The new Marines chronicled in the Los Angeles Times article were described by their drill instructor, Staff Sgt. They are good heroes to emulate, especially when contrasted with many figures who are lifted up in today’s culture. To many people the names ring hollow, but to Marines they are the very definition of icons. Marines easily rattle off names like Chesty Puller, Smedley Butler, Pappy Boyington, and Archibald Henderson. One of the things I noticed about all Marines, is they all know the history of their fighting force. My brother, who works in a lumberyard, responded to this customer’s remark with a miniature harangue. In a recent conversation he said, “Somebody at work came up to me and said, son, you don’t know nothing about hard times.” Sometimes in the South, “son” can be used to talk down to somebody. My brother who is a Marine combat veteran of Iraq, emphasized the maturity and sacrifice of combat veterans with an analogy. The rigors of Marine boot camp, and The Crucible certainly transform the courage and character of an individual. ![]() On the battlefield, Marines in their late teens and early twenties have to make life and death decisions, immediately affecting the future of the men and women around them. In many cases, the War on Terror has been described as a war that is led by squad and platoon leaders. In a culture which glorifies the adolescent, with media spots and television shows depicting men as simpletons and children, the Marines call attention to an entirely different value. There was an even a section which chronicled the transformation of young recruits to Marines who embody the virtues of “honor, courage, and commitment.” David Zucchino of the Los Angeles Times has written a piece titled, “ From Boys to Marines.” The article is one in a series of articles about three teenagers and their wartime enlistment in the Marines. Marines, focusing especially on WWII to the present War on Terror. It is an impressive and moving tribute to the U.S. ![]() The few, the proud the ready, relevant, and sustainable, Marine Corps Reserve.Last summer I visited the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. But once we’re in country, we’re all Marines,” Reichman said. “Being in the Reserve, it’s a different set of challenges,” says Reichman. Unlike their active-duty colleagues, reservists will return and train one weekend a month, two weeks a year to remain combat-ready. Upon the completion of their tour of duty, most reservists will pack their bags and head home to a civilian life. “There is not an organization that I could be more proud to be a member of. “The impact and the opportunities the Marine Corps has provided to me are amazing, “ said Reichman, a native of Keokuk, Iowa. The Marines deployed to Iraq are now lending their expertise to ensure the successful transfer of authority from U.S. “Most reservists are Marines who have completed their time on active duty, but continue to serve,” said Reichman. military drawdown in Iraq, the need for combat troops was replaced with a mission to rebuild and revitalize this country. “The Marine mission has gone, but we each continue to contribute proudly here to the USF-I mission.” Jeffery Reichman, a reservist and plans officer with United States Forces- Iraq. “There are only about 90 Marines in Iraq at this time,” said Maj. foreign conflict since its start in 1916. Since then, the Reserve has become the largest command in the Marine Corps, and has served in every U.S. Ninety-five years ago this week, the Marine Corps Reserve took its place in history, as it was established as the eighth component of the U.S. They are the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Among those Marines, there is a select group of men and women who have left their civilian lives behind to join in sustaining daily military operations to closeout the war in Iraq. ![]() troops remain in Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.
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