THIS is a Commander in Chief!...wounded warriors

[longfisher]

I have the same feeling about most Officer's myself. They weren't cut out to be the grunt's. So they stayed behind and made calculations and filled out report's. I know very well that's not true for all, but most Officer's I ran into couldn't cut it. Do I have un-resolved resentment? Guess you could call it that. What do ya think there LF? Frank

Interesting question, Frank. It deserves an interesting answer.

When I made Sgt. I was asked by my battalion C.O. to consider taking the College Level Equavilancy Test (CLET) to see if I could qualify for Officer's Candidate's School. I'd known the guy when he was a Major and when he commanded the Recruit Depot from which I got my first stripe. He was ex-enlisted too. So, we were pretty cool about things.

Without any hesitation I told him that other than him alone I absolutely hated officers and didn't think I could become one of them or serve next to any of them. I told him I didn't think like they did and that I'd be in constant conflict with them.

He laughed and said, "I thought you'd say that. So, what if I told you that if you would go to OCS and become an officer it might shave your remaining just over 3 year commitment to just over two years?"

I said, "Where to I sign?"

It all went like I said. When I first reported to my new combat company they were in mountain warfare training (why I don't know with the war in Vietnam going on) in CA. I got off the DC-9 and caught a jeep up to the camp. It had cinder block buildings for the HQ and for the heads (interesting juxtaposition, huh?) and the men lived in what were then called hardback canvas tents (had floors and some small walls).

It was freaking freeeeezing too as I passed through the encampment near dinner time and saw most of the troops eating Rats (K-rations) in small groups.

I walked into the Co. HQ and reported very professionally and was invited to drop my gear and sit down for a little chow. Only thing was I was surprised to see the 1st Sgt., an exceedingly older looking fellow with silver hair leaning over a squad stove which had a fry pan atop it. He proudly announced that he'd caught a bunch of trout for dinner earlier that afternoon from a local stream and he wanted to know if I liked fried fish.

Frankly, I was dumbstuck and didn't know what to say. Then I said the exactly wrong thing. I said, "Top, are any of the men eating brook trout this evening?" He didn't respond but looked astonished as did the other 2nd Lts. and the Capt. C.O. There was dead silence for what seemed an eternity.

Then I turned to the Captian and said, "I'd heard back at Battalion HQ that there were problems in the company, Captain. I'd like to try to solve any in my platoon (I was assigned the weapons platoon). So, with your permission I'd like to bunk with the men."

He gave me the permission but he and the other officers hated me from that moment on. I just kept my mouth shut and took whatever crap I had to take with a nightly dream of being out in two. Not all the officers I served with were crap. But most were or could be found out to be crap.

When I finally left the Marines I had a chance to recount that story. You see, they have this little ceremony among the officers to say goodbye to one of their own who's leaving the service. All the other officers who choose to do so gather at the O-Club and share a beer with the soon-departing officer. My turn came and I allowed the others to assemble for about 20 minutes before I left Battalion H.Q. and went to the O-club.

It's tradion for the others to sort of roast you. They say what they have to say, mostly complimentary things. Those who don't have complimentary things to say don't attend. So, I heard a lot of stuff like, "Despite the fact that we often locked horn, I finally realized that you were just doing your job.", or, "You're a squared away Marine who we're going to miss, at least some of us, anyway, hahaha."

Then it was my turn to say a few things. I said, "Thank you for your kind sentiments, Gentlemen. But I'm definitely glad to be leaving the Marine Corps and this command in particular." They looked as astonished as did the original crop of Lt.s and my Company C.O. when I reported aboard the first day.

Recognizing their silence and surprise, I said, "I know some of you will be surprised at my attitude. But by way of explanation I'd like to tell you about some brook trout I encountered very early in my service to this battalion..."

It was utter silence for about 5 minutes as I told the story of how I was convinced to become an officer and how I'd reviled my commander for his elitism right from the git-go. Then I tipped my glass to finish off the last drop, asked for the Lt. Col.'s leave. The light-bird granted that leave by saying, "Your little story explains a lot. You're excused." I left never to look back.

The next day I reported to Casualty Company which was upstairs in an old building with an outside stairway up one wall and to a small landing. It was at the main base. I signed my papers, turned over my keys to my room and the OBQ and went out onto the landing of the stairway where a line of perhaps 50 - 75 enlisted Marines were queued up for discharge too.

They "made a hole" to allow me to pass, as was customary. But I guess there just weren't that many officers being discharged because they stood mute and at attention. I said, "At ease" and began making my way down the stairs...all the while shedding parts of my uniform as I passed them.

About half way down the stairway I had my cover, tie, tie clip, blouse and trouser belt all off and roughly gathered in a disrespectful wad in my left hand. The men started cheering and applauding. By the time I got to my car which was parked nearby an in sight of the men there was such a noise that some officers from Casualty Co. came out on the landing to observe.

So, for the assembled audience I unlocked the car, threw my already rumpled garments in the trunk, shed my shoes, socks and trousers, briefly stood on the tarmac with nothing on but skivvies, then pulled on a Hawaiian shirt a swim suit and some flip flops and turned and saluted them...with my left hand...to the uproarious laughter and delight of the enlisted me there. The officers turned away in disgust.

When I got home to Texas I gave my dress blues to my older brother who was an enlisted Marine at the time and who wanted to become an officer (poor guy, never had what it took) and handed my ceremonial Marmaluke Sword to my Mom with the statement, "This should be useful in the garden." I never saw either of those items again and either of those to individuals much after that. Didn't care much for any and all of them, items and individuals.

So, we probably feel the same way about officers (self-interested elitist pricks), Frank. Surprised?

LF

[seapower]

I make no apologies for who I am, wouldn't expect you to either. Frank

[gottaflylee]

Damnnn LF, relax This thread is to show something good and to me it is good. If you don't care for it, do like I do in your threads and leave it alone...please. I have a lot of friends and family in the military and they have to utmost respect for this man. He was a great Commander and Chief to them even though he may have failed in some other areas. Please start a new thread for your rants here, thanks!

[longfisher]

Damnnn LF, relax This thread is to show something good and to me it is good. If you don't care for it, do like I do in your threads and leave it alone...please. I have a lot of friends and family in the military and they have to utmost respect for this man. He was a great Commander and Chief to them even though he may have failed in some other areas. Please start a new thread for your rants here, thanks!

I'll point out hypocrasy anywhere I see it, thank you.

LF

[Sea Frog]

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts"

-Bertrand Russell