I apologize to my readers for not posting in the past month. The holiday season, as well as some other circumstances, have kept me from blogging. This is by no means an end to the Marine Blog. I just felt is was necesarry to take a short hiatus but I am back to blogging and I will be publishing a new entry soon.
It has been a wonderful month of reunion with my brothers from the Marines. Although we were not able to meet in person, I was able to find many of my buddies through online social networks. I couldn't be more thankful to Facebook and Myspace for providing me with a tool to reconnect with my fellow Marines. It is my hope that one day we can organize an actual reunion and I think I will take it upon myself to set it up.
Sorry for the short post and please keep me bookmarked as I will be publishing more soon. Thanks for your readership.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Friday, December 5, 2008
Bootcamp
Every year, thousands of young men and women decide to enlist into the military. While each service has a unique and challenging bootcamp, the United States Marine Corps is known for having the longest and most challenging basic training. Boot camp for Marine recruits is three months long, longer and harder than any other basic training in the U.S. armed forces.
Marine Corps boot camp is designed to break down your confidence and create a psychologically manipulative environment. This is done to strip you down of your "nasty civilian habits" and to reform you into the image of a Marine. You will basically get reprogrammed and updated to Marine Corps version 2.0. This is done in a systemic process consisting of three phases ending with a final challege called "The Crucible."
During the first 72 hours, the recruit is deprived of sleep and is thrown into an intense, high stress situation. Drill Instructors are screaming at you at high volume, standing inches away from your face. Grueling punishments are delivered for the slightest mistakes that a recruit makes but sometimes you are punished for the mistakes of others. Needless to say, there is a tremendous physical demand required of each and every recruit.
Typically, a recruit's day will start at 0530 hours with revellile. The lights are turned on in the recruit squadbays and as soon as the light comes on, you are expected to be standing, at the position of attention, in front of your bed. Recruits are then sent to PT for about an hour of running, aerobic, and strength training. The first run at Marine Corps boot camp is usually 1.5 mile long run. While this does not sound very long, it is physically demanding. The running in the Marine Corps requires the ability to yell running songs while keeping up during 3-5 mile long runs. Every morning
In addition to running, a recruit will often run some sort of obstacle course that requires the ability to lift you body weight over a number of high bars and wall like obstacles. At the end of every obstacle, you can usually find a high rope to climb. Some of these obstacles are of high altitude. If you are afraid of heights, be prepared to confront your fear. I was afraid of heights, and I soon found myself fast roping out of helicopters.
Tips for surviving the boot camp experience.
Know your limits and respect the decision to join the Marines. Join the Marine Corps for the right reason. You should be prepared to kill and die for this country. This cannot be overstated. You must be willing to stay awake for days on end, rifle in hand, in the most dangerous places of the world. Are you prepared for what you may see while serving overseas? Can you handle violence and graphic images of death?
This service is for the true warriors that can live and perform in a warrior culture. If you doubt your ability to live up to this, look into other service oppurtunities.
No matter how bad it gets, nothing can stop the time. You haven't felt the soft touch of a woman in months (or the rough touch of a man, for you ladies), havent' showered in two months, and have been carrying one hundred pounds of bulky gear in 115 degree temperatures.
Cheer up Marine, no matter how bad your tour gets or how tough boot camp becomes, nothing can stop the ticking of the clock. Realizing this helped me pass the long boring days on ship and the grueling demands of combat service. When the going gets rough, think of what you are going to do when you get back. Stay positive, keep your mind in the present but your hope pointed towards the future. You will go through long days as a Marine but the sun does set on everyday, and time will pass.
Know you job and know it well. In boot camp this would translate into studying Marine Corps history, doing extra pull ups and push ups, and squaring away your uniform.
In the Fleet Marine Force, this involve completing your MCIs (Marine Corps Institute courses)studying your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and attending every training session you can.
Stay in touch. Be sure to stay in touch with friends and family. This will boost your morale and relieve you grandmother's worried mind.
Safety is paramount Think fast and move carefully. Fast is smooth and smooth is fast. Be careful in all your actions. Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your head on a swivel.
Good luck in your voyage. If you have a particular question about the Marine Corps, deployment, and etc leave a comment.
Semper Fi
Marine Corps boot camp is designed to break down your confidence and create a psychologically manipulative environment. This is done to strip you down of your "nasty civilian habits" and to reform you into the image of a Marine. You will basically get reprogrammed and updated to Marine Corps version 2.0. This is done in a systemic process consisting of three phases ending with a final challege called "The Crucible."
During the first 72 hours, the recruit is deprived of sleep and is thrown into an intense, high stress situation. Drill Instructors are screaming at you at high volume, standing inches away from your face. Grueling punishments are delivered for the slightest mistakes that a recruit makes but sometimes you are punished for the mistakes of others. Needless to say, there is a tremendous physical demand required of each and every recruit.
Typically, a recruit's day will start at 0530 hours with revellile. The lights are turned on in the recruit squadbays and as soon as the light comes on, you are expected to be standing, at the position of attention, in front of your bed. Recruits are then sent to PT for about an hour of running, aerobic, and strength training. The first run at Marine Corps boot camp is usually 1.5 mile long run. While this does not sound very long, it is physically demanding. The running in the Marine Corps requires the ability to yell running songs while keeping up during 3-5 mile long runs. Every morning
In addition to running, a recruit will often run some sort of obstacle course that requires the ability to lift you body weight over a number of high bars and wall like obstacles. At the end of every obstacle, you can usually find a high rope to climb. Some of these obstacles are of high altitude. If you are afraid of heights, be prepared to confront your fear. I was afraid of heights, and I soon found myself fast roping out of helicopters.
Tips for surviving the boot camp experience.
Know your limits and respect the decision to join the Marines. Join the Marine Corps for the right reason. You should be prepared to kill and die for this country. This cannot be overstated. You must be willing to stay awake for days on end, rifle in hand, in the most dangerous places of the world. Are you prepared for what you may see while serving overseas? Can you handle violence and graphic images of death?
This service is for the true warriors that can live and perform in a warrior culture. If you doubt your ability to live up to this, look into other service oppurtunities.
No matter how bad it gets, nothing can stop the time. You haven't felt the soft touch of a woman in months (or the rough touch of a man, for you ladies), havent' showered in two months, and have been carrying one hundred pounds of bulky gear in 115 degree temperatures.
Cheer up Marine, no matter how bad your tour gets or how tough boot camp becomes, nothing can stop the ticking of the clock. Realizing this helped me pass the long boring days on ship and the grueling demands of combat service. When the going gets rough, think of what you are going to do when you get back. Stay positive, keep your mind in the present but your hope pointed towards the future. You will go through long days as a Marine but the sun does set on everyday, and time will pass.
Know you job and know it well. In boot camp this would translate into studying Marine Corps history, doing extra pull ups and push ups, and squaring away your uniform.
In the Fleet Marine Force, this involve completing your MCIs (Marine Corps Institute courses)studying your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and attending every training session you can.
Stay in touch. Be sure to stay in touch with friends and family. This will boost your morale and relieve you grandmother's worried mind.
Safety is paramount Think fast and move carefully. Fast is smooth and smooth is fast. Be careful in all your actions. Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your head on a swivel.
Good luck in your voyage. If you have a particular question about the Marine Corps, deployment, and etc leave a comment.
Semper Fi
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Military Tradition: The Pinning of Rank and Wing Emblems by the Military
Some have called it hazing while others maintain that the pinning of rank devices to the collar is a tradition that should be adopted by all generations. I speak from the perspective of a Marine grunt and I care about the tradition of the Marines. The history and es spirit de corps (spirit of the corps) are what sets the Marines apart from the soldiers.
I recall my first promotion to PFC in the Marine Corps Infantry. The promotion ceremony was typical of most military award events. The Marines receiving the awards march in a column in front of the company. The company First Seargant reads the award citation and if it is a promotion, two Marines are called from the formation to pin on the rank. The two Marines pin on the new collar chevrons to the newly promoted Marine. The ceremony is dismissed and the Marines return to the barracks.
The newly promoted Marine is often wrestled or grabbed by force by a group of his peers and superiors. Only Marines that have been promoted to the same rank as the newly awarded Marine are permitted to attend the "pinning ceremony." Sometimes the recipient is held down but usually he just take the pain. The push on backing of the chevrons is removed and the half-inch spike of the emblem is exposed and placed on the collar of the Marine. Marines take turns punching the sharp-pronged collar into the newly promoted Marine's shoulder or neck.
It is a painful ceremony and may look like hazing to the outsider but it is a long standing tradition of Marines. I feel the ceremony should be carried on and I think I would be disappointed to hear if today's Marines are not carrying out the ritual.
I recall my first promotion to PFC in the Marine Corps Infantry. The promotion ceremony was typical of most military award events. The Marines receiving the awards march in a column in front of the company. The company First Seargant reads the award citation and if it is a promotion, two Marines are called from the formation to pin on the rank. The two Marines pin on the new collar chevrons to the newly promoted Marine. The ceremony is dismissed and the Marines return to the barracks.
The newly promoted Marine is often wrestled or grabbed by force by a group of his peers and superiors. Only Marines that have been promoted to the same rank as the newly awarded Marine are permitted to attend the "pinning ceremony." Sometimes the recipient is held down but usually he just take the pain. The push on backing of the chevrons is removed and the half-inch spike of the emblem is exposed and placed on the collar of the Marine. Marines take turns punching the sharp-pronged collar into the newly promoted Marine's shoulder or neck.
It is a painful ceremony and may look like hazing to the outsider but it is a long standing tradition of Marines. I feel the ceremony should be carried on and I think I would be disappointed to hear if today's Marines are not carrying out the ritual.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tales of a Boot Marine.
There is no worse position to be in during a Marine Corps career than that of a "boot marine." A boot Marine is considered the lowest on the totem pole of billet structure. It is similiar to a "cherry" from the Vietnam era. In the Marine Corps infantry, one is boot from the day he reports in to his first Fleet assignment until he returns from his first deployment.
So what is so wrong with being a boot Marine? Well,first off, boots are junior to a group of Marines that are known as "salty." A "salty Marine" is someone that has been overseas. The term comes from the salt coating that the sea sprays over ships and on camouflage uniforms. The cammie uniforms are washed in salt water and they discolor to a lighter shade. So, the marine with the most bleached looking cammies could be thought as salty. A boot Marine has had yet to serve overseas so his cammies remain dark in color. As boot we knew stay away from the Marines with the faded cammies. They could really ruin a day if given the chance.
Being a boot Marine entails a life of misery at the oversight of salty Marines. The salts will mess with the junior Marines constantly. A senior Marine might for example, volunteer his team of boots for extra duty but most likely, a salty Marine will "thrash" his boot Marines. A thrashing session would include painful physical exercises such as repeatedly digging full fighting positions, doing unending amounts of push ups and other calestenics, but there are often more belittling methods of thrashing or hazing. One such method would be that of my squad leader. He used to walk around base with a tennis ball in his cargo pocket. When he came across his junior Marines, throughout the day, he would throw the tennis ball and yell "GRENADE!!!" He would then make his junior Marines dive on top of the tennis ball. When asked why he played this game, he replied "It is to get my Marines ready to jump on a hand grenade should one fall into are fighting position in combat." It was a bad joke of his that he played daily on us. Whoever was last to get the tennis grenade would have to do about a hundred pushups.
When I first arrived at my unit in the Fleet Marine Force, I did not own a car so I was stuck on base without a ride, except for bus #305, that rides through Camp Pendleton. I had no idea where to go in California when I was on liberty. I didn't know anybody yet. So for the first weekend I decided to stay on base. This turned out to be a big mistake.
At 3:00AM on Saturday,(0300 for you military types)I got a sharp, loud knock on the door. It was my squad leader. He had a beer in his hand and a drunken stumble about him. He woke up his entire squad in the middle of a late Saturday night on base. All of us junior Marines then had to get our gas masks and gear on for a night run. We ran around the barracks and out on the hills wearing our gas masks. For some reason the squad leader just wanted to mess with us. He was well within his right to do so. The squad leader was a senior Marine, with the power of god over his subordinates. That is how the Marine Corps infantry operates in regards to duty.
This sort of situation will last for about a year for a new Marine. It is particularly hard in the infantry to be a boot but most jobs in the military follow this tradition to some extent.
So what is so wrong with being a boot Marine? Well,first off, boots are junior to a group of Marines that are known as "salty." A "salty Marine" is someone that has been overseas. The term comes from the salt coating that the sea sprays over ships and on camouflage uniforms. The cammie uniforms are washed in salt water and they discolor to a lighter shade. So, the marine with the most bleached looking cammies could be thought as salty. A boot Marine has had yet to serve overseas so his cammies remain dark in color. As boot we knew stay away from the Marines with the faded cammies. They could really ruin a day if given the chance.
Being a boot Marine entails a life of misery at the oversight of salty Marines. The salts will mess with the junior Marines constantly. A senior Marine might for example, volunteer his team of boots for extra duty but most likely, a salty Marine will "thrash" his boot Marines. A thrashing session would include painful physical exercises such as repeatedly digging full fighting positions, doing unending amounts of push ups and other calestenics, but there are often more belittling methods of thrashing or hazing. One such method would be that of my squad leader. He used to walk around base with a tennis ball in his cargo pocket. When he came across his junior Marines, throughout the day, he would throw the tennis ball and yell "GRENADE!!!" He would then make his junior Marines dive on top of the tennis ball. When asked why he played this game, he replied "It is to get my Marines ready to jump on a hand grenade should one fall into are fighting position in combat." It was a bad joke of his that he played daily on us. Whoever was last to get the tennis grenade would have to do about a hundred pushups.
When I first arrived at my unit in the Fleet Marine Force, I did not own a car so I was stuck on base without a ride, except for bus #305, that rides through Camp Pendleton. I had no idea where to go in California when I was on liberty. I didn't know anybody yet. So for the first weekend I decided to stay on base. This turned out to be a big mistake.
At 3:00AM on Saturday,(0300 for you military types)I got a sharp, loud knock on the door. It was my squad leader. He had a beer in his hand and a drunken stumble about him. He woke up his entire squad in the middle of a late Saturday night on base. All of us junior Marines then had to get our gas masks and gear on for a night run. We ran around the barracks and out on the hills wearing our gas masks. For some reason the squad leader just wanted to mess with us. He was well within his right to do so. The squad leader was a senior Marine, with the power of god over his subordinates. That is how the Marine Corps infantry operates in regards to duty.
This sort of situation will last for about a year for a new Marine. It is particularly hard in the infantry to be a boot but most jobs in the military follow this tradition to some extent.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Fight to Kill not for Points.
A will never forget my introduction to Marine Corps hand to hand combat. In my first lesson on unarmed combat I was taught how to rip off my opponents ears. I was taught that it takes fifteen pounds of force to remove a human ear and it was a quick way to win a fight. If an opponent's ear gets removed from his head then he cannot continue fighting. He will be in shock and it will be easier to overpower him.
Most techniques were focused on throwing people to the ground so that you could stomp on their heads with the heels of your boots. This was raw, violent combat at its peak. We screamed "kill" as we executed our movements in the San Diego heat. Our Drill Instructors encouraged us to get excited at the sight of "blood and guts." The intent was to mold us into merciless killers.
The training I received here was very helpful to me because in the Fleet,(combat units), I would be made to fight my teammates in hand to hand battles throughout the week. My grappling skills were not that good at the time so I had to learn quickly. We were especially interested in choking techniques, particularly the blood choke. This technique is often called the gulletine choke and it is used to cut the blood flow to the brain, thus making the opponent pass out. We would practice these chokes on each other to the point where we would pass out. Our training partners would have to revive us using a special technique that we had. So we were not only empowered with the skill of putting people to sleep, we could also wake them up, every time.
Most techniques were focused on throwing people to the ground so that you could stomp on their heads with the heels of your boots. This was raw, violent combat at its peak. We screamed "kill" as we executed our movements in the San Diego heat. Our Drill Instructors encouraged us to get excited at the sight of "blood and guts." The intent was to mold us into merciless killers.
The training I received here was very helpful to me because in the Fleet,(combat units), I would be made to fight my teammates in hand to hand battles throughout the week. My grappling skills were not that good at the time so I had to learn quickly. We were especially interested in choking techniques, particularly the blood choke. This technique is often called the gulletine choke and it is used to cut the blood flow to the brain, thus making the opponent pass out. We would practice these chokes on each other to the point where we would pass out. Our training partners would have to revive us using a special technique that we had. So we were not only empowered with the skill of putting people to sleep, we could also wake them up, every time.
Welcome.
Hello readers,
Welcome to "A Marine's Tale." This is a blog about the service of an infantry marine in a Fleet Marine Force company. The story revolves around a young, reckless, Marine who makes it through the Marine Corps despite adversity and other issues. It is the tale of one man's adverture across the world while in service with an elite infantry force.
My name is Jason Haines, and I am a United States Marine from California. I was stationed aboard the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and I served with Fifth Marines in a helicopter based infantry unit. I earned the rank of Corporal and spent fourteen months overseas in service to America.
I fired rockets and worked with explosives as my miltary occupational speciality or (MOS). I served in combat zones and on humanitarian missions during recent years. I was a squad leader, a damn good one under most opinions, maybe not my battalion commander's opinion, but in a lower echelon sense. I was a Marine's Marine. A hard charger. A motivator.
The story has no particular format. I will be speaking about many topics related to military life. Topics to be covered are deployment, war, survival, tactics, weapons, military vehicles, marine corps culture and more.
I welcome any and all comments.
Semper Fidelis
Welcome to "A Marine's Tale." This is a blog about the service of an infantry marine in a Fleet Marine Force company. The story revolves around a young, reckless, Marine who makes it through the Marine Corps despite adversity and other issues. It is the tale of one man's adverture across the world while in service with an elite infantry force.
My name is Jason Haines, and I am a United States Marine from California. I was stationed aboard the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and I served with Fifth Marines in a helicopter based infantry unit. I earned the rank of Corporal and spent fourteen months overseas in service to America.
I fired rockets and worked with explosives as my miltary occupational speciality or (MOS). I served in combat zones and on humanitarian missions during recent years. I was a squad leader, a damn good one under most opinions, maybe not my battalion commander's opinion, but in a lower echelon sense. I was a Marine's Marine. A hard charger. A motivator.
The story has no particular format. I will be speaking about many topics related to military life. Topics to be covered are deployment, war, survival, tactics, weapons, military vehicles, marine corps culture and more.
I welcome any and all comments.
Semper Fidelis
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