Question for Marines.

[ALStensby]

So I have a question for each of you. Crysti and I have made our assumptions, but that's just based on my former Army service and her experience with that.

So her brother enlisted in the USMC awhile back and completed boot, but not without his "issues" if you will. Right after that, he went AWOL and disappeared for some time. Never went to MCT and was discharged. He claims "honorable", but we have our doubts (he's the definition of D-Baggery).

Here's the question...Crysti keeps waiting for him to get his keester beat for the USMC tattoo he put across his shoulders a couple years after he was discharged...even though he never did MCT. In your opinion, when do you consider one a "Marine"? After boot or after MCT?

Thanks...goofy question, but hey...it's slow.

[07Ninja250]

Point 1: You should only get a USMC tatoo if you're a true marine.

Point 2: True Marines never go AWOL.

Doesn't matter what he finished or didn't finish.

[ALStensby]

Good point on point #2.

[sdbrit68]

Point 1: You should only get a USMC tatoo if you're a true marine.

Point 2: True Marines never go AWOL.

Doesn't matter what he finished or didn't finish.

very well said

[Vulcan900]

So he must be pretty proud of his AWOL stunt??

[Chad_Clearwater]

He's not a Marine. He may have received his EGA after the Crucible...but I'd be dubious of that, too. Honorable - not likely.

[FL Vulcan Rider]

This is a very interesting question.

This kid that I know is 19 years old. He enlisted into the Marines and was waiting to get into Boot Camp. While waiting, he got into a motorcycle accident and lost his leg.

Since he lost his leg, the Marines told him that he cannot continue and will not be allowed into the USMC.

He has a prosthetic leg now and he told me that he wants to go into the Marines really bad. He's upset that he can't get into the Marines.

He wants to put the EGA on his bicep. I don't know why he would if he never was a Marine yet.

This question from Adam is interesting because I was wondering what the True Marines' takes on this are.

Do you think that Adam's step brother should have his EGA?

Do you think that my friend should get an EGA even though he's not allowed into the Marines anymore?

[ALStensby]

So he must be pretty proud of his AWOL stunt??

Wouldn't doubt it. If you ever get the chance to get to know him...don't. He's 28 going on 12.

[ALStensby]

I think in your friend's situation, JC, I would not. Wanting to do it and having done it are entirely different things. The patches and other insignia in any branch of military are earned in one way, shape or form. I didn't agree with the USMC tat BIL put on, but I wasn't sure where the "official" Marine title takes place. He at least did part of the requirement...but that was about it.

[FL Vulcan Rider]

I think in your friend's situation, JC, I would not. Wanting to do it and having done it are entirely different things. The patches and other insignia in any branch of military are earned in one way, shape or form. I didn't agree with the USMC tat BIL put on, but I wasn't sure where the "official" Marine title takes place. He at least did part of the requirement...but that was about it.

I'm not in the military, but 5 of my cousins are. 4 in the Army and 1 in the Marines.

I know that every single one of them would frown upon (2 of them would be ticked off) at your brother in law and my friend.

My cousins feel proud of their country and they feel honored to fight for us. They each have been on at least 3 tours each and I know that they would be upset about some Boot Camp kid or a Wannabe marine getting the EGA.

I know that if I were a Marine, then I would feel cheapened or belittled if a non-marine or a boot camp wannabe awol kid had one. But that's just my two cents.

I said the above because I know my cousins really well and I know how they feel about their service to our country. They are very passionate about it and they wouldn't be too fond of ur Brother in law and they wouldnt be too fond of the kid I know either.

[FL Vulcan Rider]

So Adam... what's ur take on this? Do you have an opinion?

[OKC_Kent]

So I have a question for each of you. Crysti and I have made our assumptions, but that's just based on my former Army service and her experience with that.

So her brother enlisted in the USMC awhile back and completed boot, but not without his "issues" if you will. Right after that, he went AWOL and disappeared for some time. Never went to MCT and was discharged. He claims "honorable", but we have our doubts (he's the definition of D-Baggery).

Here's the question...Crysti keeps waiting for him to get his keester beat for the USMC tattoo he put across his shoulders a couple years after he was discharged...even though he never did MCT. In your opinion, when do you consider one a "Marine"? After boot or after MCT?

Thanks...goofy question, but hey...it's slow.

My son completed USMC boot camp on May 15th of this year. Marine recruits become Marines at the end of the training in boot camp; it's called the Crucible. This is 2-1/2 days of non stop training, using everything they learned in the prior three months. The morning of the last day of the Crucible those tired, dirty, hungry Recruits are presented with the EGA (Eagle Globe and Anchor) pin. That is the time they become a U.S. Marine.

I have a video that the Corps takes of this ceremony. Every company is taped, every platoon is taped, and it is a very moving ceremony for those recruits, soon to be Marines. To see the emotions on their faces when they are presented with that pin will bring tears to your eyes. Some Marines stand at attention and silently cry at the moment they receive this pin. It is awesome, no other word for it. Those men know what it takes to get the honor of wearing that pin and being called a Marine.

Those new Marines will graduate boot camp a few days later. MCT training is after the 10 day leave from boot camp. They are Marines before they go to MCT, and before boot camp graduation.

So your brother-in-law is a Marine, but after what he did I would not call him that to his face.

Here is my son, and here is his tattoo he got during his leave.

[OKC_Kent]

This is a very interesting question.

This kid that I know is 19 years old. He enlisted into the Marines and was waiting to get into Boot Camp. While waiting, he got into a motorcycle accident and lost his leg.

Since he lost his leg, the Marines told him that he cannot continue and will not be allowed into the USMC.

He has a prosthetic leg now and he told me that he wants to go into the Marines really bad. He's upset that he can't get into the Marines.

He wants to put the EGA on his bicep. I don't know why he would if he never was a Marine yet.

This question from Adam is interesting because I was wondering what the True Marines' takes on this are.

Do you think that Adam's step brother should have his EGA?

Do you think that my friend should get an EGA even though he's not allowed into the Marines anymore?

Unfortunately the first guy is a Marine and your friend is not; although your friend sounds much more worthy of wearing an EGA tat he is still not a Marine and should refrain from getting one...

[jbsmd]

I believe you need to serve a certain amout of time before one can be honerably discharged. As far as the tatoo, would you expect anything less. He made a mistake joining the marines, but still wants to be admired by civies.The only part that would somewhat bother me, is being able to get the benifits as somone that served. Sorry, I was not usmc

[FL Vulcan Rider]

Unfortunately the first guy is a Marine and your friend is not; although your friend sounds much more worthy of wearing an EGA tat he is still not a Marine and should refrain from getting one...

My thoughts exactly.

I just relate this as something that I currently am involved in.

I am an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. I've been apart of the outdoors all my life. It would bother me if a city kid came down to Florida and bought a $30,000 truck with a bass sticker on the back, put a rebel flag on it and put some wrangler jeans on. Just because he has all of that stuff doesnt mean sh*t to me. It bothers me and just makes him look like a fool for faking.

Now, I could only imagine if I were a Marine and I've put in 4 tours to the desert. I would be upset if I saw an AWOL boot camp sissy who got discharged who had a tattoo.

It just comes down to honesty and integrity. Be the part if you truely are the part. I don't like fake people. You either are a fisherman or you aren't. In this case, you either ARE a Marine or you aren't.



BTW, Congrats to your son Kent! I hope he's successful in what he does in the USMC.

[wild_deuce03]

So I have a question for each of you. Crysti and I have made our assumptions, but that's just based on my former Army service and her experience with that.

So her brother enlisted in the USMC awhile back and completed boot, but not without his "issues" if you will. Right after that, he went AWOL and disappeared for some time. Never went to MCT and was discharged. He claims "honorable", but we have our doubts (he's the definition of D-Baggery).

Here's the question...Crysti keeps waiting for him to get his keester beat for the USMC tattoo he put across his shoulders a couple years after he was discharged...even though he never did MCT. In your opinion, when do you consider one a "Marine"? After boot or after MCT?

Thanks...goofy question, but hey...it's slow.

This is a very interesting question.

This kid that I know is 19 years old. He enlisted into the Marines and was waiting to get into Boot Camp. While waiting, he got into a motorcycle accident and lost his leg.

Since he lost his leg, the Marines told him that he cannot continue and will not be allowed into the USMC.

He has a prosthetic leg now and he told me that he wants to go into the Marines really bad. He's upset that he can't get into the Marines.

He wants to put the EGA on his bicep. I don't know why he would if he never was a Marine yet.

This question from Adam is interesting because I was wondering what the True Marines' takes on this are.

Do you think that Adam's step brother should have his EGA?

Do you think that my friend should get an EGA even though he's not allowed into the Marines anymore?

From the Army side, no in both cases. The AWOL guy should be shot (sorry Adam) and sorry about your friend with the leg but he was never a Marine. Sounds like the guy on the corner of the street drinking a 40 in a brown paper bag saying, "Yeah, I almost joined once."

I feel for your friend, but he never served in the military.

[ALStensby]

So Adam... what's ur take on this? Do you have an opinion?

OH...sorry, thought I'd adressed that better in the OP. Ha ha! I think it's a joke and have made no secret of it to him. As a matter of fact, the day he showed us I said "You realize that's a title one has to earn, right?" His parents didn't really appreciate that to which I just looked at them and said "He finished bootcamp and went AWOL and never did Marine Combat Training. He was then discharged...and oddly enough won't show you the papers even when you ask him to.". I left it at that and Crysti just snickered and giggled about it.

[wild_deuce03]

Unfortunately the first guy is a Marine and your friend is not; although your friend sounds much more worthy of wearing an EGA tat he is still not a Marine and should refrain from getting one...

Technically a Marine, yes, but he's no Marine! I agree with the second part of your statement whole heartedly!!!

[ALStensby]

From the Army side, no in both cases. The AWOL guy should be shot (sorry Adam)

What are you apologizing for? If I could get away with it, I would! And I was a dang good shot.

And thanks for the clarification, OKC!

[sdbrit68]

What are you apologizing for? If I could get away with it, I would! And I was a dang good shot.

And thanks for the clarification, OKC!

you could probably get away with it, the problem most civilians have, they go up close to shoot someone

almost any prior service guys could pop them from 200 yards out, no one will even know where the bullet came from, you can calmly walk away.

just take the rifle, put it on a bench grinder, and you have no ballistic evidence in case you go get caught, just a bunch of shavings


not that I ever thought about these things during my divorce or anything





my feeling, if you didnt fulfill your contract, you have no right to the title

the exceptions being a medical, where you had no choice, be it either combat wound, or just something happened ( your kidneys go bad, should not be held against you)


or a true family emergency and hardship......such as taking care of a sick [parent