HARD CORPS MARINE

HARD CORPS MARINE

By Andy Weddington

Monday, 01 May 2023

We never fail when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it.  - Robert Baden-Powell 

August, 1966 I was in uniform.

Dress blues - Navy blue trousers (no stripe); white shirt; Navy blue tie; Navy blue blazer; dark leather shoes. No cover. 

Such was uniform of the day for boys at the one class each grade parochial school in a mill town in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Girls wore Navy blue jumper (plain later plaid); white shirt; Navy blue tie; leather shoes; beanie. [There was not cross dressing.] 

Each morning the student body - K through 8 - formed semi-circle around the flagpole and recited the Pledge of Allegiance or sang a patriotic song. 

Then to class - to learn from teachers clad in a still different black and white uniform. Thinking back, I've concluded at least some of these disciplinarians, bordering on sadistic, had been Marines; or offspring of.  

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a young Marine I did not know wore a different sort of uniform (no inkling one day I'd wear) - camouflage - ensuring my carefree life. 

Life went on; still strangers. 

Seventeen years later that Marine taught a CPR refresher course to company grade officers preparing for supervisory duties in the Recruit Training Regiment at Parris Island, South Carolina. 

I was in that class - about a dozen lieutenants. 

Gunnery Sergeant Tim Phillips (retired First Sergeant) is a lot of things. 

Forgettable not one of them.

In those days he looked like a block of granite, hunk of marble, and chunk of steel Michelangelo fused, left the rough edges be, and meticulously stretched uniform around it. 

A masterful sculpture - with gaze that caused redwoods to tremble and also talked. 

Though wasting word not his style.

In short, a physically imposing no nonsense Marine neither deterred nor slowed by obstacles when it came to mission.

The job at hand never in doubt of being completed. And whatever in his way either took evasive action or was demolished.  

Juniors and peers no doubt have colorful stories. 

Other than the couple days refresher course I did not serve with First Sergeant Phillips.

We reconnected decades after Parris Island through reunions - we served in the same unit though different times. 

And I attended a party when he wrapped up a second career. 

Recently, he's published two books - Hard Corps Marine, My Way - USMC Experience, Year One (and Year Two) - recalling combat as infantryman in Vietnam.

Year One - August 1966 to August 1967 / Year Two - August 1967 to August 1968.

Not so much in 1966 but by 1968 I was well aware of Vietnam. 

The father, U. S. Air Force aviator, of a classmate was killed - leaving his wife and four young sons. 

I remember that awful news and the deep feelings of sadness and confusion as if yesterday. 

Not especially pleasant but important enduring memories - going to duty, courage, sacrifice, respect, to service to country. 

Anyway ...

First Sergeant Phillips's first book I read last year. 

It's on shelf with dozens of books about the Corps including Sledge's classic 'With the Old Breed' and a handful of books by retired Marine Staff Sergeant Robert (Bob) A. Hall who goes by moniker The Tartan Marine (he's still with us and writing - check out his terrific books of poetry, memoires, common sense counsel, and conservative quotes to live by). 

The second book I've underway. 

Major McDaniel and his sons have come to mind more than once.

First Sergeant's books differ from most others I've read about Marines in combat. 

It did not strike me until a day or so ago how to describe them.

Diaries. 

As if reading day-by-day, activity-by-activity account of what one young Marine did - to survive. 

The good, bad, ugly, humorous, stupid, dangerous, and sometimes questionable. 

Raw, direct, strong, clear, and blunt words - just like the author. 

Imagination? Not necessary. First Sergeant Phillips puts the reader in his teenager boots - follower to leader.

Ironic to say, I cannot imagine.

To abruptly close ...

Much of today's Marine Corps, including culture, is not familiar to me.

For example, the past day or so I've seen video circulating on social media of female Marines responding to the question, "Why did you join the Marines?"

Their motive(s) aside, easy question for me. 

I did not join the Marines. 

Marines, after a grueling assessment, decided I could be one of them - Marines joined me to their outfit.

Life thereafter changed; for eternity. 

Whatever complaints I might have had kept to myself; an officer's duty, for the most part.  

If that's no longer the paradigm, it's over (before starting). 

Yes, I know, Marines complain. If Marines not complaining, find out why. Fast! As disaster looms. 

But I found this video not so amusing but troubling - to the core. Something about each of the young females struck a foul chord. I did not take away they have purpose. And if not purpose how can there be fight? Big problem.

I wonder their "leadership" - NCO, SNCO, and officer. 

Contrarily, 

two Marines, Vietnam veterans, wrote sense to me; though too young to serve in their war.

Stark the era contrast. 

For your convenience ...  

First Sergeant Tim Phillips, USMC (Ret)

https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Corps-Marine-Way-Experience/dp/B0B4LBDFMN?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Corps-Marine-Way-Experience/dp/B0BX515BPT

Staff Sergeant Robert A. Hall, USMC (Ret)

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robert-A.-Hall/author/B01DL6U1D0?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

War figures things out. And wars figure things out. 

Semper Fidelis.