing him for some time to come
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I assumed the COL meant that the young Marine was in uniform. This incident seems a bit mor plausible if he was in civies and put on a ball cap. I can see two young Marines checking sizes when confronted but I have a VERY difficult time visualizing a Marine in uniform yelling at anyone in the exchange.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SSgt Cliff Bowers Being around Camp Pendleton for almost 4 years while my wife worked in the MCX I felt the same way, but I confirmed it with her employees and the cashier (all three were in uniform). Crap happens. Do you think any of the individuals handle this situation correctly. As a former NCO I think it could have been handled differently and the SgtMaj wouldn't even have been involved. Your thoughts are welcome.
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The SgtMaj handled it properly. The fact a young Marine would EVER put their cover on indoors, unless Under Arms of course, ESPECIALLY in the Exchange tells me he has some disciplinary issues. The Junior Officer shows his lack of leadership capability by yelling in an effort to correct the Marine. The officer should have id'd himself and got the Marines name and unit. Then you inform the Marines SgtMaj and the problem will be addressed effectively. The SgtMaj on deck in the exchange had no choice but to intervene since BOTH Marines were acting with Conduct Unbecoming.
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SSgt Cliff Bowers
HCOL Mikel J. Burroughs - Most of my career I was stationed at Camp Pen, there is obviously some sort of breakdown in the training pipeline for both Officers and Enlisted. The SgtMaj did what he had to do given the situation. If anyone experiences something like this on a USMC installation and some one like the SgtMaj doesn't step in, call PMO. They will sort things out. The fact that a Marine IN UNIFORM felt it was acceptable to put his cover on indoors and when questioned gives lip, that is a serious problem.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SSgt Cliff Bowers - Totally agree. Unfortunately, I've seen a couple of incidents out at Camp Pendleton by young Marines that was questionable. I corrected one of them myself when they made a comment to my wife at her counter and I just happened to be there. Thanks for your input and feedback - much appreciated.
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SSgt Cliff Bowers
I apologize that you experienced that. We frequently ask Marines to push boundaries but we want them to respond positively to corrective actions. Again, PMO is ALWAYS the best response when dealing with a Marine who has gone "off the reservation".Have a good day sir.COL Mikel J. Burroughs -
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SSgt Cliff Bowers - Roger that Cliff - over the last 37 years of enlisted service and commissioned service I've had to deal with a lot of issues in garrison and on the battlefield - it is what it is and that's why we serve my friend to grow the next generation of warriors. You have a great day and Happy New Year. Proud to serve!
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Sp4 Byron Skinner The problem here is not about a "hat" its about discipline or I guess the lack of it. This is a failure of the Marine recruit training process, it is a failure of all of the NCO's and officers this young has encountered. The disrespect to an officer has no excuse. Military courtesy use to be the first thing a recruit was taught and it was reinforced by a quick kick from a size 11 in the six. The inability of a Colonel to be to timid in correcting the problem in front of his mama is also inexcusable Can an officer this timid actually lead a Regiment in combat? Well I guess as long as there are no mothers around. Retired, is not an excuse.
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Oh yeah, the youngster was wrong for putting his cover on inside! As I remember my training the only time you're under cover is if you're under arms, any other time unless your hands are full when you come inside your cover comes off!
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The junior officer should have asked the young marine to step to the side after identifying himself and requested his military Id. . Then proceed to insist he remove his cover indoors like he was trained to do and use a proper way to free his hands until he could put it on before going outside . And then let him know his disrespect would be reported . If the young marine continued to disobey the orders it then would have to immediately escalate .
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Not passing the sniff test here. No Marine would disrespect an officer in a MCX in public like that. Plus if the Marine was with his Mother he was probably extra motivated and showed extreme discipline. As far as the SgtMaj coming from the back, I highly doubt it. Any Marines standing ear shot would have intervened at the slightest disrespect shown. Not believing this one but. Entertaining though.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SSgt (Join to see) Got a lot of this from a lot of Marines. It happened exactly the way I presented it, but your entitled to your opinion. One of my unique characteristics as an officer of 37 years is not to lie! Have a good Christmas!
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Mamma better leave it alone. In close quarters combat, an enemy is apt to lay hands on "her boy" to KILL him. He'd better be able to stay poised long enough to save his own ass. The lesson will be good for him.
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