This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Category: Marine Corps

  • Sgt. Raphael Peralta, Revisited

    We’ve discussed Sgt. Rafael Peralta multiple times previously at TAH.  He was KIA in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004.

    Peralta was initially recommended for the Medal of Honor by his chain-of-command.  That recommendation was ultimately downgraded to the Navy Cross.

    Stars and Stripes recently published an excellent overview of the controversy concerning Peralta’s Medal of Honor recommendation and how it was eventually downgraded to the Navy Cross.  If you’re not familiar with the story – or would just like to see a summary of the issue – the article appears worth the time.

    Rest in peace, Sgt. Peralta.  Regardless of the medal awarded posthumously, it’s clear you were a hero.

  • Hassoun returns again

    040714-M-0074F-031

    Chief Tango and Tman send us links to Associated Press reports that Marine Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun has turned himself in again and is being returned to the US. Hassoun, you might remember, walked off of his post in Iraq back in 2004 and then turned up in Beirut blaming kidnappers for his disappearance. Then he walked away again while awaiting court martial. Apparently, he turned up in his native Lebanon where he turned himself in.

    He is to be moved Monday to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, according to a spokesman, Capt. Eric Flanagan.

    Maj. Gen. Raymond Fox, commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force at Lejeune, will determine whether to court martial Hassoun.

    In a written statement from its headquarters at the Pentagon, the Marine Corps said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service “worked with” Hassoun to turn himself in and return to the U.S. to face charges.

    I don’t know, he looks real guilty this time, whether he was guilty of skipping out last time or not.

  • Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant; RIP, Marine

    Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant; RIP, Marine

    garabrant-1

    Last year, Marine Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant’s high school, ConVal Regional High School in Peterborough, New Hampshire wouldn’t let him wear his uniform to graduation.

    The consensus is that all students should dress alike, and no one should be singled out.

    “I think this is a celebration of a class much like a celebration of a team, a group that’s been together,” said Principal Brian Pickering.

    Well, this year, he’ll be buried in his uniform;

    Lance Cpl. Brandon Garabrant, 19, was one of three U.S. service members killed by a roadside bomb Friday morning.

    “The entire State of New Hampshire is devastated by the tragic loss of Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant, who was bravely serving his nation in Afghanistan,” Governor Maggie Hassan said in a statement. “Our service men and women courageously sacrifice every day to protect their fellow citizens and defend the enduring value of freedom that is our very core, and in doing so, Lance Corporal Garabrant made the ultimate sacrifice.”

    [,,,]

    “On behalf of the entire ConVal community I extend my deepest sympathy to Brandon’s family and friends,” Principal Brian Pickering said. “We are all shocked and deeply saddened by his passing and we are incredibly grateful for his service to our country.”

    Chief Tango sent us the links.

  • Arguello may drop charges against Sergeant Major Archie

    Arguello may drop charges against Sergeant Major Archie

    Arguello arguement

    Hondo sends us a link to the Marine Corps Times which reports that former drill instructor Ethan Arguello plans to drop third-degree assault and battery charges against Sergeant Major Archie;

    “I have not decided to go through with the charges, and uh, more than likely they’ll be dropped,” Arguello told the Marine Corps Times Wednesday.

    Arguello, who spent a few days outside the base protesting the Bowe Bergdahl prisoner exchange with the Taliban, had opted to wear his “campaign cover” — a distinct hat worn by Marine DIs — despite a prior phone call from Archie urging him not to continue wearing the hat.

    I think that’s good idea. It’s the most honorable thing that Arguello can do at this point, since Archie has already ended his career over the dispute.

  • Sergeant Major Archie resigns

    SGM Archie

    According to the Marine Corps Times, Sergeant Major Archie resigned his position as the senior enlisted man at Parris Island a few days after he confronted a former Marine who was protesting in front of the base gate.

    Marine Corps officials released this statement concerning Archie’s decision: “Understanding the Marine Corps has very high standards of personal and professional conduct for its most senior leaders, Sgt. Maj. Archie voluntarily stepped down as the depot sergeant major, and the commanding general regrettably accepted his retirement.”

    I’ve said all that I need to say about this. Sergeant major was the type of Marine that the Corps will need in the difficult years ahead. It’s unfortunate that it came to this. Cooler heads were needed on both sides and I think the Corps is the real loser in the end.

  • Meet Private Smedley Butler

    Meet Smedley Butler

    The Stars & Stripes reports that Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego has a new mascot, an English Bulldog that they’ve named Smedley Butler, after the eccentric Marine Corps general who introduced English bulldogs as USMC mascots close to a century ago;

    One of Smedley’s brothers is the mascot at Georgetown University.

    Viglione, who works in the public affairs office, cared for the previous mascot, Belleau Wood, for nearly a year before the dog “decided not to reenlist.”

    Belleau now lives with a Marine family in Temecula, Calif., [Corporal Tyler] Viglione and Maj. Neil Ruggiero [who work in the public affairs office] said.

    For now, Viglione is taking Smedley to training and practicing basic tasks at home. Eventually, the Marines hope to teach the Devil Pup to salute, and he’ll be fitted with uniforms at the same tailoring shop that alters uniforms for the new recruits.

    Personally, I would have named the private after someone else, since Smedley Butler was a bit of a whack-a-do in his later years, even though he earned two Medals of Honor. Currently, you can find the original Smedley’s visage on anti-war posters, but I understand why they hung that moniker on the dog.

  • Marine headbutts protester at PI

    Marine headbutts protester at PI

    Ethan Arguello

    1AirCav69 sends us a link from WTOC in Savannah, Georgia that describes an incident outside the gate at the USMC base at Parris Island, SC when a drill sergeant confronted one of the protesters, a former Marine who was wearing his DI cover;

    He pulls up and he walks up to me and says, ‘Are you Ethan Arguello?’ I said ‘yes’, and he said ‘I spoke to you on the phone yesterday’ and I said ‘yes’. He said ‘I know I told you not to wear that campaign cover,’” said Arguello.

    Arguello said he wore the hat to represent active duty Marines who can’t protest.

    […]

    “And then, all of a sudden, the drill sergeant, he just head butted Ethan’s hat right off his head,” said protester Monique Puffinberger. “He grabbed it, got in his Jeep and drove off.”

    In another WTOC article, they report that Arguello was protesting the president’s decision to swap terrorists for Bowe Bergdahl.

    The group says it’s anti-American what Obama did, exchanging five terrorists for one traitor, and they won’t tolerate it.

    “I hold every member of Al Qaeda directly responsible for the death of each of my brothers and the injuries also,” said Arguello. “Therefore, the release of those five is essentially the release of these five murderers of my brothers.”

    While I agree with Arguello’s protest and his right to do so, I also agree with the Marine who head-butted him. The uniform is an inappropriate medium with which to protest. It was inappropriate when IVAW did it, and it was inappropriate for Arguello do it. I think it’s especially irresponsible to wear it for the event at a Marine Corps Training post in front of all of those impressionable recruits.

    I know the name of the guy who head-butted Arguello and by all reports he’s a good Marine, so I guess when a Marine sergeant major tells you not to wear your DI cover, unless you want to get head-butted, you shouldn’t wear it.

    Arguello arguement

    ADDED thanks to ChipNASA: Meet Sgt. Maj. Paul Archie. Yeah, that’s not a head-butt;

    WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather

  • Dunford to replace Amos

    Dunford to replace Amos

    Dunford_JF

    The Pentagon announced today that General Joseph F. Dunford will replace James Amos as the Commandant of the US Marine Corps according to the Washington Post;

    Dunford was widely seen as a front-runner for the position, and will replace Gen. James F. Amos, who has led the Marine Corps since October 2010. Dunford previously served as the Corps’ No. 2 officer as assistant commandant, from October 2010 until February 2012, when he became the top U.S. general in Afghanistan.

    “Joe is one of the most knowledgeable and talented leaders and thinkers in the military today. He has commanded and excelled at every level,” Amos said in a statement. “Our country and our Marine Corps will benefit greatly from his continued service.”

    According to his official bio;

    General Dunford’s assignments in the operating forces include Platoon and Company Commander, Co K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines; Company Commander, Co A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines; and Company Commander, Co L, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. He served as the Operations, Plans, and Training Officer in 2d ANGLICO and the Regimental Executive Officer, 6th Marines. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines and the 5th Marine Regiment. He served as the Chief of Staff, 1st Marine Division.

    So, unlike Amos, General Dunford can gun, bro.