OP-ED Why I gave up journalism to join the Marines

[SoICanBeFree]

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110007681

Mightier Than the Pen
Why I gave up journalism to join the Marines.

 

[Marine4life]

Good-to-go.

 

[HeyJoe]

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110007681



If I had known in time, I'd have gone to the ceremony just to shake his hand. Well, guess I'll have to track him down at TBS and buy him a drink! ooh-rah! This was inspiring!

 

[Banjo33]

I was listening to NPR the other day and they interviewed him. He'd been a 2nd Lt for all of 72 hours. Sounds like a real good guy!

 

[HeyJoe]

I was listening to NPR the other day and they interviewed him. He'd been a 2nd Lt for all of 72 hours. Sounds like a real good guy!

NPR can be a little left of center sometimes in regards to military. How'd they treat him?

 

[KBayDog]

It will be nice to have a seasoned writer to tell our story from the "inside."

Maybe one of you upcoming TBS-types could get him on this board?

 

[HeyJoe]

Great idea

It will be nice to have a seasoned writer to tell our story from the "inside."

Maybe one of you upcoming TBS-types could get him on this board?

"Excellent, Skeletor!"

 

[phrogpilot73]

Even more importantly, did he come in on an air contract?!? Although I love flying, if he is awe-struck by the Marine Corps because of the leadership, he should seriously check out the grunts. I've been in the battalion for 2 months, and I'm amazed at the difference between the leadership there, and in the squadron.

 

[phrogdriver]

I've been in the battalion for 2 months, and I'm amazed at the difference between the leadership there, and in the squadron.

For better or for worse?

 

[Banjo33]

NPR can be a little left of center sometimes in regards to military. How'd they treat him?

Actually pretty decent. They asked legitimate questions, congratulated him on his commissioning, and wished him well! The hair stood on the back of my neck when I heard the topic, but it turned out well.

 

[phrogpilot73]

For better or for worse?

Better, much better... Of course, I've been jaded by a string of bad CO's. That doesn't mean I haven't met great officers in the wing, but it just seems that you can slip through the cracks alot easier than you can in the battalion...

 

[skidkid]

Yeah same experience for me. Keep in mind the Grunts get a chance to bea no sh!t leader as a 2ndlt while we work upstairs and pay a bit of lip service to leadership. The first time an aviator gets a chance to really command is LtCol.