Is it wrong that the Marines view anyone dishonorably discharged as no longer being part of the "Marines for life"?

2022-12-20T12:01:08-05:00

My time in the Marines it was put into my head that anyone dishonorably discharged is no longer part of the "Marines for life", is this view wrong? I'll adjust my thinking, but this was what was put into my head.

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 20 at 2022 12:23 PM

2022-12-20T12:23:13-05:00

If you're asking if you've been kicked out of the cult, then probably... ;)

If you're referring to M4L, I'll defer to your brethren that have better information, but nothing on the site says that you're ineligible for the overall program based on the characterization of your discharge.

However, there will likely be programs that you are ineligible for because someone gets an other-than-honorable (OTH) discharge (perfect example, but not M4L related, is education benefits that drop off from the VA if have an OTH discharge).

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 20 at 2022 1:02 PM

2022-12-20T13:02:38-05:00

If someone gets a dishonorable or BCD it wouldn't be inaccurate for someone to say they lost the Title. They certainly lost their entitlement to many perks and benefits in the process. Some will still call the person a Marine and honestly it's not worth the time to argue about. A current example would be Paul Whelan who is currently locked up in Russia. Folks are posting his picture of Uniform saying this Marine is in jail and should be let out and all this mess. The reality of the matter is that he is 52 years old, not currently serving and he was court-martialed and kicked out in 2008. In my opinion he shouldn't be getting all the praise when people don't know the full story.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2022 2:34 PM

2022-12-20T14:34:12-05:00

Marines for Life and Once a Marine, Always a Marine, are not the same. I agree with SSgt Christophe Murphy in that it is not worth the time arguing the point.

https://www.usmc-mccs.org/services/career/marine-for-life-network/

Marine for Life Network

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Dec 20 at 2022 2:36 PM

2022-12-20T14:36:17-05:00

Like most things, there is a gray area. I cringe when I see people on the news that served in the Marine Corps and committed repulsive acts of violence or crimes against others. Do I identify them as a brother/sister Marine. No I do not.
The specific example of Paul Whelan is a good one. The press and several celebrities have started this "No Marine left behind" rally call, when the truth is that Whelan was given the Big Chicken Dinner in 2008 for stealing from other Marines.
Now, going from being booted out of military service to being the International Security Guru of a car parts manufacturer(??) to being "set up" in Moscow while attending a wedding smells like the plot of a bad spy movie. You can't make that kind of shit up.
Anyway, all I can say is that I choose to associate myself with those who served honorably and continued to do so afterward. That choice belongs to you as well.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Dec 20 at 2022 2:50 PM

2022-12-20T14:50:04-05:00

Being that only about 200 DD are given in a year across all branches, it is not likely that anyone goes around challenging an ex marine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2022 3:14 PM

2022-12-20T15:14:47-05:00

I had a 1st cousin that enlisted in the army, in basic he robbed another recruit, served a prison term at Leavenworth, and got a dishonorable discharge.

He used to brag about his dishonorable discharge from the army.
"No", to me, he isn't someone to represent the proud US Army, he took a chance, and lost.

I'm sure that the US Marine Corps, also, don't give Dishonorable Discharges, for a no good reason.

You know, those that served "Honorably", the line Doggies, Swabbies, Fliers, Cooks, Medical, Supply, Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, what ever they're called, I can hold my head up high for them, and call out their names, my brothers and sisters.
"SALUTE"

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Dec 20 at 2022 11:46 PM

2022-12-20T23:46:25-05:00

I'd Have To Say: "It Depends Upon WHY The Dishonorable Was Given"...
Many Things Get So Screwed Up, Nobody Really Knows What Happened,
So Find Out What You Can, & Take It From There...

Response by MSgt James Parker made Dec 21 at 2022 7:58 AM

2022-12-21T07:58:27-05:00

LCpl Mark Lefler a lot of us have given you information and in truth, though it hurts us, those of us who have stood on those yellow footprints and given a few months (or more) later walked across that Parade Field (Parade Dech for us) claim the Title of United States Marine. It is a title earned and never given. So those of us who may have done things that tarnish the title, it is still in our DNA. Lee Harvey Oswald, a Marine by title, denounced his American citizenship before ever firing a rifle and killing a sitting US President on a brisk November afternoon in 1963. So, by our logic he wasn't a Marine as he had denounced this title also, but as history has taught us, we, being the most elite military, are held to a higher standard and therefore adherence to our customs and courtesies are a must.
There is a second part of your question we may not have answered, and we may not me qualified to do so, as for your situation, Marine, as a subject of a Dishonorable Discharge or an Other than Honorable discharge you have the right to contact the legal services (Base Legal) and request a Discharge Review Board. I am attaching a link below on the process and perhaps a few of the legal eagles on RP can provide guidance. You have some work to do Marine, and a long road ahead of you, we wish you good luck and God speed.

https://ferahozbek.com/i-was-discharged-from-the-military-20-years-ago-can-i-change-my-military-discharge-and-other-frequently-asked-questions/

I was Discharged from the military 20 years ago–Can I change my military discharge? And other...

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Dec 21 at 2022 4:43 PM

2022-12-21T16:43:06-05:00

Dishonorable discharge is forfeiture of any honors. There may be some entitlement I am unaware of but the whole premise behind “Dishonorable” Discharge means just that.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 21 at 2022 6:02 PM

2022-12-21T18:02:14-05:00

Their title, their honor their priviledge

Response by SPC Kenneth Bartels made Dec 21 at 2022 9:27 PM

2022-12-21T21:27:38-05:00

Anyone with a dishonorable discharge from any branch of the armed forces is no longer a brother in arms. Leave no man behind, they did that and no longer should be considered a member of that branch. We served and stuck it through. They did not and should not be considered a part of it. All who served and received an honorable discharge should walk tall and be proud of do so.