The best place to become a warrior?

[Joab]

Could this be the United States Marine Corps? So contended one of my former teachers. The discipline, tenacity, and skills instilled by the Corps are indeed legendary, and few would say they are not the best at what they do. Granted, they focus on group tactics, granted they emphasize rifle training over hand to hand, granted few Marines could defeat a champion in the Cage. But than again, how many Cage fighters could best a Marine on a battlefield? Where do you believe is the best place to become a warrior? All opinions appreciated, and to all the Marines out there, thank you for your service to the country, Semper Fi!

[Shifu Steve]

I wouldn't disagree with that at all. The MCMAP is the Marine Core Martial Arts Program and I've seen some documentary on it and it looks very good. I don't know if every Marine goes through it but two of my best friends are Marines and they have very sound basic fighting skills, the kind that get the job done, quickly. I would also say that any elite special forces unit such as SEALs, Green Beret, Airborne etc, would provide skills that are tough to replicate in the private sector because of the immersion in the training. While most civilians return to their day job so to speak these guys live their training, which gives them unparalled experience.

[Joab]

I wouldn't disagree with that at all. The MCMAP is the Marine Core Martial Arts Program and I've seen some documentary on it and it looks very good. I don't know if every Marine goes through it but two of my best friends are Marines and they have very sound basic fighting skills, the kind that get the job done, quickly. I would also say that any elite special forces unit such as SEALs, Green Beret, Airborne etc, would provide skills that are tough to replicate in the private sector because of the immersion in the training. While most civilians return to their day job so to speak these guys live their training, which gives them unparalled experience.

I'm impressed with MCMAP as well. I agree that all of those units you listed would do an excellent job as well.

[Cirdan]

I`d say the Gurkhas have a shot.

Kind of hard to define the best since soidiers train for different missions and conditions all over the world. The Finnish and Norwegian armies excel at arctic warfare for instance.

[Daniel Sullivan]

Could this be the United States Marine Corps? So contended one of my former teachers. The discipline, tenacity, and skills instilled by the Corps are indeed legendary, and few would say they are not the best at what they do. Granted, they focus on group tactics, granted they emphasize rifle training over hand to hand, granted few Marines could defeat a champion in the Cage. But than again, how many Cage fighters could best a Marine on a battlefield? Where do you believe is the best place to become a warrior? All opinions appreciated, and to all the Marines out there, thank you for your service to the country, Semper Fi!
I'd say that the military is certainly the best place and the Marines are, overall, probably the best choice. Navy Seals, Green Berets, and other elite unites of the various service branches are also good choices, depending upon what you want your area of expertise to be.

I would even go so far as to say that a battle hardened soldier who has had to use hand to hand combat in the field may mop up in the cage as well. Speculation on my part, admittedly.

Daniel

[blink13]

You can get hand-to-hand training most everywhere, but we Marines treasure our history and warrior ethos above all else. Fist? Whatever. Rifle? Sure. Knife? Okay. Doesn't really matter. What matters is the skill and character of the Marine - the REAL weapon.

We have a rich and proud history of being outnumbered and outgunned, yet still winning. Do a Google search for Chesty Puller, John Basilone, Wesley Fox, and John Ripley.

For more recent history, read the Navy Cross citation for my friend Brent Morel. http://www.1streconbnassociation.org/MorelNC.htm
(http://www.1streconbnassociation.org/MorelNC.htm)
I may be biased, though. ;)

Our warrior tradition goes back to 1775... predating the Meiji Restoration... so I guess that makes us koryu, no?

http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/usmc_quotations.htm

Bear in mind, though, that not everyone can be a Marine. ;)

[Daniel Sullivan]

Our warrior tradition goes back to 1775... predating the Meiji Restoration... so I guess that makes us koryu, no?
Hadn't thought of that, but I suppose technically.. yes.

It also is a true martial art.

Daniel

[Bruno@MT]

Why, in the WWE of course.
They have an 'ultimate warrior'.
Can't get much better than that, right ;)

http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Business/images-2/the-Ultimate-Warrior-champion.jpg

If you ask a marine, he will say the marines. If you ask a seal, he'll say the seals. Same for airborne rangers, delta force, and other groups.

[blink13]

It also is a true martial art.



Damned right! Excuse me, must go back to sharpening my K-Bar...

[CoryKS]

Could this be the United States Marine Corps? So contended one of my former teachers. The discipline, tenacity, and skills instilled by the Corps are indeed legendary, and few would say they are not the best at what they do. Granted, they focus on group tactics, granted they emphasize rifle training over hand to hand, granted few Marines could defeat a champion in the Cage. But than again, how many Cage fighters could best a Marine on a battlefield? Where do you believe is the best place to become a warrior? All opinions appreciated, and to all the Marines out there, thank you for your service to the country, Semper Fi!

It would absolutely be a good place to start and you would have a lot of resources available to you, but as with everything else YMMV. Even in the Marine Corps there is a wide variety of ability in this regard and you would have to make some choices to better steer you in the direction you are trying to go. If what you are looking for is strictly warfighting skills then you would not want to sign up under, for example, an admin MOS and then receive only boot camp plus the minimum yearly training required. You would want to sign a contract for a guaranteed combat MOS, volunteer for any training or deployment that comes along, and augment your training with private studies and PT.

Assuming that you don't get hit with a psych eval for actually volunteering for stuff, you'll be the ultimate hardcharger. ;)

[blink13]

My Security Platoon was made up of entirely of Bulk Fuel Marines, except for one - and HE was a warehouseman! Oh, they could rumble, believe me. Let's not count out ALL the "non-combat" guys. ;)

[CoryKS]

My Security Platoon was made up of entirely of Bulk Fuel Marines, except for one - and HE was a warehouseman! Oh, they could rumble, believe me. Let's not count out ALL the "non-combat" guys. ;)

Oh hey, I'm not discounting them at all. My tod was more or less during peacetime, so it wasn't as much of an "all in" thing where everybody was in the field. I think as a general outline for what he's looking for, he would want to pursue those MOS's rather than count on there being a major deployment.

We had a guy in our barracks who was, IIRC, a pc tech. Big dude from Texas. Liked to get in fights at the e-club. One morning a buddy came up and said, "Hey, did you hear about Johnson? He got in a fight with Motor T last night."

"Oh yeah? Anyone I know?"

"No dude - he got in a fight with Motor T".

[blink13]

You are correct, sir, but as a guy who was on recruiting duty for three years, what I can tell you is that you can't always get what you want. We'd call those guys "program dependent." Believe it or not, sometimes we have enough infantrymen. Sometimes you have to grow where you're planted.

[Draven]

Best place to be warrior; Iraq or Affghanistan...
If you go Marine or Army go infantry; everything else is support...

I have nothing against non-combat MOSs but lets face it there are enough people LARPing the term "warrior" for learning and MA and never see fight out of grade school much less combat. Experience is the valuible thing you can ever get and its free to ;)

[Xue Sheng]

The best place to become a warrior?
I don’t know, Seals, Green Barrett, Rangers, IDF, SAS, PLA... 12th century Japan...etc.

[Tez3]

In terms of training you would be better if it had been possible to join the British Infantry which has 23 weeks basic training or the Royal Marines 36 weeks to the USMC's 12 weeks. There is more all round training which means every soldier who passes out from basic can if necessary actually function on his own or even lead in a frontline wartime situation. The training is in modern warfare, teaching self discipline and leadership skills, far less emphasis on spit and polish these days more on military stuff thats usefullike how to call down an air strike accurately. Our forces learn their history of course but it takes too long to learn so many centuries worth!

Cirdan, Norwegian troops are ace. Our local regiment, The Green Howards has your King as it's Colonel in Chief ( he comes across here quite often for regimental dinners, parades etc) and the Norwegian soldiers often come across for joint exercises complete with their penguin! Great guys.

[Cirdan]

In terms of training you would be better if it had been possible to join the British Infantry which has 23 weeks basic training or the Royal Marines 36 weeks to the USMC's 12 weeks. There is more all round training which means every soldier who passes out from basic can if necessary actually function on his own or even lead in a frontline wartime situation. The training is in modern warfare, teaching self discipline and leadership skills, far less emphasis on spit and polish these days more on military stuff thats usefullike how to call down an air strike accurately. Our forces learn their history of course but it takes too long to learn so many centuries worth!

Cirdan, Norwegian troops are ace. Our local regiment, The Green Howards has your King as it's Colonel in Chief ( he comes across here quite often for regimental dinners, parades etc) and the Norwegian soldiers often come across for joint exercises complete with their penguin! Great guys.

Thanks Tez, I enjoyed joint exercises with the Brithish boys back in the Infantry and CSS myself. We had some of your specialists on loan for an extended period of time also. Great guys and fun to work with.
Cheers and God save the Queen :cheers:

[Sukerkin]

Well said, that man :bows: {raises glass to her Royal Highness}.

[Joab]

In terms of training you would be better if it had been possible to join the British Infantry which has 23 weeks basic training or the Royal Marines 36 weeks to the USMC's 12 weeks. There is more all round training which means every soldier who passes out from basic can if necessary actually function on his own or even lead in a frontline wartime situation. The training is in modern warfare, teaching self discipline and leadership skills, far less emphasis on spit and polish these days more on military stuff thats usefullike how to call down an air strike accurately. Our forces learn their history of course but it takes too long to learn so many centuries worth!

Cirdan, Norwegian troops are ace. Our local regiment, The Green Howards has your King as it's Colonel in Chief ( he comes across here quite often for regimental dinners, parades etc) and the Norwegian soldiers often come across for joint exercises complete with their penguin! Great guys.


Didn't mean to disrespect other countries militaries, I may have an American bias. I'm sure all the units you mentioned would do a great job as well.

[Ken Morgan]

Jtf2

[Joab]

Jtf2

What's Jtf2?

[Bill Mattocks]

Best place to be warrior; Iraq or Affghanistan...
If you go Marine or Army go infantry; everything else is support...

I have nothing against non-combat MOSs but lets face it there are enough people LARPing the term "warrior" for learning and MA and never see fight out of grade school much less combat. Experience is the valuible thing you can ever get and its free to ;)

I do not like fakes. Stop talking now.

[Ken Morgan]

What's Jtf2?

Canadian special forces, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Task_Force_2

[Bill Mattocks]

Could this be the United States Marine Corps? So contended one of my former teachers. The discipline, tenacity, and skills instilled by the Corps are indeed legendary, and few would say they are not the best at what they do. Granted, they focus on group tactics, granted they emphasize rifle training over hand to hand, granted few Marines could defeat a champion in the Cage. But than again, how many Cage fighters could best a Marine on a battlefield? Where do you believe is the best place to become a warrior? All opinions appreciated, and to all the Marines out there, thank you for your service to the country, Semper Fi!

Marines are not cage fighters, and although we train in hand-to-hand combat, we train to kill, not to stop. We do not train in self-defense, we train to destroy, overrun, and dominate. It's not a fair comparison, because even a cage fighter stops when his enemy can no longer defend himself. We kill. But it's a different environment; what's appropriate on the battlefield is not appropriate in the ring or the dojo.

Our primary tool is not our empty hands, but a rifle:


Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary.
Gen. A. M. Gray, USMC
Commandant of the Marine Corps

There is nothing in all the world like a US Marine. Some fun quotes:


There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army

Marines know how to use their bayonets. Army bayonets may as well be paper-weights.
Navy Times; November 1994

Why in hell can't the Army do it if the Marines can. They are the same kind of men; why can't they be like Marines.
Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, USA; 12 February 1918

The United States Marine Corps, with its fiercely proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals, and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth.
Thomas E. Ricks; Making the Corps, 1997

We have two companies of Marines running rampant all over the northern half of this island, and three Army regiments pinned down in the southwestern corner, doing nothing. What the hell is going on?
Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., USA, Chairman of the the Joint Chiefs of Staff
during the assault on Grenada, 1983

The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945

Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985

Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean, or skinny and mean. They're aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They've got really short hair and they always go for the throat.
RAdm. "Jay" R. Stark, USN; 10 November 1995

You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth- and the amusing thing about it is that they are.
Father Kevin Keaney
1st Marine Division Chaplain
Korean War

The bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps.
General Alexander A. Vandergrift, USMC
to the Senate Naval Affairs Committee, 5 May 1946

The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle.
Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing, U.S. Army
Commander of American Forces in World War I

The American Marines have it [pride], and benefit from it. They are tough, cocky, sure of themselves and their buddies. They can fight and they know it.
General Mark Clark, U.S. Army

Every service has a 'special forces', and the Marines have Recon, but it's not the same; Marines *are* special forces. All of us.

And as any soldier who spent any time on a combined arms exercise or in a combat zone with Marines can tell you, you never fight one Marine. You take on one, you take on all. Army of One? No thanks. We fight together, we're a unit, a group, we're Brothers in Arms. We don't fight fair, we take what we want and paint "USMC" on everything that we capture from friend or foe. We do more with less and complain about it unceasingly from morning until night. The most dangerous Marine in the world is the one who has quit bitching, because now he's good and mad. Whereas soldiers don't like being called 'doggies' and sailors don't like being called 'squids', we have no problem being called Jarheads, Gyrenes, Leathernecks, Grunts, Canon Cockers, Mud Puppies, or Sea-Going Bellhops. We know it's just envy. Everybody wants to be one of us; most don't pack the gear. We don't take just anyone, and no one who enlists is entitled to call themselves "Marine" until graduation day. And once a Marine, we are that forever; it can never be taken away from us. There are no ex-Marines, there are no former Marines, there are only Marines and everybody else. If you're not a Marine, well, you're not part of the brotherhood.

We're the hub of the universe, baby.

Our dress blues are the best looking uniforms ever since the German SS. The Marine NCO in dress blues with the blood stripe and the NCO sword is a sight that makes women swoon. We kick ass and take names. We're heart-breakers and life-takers. We're a bunch of swaggering, insufferable, pricks, and that's how it goes. We walk it like we talk it.


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We're everywhere, still Marines, old and out-of-shape, working in every profession, hardly recognizable anymore. But one thing I know, one thing every Marine knows, is that if the crap hits the fan, we only have to call for our brothers and they will come running. No Marine ever turns his back on a brother. We are the real deal, there's nothing else.

To be a brother in that band of brothers is like winning the lottery over and over again every day for life.

[Draven]

Every service has a 'special forces', and the Marines have Recon, but it's not the same; Marines *are* special forces. All of us.

Hey, Bill hate to tell you this but Marines are not Special Forces thats a BS recruiter claim. Special Forces refers to a specific military field intelligence & light infantry units. MARSOC didn't exist until 2005 & Special Forces (what civilians call "Green Barrets") has been the domain of SOC at Fort Bragg, as well as the 75th Rangers which gets its place under US joint Forces Command in VA. More so, even though Marines serve under USJFCOM missions and guidelines, the Corps nor Force Recon is funded under USJFCOM as a Special Operations Force until 2005 with the birth of MARSOC.

The fact remains, Marines often get better training due to being such a small force & their small size is what forces all Marine's to Riflemen they don't have enough bodies to go around around. To be honest Marine Infantry & Army Infantry are basicly the same now a days; Marines get more rifle time on in Bootcamp but the first month was all PT, D&C and classes.

[Tez3]

Didn't mean to disrespect other countries militaries, I may have an American bias. I'm sure all the units you mentioned would do a great job as well.

Of course patriotism demands one to be biased but I was pointing out that in terms of training the USMC doesn't seem to have a very long basic training time. thats not a disrepectuful comment but our Royal Marine Commandos do 36 wks basic then specialised courses. I'm curious as to why they have such a short training time.

I understand why the USMC think they are the best in the world but there's many who would contend they are the best United States Marines only. We know how good our guys are so feel no need to boast.

[blink13]

Draven, could you tell us your military background? Just basic stuff - branch of service, MOS, combat experience. Thanks.

[blink13]

Of course patriotism demands one to be biased but I was pointing out that in terms of training the USMC doesn't seem to have a very long basic training time. thats not a disrepectuful comment but our Royal Marine Commandos do 36 wks basic then specialised courses. I'm curious as to why they have such a short training time.

Maybe your Nods just don't learn as quickly? ;)

[Carol]

Even the rodents in the Marines are tough ;)

http://www.hyscience.com/maze.jpg

[Tez3]

Maybe your Nods just don't learn as quickly? ;)

They learn quickly and well, it's just we teach them more and in depth.

http://www.army.mod.uk/training_education/training/18145.aspx

[/URL]
http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/3471.aspx (http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/12017.aspx)

[URL]http://www.army.mod.uk/join/terms/3733.aspx
Being a soldier is not easy. We are asked to do things not asked of other people. We have to be aggresive and strong in battle, yet behave properly and show self-control all the time. To enable us to do this the Army has 6 Values it requires us to live by.
Selfless Commitment

The Army is about teamwork - none of us work on our own, we always work in a team. Teams can only be effective if we all play our part in full, putting the team and the mission before our own needs, trusting each other totally - even with our lives if necessary.
Courage

All soldiers need courage, both physical and moral. Physical courage is about controlling fear, rather than having no fear. Training and discipline helps us do our duty regardless of the dangers and discomforts. Moral courage is about doing the right thing, not looking the other way when we know or see something is wrong, even if it is not a popular thing to do or say.
Discipline

All teams need discipline. In our line of work it is vital, ensuring that orders are carried out and everyone is confident that they will not be let down by their team mates. Self-discipline is the best form of discipline. It depends on high personal standards that earn soldiers the trust and respect of their team mates. It gives us the courage to make the difficult choices that we face in our career.
Integrity

Integrity means being honest, not lying cheating or stealing. If we lack integrity our team mates cannot trust what we say or do; they cannot rely on us and the team suffers.
Loyalty

Loyalty is about looking after and helping those around us. Putting the needs of our team mates before our own, even when the going gets tough.
Respect For Others

Soldiers come in all shapes and sizes and all deserve to be treated fairly. There is no place for any form of harassment or discrimination in an Army that claims to 'Be The Best'.
Discrimination damages teams. It excludes members and does not give them the chance to contribute. The Army recognises the importance of humour, but humour must be inclusive. Humour that insults, ridicules or intimidates people is destructive and damages the team.
Respect for others is part of the trust between a soldier and his team mates We judge people on their abilities, not their race, religion or sex.
Respect for others, including civilians, detainees and captured enemy forces, means treating people decently.



The Army's Standards are designed to ensure that every soldier's behaviour is:

lawful;
appropriate;
and totally professional.
Low standards, both professional and personal, damage the team and could cause injury or death on operations. This is why the Army depends on high standards and has a more demanding approach towards certain types of behaviour and relationships than the rest of society.
Lawful

Obey the law, all the time, wherever you are serving.
All soldiers are subject to the law wherever they are serving.
On operations this includes international law, the laws of armed conflict and, in some cases, civil law.
The Army needs to be tough and aggressive, and in doing our job we face people who break the law. This does not mean we can break the law. We must always keep our self-control, however angry or provoked we might be, because no soldier is ever above the law.
Appropriate Behaviour

Don't offend others
Trust underpins all our behaviour. Therefore, because our job depends upon:

putting others' needs before our own;
honesty;
and supporting our team mates,
the Army needs a more demanding standard of social behaviour from us.
Social misbehaviour, particularly the wrong sort of relationship, can undermine trust. Unwelcome sexual attention, taking sexual advantage of someone more junior or an affair with the partner of a team mate may damage the integrity and honesty of those involved, and damage the team.
Total Professionalism

Be The Best
As British Soldiers we are trained to the highest standards. It is vital that we maintain those standards both on and off duty.
The responsible use of alcohol is part of Army life, but binge drinking is unprofessional, dangerous and damages health.
The use of illegal drugs is against the law and is harmful. The effects of drugs can remain in the body for a long time, affecting performance on operations. Soldiers who are caught using illegal drugs can expect to be discharged.
Uncontrolled debt and heavy gambling shows a lack of self-discipline, causing other to lose trust in us.


A big part of British military training is teaching leadership skills so that every soldier has the capacity in a frontline wartime situation to take charge, self discipline is high rated and expected from all. There is no mindless obedience drilled into witless, terrified recruits, each member of the team must be able to fulfil many roles. The technical training an infantry soldier receives is second to none.
We also train the Gurkhas and the Paras here. Try P Company if you want to see how real soldiers train lol!. Have a look at Fighting Fit mag for Feb/Mar.

[blink13]

Wow, that sure was a lot of information!

Funny, though, I missed the part where they said they kill people.

That's what we do in wartime.

[Tez3]

Wow, that sure was a lot of information!

Funny, though, I missed the part where they said they kill people.

That's what we do in wartime.

Now, I think you are being disrepectful. I seem to remember American soldiers being issued cards which told them not to drink with British soldiers, play cards with them or fight with them because they will lose everytime. Our soldiers actually try not to kill innocent people celebrating weddings or living in Vietnamese villages, they don't go for overkill nor do they glory in killing making macho You Tube videos singing how they are going to kill kill kill but never ever mistake a British soldier's politeness for weakness.
I think we may have a tad more experience with wars than you have, enough to know that killing people is a necessary evil not one to glory in.

[blink13]

The OP asked where to become a warrior. Warriors kill in wartime. It's a necessary evil. Let's not bring up atrocities. Guilty parties have always been tried and punished for their crimes. Don't lump the rest of us in with the criminals, please.

Regarding war experience, what is your wartime experience? I have two combat tours in Iraq - one during the invasion with a Light Armored Reconnaissance Unit, and the other with an Engineer Support Battalion. On my last combat tour, I was in command of over two hundred Marines. I have traded bullets with bad guys and have been decorated for valor. I saw many Marines NOT to shots when they probably should have for fear of hitting innocents. I like to think I know something about the topic.

I have always respected the Brits and our other allies. I've been to schools with them, drank with them, and even traded food and magazines with your guys prior to crossing the line in 2003. Let's not get personal. It's all in fun.

[Tez3]

The OP asked where to become a warrior. Warriors kill in wartime. It's a necessary evil. Let's not bring up atrocities. Guilty parties have always been tried and punished for their crimes. Don't lump the rest of us in with the criminals, please.

Regarding war experience, what is your wartime experience? I have two combat tours in Iraq - one during the invasion with a Light Armored Reconnaissance Unit, and the other with an Engineer Support Battalion. On my last combat tour, I was in command of over two hundred Marines. I have traded bullets with bad guys and have been decorated for valor. I saw many Marines NOT to shots when they probably should have for fear of hitting innocents. I like to think I know something about the topic.

I have always respected the Brits and our other allies. I've been to schools with them, drank with them, and even traded food and magazines with your guys prior to crossing the line in 2003. Let's not get personal. It's all in fun.

No, not fun actually.

I was 14 Int.

[blink13]

BTW, my avatar photo was taken south of Ramadi in May 2008. We were in the planning process to build a road that would divert military traffic out of the downtown area, allowing us to make less of a footprint in their city and their daily lives.

Also, I proudly call myself a Sapper, as I am a combat engineer and a graduate of the U.S. Army's Sapper Leader Course (unfortunate Army, but they have great schools). We all, of course, got the term "Sapper" from the Brits. :tip:

[blink13]

No, not fun actually.

I was 14 Int.

By "fun" I meant interservice/country stuff - not war. Trust me, war is not fun.

I apologize if I offended, but I will ALWAYS defend my Corps. :)

[Brian King]

Once when I was a child I was visiting a friend’s home and we heard a load ruckus out in the living room. Investigating I found their family pet, one of them little lap dog things like you see in them Victorian paintings. This vicious brute was unleashing a terrible racket, growling and barking like it was in the fight of its life. Concerned I looked about thinking perhaps an intruder or another dog or other animal had gained entry to the house. I had to look close to find out what the dog was warring about. Seems two or three house fly’s had been picking on the dog by buzzing too close to it. Well, they had another dog in that house, a big mild mannered working dog. This guy also hearing the commotion came lazily into the room looked about and let out a single double bark..loud and sharp. The little yapper busy with its war hadn’t noticed or cared that it had an audience until the other dog barked. Hearing that bark the little yapper yelped and pissed a line into the corner and then sat there shaking like it was freezing. Learned a lesson that day, the little yappy dogs seem to get upset and raise a lot of noise but are harmless and insecure especially when the big dogs come around.

Not much of this story relates to where to learn to become a warrior or whose soldier or their fans have the biggest package, but I thought it was amusing much like many of the posts in this thread.

Thanks all for your services to your countries whatever that service and whichever country you happen to serve.

Regards
Brian King

[Tez3]

This is where you go to become a warrior. For sport you can train to be an MMA fighter coached by one of the contestants in the TUF who will also being taking you for PT.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/royalmarines/training-fitness/royal-marines-training-course/

[Draven]

Draven, could you tell us your military background? Just basic stuff - branch of service, MOS, combat experience. Thanks.

Joined the USMC right out of highschool in 98, turn 18 on Paris Island and went US Army in 01 ETSed in 05 (3 year contract with an 18 month stop loss to got to Iraq) with 1/503 Air assault. Went Infantry both times & after ETS went reserve MP till 08 I got general discharge for beating some LEOs to put in a nutshell...

Same tactics and same general training, as for what I referenced above it break down like this under USJFCOM is USSOC which overseas the Special Operations Forces of the other branchs; US Army Rangers, Special Forces, Navy SEALs and Air Force Pararescue. All the Marine corps budget flows through the Navy (it why there is no Marine Joint Chiefs as the USMC is a department of the Navy) Marine Force Recon had the short end of the stick with no USSOC funding until 05 with the creation of MARSOC. Force recon had funding set aside but that was at the USMC level. Force recon was an elite force with an elite force, but were never technically Special Forces (as that denotes a specific unit within the US Army) or a Special Operations Unit as they had were directly connected to USSOC (aka USSOCOM).

[Cirdan]

I seem to remember American soldiers being issued cards which told them not to drink with British soldiers, play cards with them or fight with them because they will lose everytime.

Hmm I guess I was lucky we never got around to play cards then.


Our soldiers actually try not to kill innocent people celebrating weddings or living in Vietnamese villages, they don't go for overkill nor do they glory in killing making macho You Tube videos singing how they are going to kill kill kill but never ever mistake a British soldier's politeness for weakness.
I think we may have a tad more experience with wars than you have, enough to know that killing people is a necessary evil not one to glory in.

Ah, the old argument. Americans say they got the best army, the British reply that the US only are the most powerful and don`t fight as smart as them. Can`t say I totally disagree.

[Carol]

Marines are not cage fighters, and although we train in hand-to-hand combat, we train to kill, not to stop. We do not train in self-defense, we train to destroy, overrun, and dominate. It's not a fair comparison, because even a cage fighter stops when his enemy can no longer defend himself. We kill. But it's a different environment; what's appropriate on the battlefield is not appropriate in the ring or the dojo.

Our primary tool is not our empty hands, but a rifle:



There is nothing in all the world like a US Marine. Some fun quotes:



Every service has a 'special forces', and the Marines have Recon, but it's not the same; Marines *are* special forces. All of us.

And as any soldier who spent any time on a combined arms exercise or in a combat zone with Marines can tell you, you never fight one Marine. You take on one, you take on all. Army of One? No thanks. We fight together, we're a unit, a group, we're Brothers in Arms. We don't fight fair, we take what we want and paint "USMC" on everything that we capture from friend or foe. We do more with less and complain about it unceasingly from morning until night. The most dangerous Marine in the world is the one who has quit bitching, because now he's good and mad. Whereas soldiers don't like being called 'doggies' and sailors don't like being called 'squids', we have no problem being called Jarheads, Gyrenes, Leathernecks, Grunts, Canon Cockers, Mud Puppies, or Sea-Going Bellhops. We know it's just envy. Everybody wants to be one of us; most don't pack the gear. We don't take just anyone, and no one who enlists is entitled to call themselves "Marine" until graduation day. And once a Marine, we are that forever; it can never be taken away from us. There are no ex-Marines, there are no former Marines, there are only Marines and everybody else. If you're not a Marine, well, you're not part of the brotherhood.

We're the hub of the universe, baby.

Our dress blues are the best looking uniforms ever since the German SS. The Marine NCO in dress blues with the blood stripe and the NCO sword is a sight that makes women swoon. We kick ass and take names. We're heart-breakers and life-takers. We're a bunch of swaggering, insufferable, pricks, and that's how it goes. We walk it like we talk it.


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We're everywhere, still Marines, old and out-of-shape, working in every profession, hardly recognizable anymore. But one thing I know, one thing every Marine knows, is that if the crap hits the fan, we only have to call for our brothers and they will come running. No Marine ever turns his back on a brother. We are the real deal, there's nothing else.

To be a brother in that band of brothers is like winning the lottery over and over again every day for life.

I....need a cold shower. Night all. ;)

[blink13]

Tez, good discussion. Got your PM, thanks, and yes, you still owe me $200, so I'll be waiting for that.

Now that I'm up, you're probably sleeping, of course.

[blink13]

Ah, the old argument. Americans say they got the best army, the British reply that the US only are the most powerful and don`t fight as smart as them. Can`t say I totally disagree.

On a completely unrelated topic, Cirdan, I did visit your country in 2006. We stayed in Vaernes and toured the "caves" near Trondheim to learn more about the gear the Marine Corps has there (MCPP-N) - the stuff that our airlifted Marine Expeditionary Brigade would have fallen in on in the event of a Soviet advance. Very interesting stuff. As a history major (and Jew), I was interested in the, ah, construction history of the hangars at Vaernes, too. http://www.marforres.usmc.mil/MFRNews/2008/2008.06/caves.asp Of course, right now, the caves are fairly empty of ground equipment, as most of it has been painted tan and sent to the desert. Thankfully it was never used for its original intended purpose, eh?

I really enjoyed my trip. We toured the Forsvarsmuseet and the Nidaros Cathedral (breathtaking) and generally enjoyed city life in Trondheim. The Guardsmen who hosted us were exceptionally helpful and friendly. It was great to see so many active people out on bikes, and it seemed every person was fit and attractive!

I speak of my short time there often. You have a beautiful country with fantastic people. Thanks!

[Cirdan]

Thanks Dave. There are actually a lot of installations that were built during the nazi occupation that are still in use. Many were used to store allied equipment, other found civillian use like the one in Tromsø which was changed into a big underground parking house. We had a big party inside "the Mountain" at Bardufoss when we closed down that place some years ago.

Glad you enjoyed your stay in Trondheim. Let me know if you ever visit the capital of Oslo and I`ll show you around. We`ll have a beer and watch the fit Norwegian girls, LOL :cheers:

[blink13]

Thanks, Cirdan, will do!

I just saw this today and thought it topical -

http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/CG-USF-I-ltr-to-CMC-%2823%20Jan%202010%29.pdf

[Carol]

You might get a kick out of this guys. :) I met up with a friend of mine at the train in to Boston. Going in, we passed a development called "The Shoe". It was once a huge factory, the buildings are reinforce concrete with floor-to-ceiling windows. It was built before electricity was commonplace, and what they made was the machinery used to make shoes. The company was the United Shoe Machinery Corporation. It has since been remodeled in to modern offices.

http://www.cummings.com/history.html

As we were going by there, my friend was telling me a time when he was going in to Boston with his father, on the same train. The weather at the time was awful, and my friend said he was a bit of a hellion...which was really trying the patience of his dad. When his dad was at his wits end said "You see that smokestack out the window" My friend looked out, saw this massive complex in the rain and mist, and this smokestack which seemed to be glowing. A spotlight was shining on it, showing the initials of the United Shoe Machinery Corp.

My friend's dad said "Read those letters." My friend dutifully said U...S...M...C. Dad said "That stands for United States Marine Corp. Now if you don't straighten up, I'm gonna turn your butt over to The Marines on our way home!" :lfao:

My friend said he calmed down...and that building scared the bejeezus out of him for a few years. :lol:

[Bill Mattocks]

The Marines: When it absolutely, positively, has to be destryed overnight.

Let us win your hearts and minds, or we'll burn your damned huts down.

The Marine Corps: America's 9-1-1.

Marine Snipers: Don't run, you'll only die tired.

The Marine Corps: Heaven won't have us, and Hell's afraid we'll take over.

The only thing more deadly than a US Marine is a US Marine without coffee.

The only serviceman a Marine respects as much as another Marine is a US Navy Corpsman.

[blink13]

The only thing more deadly than a US Marine is a US Marine without coffee.



Ain't THAT the truth!

[Bill Mattocks]

Ain't THAT the truth!

Do they still speak of the 'lifer hook' that every Master Sgt has instead of an index finger?

My wife still shudders when I drink two-day old coffee at room temperature. It's just gettin' good and she wants to throw it out!

[xJOHNx]

A warrior is someone who fights against something...

I fight my demons everyday, as do alot of other people. Not giving into desire and fighting for justice. That's what I see as warrior-like qualities.