marines dress blues

[phrogpilot73]

I sure know when the USMC birthday is and the annual ball. Do any other services do it? Can any other service members recite when their services were originated? Long after active duty, who stays involved with their branch of service aside from saying they served?

Seeing as how I own a tux in order to be "the spouse" at Navy Day balls, and have been to them every year I've been married; Yes, the Navy knows when their birthday & ball is (and yes, they have an annual ball). I can also guarantee that they can recite their services origin. My wife has been to John Paul Jone's crypt, do you even KNOW where Samuel Nicholas is buried? And guess what - I've been a Marine since '92, and I had to look it up.

After taking a 400 level history course in History of the Marine Corps, taught by 4 Marine Officers, with guest lecturers from the History Branch of HQMC, you know what I learned? A lot of our early history is complete and utter bullshit.

As for staying involved long after active duty?!? Let me check with my Dad, a retired Navy Capt - who retired from Lockheed Martin working on the LCS, after having worked for companies involved with the new attack submarine, running a shipyard in England, and other things associated with the Navy. Because he loved the Navy and wanted to keep serving. Let me check with his classmate, a retired VAdm - who after he retired became COO of NAVY Federal Credit Union. Admiral Larson came out of retirement in order to be the Supe for a second tour at USNA.

I've been around the Navy (Uncle, Father, Grandfather, Wife, Brother-in-Law) for 38 years, and I've been a Marine for 20 years. I'm still with HAL on this one. You're full of shit. Navy and Marines are equally proud of their service. Marines tend to be more mo-tarded about it. You've mainlined the mo-tarded kool aid...

 

[sodajones]

Gentlemen, I'm sure we can all find common ground in our disgust for the Air Force.

 

[phrogdriver]

I'm about as non-motarded as they get, and while I disagree with his attitudes IRT hazing, I have to agree with FR that the Marine Corps does drink its own Kool-Aid to a much greater degree than the other services, including the Navy. Hell, that's what the other services make fun of Marines for! You can call in pride, arrogance, motardedness, or whatever, but Marines are way more into, well, being Marines, than those in the Navy, Army, USAF, or whatever. Marines derive much more of their personal identity in being a Marine than a Sailor does in being a Sailor. Whether that's a good thing or not is open for debate, but that's the way it is.