USMC 'Training and Education 2030' calls for 70% Marine literacy within decade

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney - Careful, DeVanney we are the Seniors, in case you forgot!!!! LOL

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney - I don't know about lined paper and crayons, but I recall one instance where lined paper and a pencil got an officer's first assignment changed before he even reported in.

One of the good things about the military academies over other commissioning routes is that the academies generally do a better job of teaching traditional customs and courtesies, including little things like a officer writing to his next unit to introduce himself as soon as he has the assignment.

While I was with the US tank company in Berlin we received such a letter from a young man who was about to graduate from West Point. He had been selected as an Armor officer and had just received his first assignment. Having been well trained during his four years at West Point, he knew that he should write to introduce himself.

His letter was written in pencil, on that lined blue stationary you find in the PX at most military installations -- the stuff with the name and photo of the base at the top and faint lines to help new soldiers writing home. I can't comment on the penmanship, because the entire letter was printed (mind you, this was 40 years ago, so cursive was still the norm). Not only was the letter printed, but the printing was about what you would expect from someone in about the second grade. And the entire letter was at about that same level.

Everyone's first thought was that the letter must be some strange joke. Our company commander made a few discrete phone calls to people he knew at West Point, followed by a call to the branch assignment manager. The young man received a new assignment.

MSG Thomas Currie - Seems he'd fit in with the CAV -- lol, speaking as a former 5-14 1SG

MSG Thomas Currie - Was it something along the line of, "I is a treadhead now. I know how to make the clank clank sound, I love apricots and will have many cans on my tank. I know I will be a gooder platoon leader. I have shinny ring that makes nice sound when I knock with it."

Lt Col Charlie Brown I have had several JROTC students come see me after school for tutoring so they could get a better score on the math portion of the ASVAB. I'm always happy to help them. If they want to help themselves, it's my duty to help them also regardless of which branch they want to join.