Odds and Ends

There have been several interesting things that have happened to me since I have been here that are not big enough for a post so I am going to put them together.

I tend to spend a lot of my free time around the flight line. It is one of those scenarios where you can become entranced with watching the helicopters and planes take off and land. If you haven’t had the fortune of seeing this with the military then you are really missing out. It sends chills up my spine every time I see one coming in or leaving with guys who are ready to make a sacrifice that 99% of the world wouldn’t make. Nevertheless, one day I was driving by and I was talking to the other DLA rep, Eric. All of a sudden I hear a noise and Eric says, “Oh shit, look out.” I had just enough time to turn and look before it was over. An Apache Longbow (the helicopter in the picture above) just took off hot (really fast) and it was about 30 feet above us. I almost had to change my pants. It was one of the coolest things that I have ever seen/felt.

Another time I was over at the flight line getting ready to pick someone up. I walked into the terminal to check the flight status and there were 9 detainees that were handcuffed, shackled and there were black bags were over their head. Immediately next to each detainee were two heavily armed Marines. Seriously, I have never felt safer in my life while being so close to terrorists. Okay, suspected terrorists. This is America after all. I definitely may have uttered a few negative things that were directed their way. You could tell they understood enough because the Marines asked us to stop after a few phrases. They were smiling when they said it though. I chatted with the OIC (officer in charge) and he gave me some intel on the situation after he verified my clearance. It was the first time that I have been told classified information that I actually thought should be classified.

I smoke a cigar each Sunday and in order to do so, I have to go to the smoke shack. Since that basically makes me feel scummy (sorry to any smokers), I stand right next to it. Most nights around here will bring out someone with a guitar and they mostly like to congregate around the smoke shack. One particular night they also brought out a guy with some bongos. After about 20 minutes of listening to this individual butcher a few songs, I told him he was no longer allowed to play them unless he did it correctly. After a few obscenities were uttered, he let me show him how to play them. Once upon a time, I was a band geek…but I played drums. That gave me street cred back in the day. Anyway, so I should this Marine how to actually play them. Please note if your hands hurt, then you are playing them incorrectly. After another song, the guitarist asked me if I wanted to join in. Why not? So I did. I got to jam to a few songs and I left before I overstayed my welcome. Now every time I walk by, he asks if I want to join in.

Being out here means that work and personal time are blurred. We talk about work at the wrong times and share war stories at inappropriate times. Fun times in Afghanistan. One night at chow, Eric and I were talking about some difficulties we were/are encountering in getting MRAP and MATV parts in. Side note, MRAP = Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle and MATV is MRAP all terrain vehicle…these save our troops lives every day. If I was paying attention a little bit more, I would have noticed that a couple of Marine Corps Generals were walking by and sat behind us at the VIP table (a one star and a two star). After a few minutes they overheard what we were talking about and stopped us on our way out. They inquired about whom we worked for and wanted some intel on what issues we were encountering. I have never briefed a General before but my problem with that particular vendor was solved within a day or two and I don’t think it because I killed them with kindness.

USMC for Dummies

Being in the military and working with the military involves being immersed into a culture that is unique. The Marines have their own verbiage for everyday items and if you don’t know what they are talking about then you are truly lost. Every now and then there is a sympathetic member of the military that will take you under their wing and teach you the language. Thankfully, I found those individuals who were willing to give me the required lessons for Marine speak.

To make matters worse, I work in the supply and logistics area and this area has its own nomenclature that you have to learn. For example, the item that you screw into a light fixture is called a light bulb. In supply speak it is referred to as an incandescent bulb.

Here are some of the words that I encounter everyday that now I not only use but I understand.

Skivvy shirt – This is a green undershirt/t-shirt that Marines are required to wear. This is visible when they are wearing the uniform.

Blouse – This is the uniform top. Some people would call this a button down or top but the Marines refer to it as their blouse.

Trousers – This is the uniform bottoms. They are not called pants or slacks. Trousers is the only acceptable word.

Silkies – These are the shorts worn by all Marines when they are engaging in physical activities like running and working out. They are called this because they can either be the best thing you have ever seen on someone or they look like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird did in the NBA during the 1980’s. This is the best part about going to the gym. Oh wait, I am married. So it is a huge distraction and they should change it. Silkies work for woman, not men. Maybe one day they will change their standards slightly to allow men to cover up more of their legs.

Cover – This is their primary hat. This has a bill on the front of it.

Boonie – This is an alternative hat that they can wear and it looks like the hat the Gilligan wears on Gilligan’s Island or that which a fisherman would wear. I also wear one of these but I am a nerd.

Cami’s – This is how the Marines refer to their combat uniform if they are referring to it as a set but not individually. If they are referring to any item individually it is a blouse or trouser.

Boot Blousers – These are little straps that they wrap around their boots (or just above the boot, depending on the Marine) and they tuck the bottom of their trousers underneath this so that it forms a uniform seal around their leg. Note: Marines do not tuck their trousers into their boots like the Army does. They find this repulsive and thing that you don’t know what you are talking about.

Dress Blues – This is the formal Marine Corps uniform and it worn at any formal ceremony. They use a boatload of starch on these at the dry cleaner and having any sort of wrinkle or unnecessary crease is very taboo. Remember, the USMC requires Marines to look the part at all times. If you are sloppy then you won’t be in the Marine Corps for long.

Blood Stripe – This is what Marines have to earn when they get promoted to the rank of Corporal (E-4/Enlisted Rank 4). At this point the Marine is a Non-Commissioned Officer and has more responsibility and leadership. On their dress blues, Marines will get a red stripe that goes down the length of their trousers. When a Marine is promoted to Corporal, they get this stripe. Every other Marine will physically strike the newly promoted Corporal in the thigh so that they “earn their blood stripe.” This Corporal will be very sore and tender for a few days because other Marines in their unit will make them feel like they don’t want to walk ever again. This is an initiation rite and of course is banned by the DOD and USMC.

Blanket Party – This is when Marines will take disciplinary matters into their own hands and they will put a blanket over the head of a Marine who is not up to par and they will strike the Marine repeatedly until they feel that the Marine has learned a valuable lesson. This is also banned by the DOD and USMC.

Chevron – This is the part of the Marine insignia that signifies their rank. This is worn on their collar. This looks like a wide, upside down V. The more you have, the higher your rank. For example, no chevron means Private, one chevron is Private First Class, one chevron with two rifles crossing underneath it mean Lance Corporal, two chevrons with the rifles is Corporal and three chevrons with the rifles is Sergeant.

Rocker – As with a chevron, this is the bottom part of their rank (if they are high enough). Marines with rockers will have all of the chevrons and rifles and this looks like a half circle and it connects upward to the chevron. The more that you have, the higher your rank is. For example, one rocker is a Staff Sergeant, two is a Gunnery Sergeant, and three is a Master Sergeant. The highest rank is Master Gunnery Sergeant or 1st Sergeant and that has something completely different.

High and Tight – This is what they call their haircut. Marines don’t say they are going to the barber or they are getting their hair cut. They will say they are going to get a high and tight.

AGDAG or PAX – This is what they call the airport on a military base. Never call it the airport. Flight line is also another acceptable phrase.

Chow – This describes where you are going. You are going to chow, not breakfast, lunch or dinner. You are going to eat. You are going to chow.

Field Meet – This is like a big field day that is a competition. This is mainly done for morale and PT.

PT – This is physical training. Working out is not the same as PT if you ask the Marines.

Rifle – Never call it a weapon or a gun. It is a rifle.

Magazine – This is what Marines place into their rifle and holds bullets. Never call this a clip.

Marine – This is a title of honor and it is earned. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Never call a Marine a soldier. Seriously, bad things might happen to you if you do.

Good to go – This is the most overused phrase in the USMC and it has a variety of meanings. Sometimes it means you understand what was said. Sometimes it means you will take action. Sometimes it means shut the !@#$ up. This is paramount to the phrase “forget about it” as it was explained in the movie Donnie Brasco. Or possibly the F word. This is extremely versatile.

You now know more than you ever wanted to know about the Marine Corps. Most of this was learned the hard way over the past two months but once you speak their lingo, you are good to go.