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While driving on post the other day, I was met by a soldier manning a checkpoint. There was a CAC card reader near the soldier’s position. As I have done countless times before I swiped my card and the soldier was notified, via his terminal, that I am an officer. As I drove by the soldier was sitting on his stool and halfheartedly saluted. This left a bad impression on me. Why would a soldier conduct themselves in such a way? I am sure he was trained on military customs but where? Is Basic Combat Training the only place where formal military customs and courtesies are reinforced? Maybe units continue this or they may view that this is best left to the NCO Education System.
I have always noticed that the Marines have a very high sense of esprit de corps. They make a very deliberate effort to maintain the history of not only the Marines but that of the unit. One example of this is the new members of the 5th Marine Regiment being awarded the French Fourragere at Camp San Mateo. There is a formal process in which new Marines are given the award. The newest members of the 5th Marines learn of their unit’s role in WWI and why they were awarded such an honor. This is just one small way to ensure unit history is not lost with the replacement of those in that unit with newer Marines.
In the Army I have yet to see or hear of such an event taking place. In my first unit, we had the French Fourragere but I was simply told to go to Clothing & Sales and buy the green cord. I didn’t think much of it but just another thing I have had to buy for my uniform. I had no clue how my unit received this award or of the sacrifices of those who came before me. This may not be case for all Army units, as some of the more well-known divisions in the Army actively reinforce their history. Also there are events in which the Army maintains their history such as the NCO induction ceremony. In addition, there are units such as the 30th ABCT, formally the 30th ID, which have annual reunions so that current members can interact with its former soldiers that have served as far back as WWII. Yet another would be the Ranger Rendezvous.
I spoke to a prior Marine who is now in the National Guard, and I was surprised that the Marines also instituted a history program in which they are tested. Within this program Marines are also taught recent history such as the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq and the Battles of Sangin and Marjah in Afghanistan while in Boot Camp with the expectation of maintaining such knowledge. Wouldn’t all soldiers, even all service members, benefit from learning more history behind their units? It would instill more respect and pride in their service.
With history we learn of the past. We learn of the feats of those that gave so much for us. We take pride in what we represent. When a soldier looks at his unit patch as a mark of distinction instead of just another patch you will find a soldier that is committed to his unit, the Army and to his country.
I have always noticed that the Marines have a very high sense of esprit de corps. They make a very deliberate effort to maintain the history of not only the Marines but that of the unit. One example of this is the new members of the 5th Marine Regiment being awarded the French Fourragere at Camp San Mateo. There is a formal process in which new Marines are given the award. The newest members of the 5th Marines learn of their unit’s role in WWI and why they were awarded such an honor. This is just one small way to ensure unit history is not lost with the replacement of those in that unit with newer Marines.
In the Army I have yet to see or hear of such an event taking place. In my first unit, we had the French Fourragere but I was simply told to go to Clothing & Sales and buy the green cord. I didn’t think much of it but just another thing I have had to buy for my uniform. I had no clue how my unit received this award or of the sacrifices of those who came before me. This may not be case for all Army units, as some of the more well-known divisions in the Army actively reinforce their history. Also there are events in which the Army maintains their history such as the NCO induction ceremony. In addition, there are units such as the 30th ABCT, formally the 30th ID, which have annual reunions so that current members can interact with its former soldiers that have served as far back as WWII. Yet another would be the Ranger Rendezvous.
I spoke to a prior Marine who is now in the National Guard, and I was surprised that the Marines also instituted a history program in which they are tested. Within this program Marines are also taught recent history such as the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq and the Battles of Sangin and Marjah in Afghanistan while in Boot Camp with the expectation of maintaining such knowledge. Wouldn’t all soldiers, even all service members, benefit from learning more history behind their units? It would instill more respect and pride in their service.
With history we learn of the past. We learn of the feats of those that gave so much for us. We take pride in what we represent. When a soldier looks at his unit patch as a mark of distinction instead of just another patch you will find a soldier that is committed to his unit, the Army and to his country.
Heritage
Command Post
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 106
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Here is the common theme I see in alot of these posts. The Army folks come on these forums looking for answers to leadership problems and challenges where as, the Marines come here to watch the show. We in the Marine Corps will keep things in house and fix it. I see alot of dirty laundry on Rally Point. You see an issue you correct it, don't go past it and then post the problems on a message board. I'm pretty sure even in the Army you have SNCO's in your units with vast experiance which you can gain invaluable knowledge from without coming to an open forum. This my friends is where Esprit de corps begins, because this is how your troops will see that you actually care about self improvement, troop growth, and unit cohesion.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
I don't see NCOs coming to RP to "air dirty laundry". I see as we are better at communicating our emotions and feelings. We're all humans you know? Can I get a hug please?
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SFC (Join to see)
Well put, SSG Leonard J W.. There are good in bad in all branches. Toxic leadership is unavoidable. All we can do is try and flush those people out and keep the good ones.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
With respect, I don't look at any branch of service, or sub division of a service with any envy. I see flaws in my own branch, what I see in some branches other than the Army are a lot of false bravado, false history, and riding on the backs of other services and taking credit for it. You will never fix anything if you consider it to be true, when in fact it is false. When you perpetuate a lie or semi truth into becoming a cult like dogma with mythical status, and then get insulted, offended, to the point of wanting to fight of the falsehood you have turned into a mythical being, defacto showed the flaw at its worst. We as a branch have gotten past that phase and now working to improve it.
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This is a direct result of a failure in NCO leadership and discipline. Soldiers do what they are taught and told to do. That is their primary function. It is the job of NCOs to teach and instill discipline, duty, honor and esprit de corps. NCOs need to start looking at their peers and subordinates and most importantly, themselves. If you cannot lead or teach...YOU, the NCO are the problem.
It is a shameful and telling situation when an officer has to start pointing out the discipline problems of enlisted soldiers. That soldiers first line leader is a failure, period. Our NCO Corps needs to check itself immediately. I'm embarrassed just reading this.
It is a shameful and telling situation when an officer has to start pointing out the discipline problems of enlisted soldiers. That soldiers first line leader is a failure, period. Our NCO Corps needs to check itself immediately. I'm embarrassed just reading this.
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SSG Maurice P.
CPL Hicks my brother i know the feeling,the first time i tried the Marine Corps i didnt make it...when i tried it a second time i finally graduated from Parris Island, i weighed 115 lbs and thought i could kick king kongs ass and tried afew times and usually lost hehehehehehehehe oohrah
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Cpl (Join to see)
MSgt (Join to see) I work as a project manager in healthcare, which means I interface with providers and staff all the time. If there is one thing I have learned is that the majority of providers I have dealt with only care about what is convenient, not necessarily what is right. Trying to get them to convert to Electronic Records is like herding cats while nailing jello the wall. They are all over the place and it is a mess.
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Cpl (Join to see)
SSG Maurice P. I found it amazing how fast an NCO could "negotiate" an adjustment. I had a SSgt I really looked up to and modeled myself after. He was pretty old school, he took great care of his troops and looked after them well. But when you did something stupid, all hell broke loose. Once corrected back to business. He was swift, direct, violent and correct (even when was incorrect).
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The Sword More than a weapon — a heritage The swords Marines carry signify the Marine Corps’ heritage as America’s original protectors. They are the oldest weapons still in service by United States Armed Forces. Officers carry the Mameluke sword, which was originally given to Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon in 1805 by a Mameluke chieftain in North Africa. Lt O’Bannon and his Marines marched across 600 miles of North African desert to rid the "shores of Tripoli" of pirates. By 1825, all Marine Corps Officers carried the Mameluke sword. Staff Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO) and Noncommissioned Officers (NCO) carry the 1858 Cavalry sword. This sword was bestowed upon them by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in recognition of their leadership in combat, their virtue and tradition. Only the Marine Corps awards such recognition to Noncommissioned Officers.
THE MOST DISTINCTIVE UNIFORM IN THE MILITARY Every detail of the dress blues uniform reflects the proud legacy of Marines who have served for more than two centuries: The buttons featuring the eagle and anchor have been on the uniform since 1804, making them the oldest military insignia in continued use. The "blood stripe" runs down each trouser leg of the dress blues worn by noncommissioned officers, staff noncommissioned officers and officers. The solid red stripe became part of the uniform in 1849. Today, it serves to honor the memory of fallen comrades. The collar of today’s dress blues reflects the original Marine uniform of the American Revolution, which had a high leather neck to help protect Marines from sword blows. Because it embodies Marine Corps history, rigorous standards apply to wearing this uniform and every Marine upholds those standards with pride.
THE MOST DISTINCTIVE UNIFORM IN THE MILITARY Every detail of the dress blues uniform reflects the proud legacy of Marines who have served for more than two centuries: The buttons featuring the eagle and anchor have been on the uniform since 1804, making them the oldest military insignia in continued use. The "blood stripe" runs down each trouser leg of the dress blues worn by noncommissioned officers, staff noncommissioned officers and officers. The solid red stripe became part of the uniform in 1849. Today, it serves to honor the memory of fallen comrades. The collar of today’s dress blues reflects the original Marine uniform of the American Revolution, which had a high leather neck to help protect Marines from sword blows. Because it embodies Marine Corps history, rigorous standards apply to wearing this uniform and every Marine upholds those standards with pride.
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Cpl David McQueen
You are absolutely right about the feeling of being a Marine NCO. I just wish I appreciated it then as much as I do now.
I am happy to hear of your success in life, with a little aid from the Corps. I, too, have been using what the Corps has taught me to find my path.
Best of luck. It was great hearing from you. I'll be here.
Semper Fi brother.
I am happy to hear of your success in life, with a little aid from the Corps. I, too, have been using what the Corps has taught me to find my path.
Best of luck. It was great hearing from you. I'll be here.
Semper Fi brother.
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SSG Maurice P.
My brothers, Msgt Borders and Cpl McQueen i too owe the corps...if it wasn't for it i could never do the things i do at my Civillian job...OOHRAH and SEMPER FI
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Cpl Jeff N.
MSgt (Join to see) . All of this sword and esprit de corps talk is making me want to reenlist...Unfortunately I am a paunch 52 year old. I do have my NCO sword on display in my study. It reminds me of days gone by and the esprit de corp of our Marine Corps.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
Go back and read the history of the United States long before there was a Corp of anything the Militias of Briton and Spain were defending their respective Colonies. Remind me again how many Marines were at Lexington and Concord? I can count the number on hand and still have five fingers to spare. How many were picked up arms in Prince Phillips War? Total Count of US Marines at Yorktown, Saratoga, the fall of Fort Ticonderoga, Siege of Boston, Brandywine, Cowpens? How many Army Divisions were at the taking of Mexico City compared to one brigade of the USMC. Sorry a whole lot happened prior to 1825 and after. Seven marines and two officers did not take Tripoli, they took a small coastal town with a combined force of 400 Arab and Greek Mercenaries. Also there are no factual accounts/records of the sword ever being presented. Something that has been of debate for a long time.
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