View Full Version : "A Marine Reports from Iraq"
The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com
A Marine reports from Iraq
By An anonymous Marine
Published November 22, 2005
Editor's note: There's nothing like word from the field to know what works, what doesn't and how the enemy's tactics are affecting our soldiers in battle. Below is one U.S. Marine's take on those questions, verified and relayed to us through his father, a retired Marine. We've withheld the Marine's name and his father's to spare them the inevitable political or institutional flap. Among the most interesting tidbits: Our Marine reports that servicemen are shocked at negative press coverage of the war, and they believe the United States is winning decisively -- but that the number of troops in the field should be bolstered. On equipment, our Marine thinks the older, battle-tested parts of the U.S. arsenal are the most useful equipment in the fight against insurgents. M-16s aren't much good, but "Ma Deuce" is, and the .45 pistol is highly coveted. Body armor has plusses and minuses.
Hello to all my fellow gunners, military buffs, veterans and interested guys. A couple of weekends ago I got to spend time with my son... [He] spent seven months at "Camp Blue Diamond" in Ramadi, a.k.a. "Fort Apache." He saw and did a lot. The following is what he told me about weapons, equipment, tactics and other miscellaneous information which may be of interest to you. Nothing is by any means classified. No politics here, just a Marine with a bird's eye view's opinions.
Edited by the Team Sergeant Reason; Story is pure BS.
I don't think a Marine wrote it. For a few reasons:
Marines don't use the M24, their version of the Remington M700 is the M40A1. Though may have a M40A2 by now. I don't really keep up with it though.
The author refers to a M243 SAW, obvious mistake, should be M249.
On the 45 author refers the "HK military model & supposedly love it". I could be wrong but I have never seen any military carry the "boat anchor" in Iraq. Granted I have NOT been everywhere & seen everything. He also mentions the 45 being "reissued en mass". Seen several unit's personal carry 45's but they were tricked out 1911's.
Much of the article is true, much is also just his opinion too. Someone who hates the M16, SAW and likely 5.56 mm in general. I have never had any jamming problems with my M16 or M4 in the sandbox (keeping fingers crossed). Again I'm sure some personal have had issues with it, I just have not personnally observed it.
Back to lurk mode.
Team Sergeant
11-26-2005, 09:00
I have already pulled this off our boards once before. Whoever wrote it was an idiot and I doubt it was a Marine. It sounds as if it was written by a civilian with an agenda and not a member of the US Military. As was already pointed out there are obvious fabrications throughout the article and my favorite line is the mind blowing "By An anonymous Marine" which in itself sets the tone for the article.
I have had extensive training with all the weapons this individual writes about and in my opinion he (or she) is clearly a weapons novice, an amateur and an idiot. (IMO this might even be a reporter because of the fashion and fluff in which the story was written.) And merely printing the story in the Washington Times does not contribute any creditability to the commentary.
I have no desire to have this board become a dumping ground for tabloid news. This is worst than tabloid news it is clearly fabricated and total BS. I do understand those with little to no weapons training reading this trash and believing each and every word, and in my opinion that's all it is, trash.
lrd, Posting this is not your fault, it would, however, be mine if I did not point out that this is pure BS.
Team Sergeant
TS,
I started to run this by you before posting, and should have. I was curious about its accuracy, and now I know.
ObliqueApproach
11-26-2005, 10:39
Though not a fan of SOCNET, the following link gives you various perspectives about the Washington Times article. In general, the opinion is that some of the comments are valid, but the article in general is Bravo Sierra.
http://www.socnetcentral.com/vb/showthread.php?t=54209
Commo Dude
11-28-2005, 02:22
Maybe, instead of blocking the whole article, it would be better to edit out the BS opinions and leave the good shit for everyone to see. There are SOME valid points in there.
As far as the weapons go, almost two years out here without a jam using M4 & M249 prove that weapons maintinence is the key to reliability. I have NEVER SEEN a Marine with a dirty weapon though.
Team Sergeant
11-28-2005, 09:31
The article is all over the internet for anyone and everyone to view as they like, and I left the URL for members to follow.
Unless I know what unit we're talking about it the article is worthless. The individual in question "An anonymous Marine" could actually be an embedded reporter using a "anonymous Marine" as a cover to write a BS story. The story is full of holes and not worth reading by members on this board. There are many other AAR’s out there written far better than this idiots, and if you like I’d be more than happy to send them to you.
We know that weapons require proper maintenance, cleaning etc and without such care they are soon not functioning appropriately. That being said I would value the individuals opinion if he were a Senior Sergeant assigned a combat unit and not a E-1 serving with A Company 3rd Latrine Diggers Battalion. The "anonymous Marine" did not have the balls to identify who or what unit he’s from thus leading me to believe he’s (or she) is not in fact a Marine but rather a civilian with a sissy’s mind-set and an agenda. Again, not worthy of placing the article on this board. (All the Marines I've worked with would have the intestinal fortitude to stand up and place their name on this article.)
That is why the article was removed.
TS
BTW, I've also walked on some of the same sand over there.;)
504PIR:
A buddy who's a STA Plt. Sgt. with a 1stMARDIV unit tells me they do have some A3 chasis rifles now. Though, not to the shegrin of the shooters. Complain the stock is just too bulky/heavy in comparrison to the older A1 platform. Just some intel I thought I'd pass on.
TS:
Agreed with your "intestinal fortitude" comment. Hmmm...seems you have the lingo down. Closet jarhead? Just joking. Definitley conduct some serious wpns. maint. in a Marine line Co.
I don't see a grunt from the blue diamond (or any grunt for that matter) even giving a reporter the time of day. Line Co. Marines have a general distain for the media, and public opinion of their ops is the last thing on their radar. Not to mention the higher-ups will typically issue "gag orders" to their guys.
I concur, story seems a farse!
ST
The dead give away is the statement about Google World. You can't even get an up to date picture of Baghdad. In fact, my house doesn't even show up at my coordinates. It is a bunch of generic BS that has been going around for ages.
weapons maintinence is the key to reliability.
^^^^ Words by which to live.
Pardon the minor hijack but this seems to be a good place to interject something I heard on TV last week . There is a very good chance that the public opinion polls (if done correctly) will make a big shift in directi9on when sufficient combat veterans are re-deployed to the States.
In the below statement you could substitute combat soldiers for "marines".
. Marines have a general distain for the media, and public opinion of their ops is the last thing on their radar..
The Reaper
11-28-2005, 18:31
^^^^ Words by which to live.
True up to a point.
The cleanest M-249 in the world with 120,000 rounds through it is still not going to run right.
Weapons wear out and have to be replaced. So do mags. They are not glorious expenditures, benefitting multiple states, so they don't get replaced in time.
The units all have the weapons that they are authorized, so it addresses no deficiency. In peacetime, it is not that important. Now, it is.
Bottom line:
You wouldn't take a jet with 1,000 hours between overhauls and run it with passengers for 10,000 hours without a rebuild or replacement.
You shouldn't do it with firearms either.
TR