A mother’s PostSecret

I was browsing PostSecret.com when the Marine Corps emblem in this postcard caught my eye.

I wish it hadn’t.

Training days 1-13: two week recap

I’ve got two loads of clean laundry piled on my rack to fold and put away, Drill Card 1 to practice, a movement or two to memorize out of Book II, Individual Movements Without Arms, uniforms to prep, garbage to take out, my PT Pack to ready for the morning, and I’m wasting entirely too [...]

Admin day 2: Drill Instructor School

It’s DI school, class 1-08, Parris Island, South Carolina folks, and tomorrow is the official kick off.
I arrived Friday morning after a sixteen hour drive from Corunna, MI and basically wasted the weekend away working on this website and screwing off. It wasn’t a mistake, necessarily. There’s really nothing a man can do to prepare [...]

Ten year Marine Corps anniversary

I had hoped something deep and philosophical would be flowing from fingers to keyboard by now. After all, it is my ten year Marine Corps anniversary. I had hoped my thoughts would be in order by now, and I’d be spilling page after page of wisdom on such significant topics as leadership, warrior ethos, and [...]

Marines face U.S. probe in Afghanistan deaths

Marines are in the spotlight again, this time in Afghanistan where they’re accused of shooting and killing civilians after a suicide bombing.
What a lot of civilians don’t understand, and what any Marine who has ever held a weapon in a combat zone will tell you, is collateral damage is a sad fact of war. We [...]

Civilian vs. Military friends

Civilian Friends: Tell you not to do something stupid when drunk.
Military Friends: Will post 360 degree security so you don’t get caught.
Civilian Friends: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
Military Friends: Call your parents drunk as hell and tell them about the fat chick you tried to pick up.
Civilian Friends: Hope the night out drinking goes [...]

Dulab goodbye

Corporals Alexander, Sheedy, and Frew and I reflect on the past tour in Dulab and express our heartfelt goodbyes to those we’ll leave behind.
Rated PG13 for accidental strong language.
Dulab goodbye

Nine year Marine Corps anniversary

Some reflection on the last nine years of my life in Corps, as well a spattering of currents events and future ops.
Rated PG
Nine year Marine Corps anniversary

Deep thoughts at 2am

Corporal Sheedy, formerly known as Lance Corporal, and I think deeps thoughts on a late night radio watch.
Rated PG13 for strong language
Deep thoughts at 2am

Getting to know 1st Squad

I figured it was time to introduce everyone to the motley crew I work with. Listen at your own risk…
Rated PG13 for accidental strong language
Getting to know 1st Squad