When Bryan Bates was a US Marine, he and his peers took the “infidel” insult thrown at them and reversed it as a badge of honor:
That’s the word local extremists used to refer to Bates and his fellow U.S. Marines when he was fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, he said. Many Marines and soldiers adopted the label as their own.
“Guys who go over pride themselves on being infidels,” he said.
Now Bates makes knives — but not just any knives: Read more
The Stars and Stripes reports on comments by SgtMaj of the Army Raymond Chandler, who took the time in Afghanistan to tell troops that being a Soldier of character was more important than being a Soldier of competence:
Too often in the past the Army has emphasized competency over character and commitment, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler told troops during town hall meetings at bases in eastern Afghanistan. “The most dangerous person in our Army today is someone who is highly competent but has little or no character,” Chandler said. “Too often we tolerate mediocrity.”
Chandler noted that it is a lack of character, not Read more
There are regulatory restrictions on what members of the US military are allowed to say and do when it comes to politics. With that in mind, there have been interesting displays from people in the US military (or claiming to be) over the proposed strikes on Syria.
For example, who would have thought a Soldier would publicly say this [emphasis added]:
“As a soldier, I understand that before any military action, our nation must have a clear tactical objective, a realistic strategy, the necessary resources to execute that strategy — including the support of the American people — and an exit plan. The proposed military action against Syria fails to meet any of these criteria.”
That was Read more
A US Marine article covers the tradition of military “challenge coins.” The article acknowledges the origin of the tradition has been lost to time, though he repeats one possibility from the World War I fighter pilot story (the same story told here).
As with many traditions, even if they were “fighter pilot traditions,” they tend to cross functional and even Service lines.
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Jews in Green highlights the annual push by Kosher Troops to provide “High Holiday package shipments” to Jewish US military personnel around the world.
In the testimonials, there’s a telling thanks:
I want to let you know that your Passover packages arrived on the USS Gonzalez yesterday. None too soon! We had a challenging Passover, because many of our supplies did not arrive in time…Our Jewish Sailors…were facing the remaining Passover day without foods Kosher for Passover.
Then your packages arrived yesterday. What a blessing Read more
A long-running US military tradition is the POW/MIA table. While often a discrete event at formal functions such as military dinings-in, many dining facilities maintain a continuous POW/MIA table within their facilities. There are actually many variations on the display, though one of the more common ones follows:
The table is round – to show our everlasting concern for our missing men (and women).
The tablecloth is white – symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of Read more
When talking about military religious freedom, much of the focus is naturally on chaplains. Often left unmentioned is the assistant, bodyguard, and companion of military chaplains: his chaplain’s assistant.
As noted in a recent Marine article, chaplain’s assistants not only support activities at home, but they are also the armed protectors of the unarmed chaplain when deployed:
Religion has always been important to 19-year-old Seaman Apprentice Jacob L. Brown, a religious program specialist…
When he learned that he could pursue it while serving his country, he jumped at the chance… Read more
US Air Force Colonel (Retired) George “Bud” Day passed away this weekend at the age of 88. Col Day received the Medal of Honor following his 5 and a half year stint as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, where he bunked with now-Senator John McCain much of the time.
Prior to that, Col Day was enlisted as a US Marine in World War II and an Air Force Pilot during the Korean War. He flew the F-84 Thunderjet in Korea and was flying an F-100 Super Sabre when he was shot down in Vietnam. After he was Read more