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Command Post What is this?
Posted on Feb 16, 2016
SSG Lon Watson
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MSgt Roger Settlemyer
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You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, Well Done. Our Next enemy either ISIS or the Chinese are trained very differently than we are. They are trained to Kill and take orders. If we attack a hill and have 75% casualties we fell we did not accomplish our mission. They did if they took the hill ! We take Air Superiority as granted, maybe in the near future, China will have it. Then what? Remember in the beginning of World War 2 Japan kicked our ass. You have to be mentally and physically tough to win the next war...................Semper Fi
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CPT Kurk Harris
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Edited 9 y ago
I think your post is fairly accurate. I was an Infantry Soldier for many years. From my perspective, the Marines do a great job instilling the warrior spirit in basic training. The Army, even in the Infantry do not. That being said, individual units (from division level down to the squad) can and frequently do produce high quality soldiers who have that same warrior spirit. It begins with standards being standards in the go to war units. They are not easy to achieve, nor are they compromised to accommodate those who cannot hack it. Basic training is just that, BASIC. The proof is in the pudding, though. Our soldiers have accomplished incredible exploits on the battlefield these many years of war. In Afghanistan and Iraq, those who have faced our soldiers have suffered. Being Army Strong is not just about being hyper motivated coming out of initial entry training, it's about taking the fight to the enemy and breaking him. Our Army soldiers have been doing that job admirably for 15 years straight.
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CSM Thomas McGarry
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I agree also on a different matter regarding the Marines and the US Army-Why did the Army spend several millions in research to determining that the ACU was the best camo pattern and then in a matter of a very few years decides to change to a pattern that is very similar to the Marine camo pattern. In this case I feel a little sorry for the Officers who now have to purchase the new patter uniform. Another example-currently the Army is researching what the best sidearm should be and is proposing spending 300 million in R&D yet the Marines are driving on will probably use a weapon that is currently in production. I hate to say it but I'm sure there are other examples though as retired Army I hate to hand it to the Marines!!
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SSG Jane Doe
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You've made some great points. Personally I attended some JROTC summer bootcamps that I thought were harder then Army BCT. In my JROTC camps I had rangers, airborne, green beret and navy seal instructors. I was in the Raider company which is the high school version of rangers. The navy seals weighed us down in web gear and unexpectedly pushed us into a lake from speeding boats where we had to use the quick releases to get the gear off and re surface, the green berets took us out into the forrest where we learned to ID edible plants and bugs, made shelters with our ponchos and slept in them for 2 days while doing obstacle courses and leadership courses during the day. In JROTC we did the entire obstacle courses in BCT they skipped obstacles deemed "to dangerous" or restricted how high you could go on some obstacles. The Army needs to toughen up it's sad that I received harder training in high school then the real Army. In high school I ruck marched at a forced pace with a ruck so heavy I had to roll over on my belly to stand up. In BCT my ruck was 40 pounds and not much bigger then a backpack. The slowest person was placed at the head of our marches and those who couldn't keep up were thrown in the back of a truck. I LOVE the U.S. Army and the brother/sisterhood but I have only seen the standards become more and more lax and generations of "entitled" soldiers joining the ranks thinking they have the "right" to question everything.
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SSgt Signals Intelligence Analyst
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Edited >1 y ago
My friend, I think you're looking at this wrong. I'm pretty sure this is a numbers game. The Army has huge numbers in budgeting and personnel compared to the Marines. This means they can afford a lot more in terms of billets/positions, equipment, responsibility, which leads to "compromises" in quality, because of the fact that is that the Army needs more personnel to man, train, and equip those positions, equipment, and responsibility. If you notice, the Marine Corps does not create it's own organic medical and religious personnel; in fact, if you look at our boating capacity, Marines only really operate AAVs, LAVs, and Zodiacs. Other amphibious personnel carriers are typically ran by either the Navy (for the most part) or in some instances the Army. This is because the Marine Corps can't afford to do so, both by budgeting, Title 10 authorities, and the like. The "brilliance in the basics" standpoint from square one for Marines is due to numbers; we are not allotted the same amount of personnel, so we do with what we got, and we start with the recruit. Because we can't afford to throw all the Corps' money and training into personnel, we indoctrinate to weed out those who can't hack it.
Take a look at the US Army's overall mission:
"The Army’s mission is to fight and win our Nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders. We do this by:
•Executing Title 10 and Title 32 United States Code directives, to include organizing, equipping, and training forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained combat operations on land.
•Accomplishing missions assigned by the President, Secretary of Defense and combatant commanders, and Transforming for the future."
IOT provide SUSTAINED combat operations on land, it becomes a numbers game. The Marine Corps cannot conduct long-term sustained operations effectively; we're not built that way. We work best in the operational/tactical realm, not the strategic. We can be utilized in the strategic realm, but usually in the initial portions of a conflict; while in recent wars, this hasn't been the case, it's how it's supposed to go. That's where the United States needs Marines; at the bleeding edge front line. The training we get keeps that edge. Now while it'd help, it is simply unnecessary for regular Army personnel that're conducting long term engagements. Not every Soldier is going to be cut out for front line combat activities, SOF engagements, or extremely specialized missions; this is why there's a regular Army. Why hold them to that higher standard when there's no operational necessity to do so? Those who want to pursue those higher tiers that are more than encouraged to do so, and standards at those units are exceptionally high, even compared to the Marines. The Rangers, for example, will "Release For Standards" anyone who doesn't meet the Ranger standard back into conventional Army. The Marine Corps will separate personnel from the Corps who can't meet the standard, but nowhere near with the quickness the 75th Ranger Regiment does; Marines will take months, Rangers in a day or two MAX.
At this point you're probably thinking I'm missing your initial point in regards to quality Soldiers; what I'm trying to get to you is that this is a numbers game in regards to training quality Soldiers to meet personnel requirements which the Army has a lot of to meet. This becomes a balancing act of how effectively should the Army train/indoctrinate their Soldiers (the more intense, the higher the attrition rate) vice not being able to meet those manning requirements which sets long term engagements up for failure. What I'd start looking at, instead of comparing Marines to Soldiers, is not just giving Soldiers the tools of the trade but more of the wisdom to utilize them effectively. Making Soldiers more "Marine-like" isn't going to help anyone. The Army needs quality Soldiers, but this can't be done by making them Marines. You can build a better culture. Take away the coddling. Hold Soldier initiates to higher standards of conduct. Develop their confidence in their actions and decision making, while under stress. Teach them how to "make a decision uphill", if it ever comes to that. Ingrain within them the importance of the title they hold and how they fit into the greater Army puzzle.
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PO3 Donald Murphy
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The answer is obvious. We are a volunteer military. And while the Marines have never had recruiting problems/shortages, the other branches have. This is why USAF "grunts" are in combat now, females serving on submarines and kinder/gentler Army boot camp. Because people just aren't joining. Enlistment ages are expanded, tatoo's, etc. All because no one's joining. Were the Marines to experience manning shortfalls, then their talking heads and bean counters would board-room some changes. For now, the Dogs have no shortage of folk wanting to don the Khaki and Green and as the commercial says "be the ones running towards the gunfire and danger."
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GySgt Joe Strong
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In another thread, I have made very much the same arguments. It has been said the measure of how smart someone is ; is how much they agree with you. By that criterion: SSG Lon Watson is a very smart man.
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SFC Derrick Graves
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To the author I will say you are qualified to give your opinion but whether your qualified to make those statements is debatable. I'm curious to know why you didn't use a forum like AUSA, ARS (Army Retirement Services), etc., to voice your criticisms through the senior leadership up to the current SMA Daniel Dailey in order to address your perceptions and maybe affect some change if you were really concerned about today's soldier's in the Army. I'm retired and served from 1980 - 2000 and one thing I never forgot as a leader is the NCO CREED which has one the following excerpts: "I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike". You appear to be very hypocritical with this post considering your comments about your history with the Army. Posting these issues (which applies to all branches) on a social media site looks a bit self serving to me and benefits no one but you and your ulterior motives. I don't see the correlation between your duties as a prison boot camp drill sergeant and what's occurring in the basic training with the current Army. But since you were negligent and bias with your dissertation I feel it's my duty to enlighten the RallyPoint readers with some additional information of fact. As the largest of America's Armed Forces the Army also has a large amount of responsibilities with one of them being to train Marines (i.e, military police, combat engineers, armor, satellite communications, ranger training, airborne/air assault, military free fall, etc) which is something you failed to mention in your blog. How can you make comments about the current basic training in the Army (which is 9 weeks compared to 8 weeks in the 1980's) when you haven't even gone thru the current curriculum that today's recruits must pass. One thing I realized about the Army of today is that it's different then when I came in 1980, but today's soldier's are technical and tactically proficient and have proven it with 16 years of combat experience in the War on Terror. To you and your supporters basic training is one element of the game, winning wars is part of our fame which we continue to reign supreme as an Army Team!
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
>1 y
Well since you retired in 2000 I don't know how much you know about modern warfare. Also I really don't think you can speak for my motives unless you and God are homeboys. I write for Rally Point, my editor picks where my articles go, not me. And prison boot camp has A LOT of similarities to training troops for battle. And since I've done both I am qualified to comment. I'm also a published author and resercher and a SME on recruit training pipelines. I lead a consortium of 500 drill sergeants and drill instructors who report their frustrations to me frequently. I'm sounding an alarm, not being disloyal. Is it disloyal to wake up sleeping people in a burning building?
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
>1 y
I don’t write for them, I write for Rally Point.
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Capt Walter Miller
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Concur. At PI the whole thing and for the whole time is - WTF are you doing here? WHY ON EARTH do you think -you- could EVER be a United States Marine?

We graduated on a Monday morning. The previous Saturday I saw a DI in another platoon in our series choking a recruit - with his own crutch.

It made me shudder.

Walt
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
>1 y
Now I don't condone choking, but I get the idea. I was teaching BNCOC, OBC, and AIT at Ft Sam Houston, TX in 2002. The sex scandals with recruits blew by mind. A girl would say she was having sex with her drill sergeant and of course the DS would deny it. Then the girl would describe the inside of said drill sergeants house or apartment to the minute detail. Something she could only do if she'd been there. One girl described tattoos on the DS's body. Crazy.
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SFC(P) Platoon Sergeant
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Bull S__T!!!
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LTC Substitute Teacher
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There is no doubt that the Marines, have and always had and will have the reputation of the toughest service. I do think the Army has moved in the right direction. Most of the soldiers I encounter today seem to have more of the "can-do" spirit and proud of what they do. When I see them it reinforces my pride in being a retired soldier. Just my impression. We a all a team that keep our country secure. Marines and special op troops obviously have tougher training, but the Air Force computer geek is still put of the team; (s)he may not have seen the physical rigors, but, nevertheless has the dedication to use his/her talent to serve our county and giving up better pay and probably more stable hours as a result.
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
>1 y
This is true sir. In fact the army just changed its POI. Drill and ceremony is back on the training schedule. They overhauled what soldiers learn.
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
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I had the privledge to attend BNCOC and attend some Marine Corps Schools on an Army base. I witnessed some of the Basic training routines of the Army and attended BNCOC with some of the Drill Sergeants.
The Marine's Boot Camp indoctrinates as well as trains recruits in basic skills. The discipline. attention to detail and sense of urgency is much higher.
What is the differences in the services? Here is my spin on it. The top 10% of all the services Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are all on par with each other as far as professionalism and being elite in their own way. The bottom 10% are equally worthless pieces of shit.
It is that other 80% where The Corps shines. In the other services the 80% consider themselves Billy, Bobby and Sue just marking time and doing a job. In the Corps they know they are above all a Marine.
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
>1 y
I can't argue with that.
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
1stSgt Eugene Harless
>1 y
When I was a DI I always Thrashed the recruits for the smallest things,, Shoes not aligned under their racks, pillow edges or display towell folds facing the wrong way. After a few weeks I finally let them in on the method of my madness. I had a recruit pushing because his shower shoes werent in the right order.
I asked him what his MOS was supposed to be. He said He was going to be in Avionics. I told him "Not if I can help it,,, why the fuck should the Marine Corps trust your dumb ass to work on a 30 Million Dollar Plane when you can't take care of a 50 cent shower shoe, dickhead?"
At that point the recruits started understanding the purpose behind the fuck fuck games.
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PO3 Donald Murphy
PO3 Donald Murphy
>1 y
You do get in to that mentality. And at the first time of emergency you do what you needed to do and remembered that it was that mean-ass DI's treatment that allowed you to do the best job ever and save your ass/ship/life.
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CW4 Angel C.
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First, long of a post so long response. I don't buy any of this as an Army thing or Army wrong. This is a SSG Lon Watson thing. From your foxhole as a Chem NCO now picking up a Marine Corps book and questioning why the Army can't be like the Marines. Why would Chuck Norris wanna be like Bruce Lee? They're both awesome in their own way. I don't know what kind of Army basic training you went to in the 80s or you're referring to but my basic training in 91 with C 1-26 INF at Dix was hell and we didn't become Soldiers until graduation. And we damn sure were tough, proud and disciplined. Additionally as an Ordnance Soldier all our professional developmental schools were extremely challenging academically, physically, and in uniform and barracks standards. AIT, BNCOC and ANCOC all had barracks SOPs that were strictly enforced. Even after I went Warrant the Ordance Corps expectations continued to grow. Just being Airborne and even a Jumpmaster doesn't qualify you to make these comments. What kind of unit you're in and what's your mission there paints a better picture of your experience. I know many units in BRAGG especially in the 82nd ABN that are at a very minimum just as tough or tougher than any Marine unit out there. Yes the Army doesn't do a very good job now at indoctrinating (brainwashing) recruits but that's why it's important to have strong first line NCOs and leaders at permanent party units so they can build on what was started in basic. We are a huge organization with immense versatility and lots of moving parts. And we're the first ones to get cut or surged. I wish every unit in the Army was more like the 82nd ABN, 101st ABN, 4th ID, and 10th Mtn and that all new Soldiers would start there so they can "be all they can be" and be Army strong!
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
>1 y
If you read my comments, I excluded Airborne, Infantry, and the like from what I said. Also I wasn't talking about or insulting your experience in 1991. I was talking about NOW. Truthfully the 1990s were the golden age of basic training for the Army and you should be proud (and are) to be a part of it. My basic in the 1980s was tough for me, but anything would have been tough for me then. But the truth be told my basic was a bit lame compared to the 1990s. It was 1982 and we had a lot of vietnam era NCOs some good, some not good. As I observed in the 90s the quality of soldier was raising. I just think right now the warrior spirit is lacking.
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CW4 Angel C.
CW4 Angel C.
>1 y
Thanks for the clarification SSG Lon Watson
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SSG Lon Watson
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Wait until you read my women in combat arms and SOF article! It will be as thought provoking as this one! I'll probably get more hate mail than I already have.
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
>1 y
Sgt Richard Buckner - so you felt after I spoke up for the Marine Corps that this was fantasy fiction?
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CPO Greg Frazho
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Very in-depth and very insightful think-piece on the warrior ethos, Staff Sgt. A lot of good nuggets to chew on. But at the risk of oversimplifying the matter, consider this: Marines are essentially the shock troops of the U.S. military arsenal. The Army, which used to hold its own in that company, has become not so much the knife edge of the blade that swings, so to speak, as they are the rest of the sword that comes thereafter. The former is a fighting force, the latter is now an occupation force, although I would argue there are exceptions. Whereas Marines are, or were, by their very nature expeditionary, the Army, not least due to its size (as you mention above) is not in the business of expeditions. That translates into a much more visceral raison d'être in the case of our beloved USMC.
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SPC Jonathan Schmidt
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The sole reason the Marine Corp can do that is because the other branches give them the luxury of not needing to train legions of support personnel. Hell, they don't even train their own medics, they have to go to the Navy for those.

What the Marines do is train infantry, and they are good at it. But you cannot equate a training program that has to turn out all kinds of personnel ranging from infantry to support personnel to one that has the pure luxury of training infantry.
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SPC Jonathan Schmidt
SPC Jonathan Schmidt
>1 y
The point is that the Army has more support staff than the Marine Corp has staff at all. When you have to run an organization that much larger you lose the ability to be as picky. And that comes with a price.

Also, being the largest military branch by a large margin means that whenever someone in leadership decides to perform a social experiment it ends up being shoved onto the Army first. Just wait, the Corp's turn is coming shortly.
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Cpl D L Parker
Cpl D L Parker
>1 y
I don't think the size of the force matters. In basic you are teaching the fundamentals. The MOS things comes later. I hear bootcamp for Army infantry is different, if so why can't the Army train everyone the same.
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GySgt Infantry Unit Leader
GySgt (Join to see)
>1 y
Out of 186k Marines only about 25k of that is Infantry all the rest is support in some way or another. Just so people know where I numbers stand.
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
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Great read...great points...no additional commentary required. Just going to stand here clapping and basking in the "true" doled out here.
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Cpl Mark McMiller
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I'd say that sums it up pretty well.
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SSG Eric Blue
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While I agree with your research, the ONLY thing I disagree with is Army reception. And the ONLY reason for that is because when I came through Ft. Sill, there were a few prior-service Marines as my drill sergeants. I FRICKIN' LOVED IT! Reminded me of a slightly nicer version of the boot camp stories my grandfathers told me from Montford Point. And ALL of the drill sergeants I had in Bravo Battery, 1/40 Field Artillery were on the same page, playing the same tune, regardless of where they came from. I came through BCT in 2000. By 2002, I noticed a HUGE difference between those I came through with and those making their way into the Army. I may have been one of the last of a great era. Beyond that, amigo, well done! I really appreciate you sharing this with us!
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SPC John Tacetta
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What's up with that trooper in front of the firing line? Is he Marine or Army?
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SPC John Tacetta
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Either I forgot to hit the respond button (unlikely) or my post was deleted as I was probably too "harsh" in my criticism and you couldn't "hack" it. Puzzling, given your presentation. Anyway, you are out of line. The Marines are first and foremost naval infantry and their basic training is structured along those lines. Army basic training is meant to establish a minimum physical fitness and discipline in the ranks as well as to familiarize all troops with basic rifle skills.

My basic training was straight out of "Apocalypse Now" and my AIT was diametrically different. Not that it was any less demanding, but it was certainly more supportive. Having experienced the 2 philosophies, I'll opt for training over indoctrination any day.
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
5 y
I didn’t delete it. In fact this is the first time I’ve seen it. And before you tell someone they can’t hack it you better know them first bitch
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SPC John Tacetta
SPC John Tacetta
5 y
SSG Lon Watson - As per the new Army policy I accept your card and offer my apology. My language was clearly too harsh for your epidermis. Better stay away from the Marines, though. Follow me, I'm the infantry!
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
5 y
Actually it looks like you’re an unemployed specialist that couldn’t hack it in the army for very long. I did 21 years 5 1/2 of that was Fort Bragg my epidermis has been through stuff you wouldn’t believe. Have an airborne day
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SPC John Tacetta
SPC John Tacetta
5 y
SSG Lon Watson - One and done, my friend, that's me: loud and proud. Although you might not guess it today, I was always in the first order of battle and got to the point where I maxed out my PT score and ran 6 minute miles back to back, regularly. Pinning on a set of wings does not make you infantry, the blue cord does that and I've met plenty of clerks with wings. With 6 months in the field every year on top of guard duties, Air Assault wings on my chest and an Airborne tab on my shoulder I can't imagine you ever endured much more than I or my brothers did, NEST or not. I never saw "The Elephant", but training accidents and terrorist attacks across Europe during my time certainly took their toll. I loved the esprit de corps, but not the pay; I did my bid, figured I could do better and got out. It worked for me.

I tip my hat towards you and your 21 year commitment. Lord knows, the service needs that kind of dedication and I salute your service.

Your attack on my service, rank and employment status are apparently made without any knowledge of me or my circumstances and diminish your argument. I encourage you to look over my profile and "Google" me and learn a little bit more of me if you're so inclined. I'm always ready to stand a fellow veteran a drink so look me up any time you're passing through Long Island, NY and we can relive those days in the sun for a brief time.

I still disagree with your premise, though.
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SSgt Fixed Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, F-402
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Another difference I have noticed between the Army and Marine Corps is the issuance of "badges". It kind of reminds me of being int he Boy Scouts (yes, I know the BSA were modeled after an Army-like structure). It strikes me as odd probably because it is different to me.
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SPC John Tacetta
SPC John Tacetta
5 y
I don't know, maybe the Army has more, but I've seen plenty of Marines sporting badges.
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SFC Mark Klaers
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I went in when Harmony Church was still an "option". Upon my graduation, my two best friends showed up with my parents, both wearing their Class A's. John in the Coast Guard and Robert in his Marine "greens". After spending the day before graduation watching what we did, how it was done and how the drills performed, Robert said some hokey thing about how my DI's must've went to Paris Island as some sort of inter-service training thing or another. His other comment was that at least the Marines could afford decent lodging for their recruits.
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Pvt Michael Todd
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Sounds like our sisters in the Army are feeling a little insecure these days.
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LCpl Mike Bundock
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As a 70 year old Marine Corps veteran, I agree wholeheartedly with this article , Marine Corps Boot Camp is a life changing experience,I remember every second of it as if it just happened, it has made a difference in my life that can't be overlooked, once a Marine always a Marine ,.Thanks <>L/Cpl Mike Bundock USMC.
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SFC Robert Walton
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That just goes to show that after Vietnam the Army got slowly and progressively laxed and passive. They even instituted co-ed Basic Training, Before that it was BCT. Way different than BT.
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PFC(P) Corey Hannen
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I mean I agree with most of this Sergeant. I just don't agree with part about the Army calling us soldiers from the beginning. When I got to reception, everybody I knew was called Trainee "Fill In Name Here". They only called us soldiers after the Forge, even then, one of our Drill Sergeant's did not care that we were about to graduate, he still called us Trainees. I remember stepping off the bus at my company for basic training. As soon as that happened, there was lots of yelling and I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I can agree that Army reception is a lot easier than the Marine Corps reception.
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
6 y
The reason for that is I wrote this over two years ago before the forge existed.
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1SG Edward Richards
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I do not know what training unit for Army you are talking about, According to you the marines are using old out dated mode of training from the 1950's. I worked with both Navy Seals, Marine Recon and other branches of our service. An we all agree we are one team period. I had a Marine Lt for a commander, I suggest you go back and get an update copy of FM 7-10.
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SSG Dale London
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I had to delete what I was originally going to say. I'll leave it at this: God help us.
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SPC Cesar Freytes
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The largest amphibious invasion in history was operation Overlord Who did it genius ?????? Hint not the marines, apples to orange's I see you retired Army and non combat affiliated MOS. My question why did you not join the Marines infantry or even the army infantry, your full of it and stop putting down your my people. You should not show yourself as SSG of the US ARMY you look embarrassed of that title
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SSG Lon Watson
SSG Lon Watson
6 y
Cesar you completely missed the point! And infantry isn’t what makes ANYBODY an expert. I wrote this not because I hate the army, but because I love the army. The army could do a lot better than it has been. We could inject better discipline into our ranks. I served in airborne units at Ft Bragg and Spec ops units at MacDill and the motivation and discipline of the 82nd, 307th div support battalion exceeds that of a lot of infantry units. Infantry doesn’t have the market cornered on discipline. I’ve seen clerk typists in the Ranger Regt that could soldier circles around a 10th Mountain grunt. What I’m saying is we coddle soldiers. We hug a thug! Training needs to be more spartan. And as for your PHD comment you made, I spent 7 years studying what was right and wrong with both services. I watched hours and hours of video of basic training. Well I watched more video of the Marines, the army doesn’t like video of drill sergeants in action and won’t post it unless PAO approves it. The Marines don’t care, they hang it out there!
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  • Veteran / Retired
  • Civilian Supporter