Posted on Dec 30, 2013
Should former Marines who join another service give up the Title?
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I first joined the Army and after my enlistment, I joined the Marine Corps. I no longer call myself a Soldier, but a Marine. Should former Marines give up the title of Marine once they join another branch of service? It's analogous to a woman taking the name of her husband, then once the marriage has ended, she re-marries and takes her new husband's name. Me, I'm married to the Corps!
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I think your title is whatever you are at the time. If you are in the Army, you are a Soldier regardless of what you did before. If you don't want to be called by that new title, you should have stayed with your original branch. In close to 30 years of service as a Soldier, I have never cared that much about what you did in the past, it is how you are performing now. Our past experiences do shape us but the people who tend to relive or rely on the past also seem to be the ones who need to perform better in the present.
That being said, I am proud to claim that I will be a "Soldier for life."
That being said, I am proud to claim that I will be a "Soldier for life."
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CMSgt Peter McDermott
Col,
I am proud to have served in 2 great services, the Marines taught me discipline, honor, Pride, teamwork, tact and integrity. These traits I brought with me into the Air Force and it helped me greatly in my career. I never looked for more recognition for being a Marine, I did my job to the best of my ability. When airmen I taught needed guidance I used what I learned in the Marines to help them. It does not matter what service you are in, these traits exist in all of us if we chose to use them. I also don't believe in hiding in my past, but living for the future. The young military now needs these traits taught to them and shown to them so they will also have a great foundation to build upon. In the Air Force I was all the time an airmen, I took care and watched over my crew and those above and below me all the time as that was my job. Now with that being said, I am proud to have served 32+ years to my country.
I am proud to have served in 2 great services, the Marines taught me discipline, honor, Pride, teamwork, tact and integrity. These traits I brought with me into the Air Force and it helped me greatly in my career. I never looked for more recognition for being a Marine, I did my job to the best of my ability. When airmen I taught needed guidance I used what I learned in the Marines to help them. It does not matter what service you are in, these traits exist in all of us if we chose to use them. I also don't believe in hiding in my past, but living for the future. The young military now needs these traits taught to them and shown to them so they will also have a great foundation to build upon. In the Air Force I was all the time an airmen, I took care and watched over my crew and those above and below me all the time as that was my job. Now with that being said, I am proud to have served 32+ years to my country.
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NEVER!!!! Seriously though, I am a Soldier now. I present myself as a Soldier. However, I will always be a Marine at heart, just as much as I am a Soldier at heart.
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Once a marine always a Marine. We were taught that. The difference between the Marine Corps and the rest of the branches is, the pride and the sense of belonging that is instill in every marine no matter where they go. You can leave the Corps for multiple reasons and join any other branch but wherever you go, you carry yourself as a marine in another branch and people respect that. So no there is no reason why someone give up the title once is earn it is for life.
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I think it should be an individuals choice although I will always claim the title Marine no matter where I go in life
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No, Marines should not give up the title. Had a few prior Marines in my unit when I was active duty, and they were proud of their heritage. They have earned it. Much Respect!
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Hell no. They earned it.
If you are a parachutist and then complete diver school, do you cease being a parachutist?
If you are a parachutist and then complete diver school, do you cease being a parachutist?
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I am a Marine/Soldier...I won't give up either...I am equally proud of both of my services. Each has provided me opportunities I would never have gotten in any of the other forces. Where else can one be Recon, Medic, Airborne, Ranger, Rappel Master, Diver, Dive Supervisor, and finally instructor? On top of that, serve as a Chiropractor on the outiside...my service continues...until both feet are in the grave. Ooh-Rah, and HOOAH to all that have dual services...you truly are the few, the proud...
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MSgt (Join to see) Once and Always.
My Father in Law was a Corporal in the Marine Corps. He was in 4 years and served in Vietnam. After a break in service he came back to re-enlist and the Corps told him he was too old. He went to the Army and they snapped him up quick. He deployed with them to Desert Storm and retired as a 1SG after a total of over 20 years of service.
Now which veteran status do you all suppose he wears more prominently?
My Father in Law was a Corporal in the Marine Corps. He was in 4 years and served in Vietnam. After a break in service he came back to re-enlist and the Corps told him he was too old. He went to the Army and they snapped him up quick. He deployed with them to Desert Storm and retired as a 1SG after a total of over 20 years of service.
Now which veteran status do you all suppose he wears more prominently?
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Maj (Join to see)
The Eagle, Globe and Anchor is indelible on the soul of all of those who at some point in their lives have earned our way into this club. I do not believe it is something you turn in when you leave. If you get out and join IBM are you any less of a Marine?
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Absolutely, they should. Once they join another service, they are then a Soldier, Airman or Seaman, period. If they were so worried about calling themselves Marines, why did they leave the Corps?
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MSG (Join to see)
SSG Cross, I left the Marines the same reason Soldiers leave the Army; my enlistment was up. That does not change the fact I earned the title "Marine" and will always carry that distinction wherever I may go. That does not take away the fact I am also a proud Soldier, however, I will always be a Marine. I am sure you are a proud Soldier and if you were to enter into another service, you would not relinquish the title "Soldier", then again, your statements suggests you would.
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Capt Walter Miller
It is hard for soldiers to relate to what it means to be a Marine because being a soldier is not considered a big deal even by soldiers.
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I identify myself as a Soldier.
I was a Marine first though.
No one can or will take that away from me. Ever.
No one.
I was a Marine first though.
No one can or will take that away from me. Ever.
No one.
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