I understand everyone has their own opinion

Only the infantry has as its mission statement, "Close with and destroy the enemy and take and hold ground." But the infantry would be useless without all the support personnel providing food, clothing, and ammunition. And they're immensely grateful for artillery and aviation support. (This from a former grunt.) All the cogs are necessary to make the machine work efficiently. Likewise, we would find generals pretty useless if there were no privates.

LCpl Carson-I got it double, as both a "squid", and an "O"- I long ago accepted that every choice has it's price.

Ultimately, even the elite Special Forces and SEALs compete if they want to proceed to the next level...and I'm sure our nation's defense organization has a few shadowy personnel who would consider themselves "better" than DEVGRU and Delta Force .

One thing I've always respected (and admittedly, envied) about the Corps, is the concept that "every Marine is a rifleman"...translation? You're all linked by a common, core mission that assumes even the newest, Air Wing, Headquarters personnel...are still Marines. You go through significant training to wear that title, and I've never known a Marine to fail to justly defend it.

Talk is cheap- but I think there's only one question any of us can ask, and that's if we personally feel we did our best. If being a sailor and an officer really made me feel like I had somehow "dodged" offering all that I had available...I guess I'd go down and see if the Army could use a thirty-seven year old, chain smoking infantryman :)

LCpl Ash Carson I couldn't agree with you more. We all of us who served and are currently serving are 1 team regardless of MOS. Unfortunately, some feel a sense of entitlement and lack empathy these few need to do a self assessment and realize everyone is required to be successful.