This is the true origin of the Marine Recon paddle

Interesting story on the Marine Raiders boat paddle. From the article:

"We Are The Mighty
This is the true origin of the Marine Recon paddle
Featuring Brad "Ice Man" Colbert.

So, you just became friends with a Recon veteran and he's got a decorated wooden paddle on his wall. What the f*ck is that all about? Well, it's a tradition. Simple as that. But there's history behind that tradition and, if you really want to really wow your new Recon Marine friend, you can throw this little tidbit out there.

In fact, there's a good chance they don't even know the true story behind it.

The Viking misconception
A lot of people believe Recon inherited the paddle tradition from Vikings. While there certainly are similarities between these seafaring badasses of old and today's Marines, the paddle is not one of those traditions.

The paddle is a little more of a contemporary tradition. It got its start with the Marine Raiders of WWII.

Much like Recon, everyone wants to be a viking until it's time to do viking sh*t.

The Raider origin
According to legend, modern Recon Marines can trace their military family tree back to the Raiders of the Pacific, who had military-issued paddles because, well, clandestine means f*ck your boat motor, you got good, ol' fashioned manpower.

Like all most issued gear, these paddles had to be returned prior to parting ways with the unit. Thing is, after spending so much time with these paddles, they started to feel more like yours than the government's. So, boat-mates would break into supply lockers and steal the paddles back for their "true" owners.

Obviously, no one actually stole it. Who would steal government property?

Decorating
Upon successfully stealing your paddle back, your boatmates would decorate that sh*t and give it to you before you left as a going-away present. Today, even non-Recon Marines are gifted paddles, but the tradition started out with the Raiders."