Marine Corps Gay Discharges Increase

WASHINGTON, DC (US Newswire) -- As the Marine Corps' dismissal of lesbian and gay troops increases, President Bush has authorized an involuntary recall of Marine Corps Individual Ready Reservists (IRR) "because there are not enough volunteers returning for duty in Afghanistan and Iraq," according to a report from CNN. The recall, which is meant to bridge a recruitment shortfall of about 1,200 people, follows a report in May that the Corps' dismissal of service members under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian and gay personnel has increased for the first time since 2001. Since 1993, the Marine Corps has dismissed 953 men and women under the law.

"If President Bush is truly interested in boosting the manpower of our services, he should immediately endorse repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). "Every day, our armed forces lose at least two people because of the ban on open service. Those men and women are ready, willing and able to serve, but are prohibited from doing so because of an outdated law that has no useful purpose. Our closest allies in Iraq and Afghanistan already benefit from welcoming openly gay troops, and we should as well. Today's news is yet another compelling reason for Congress to lift the ban."

More than 11,000 men and women have been dismissed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" since the law was implemented. According to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), more than 800 of those had skills deemed "critical" by the Department of Defense, including linguistic training, medical skills and expertise in combat engineering.

"Every day, the Marine Corps loses good men and women because of this law, and every day, others choose not to re-enlist because they are officially unwelcome in the services," said former Marine Sergeant and Iraq War veteran Brian Fricke. "The readiness of our armed forces should be our primary concern, not the bias and prejudice that keeps 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in place. Every American benefits when every qualified American who wants to serve is given the opportunity to do so."

A Congressional bill to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is now supported by 119 bi-partisan members of Congress.

Some more about me

I have found that it is sometimes good to know something about the owner of a blog such as mine. I am a mid-west boy the grew up in the Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois states for a good part of my life, until I was 18 years old. After that the Marine Corps took over and had me for the next 13 years or so. After 10 years living in Chicago, doing private security management and my dream job, at the time, working for the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field for four seasons. No I live down here in the south, the birth state of my Marine Corps training, South Carolina. I began working as a Police Officer with a local University of 2 1/2 years until I left to become a Police Officer in a local city where I am located now. I love my job, even if I finally took it on full time in my mid forties.

Some personal history (abridged)

I joined the Marine Corps out of high school in May 1977 and left for boot camp at MCRD Parris Island, SC the end of September 1977. After 12 weeks of famous Marine Corps training, as a member of "D" Company, Platoon 2218, I graduated a few days before Christmas as a PFC.

After a short leave for Christmas I reported to the Marine Detachment at Ft. Knox, KY for my training as a tank crewman (1811) in January 1978. From there I reported to Camp Pendleton, CA and was assigned to "A" Company, 1st Tank Battalion. While with "A" Company I was promoted to LCpl, Cpl and Sgt (all meritoriously) before October 1979. I re-enlisted in October 1979 and received orders for Marine Security Guard School.

I arrived at MCB Quantico, VA at the MSG Battalion and was a member of class 2-80. After completeing the school and graduating I recieved my first post assignment at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. After spending 15 months in India I originally received orders for my second posting in Jiddah, Saudia Arabia. Just prior to my departure I was asked by the company commander, Major Muth, if I wanted to accept orders to Moscow, U.S.S.R instead. I was on the way to Moscow where I spent 18 months. The last half of my time in Moscow I was the A/NCOIC and was selected for promotion to SSgt on my first selection board.

Upon completion of embassy duty I returned to "A" Company, 1st Tank Battalion. I was ready to settle in and get back to my MOS. I was asked to take a float out for 3rd platoon at the last minute as another SSgt had family issues and could not go. After 30 days leave I came back and left on what turned out to be an extended float with the 31st MAU. I ended up in Beirut, Lebanon for 31 days in October 1983 with the deployment of the 31st MAU to the area for support. We returned to Camp Pendleton a few days before Thanksgiving.

I was selected to become the new 1st Tank Battalion Career Planner, a position I held for almost two years. I then attended the SNCO Academy at MCAS El Toro, CA. Upon completion of that I received orders to attend recruiters school at MCRD San Diego, CA. After graduation I was assigned to RS Chicago and was assigned as the NCOIC of RSS Ottawa, IL. I completed my tour as a recruiter, enlisting 102 future Marines while a recruiter.

When I returned to 1st Tank Battalion I was sent back to Ft. Knox, KY for advanced tank school.

I left active duty in October 1988 and was in a reserve unit for two years out of South Bend, IN.

Marine Embassy Guard Duty

As a former Marine Embassy Guard, I hold this duty very close to my heart. It was THE best duty, bar none, I had the privilage of being selected for.

The Marine Security Guard Battalion, now known as The Marine Corps Embassy Security Command, mission is to exercise command, less operational control of the Marine Security Guards, in that it is responsible for their training, assignments, administration, logistical support, and discipline.

The Marine Security Guards primary mission is to provide internal security services at designated U.S. Diplomatic and Consular facilities to prevent the compromise of classified information and equipment vital to the national security of the United States of America. The secondary mission of Marine Security Guards is to provide protection for U.S. citizens and U.S. Government property located within designated U.S. Diplomatic and Consular premises during exigent circumstances, which require immediate aid or action.

(* Mission is the general term for embassy, consulate or legation; commonly referred to as a "post".*)

MSGs focus on the interior security of a diplomatic post's building(s). In only the most extreme emergency situations are they authorized duties exterior to the building(s) or to provide special protection to the senior diplomatic officer off of the diplomatic compound. MSGs carry a certain level of diplomatic immunity in the performance of their official duties.

Former Marines

Marines and those familiar with Marine Corps tradition will often object to the use of the term "ex-Marine," Marines are inculcated with the Marine ethos "Once a Marine, always a Marine." Former Marine refers to an individual that completed their service and has received an honorable or general discharge from the service. Marines who have retired are commonly called "retired Marines", "Sir/Ma'am" - out of respect, "Marine" - which they still are, or according to the "Commandant's White letters" from Commandant General Gray until present - by their earned rank.

Welcome

Ohhh Rahh! Welcome to The few, the proud... This is a blog about the Corps, yesterday, today and tomorrow. It is about my time in the Corps, my time since the Corps and the future of the Corps as viewed through my eyes and experience. The views and opinions expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect current Marine Corps, Department of the Navy or DoD policies. I hope you will enjoy this blog and feel free to leave comments on what you read and view here. Semper Fidelis!