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In the grand scheme of things, does your branch of service really matter all that much? We can all agree that one’s branch of service holds some importance, gives specific identity and shapes how you may look at things –BUT – in front of every branch name is the designation “United States”. We are brothers and sisters from the same family. Yes, there are stepbrothers, sibling rivalry, and constant inter-branch squabbling. The bottom line is we all wear or have worn the uniform, we have all sworn an oath, and we all belong to the dysfunctional, dis-jointed family we fondly call the military.
We can freely admit there are rivalries … Army versus Navy, Marines versus anybody, Air Force versus everybody, and the Coast Guard versus – well, it is just the coast guard so, um, anyway. The point is, branch gives you some identity but family gives you vision, family gives you strength, and if we have to admit it this family is at its best when every member works together to complete a mission. If you remove one branch from the circle things begin to get complicated. It may be hard to admit that we need each other sometimes, but we know, deep down, we have each other’s back all the time. Take one look at your contacts list … most of you have a mixture of people from every branch, rank, and specialty on the map.
I guess I’m saying that while I’m proud of my Army history and heritage, I am also very proud to have some really weird, goofy brothers and sisters from those “other” branches that make my FAMILY so unique. Thank you for your service – whatever branch that may come from.
We can freely admit there are rivalries … Army versus Navy, Marines versus anybody, Air Force versus everybody, and the Coast Guard versus – well, it is just the coast guard so, um, anyway. The point is, branch gives you some identity but family gives you vision, family gives you strength, and if we have to admit it this family is at its best when every member works together to complete a mission. If you remove one branch from the circle things begin to get complicated. It may be hard to admit that we need each other sometimes, but we know, deep down, we have each other’s back all the time. Take one look at your contacts list … most of you have a mixture of people from every branch, rank, and specialty on the map.
I guess I’m saying that while I’m proud of my Army history and heritage, I am also very proud to have some really weird, goofy brothers and sisters from those “other” branches that make my FAMILY so unique. Thank you for your service – whatever branch that may come from.
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Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 73
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Sir - Well said! I think we have become much better since 2001. Operating in joint environments in combat gives you a better look at your brothers and sisters!
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CPT Richard Riley
Very true CSM (Join to see) we have grown to participate in more joint operations which opens your eyes to a different side of the 'family'.
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SGT William Howell
I used to think that some branches were a little fluffy for my taste. When I was in Iraq we had some Air Force guys bed down at our FOB for the night and I got a chance to talk with them. They were pulling convoy duty from Basra to the Sunni Triangle and the were combat hardened. It was not their job in the AF to drive 5 tons, but it was the mission they were given and they did it with professionalism. Good bunch of guys that had my respect.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
During My time at Da Nang, Viet Nam in 1968-69 I worked quite a bit with Marines and that relationship worked well. The Marine unit We worked with mostly was the 1st MP BN, when I was assigned to the 366th Security Police Squadron, USAF. The Marine MPs on perimeter duty had no K9, all the dogs used had USAF handlers and worked both our post areas and with the Marines. Even outside the perimeter esp the USAF K9 troops and our people worked with 1st MPs in close contact. We also had request for mortar support from our unit to support other Marine units outside the perimeter. (Yes, USAF had mortar crews with 81 MM mortars) We had some Marines that even lived in our barracks with us and worked with us and our people with the Marines. In my hut lived a lance Corporal and also a Marine E5 Sergeant whom We used as a Squad leader. In that area We did the same job and had mutual respect for each other. 3rd MPs had town patrol and USAF people worked there with them and from the guys I knew who worked there once again the relationship was very good. We were all there to do the same job. The pictures below I took myself at DaNang Vietnam, of (1). a USAF 366th SPS 81 MM mortar, and (2) members of the USAF, 366th SPS, on an a APC, Armored Personnel Carrier with a 50 cal mounted upon it and (3) Me on within and old French built bunker overlooking a perimeter area, of Da Nang Air Base, with an M60. the outlook was over a rice paddy and there was a Vietnamese village across the paddy. There was a 50 caliber on the rooftop area. The USAF 366th SPS also had Claymore mines set up on some of our perimeter areas. (click on any picture for a closer view)
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CPT Richard Riley, In respects to the MISSION "ONE TEAM ONE FIGHT " DUTY HONOR COUNTRY" For intercollegiate fun--well that's another story...Army beat Navy...Still awaiting for Victory some day!! Great Post!
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CPT Richard Riley
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL I'm still waiting for that victory too. Unsure when the 'some day' will be but certainly look forward to it.
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CW3 Bill Wynne
HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS: With a mostly muted Navy offense and two missed field-goal attempts by the Mids, one play — a Black Knights interception — set in motion the only drive Army needed to establish control and capture the Star Series over rival and host Navy, 7-3. With the win, Army becomes the lone victor in the Collegiate Sprint Football League in 2020 after the league decided to cancel the season this fall but permit the two academies to play one another one time. HOOAH!!!
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