Should the military create a warrior class?

I was a Marine artilleryman, and I always found that the infantry had so much "Respect" for themselves that they didn't need any more from me. If those grunts were half as awesome as they thought they were, theywouldn't have needed me out there slinging steal. What kind of extra respect should us lowly pogues show you kick-ass operators, SFC Esquivel? A salute? Head-of-the-line priveleges at the PX? I'd offer to shine your boots, but I know we're all wearing swade boots now...

As an "operator" I can say I've always been treated with the respect and regard I have earned, as are any other soldiers. We already receive specialty pays and get decent reenlistment bonuses. I don't know what else you expect. We don't do it for those reasons though, we do it to serve our country the best that we can like anyone else. DOL

Seriously - and you are SFC and asking this question? Either you are totally clueless (which calls to question how you made SFC) or just a troll - the military is a team - rear area, support, logistics, etc all contribute to the success. Without support specialists, administration, logistics, combat support, etc the 'operators' (where the fuck did we come up with that term?) are unable to do their jobs.

This is ridiculous. During my time as a crew member, every time we picked up a bunch of infantry guys I did everything I could to show them respect and to make their ride to or from the shit as pleasant as it could be. Everyone I worked with did the same. But honestly, we all go through training to be the best at what we do. You guys picked a more physical job and that is where most of your wear and tear will be. That alone does not warrant "extra" respect. Being the ones that do a lot of the fighting is something most other jobs already respect more highly than other SMs in their own branch as it is. No we all have a job to do and I will treat all soldiers with the same level of respect as dictated by professionalism with a little extra for those coming home from a shitty mission.

I was an 11B2H and I am going to respectfully disagree. We are a Combined Arms force: Armor, Artillery, Infantry, Special Operations, Aviation, Combat Engineers, etc... At any time everyone one of us may be called to pick up a rifle
And Stand To. Rather than claim one branch or group is better than the others how about we encourage each other to maintain warfighter skills across the board.

I'm a Marine, I'm a retired Guardsman, I've studied Budo for 30 some years. I am a warrior. A little pudgy now, inside I'm still that 18 year old Marine.

Yet that is EXACTLY what is is, a put down of not only other MOS's but a put down of your sister services. Each member of the various services has their job to do. Sometimes that job is putting ordinance on target and sometimes is making sure the shooter get the beans, bullets and band-aids he needs to continue putting iron on foreheads. And we all need the money guys to make sure we get paid on time. Just because soldier one is a bullet catcher and soldier two is a dental assistant doesn't mean he/she gives any less to the effort.

This is the type of attitude I would almost expect from PVT Snuffy or maybe PFC Dufflebag. But I hold Sr NCOs to a higher standard and would expect someone who has attained the status of Sr. NCO to understand each soldier, sailor, airman or Marine contributes to the mission.

I believe some of you are missing something. First, we should acknowledge that every individual has some level of personal need to feel its THEM and THEIR JOB that is the most mission-critical one. This is something of a fundamental human design flaw...but it what it is.

Secondly and more importantly, there are vast differences between those who serve by doing the safest and least risky/deployable jobs only to latch onto future college money...and those willing to takebon maximum potential risk because they are in it for the cause and less interested in the personal gain.

Consider this a refresher course on the definition of "respect" in the contextbof this discussion. Seems to me there are a lotnof people who want fancy valorous awards without daring to put themselves into positions where they would ever see such opportunities to need to do anything but the bare minimums.

Personally I find the Grunt VS POG argument to be rather silly. However there arent many other measures of potential self-sacrifice aside from the Grunt Life.

We know the usual point being made aboutbit taking 9 POGs to support each Grunt. Nobody is really arguing that. But the part often left out...is that the fundamental purpose of the military IS the combat arms element. Its not Grunts are needed because of what POGs do...its POGs are needed because of what Grunts do. And the notion of valor begins with the willingness/desire to put country before self and not shying away from personal risk.

Im sure most POGs will take offense to this. Its rather expected from those too scared to handle the dirtier work. Pushing pencils and pushing enemy lines backward aren't even in the same ballpark of work. As most military believe that civilians should show some respect/gratitude for what we military collectively do...its the Grunts ensuring the POGs enjoy those same benefits. Every POG had an opportunity to be a Grunt. And for those career-minded, doing your stint of Grunt time probably should be done while you are younger...as it both likely makes you more promotable later on, as well as gives you better insight as to just what exactly it may be that POGs are supporting. If some folks were " too scared" to consider any Grunt time...fine...but it shouldnt be much to ask to give a little respect to those whom were not.

As the saying goes...Everyone wants to be a Hero until its time to do some Hero-shit.

Semper Fi.

do you want to knight them too........ just no, the grunt in the field would be lost without all the support elements. That isn't meant to downplay their role at the tip of the spear but be are successful be we function as a team. The one thing that set the Marines apart from the other services is that they are fully integrated. Everyone exists to support the grunt and as a team they get the job down. The other services work together on an as needed basis but adding a warrior class would just add class hierarchy that would not benefit anyone in the long term.

If you are looking for glory then you are probably right. Rounds don't discrimate and every service member contributes to a winning team and are equally in danger and important as any combat arms sm. I wonder what your response would be to a sm that could possibly be saving your life on an operating table.