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Command Post What is this?
Posted on Feb 16, 2016
SSG Lon Watson
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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
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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
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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
>1 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
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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
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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
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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
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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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