Insights and Duststorms in Iraq 
June/18/2008 21:53 Filed in: Iraq
Updates
12 June - 2008 (Al Anbar, Iraq)
I'd like to share a piece of an e mail that I recently responded to. One of my good friends asked me why I felt such pride to be a Marine. Below is my response. I think this accurately captures why Marines do what we do here
"You asked me why I enjoy being a Marine so much. Being a Marine is all about taking pride in your job. Marines are an intensely proud and motivated lot. You won't hear too many Marines complain about being in Iraq too long like a few of our sister services do. To give an example, the other day I found out that we had to send a few Marines back early to get everything ready for our return to the states. I asked my clerk Cpl Soto if he'd like to go back early. He thought for a moment and said "nah, 1st Sgt, I like it here just fine". These young men are absolutely phenomenal. Let me give you some idea about how Marine are viewed by others :
1.. In 1950 President Truman sent a special envoy to observe the Marines fighting in Korea. This envoy was General Frank Lowe, an Army General. Truman disliked the Marine Corps and thought we were a waste of money. He sent Lowe to spy on us and report back. Upon his return, Gen Lowe reported the following to the president "The safest place in all Korea was behind a platoon of Marines - lord how they could fight"
2.. After the Marines' spectacular landing at Inchon, General Macarthur (another opponent of the Marine Corps) stated, "I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front and there is no finer fighting organization in the world"
3.. I was recruited out of SE Kentucky. There was this Japanese guy that was recruited with me. He got a visa to come to the States and join the Marines. When I asked him why, he said "every one in Japan knows that the United States Marine Corps is the toughest fighting unit in the world"
4.. I went to boot camp with a Russian who said the same thing. He said that every Russian knew how tough U.S. Marines were. This was during the cold war by the way. When American's current and former enemies have that much regard for Marines that really says something.
5.. During WW 1 at the Battle of Belleau Wood, the Germans nicknamed us "Teuffel Heunden (translated devil dog) because of the tough fight with the Marines there.
You asked me what makes a Marine. Pride, tradition, sense of belonging, brotherhood and camaraderie all make a Marine special. No other service has those things.
Please don't misunderstand me, all of our service men and women offer a huge personal sacrifice in the service to their country but the Marines are different.
Throughout history, Marines have continuously answered the nation's call with spectacular results. Everyone knows and fears Marines. That's pretty special. I have a tremendous sense of pride to serve with each and every one of these outstanding young men. They are truly awesome !!
P.S. - The picture I've attached was taken yesterday. This is what a dust storm (not to be confused with sand storm - that's different) looks like. We call them 'snow days' for good reason. The look white when one of these sets in.
r/s 1stSgt Charles Wells
Weapons Company First Sergeant
3rd Bn, 4th Marines, RCT-5
Al Anbar, Iraq
"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week." - Patton
I'd like to share a piece of an e mail that I recently responded to. One of my good friends asked me why I felt such pride to be a Marine. Below is my response. I think this accurately captures why Marines do what we do here
"You asked me why I enjoy being a Marine so much. Being a Marine is all about taking pride in your job. Marines are an intensely proud and motivated lot. You won't hear too many Marines complain about being in Iraq too long like a few of our sister services do. To give an example, the other day I found out that we had to send a few Marines back early to get everything ready for our return to the states. I asked my clerk Cpl Soto if he'd like to go back early. He thought for a moment and said "nah, 1st Sgt, I like it here just fine". These young men are absolutely phenomenal. Let me give you some idea about how Marine are viewed by others :
1.. In 1950 President Truman sent a special envoy to observe the Marines fighting in Korea. This envoy was General Frank Lowe, an Army General. Truman disliked the Marine Corps and thought we were a waste of money. He sent Lowe to spy on us and report back. Upon his return, Gen Lowe reported the following to the president "The safest place in all Korea was behind a platoon of Marines - lord how they could fight"
2.. After the Marines' spectacular landing at Inchon, General Macarthur (another opponent of the Marine Corps) stated, "I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front and there is no finer fighting organization in the world"
3.. I was recruited out of SE Kentucky. There was this Japanese guy that was recruited with me. He got a visa to come to the States and join the Marines. When I asked him why, he said "every one in Japan knows that the United States Marine Corps is the toughest fighting unit in the world"
4.. I went to boot camp with a Russian who said the same thing. He said that every Russian knew how tough U.S. Marines were. This was during the cold war by the way. When American's current and former enemies have that much regard for Marines that really says something.
5.. During WW 1 at the Battle of Belleau Wood, the Germans nicknamed us "Teuffel Heunden (translated devil dog) because of the tough fight with the Marines there.
You asked me what makes a Marine. Pride, tradition, sense of belonging, brotherhood and camaraderie all make a Marine special. No other service has those things.
Please don't misunderstand me, all of our service men and women offer a huge personal sacrifice in the service to their country but the Marines are different.
Throughout history, Marines have continuously answered the nation's call with spectacular results. Everyone knows and fears Marines. That's pretty special. I have a tremendous sense of pride to serve with each and every one of these outstanding young men. They are truly awesome !!
P.S. - The picture I've attached was taken yesterday. This is what a dust storm (not to be confused with sand storm - that's different) looks like. We call them 'snow days' for good reason. The look white when one of these sets in.
r/s 1stSgt Charles Wells
Weapons Company First Sergeant
3rd Bn, 4th Marines, RCT-5
Al Anbar, Iraq
"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week." - Patton
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