Korvessa | 26 Jun 2016 5:17 p.m. PST |
We have been an Army family for generations: Me: Army – Cold War weekend warrior Brother: Army – Viet Nam era Dad: WWII – 82nd airborne – highly decorated – WIA Grandpa: WWI – Army – WIA Great Uncle: Army Spanish American War Great Great Grandpa: Army of Potomac – WIA So my #3 son wants to join the military – great. But the Marines? Really? How could he? He's only 17 so I have time to convert him I do have USMC relatives: Father in Law USMC Reserves: Pre Viet Nam Cousin: Viet Nam Uncle WWII But those are maternal relatives, which hardly counts ;-) |
McWong73 | 26 Jun 2016 5:23 p.m. PST |
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Saber6 | 26 Jun 2016 5:28 p.m. PST |
Could be worse, could have gone Air Force |
parrot1500 | 26 Jun 2016 5:39 p.m. PST |
And yet, if you beat him, YOU go to jail! NO JUSTICE!!! |
Oberlindes Sol LIC | 26 Jun 2016 5:58 p.m. PST |
The younger brother of a college classmate enlisted in the army when he turned 18. This drove their father crazy. He had retired as an Air Force colonel. Of course, the Air Force only about 35 years old then, so there hadn't been generations of that family serving in it -- but the colonel was hoping to get that started, I guess. |
Allen57 | 26 Jun 2016 6:36 p.m. PST |
Marine Corp commercials on TV are very seductive. |
cavcrazy | 26 Jun 2016 6:46 p.m. PST |
You should be very proud no matter what the branch of service. Thank your son for me and my family and my GOD keep him safe. |
Mako11 | 26 Jun 2016 6:55 p.m. PST |
From my understanding, waterboarding is still practiced by the military, to teach our guys and gals what they might endure, if captured, so………. Seems somehow appropriate for a prospective Marine candidate. Might make a landlubber of him yet, with the right "training regime", or at least instill a strong aversion to water. |
Frederick | 26 Jun 2016 6:57 p.m. PST |
Or – even more horrible – the Navy Seriously, I agree with Cavcrazy – any branch is great and you and your family have much to be proud of |
vtsaogames | 26 Jun 2016 7:08 p.m. PST |
Friend of mine is from a police family. When he was 5 he became enamored of firemen and wanted to be one when he grew up. His uncle heard and rolled around in a squad car, scaring my friend's buddies off (it was South Boston). They showed him they could run sirens too and that cops got to wear guns. He said he changed his mind and wanted to be a cop. They bought him ice cream. |
Korvessa | 26 Jun 2016 7:18 p.m. PST |
When my dad joined the paratroops, his father (a WWI vet) told him he should join the Navy. Three hots & a cot and never more than a mile from land – only problem is it is usually straight down |
galvinm | 26 Jun 2016 7:49 p.m. PST |
As a once upon a time Marine, and retired soldier, give him a big OOHRAH/HOOAH for me. Congratulations! It is the uniform. He must be looking for girls. Works for all of us. Those dress blues are pretty awesome. |
Wretched Peasant Scum | 26 Jun 2016 8:07 p.m. PST |
Take away all of his new stuff and replace it with old worn out items. e.g. iPhone 3, 1993 Taurus, Gateway computer with a 386 processor. |
Buck215 | 26 Jun 2016 8:28 p.m. PST |
Look at it this way: the Marines are the Navy's Army since they have tanks (yes!) and the Navy's Air Force since they have aircraft. So it's not so bad. And yes, the Marine uniform is the coolest looking in all the U.S. Armed services. Anyway you look at it, you should be proud he is continuing the tradition of service to the country… |
McKinstry | 26 Jun 2016 9:28 p.m. PST |
I was USAF but my Dad was Navy so naturally both my sons went Army. I'm with the others with be proud whatever the arm of service. |
Stepman3 | 27 Jun 2016 5:52 a.m. PST |
I'd rather have a sister work in a house then a brother that's in the Air Force… |
Nuns With Guns Fan | 27 Jun 2016 6:37 a.m. PST |
I went Air Force because I witnessed the quality of life in amongst the groundpounders. Spent quite a bit of my career doing joint service work and my choice really paid off even though I was subjected to the same sour grape statements as above. Good luck to your son. Glad he decided to take a difficult path that many of his peers (for lack of a better word) don't have the guts to tread. |
etotheipi | 27 Jun 2016 6:41 a.m. PST |
Could be worse, could have gone Air Force No, he said he wanted to join the military. -----
Could be worse, could have gone Air Force Army Air Corps? Just another subsidiary or the Army! ----- Ok, seriously, congratulations! |
Bismarck | 27 Jun 2016 7:39 a.m. PST |
Semper Fi and welcome the young man aboard! Sorry, Korvessa, but I couldn't resist. I faced the same challenge son #3 faced. Paternal family Army lineage not quite as far back as yours, but only 4 generation that we have records for, so it only goes back to WW1. Family legend and oral history goes further back, but no provenance. But I am the second Marine of the family. Great uncle served with 1st Mar Div during WW2. Perhaps one of the reasons he chose the Corps was because, to quote my late aunt, Major, ANC(Army Nurse Corps) Ret'd. "Marines were lovers, not fighters"! Jerico Smith, Amen, Brother…Amen! Interservice rivalry aside, congratulations to the young man and to his choice to serve this country. |
PVT641 | 27 Jun 2016 7:41 a.m. PST |
Welcome to the Marine Family! |
Skeets | 27 Jun 2016 7:55 a.m. PST |
I was in the army, father a marine but I always when my kids talked about enlisting I asked them: "Do you like to sleep between sheets in a bed every night?" |
Jamesonsafari | 27 Jun 2016 9:04 a.m. PST |
Service is service. Serving your country, community whatever. Serve however you can. Well done to the young man. I know I wouldn't have passed the fitness tests if I was that age. |
wrgmr1 | 27 Jun 2016 9:43 a.m. PST |
Nothing wrong with being a Marine. Family tradition of being in uniform is really what matters. Congratulations. |
Davoust | 27 Jun 2016 1:27 p.m. PST |
My Father, Uncles, Grandfathers, Great Uncles, older cousins all Army, except paternal Grandfather Navy. I was the first to join the Corps. The First Officer. As my Great Uncle John, Sgt Maj in the Army, active service in 3 wars said on my commission day: "The Marines and an Officer to boot…..a black day for the Family!" He wore his uniform, gave me my first salute. Thumped me so I would not get uppity. He told me a Sgt Maj is allowed to thump young officers. I looked at my Gunny and he concurred. He died while I was overseas. He was buried with the sliver dollar I gave him for my first salute in his breast pocket of his uniform. He gave me hell as only an uncle and Sgt Maj could. Like writing on the outside of a letter to me while in officer candidate school. "I agree son, your Platoon Sgt does sound like a piece of " I almost died before my NCO's were finished. Just think, it is evolution….army brat has evolved into a higher life form….Marine!
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Korvessa | 27 Jun 2016 3:06 p.m. PST |
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Raynman | 27 Jun 2016 3:38 p.m. PST |
Yes, but can he dance? It is well known that Marines were developed so the Navy would have dance partners on those long tours at sea! Seriously, Congratulations to him and may he stay safe always. Prayers and thoughts go out to him. I retired from the Army after 34 years. Just remember, "ARMY, even Marines need heroes!" |
COL Scott ret | 27 Jun 2016 8:47 p.m. PST |
The US Army has the better uniforms look it up the Dress Blues and Mess Dress never went away (thankfully the horrible green business suit is gone). He will serve to protect and defend our Constitution against all enemies, so good on him. But dad I do understand after all the Army IS the senior service. |
Korvessa | 27 Jun 2016 10:58 p.m. PST |
He's just a junior in high school – so we have a couple of years to convince him to see the light ;-) His grandpa is in Ambrose's book on DDay and in the book "All American All the Way" It was bad enough when I told my dad I signed up to be a tanker. I had to convince him even the good ole M60A3 was better than the tanks in his day. Col Scott – I was just a reservist, but I did get married in dress blues – and you're right on the uniforms! |
wrgmr1 | 27 Jun 2016 10:58 p.m. PST |
Agreed Davoust, great story! |
Old Wolfman | 28 Jun 2016 6:52 a.m. PST |
Dad's side of the family,mainly Navy and Marines,Mom's side-Army. |
COL Scott ret | 28 Jun 2016 9:16 p.m. PST |
Korvessa, There is no "Just a Reservist". Part time pay but full time commitment- I have done both Active and Reserve, Active is easier only one boss to keep happy. What unit in the 82d was your dad in? I spent time in 1-505 and third brigade before I crossed to the other side of the road. |
Korvessa | 29 Jun 2016 9:45 a.m. PST |
Col Scott; I went through ROTC and ended up with a career in law enforcement (27 years and still going) now in a small town in California mountains. I was promoted to captain in IRR. I have used many of the leadership lessons/skills from ROTC on a regular basis ever since – still do (am a chief probation officer now). My dad was originally slated to be an MG gunner in 504 (he was 6'3") when then Colonel Gavin asked him if he wanted to cadre over to 507th as a supply sgt. So he took that offer. He was with 507th the entire war. For Normandy, 507th was attached to 82nd. For rest of the war they were with 17th Airborne. If you'll permit me to brag – he was my hero (died in 2003). Normandy: Silver Star & Purple Heart (& broken ankle) Bulge:Frozen feet Germany: 2nd Purple Heart Somewhere in there he had two bronze stars (one was for having a CIB – he never knew what the other was for) His dad was in WWI and severely wounded in jaw (invalided home) So, although I fully understand your sentiment, and know the importance of having reserves on many levels, to me, my military service doesn't come close to the legacy of father and grandfather (although I have run to the sounds of the guns a couple of times as a law officer – so there is that. Neither of which was really a big deal – but didn't know that when I went in) Of course, they didn't have to wade through meth labs either ;-) |
COL Scott ret | 29 Jun 2016 8:00 p.m. PST |
Korvessa, Your father is indeed worthy of being called a hero. As is your grandfather. COL Gavin also commanded the 505th for a time in Africa and Sicily, my oldest son is named after him. Thank you for both your military service (less than 1% of our a nation has even done what you have) and your law enforcement. You are clearly a sheep dog watching over the flock protecting our nation from the wolves. |
Korvessa | 29 Jun 2016 11:43 p.m. PST |
Thanks for the kind words From the sounds of your last sentence – I guess you have been to one of LtC Grossman's presentations.. It is one of his main themes. I have caught it at least three times. |
John the Greater | 30 Jun 2016 9:58 a.m. PST |
As my Marine buddy likes to say: "There are not four armed services – there are two armed services, a corporation and a religion." |