You are so right. Back in 1984, we were the only ones issued weapons AND ammo during the Reagan Doctrine when we were patrolling in Central America. Because we were DOT at the time, we were allowed to return fire without asking Washington DC, imagine that! Part of the reason I didn't join the Misguided Children was even after the barracks bombing, the US still didn't issue ammo to the Marines and Army guys on guard. WTF? Being a guy from NJ with our infamous attitude, there was no way you were going to send me into a fight without ammo. No way was I going to become a human sand bag for some Army puke to hide behind in a fire fight.

 

Is this accurate? While I was in the USMC running gate guard and road patrol I always had a loaded and chambered pistol, and if I had a rifle or shot gun that was loaded but not chambered. Hard to imagine anyone guarding anything without both. This was recent, mind you. I served 2003-2008.

Is this accurate? While I was in the USMC running gate guard and road patrol I always had a loaded and chambered pistol, and if I had a rifle or shot gun that was loaded but not chambered. Hard to imagine anyone guarding anything without both. This was recent, mind you. I served 2003-2008.

 

Yes it was in 1983 to 1984'ish. Even though it was under Reagan, the policy was a carry over from Carter. I am also specifically talking about overseas and some incidents stateside as well. Once source is a career MC officer was a full bird for years and would imagine a BG by know. Another was Force Recon and only just before he invaded Grenada was he issued ammo. I have a few several very close friends that served in the USMC and the Army that couldn't believe what they were being asked to do.

Thats insane. I don't know how long I'd last with that policy. Everytime they gave the orders to guard and never gave me ammo I'd just laugh in their face. Pretty sure I'd get NJP'ed inside a day.

Just got the phone this morning with my Risk Analyst, 8 year Marine, White House / Embassy later in his service, enlisted in 87 confirmed what I said. When they were in the Philippines doing some ops, the butter bar won't issue ammo unless they were fired upon!!! When Commandant Kelly left, Marines were allowed to be Marines is what he told me.

Is this accurate? While I was in the USMC running gate guard and road patrol I always had a loaded and chambered pistol, and if I had a rifle or shot gun that was loaded but not chambered. Hard to imagine anyone guarding anything without both. This was recent, mind you. I served 2003-2008.

In 1989 I was a 60 gunner on a boat in the Persian Gulf. When the Iranians started buzzing us in their little rubber boats, I was ordered to unload and point my machinegun in, so we did not appear to be threatening.

In 1989 I was a 60 gunner on a boat in the Persian Gulf. When the Iranians started buzzing us in their little rubber boats, I was ordered to unload and point my machinegun in, so we did not appear to be threatening.

 

That's kinda of funny in a way. Okay you're American Marine, now don't look threatening. (Ah, duh, isn't that the point?) Even in skivvies, most of our guys look threatening. Being PC has no place in a combat zone.

Leave it to the Hippie and the Actor to decide the Marines are supposed to be PC and friendly. Thats like putting a red bow on a junk yard attack dog.

 

(ps: I actually like both of those Presidents for different reasons. Both did a lot of good, but both also screwed a lot up.)

My brothers are both Marines and all my cousins are as well. My father was in the Navy during Viet Nam. He was on a machine gun on the front of a patrol boat that went through canals. He has a bunch of pictures from his time serving. He got discharged when he was hit with some kind of chemical. I wish I could have joined. Marines turned me down flat over medical reasons. Bummed me out for a while. I have a lot of respect for all our servicemen, weather your Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Cost Guard etc... They are all here to protect us.

God Bless America!

Back in the late 80's and into the mid 90's there was at least one unit that had a batsh!t crazy Marine who didn't give a damn about regs, knew that he wasn't going to go down like those gate guards in Beirut, and stashed at least one mag of live ammo on his person whenever his issue rifle was drawn out of the armory. Where do you stash a fully loaded mag you ask? Easy,right next to the unloaded ones in your deuce gear.

 

Funny enough, when this person became the unit radio chief, he was required to carry security rounds for the crypto gear. It's a mad, mad world I tell ya...

 

Anyway, here's a little treat for all my Marine brothers out there.

 

Semper Fi!