Today is the 234th birthday of the Marine Corps. When I was in the Navy, I wasn't too fond of the Marines. Most squids weren't. It's that inter-service rivalry thing.
When I was on the USS Iredell County, LST-839, and we transported Marines we used to try to get them sea sick. It wasn't too hard since an LST was not the sweetest ride. I used to get sick. I remember steaming through the San Bernadino Straits in the Philippines and a Marine came up to me and asked if it was always this rough. Holy crap! This was as smooth as it ever got on an LST. I told him he was gonna hate the next five days it would take us to get to 'Nam.
On the first day out at sea, they always served greasy pork chops for lunch. The grease would slosh back and forth in your tray as the ship rolled. Not the best thing for a weak stomach. The next morning, it was always greasy bacon. One of our crew sat down at a table full of Marines and proceeded to wring the grease out of the bacon into his mouth. Three Marines raced out of the messdeck so they could puke over the side. And you wonder why jarheads hate squids?
Happy Birthday!
Posted by denny at November 10, 2009 04:18 PMInter-service rivalry thing?
They can't deal with the fact that they are a branch of the Navy and have no game without ships to get them there.
PS They get paid by the department of the Navy.
My ship USS Sampson DDG-10
Posted by: Dave's Odd World on November 10, 2009 06:10 PMThe Navy will neither confirm nor deny they belong to the Dept of Defense...They have their own Air Force, their own Army-The Marines-& they have the ships.
Posted by: Sandy G. on November 10, 2009 07:00 PMHappy Birthday Marines!
Posted by: CharlieDelta on November 10, 2009 07:04 PMHappy 234th birthday to one of the main defenders of freedom.
Posted by: kerrcarto on November 10, 2009 07:20 PMThat's true, the Marine Corps has always been part of the Navy. Just like the Coast Guard falls under control of the Dept. of Transportation until wartime when they are put under operational control of the Navy.
What I have found interesting lately is that they have moved the Navy recruiters in with the Army and have the Marine Corps recruiters in their own office. At least in Gresham, OR.
Happy Birthday Marine Corps, (Semper Fi to you guys)
Retired Army Reserve here.
Posted by: Hannu on November 10, 2009 08:30 PMDenny- if that ship was anything like the ones we were on, just remembering how the racks seemed to be only about a foot apart made you question if the living conditions were sub-Geneva Convention standards. If the guy above you farted, you'd've sworn that that sagging canvas was only 6 inches away from you. If your mess was feeding those Marines greasy pork products, the hold with the bunks must have been nauseating.
Our troop ships were anchored near Camp Bearcat. Bein' part of the Mobile Riverine Force, we got to leave those Navy luxury liners and head up the Mekong and some of the canals to meet with the friendly natives.
I was there in '68, on ships that were permanently anchored. Could you possibly've been one of the cruise directors who arranged out recreational itineraries? I will say, though, that the food on the ships beat the Hell out of the Army c-rats. You Navy guys ate okay.
Of course, when they flew me from the hospital at Vung Tau to 106th General Hospital in Japan, we landed at Tachikawa AFB. Got in there close to midnight and we got to hit their mess hall. The zoomies really ate great. Who fed the Marines overseas, or did they share snakes and bugs with the Green Beanies?
Anyway, Happy Birthday, Jarheads. Our country would be in a world of hurt without you guys.
Rob J
I remember growing up a dependant of a 30yr/3 VietNam tour Marine ... the Marine Corps Birthday was always a happy time (except for '65, '67, and '72). Mom would get all dressed up - Dad in his in blues for the Ball. The Old Soldier passed away in May of 2008 ... Semper Fi Dad. You were a hard-ass at times, but you taught me how to be a man, and loved me even though I chose the Air Force .
Posted by: BigJim on November 10, 2009 08:49 PMYes Dave, we are part of The Department Of The Navy..... the men's department. LOL! Semper Fi. RVN 68-69.
Posted by: Ham & Mother's on November 10, 2009 09:29 PMWhat rob said - Happy Birthday, Jarheads. Our country would be in a world of hurt without you guys.
Posted by: B....... on November 10, 2009 09:56 PMHam & Mothers beat me to the punch.
But let some non-service puke give a swabbie some shit around some/a Marine(s) and the Department of the Navy gets real cohesive all of a sudden.
My
Ass
Rides
In
Navy
Equipment
Semper Fi, ladies.
Marine Rotary Wing Aviation RULES
Posted by: Billy Ray in Cowtown, Tx on November 10, 2009 10:32 PMNo mention of an HM2 serving with a Marine line company?
Pity ...
Posted by: JA Moch on November 10, 2009 11:00 PMHappy Birthday Marines.
How do you give a Marine a bloody nose?
Throw sand a a wall and scream "HIT THE BEACH!"
Posted by: Jeremy on November 11, 2009 01:35 AMGood one, Jeremy.
Posted by: Inbredredneck on November 11, 2009 09:44 AMAdmiral Bourda once gave a speech to Marines at the Marine Corps Ball in DC when he was CNO. He siad Marines were like dogs. They came in only two breeds, rotweilers or dobermans. Either big and mean or skinny and mean. Brought the whole place to it's feet with applause. RIP Admiral.
Posted by: Ric on November 11, 2009 03:44 PMYes, we hate squids but we hate doggies even more. Who do you think we cheer for at the Army/Navy game? It sure isn't the dogfaces.
Posted by: Past Your Eyes on November 11, 2009 05:53 PM.... bite me, sir....... I have carried your sorry ass up WAY too many stairways to put up with this!.....
.... Marines rule, GOC....... today, tomorrow, and always.....
Posted by: Eric on November 11, 2009 09:28 PMI come from a mixed family; Navy and Marines.
Does anyone remember what LST stands for?
Large Slow Target.
Posted by: PB on November 11, 2009 11:55 PMHey Eric, those things are called ladders. Now drop and give me 20.
Posted by: Past Your Eyes on November 12, 2009 08:07 AMPast Your Eyes - Eric is referring to the steps at his house and the steps at cabins in Helen Georgia where he had to carry my fat crippled ass up and down them.
Posted by: Denny on November 12, 2009 03:24 PMI thought you squids called stairs ladders no matter where they were located. ";^)
I know when I was in boot camp, anyone who called stairs stairs would be doing pushups. Or worse.
..... we may be in the "department of the navy", folks...... but we're the MEN'S "department".........
..... thank you for your "happy birtday", Denny....... I've enjoyed carrying up AND down more flights of stairs than I can even remember!.....
.... see you in a few weeks at Elisson's place, sir!....
Posted by: Eric on November 12, 2009 10:08 PMPast Your Eyes - True, but I only called them ladders when I was on a ship.
Eric - What's going on at Elisson's?
Posted by: Denny on November 12, 2009 10:49 PM..... that Royal Navy meal, or something?......
Posted by: Eric on November 14, 2009 09:34 PM