Not every Marine has comportment. It becomes difficult or a challenge when we as SNCO’s have it but our CO’s don’t.
I can remember when I was the AMOI at the university of Notre Dame and if myself and the MOI (a dweeb) were out and about on campus in PT gear for example and people would come up to me identifying me as a Marine but not give the MOI the time of day.
He was a bit jealous and it reflected in our relationship.
Later on when I was a senior Sgtmaj working for my first General who was also a geek that the same happened on many occasions…
So comportment is not possessed by every Marine but generally speaking the more senior you get the more you should have.
Outward comportment comes from what’s on your heart. If you truly love something it will show outwardly.
Finally retirement will show if being a Marine is on your heart by the comportment you display long into old age.
1987-1989. Then gunny. Great tour. Although i was always in trouble for one thing or another…
I was a bouncer at a bar in mishawaka and was tasked with getting the football players back to campus after their drunken stuper…
I had two MOI’s. The first was ok but the second a total dweeb. I was given orders early as that second MOI couldn’t take my rough around the edges attitude wanting a more refined type…
I met Col V once or twice, either on my FAC tour or as a staff pogue. The seniors my freshman year (Donahoe, Stone, Soriano...) said much the same about Annapolis candidates. By the time I went (Golf Co, 2nd Increment, '94!), they didn't have to do OCS any more. I retired in '18 at NAB Coronado, 7525 F-18 WSO (NFO). I finished up at the JTAC & JFO schoolhouse. We spent a week on OP Left at The Stumps every other month, blowing sh!t up! An awesome last year.
So james webb became the secnav around 1987 and was the person who forced the naval academy marine options to attend ocs.
Lots of pushback from the academy. Finally webb quit around 1990 and that policy died with him.
In 1989 our hotel company honor grad was a nuclear power navy option from the academy who came through ocs just for fun…
I remember the initial pft both in 88 and 89. I ran a 17:45 or so but still finished in the middle of the pack showing the fitness level of rotc marine options.
Finally do you remember Marine General Allen? 4 star. He was our xo from the naval academy in 1989. A major at the time.
Wow! What a time to be in The Bend. Please tell me you rescued Zorich, Stonebreaker, or The Rocket.
Our MOIs & AMOIs were studs. One Major & one GySgt had Bronze Stars from Beruit. Almost all were combat arms. Our second MOI (the one with the BV) was our OCS company commander. ALL the Bulldog candidates that summer thought he walked on water. Our GySgts definitely prepped us well for Quantico, especially drill!
That's AWESOME! I missed the '93 season (Jr year, FlaSt "Game of the Century," follwed by the disaster vs BC) on a semester abroad, but we listened to all the games that fall on Armed Forces Radio. Went to several SoCal & Stanford games while stationed at Miramar & Camp Pendleton. Made it to a few bowl games, too, but I haven't been back to campus since '97.
Now that I think about it, Col V (then a Capt) was an instructor at The Bummer Summer when I was a Trainee Being Saluted.
My dad enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1939. He went to flight training in 1942 and was commissioned a 2LT in 1943. Promotions were slow for non-college USAF Officers. Dad loved to fly into Naval Air Stations. Upon arrival, he'd phone the BOQ and ask for a driver to pick him and his crew up. "This is Captain Flowers, please send a car to pick me up at the flight line." Dad said it worked every time. A prompt, courteous response...until the NCO driver saw a USAF O-3 in a grubby flight suit.
Me? Not so lucky. I was a CWO3 waiting my turn at sick call in a Navy Hospital. A young Corpsman came out and said, "Uh-h....Cow Flowers....COW Flowers?". Recognizing, finally, that I was being summoned, I stood up to chuckles in the waiting room.
My father was in the Corp, which may have something to do with my ability to pick Marines out of a crowd. That comportment thing is real, and important.
From the old, fat n lazy civilian side of the tracks, it can be noticed too.
? years ago the RSO/instructor for the NRA instructor courses I took may have come up to my shoulder, but had a solid "larger" presence with saying anything. He got our full attention without having to raise his voice. When he 1st came into the room, you didn't have to be psychic to know Marine. He also explained it for the slower folks in his intro. Getting a room full of a few cops, firefighters, an EMT or 2, an odd assortment of average folks and a computer guy to pay attention is impressive.
Not every Marine has comportment. It becomes difficult or a challenge when we as SNCO’s have it but our CO’s don’t.
I can remember when I was the AMOI at the university of Notre Dame and if myself and the MOI (a dweeb) were out and about on campus in PT gear for example and people would come up to me identifying me as a Marine but not give the MOI the time of day.
He was a bit jealous and it reflected in our relationship.
Later on when I was a senior Sgtmaj working for my first General who was also a geek that the same happened on many occasions…
So comportment is not possessed by every Marine but generally speaking the more senior you get the more you should have.
Outward comportment comes from what’s on your heart. If you truly love something it will show outwardly.
Finally retirement will show if being a Marine is on your heart by the comportment you display long into old age.
When were you at ND?! I was an MO mid, '91-'95?
1987-1989. Then gunny. Great tour. Although i was always in trouble for one thing or another…
I was a bouncer at a bar in mishawaka and was tasked with getting the football players back to campus after their drunken stuper…
I had two MOI’s. The first was ok but the second a total dweeb. I was given orders early as that second MOI couldn’t take my rough around the edges attitude wanting a more refined type…
So I just missed you! SF
As I was... Semper Fi, Sergeant Major!
Did you know colonel vanopdorph? He was general Conway’s aide when he was the cmc. Last ND grad from my time.
Finally, did you do a career and if so mos etc.
I met Col V once or twice, either on my FAC tour or as a staff pogue. The seniors my freshman year (Donahoe, Stone, Soriano...) said much the same about Annapolis candidates. By the time I went (Golf Co, 2nd Increment, '94!), they didn't have to do OCS any more. I retired in '18 at NAB Coronado, 7525 F-18 WSO (NFO). I finished up at the JTAC & JFO schoolhouse. We spent a week on OP Left at The Stumps every other month, blowing sh!t up! An awesome last year.
Yes indeed - Tulane Drill Meet x2!
So james webb became the secnav around 1987 and was the person who forced the naval academy marine options to attend ocs.
Lots of pushback from the academy. Finally webb quit around 1990 and that policy died with him.
In 1989 our hotel company honor grad was a nuclear power navy option from the academy who came through ocs just for fun…
I remember the initial pft both in 88 and 89. I ran a 17:45 or so but still finished in the middle of the pack showing the fitness level of rotc marine options.
Finally do you remember Marine General Allen? 4 star. He was our xo from the naval academy in 1989. A major at the time.
Wonder if we crossed paths. I did 32 years finishing up as the first senior enlisted leader for USPACOM in Hawaii.
Before that I was the I MEF sgtmaj from 2002-2004. Did OIF 1 and 2 working for LtGen Conway.
I retired in 2007. Forced divorce from a good marriage…
Wow! What a time to be in The Bend. Please tell me you rescued Zorich, Stonebreaker, or The Rocket.
Our MOIs & AMOIs were studs. One Major & one GySgt had Bronze Stars from Beruit. Almost all were combat arms. Our second MOI (the one with the BV) was our OCS company commander. ALL the Bulldog candidates that summer thought he walked on water. Our GySgts definitely prepped us well for Quantico, especially drill!
Semper Fi!
I did rescue tony Rice, stonebreaker and worked out with chris zorich.
Did two summers at OCS. Company gunny then acting 1stsgt.
The two years I was there the naval academy marine options had to attend. Either really good or really bad.
Anyway never witnessed a home game loss in three years with of course the undefeated season of 88.
Did you go down to madi grah for the drill competition then march in a parade?
That's AWESOME! I missed the '93 season (Jr year, FlaSt "Game of the Century," follwed by the disaster vs BC) on a semester abroad, but we listened to all the games that fall on Armed Forces Radio. Went to several SoCal & Stanford games while stationed at Miramar & Camp Pendleton. Made it to a few bowl games, too, but I haven't been back to campus since '97.
Now that I think about it, Col V (then a Capt) was an instructor at The Bummer Summer when I was a Trainee Being Saluted.
Squids have been saying Jarheads stick out like sore thumbs for decades. Just sayin'.
Semper Fi, from a Navy guy.
⚓️
I've heard of someone having a face for radio, but that seems more like a voice you can SEE on radio.
My dad enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1939. He went to flight training in 1942 and was commissioned a 2LT in 1943. Promotions were slow for non-college USAF Officers. Dad loved to fly into Naval Air Stations. Upon arrival, he'd phone the BOQ and ask for a driver to pick him and his crew up. "This is Captain Flowers, please send a car to pick me up at the flight line." Dad said it worked every time. A prompt, courteous response...until the NCO driver saw a USAF O-3 in a grubby flight suit.
Me? Not so lucky. I was a CWO3 waiting my turn at sick call in a Navy Hospital. A young Corpsman came out and said, "Uh-h....Cow Flowers....COW Flowers?". Recognizing, finally, that I was being summoned, I stood up to chuckles in the waiting room.
Yes it is. And he found you so it’s a win no matter what.
I’ve never met a Marine who I was embarrassed to be seen with. This sailor was and is grateful for Marines.
My father was in the Corp, which may have something to do with my ability to pick Marines out of a crowd. That comportment thing is real, and important.
From the old, fat n lazy civilian side of the tracks, it can be noticed too.
? years ago the RSO/instructor for the NRA instructor courses I took may have come up to my shoulder, but had a solid "larger" presence with saying anything. He got our full attention without having to raise his voice. When he 1st came into the room, you didn't have to be psychic to know Marine. He also explained it for the slower folks in his intro. Getting a room full of a few cops, firefighters, an EMT or 2, an odd assortment of average folks and a computer guy to pay attention is impressive.
(note: I wasn't old then)
I had an instructor at GunSite like that. I loved the way he called out commands on the range - absolutely classic cadence and voice.