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Marne men to Eastern Europe

by Jonn Lilyea••27

rockyonpatch

The Associated Press reports that the First Brigade of the Fort Stewart-based 3rd Infantry Division is deploying to Eastern Europe for exercises in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The article says that about 750 vehicles/aircraft arrived at the port in Riga, Latvia yesterday. Some of those will remain there as the US rotates troops in and out of the region;

The Defense Department has announced plans to reduce its overall permanent basing in Europe. But at the same time, it is ramping up its program to send military units on short-term deployments across Europe for training and exercises. Over the past year, the U.S. has sent a variety of troops, including special operations forces, to exercises and training program in Eastern Europe, including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Those nations are particularly concerned about potential threats from Russia in the wake of Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and the ongoing fighting between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country.

I was a Marne Man in the Second and Third Brigades when the Division was based in West Germany. Three years in Wildflecken and four in Aschaffenburg. So it is with a certain amount of pride that I watch the Rock of the Marne lead the Army into a new era of the defense of Europe from the God-less Russian hordes.

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27 thoughts on “Marne men to Eastern Europe”

    1. Yes, I can ! !

      Jonn and I “Can Do” a duet. Guaranteed to chase the skunks and raccoons out from under the front porch.

      1/15 Inf, 2nd Brigade, Harvey Barracks at Kitzingen.

      1. 2/15 Inf 2d Brigade at Wildflecken. Then 1/7th Inf. 3rd Brigade at Aschaffenburg. I also attended the 3ID NCO Academy at Kitzingen. I ran the Division EIB testing for three years.

          1. You mean 3/7, 199th, I think. I was a Cottonbaler in Bravo Company, ’66/’67.

            1. Nope, by 1974 3/7 Inf had returned to Benning and was assigned to the 197th Inf Bde at Kelley Hill.

              My older brother was just down the road from me in the (546th?) Medical Clearing Company and we shared a bachelor’s apartment over in Phenix City.

              1. Delete the question mark after 546th.
                Went fishing in the Google-Fu sea and it confirms the 546th Med as being stationed at Benning during that time frame.

                1. I was never in 3ID, but I can tell you that damned song because when they took over the FOB I stayed at when I was leaving Afghan they switched reveille to Dogface Soldier when they took over :).

      2. I was with the 1/10 FA attached to 3/7 Cav out of Ledward Barracks in Schweinfurt. Went to PNCOC at Kitzengen. Lifetime Marneman member! Still eating raw meat for breakfast every day…

    3. Thats how one finds other Dogfaces, in Army bars, is by singing it softly, and watching the heads snap to find that damn singer.

  2. “So it is with a certain amount of pride that I watch the Rock of the Marne lead the Army into a new era of the defense of Europe from the God-less Russian hordes.”

    And there goes my Peace Dividend.

  3. This should be an excellent opportunity for all past and present Marnemen to answer up at morning formation roll call.

    OK, I’ll start:

    I Wouldn’t Give A Bean To Be A Fancy Pants Marine.
    I’d Rather Be A Dog Face Soldier Like I Am.

    Continue as you answer up.

    1. I wouldn’t trade my old OD’s for all the navy’s dungarees, for I’m the walking pride of Uncle Sam.

    1. “DOGFACE SOLDIER”

      I Wouldn’t Give A Bean
      To Be A Fancy Pants Marine
      I’d Rather Be A
      Dog Face Soldier Like I Am

      I Wouldn’t Trade My Old-O D’s
      For All The Navy’s Dungarees
      For I’m The Walking Pride
      Of Uncle Sam

      On Army Posters That I Read
      It Says “Be All That You Can”
      So They’re Tearing Me Down
      To Build Me Over Again

      I’m Just A Dog Face Soldier
      With A Rifle On My Shoulder
      And I Eat Raw Meat
      For Breakfast E’V’RY Day

      So Feed Me Ammunition
      Keep Me In The Third Division
      Your Dog Face Soldier’s A-Okay

  7. I was only attached to 2/3 BCT Spartans – have a memo authorizing me to wear their SSI/FWTS, but can’t call myself a Dog Face Soldier. Still love the unit, and am glad they’re standing watch for us…

  12. You know? The 3MarDiv is looking for a new home, and with the worries that Guam would tip over and sink if that many bodies were added to the weight on the island…

    The Baltic States do gots themselves some beach front properties sufficient for amphib exercises, and having 3MarDiv there would cut down on fuel and transport expenses if the Ruskies decided to play…

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