The Marine Corps Enlistment Crisis, My thoughts.

[@MMaintenence]

Rah did my 4 in the infantry. I sucked at running, got put on remedial pt after a 2nd class pft. Had me running 3 times a day for 2 years and broke my spirit, and desire to putting any more time in. When you run that much it doesn't improve you. Regardless I would rather give my family my time and commitment than a broken country that doesn't stand for what I told myself it does when I was 18.

[@Ives1776]

My question is: if the Marines aren’t all that, who is? Where can I be that is? Also the problem with this is when shit hits the fan, no one in the marines will be up to the task. That just fuckin sucks

[@VistaViews]

I had the same experience around the same time I think. 2nd Div 1st Marines. While I did get promoted several times I was still treated like shit which eventually came to a head where I got sent home to spend a little time in Leavenworth and got the boot in the end. The entire ordeal disgusted me from start to finish and I normally don't even mention my time in the service. 100% understand what you mean.

[@hoosiered471]

The Airwing was a little different than the ground side (IMO). If you were a good worker/mechanic, you were valued, even though the Airwing had its share of BS as well. The aircraft came first, everything else second. If a Marine was lazy or a shit bird, he was the one sent to Toolroom, mess hall, guard duty, etc. If you went on flight orders and became a Crew Chief, life was not that bad. Even though I still miss my leaky 53s, the Marine Corps was very "limiting" in professional growth, which is why I got out like many of my friends.

[@ungratefulpeasant8085]

I experienced the same thing in the Navy. Too many clicks, lack of leadership, crooked chiefs mess, broken promotion system etc. Made me completely sick. I put up with it for 14 years before I just couldn't anymore.

[@Thatmercguy]

When I went into Suicide back in 2009, it was the exact same way. The level of toxic leadership was evident and also put a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't experience good leadership until my last year in. At that point I had made my decision to get out. Unfortunately it was the same story throughout the infantryman. You hit the nail on the head.

[@ronaldperkins4222]

Old Army vet here, drafted - 1968-70. My experience was different because of the times & MOS. Combat Medic. Most of us were draftees so only did a 2 yr stint, including the doctors in my unit. Too much movement & not enough time to form cliques. But I've seen the exact same thing in civilian life after my service. Most of my uncles, a nephew, & my Dad served in Army during WWII. Have 2 nephews that served in Marines

[@villgoir]

Not surprising I haved some of the same problem in the army I manage to get further since it's a bigger organization

[@irishrider7324]

Damn, sorry to hear! You should of asked for Office Hours!

[@TipTop_171]

Active Sgt. 11-now Airwing but it’s terrible out here Military is on standby for FDA approval for mango jab but it’s made available every week

[@josephswysocki8919]

I respect everything you stand for

[@FreedomTimes4130]

Your a man of honor and a true patriot. Honeslty matt. I credit your parents and whoever raised you with that train of thought. Not just what you learned in 6 months in basic training. Just my humbled opinion. Theres a reason why people act the way they do. And a reason why people like us see their bullshit Dont get me wrong... i couldnt do what they do as far as even making it through basic. Maybe when i was 18 i could have. I was medically unfit for the army because of migraines. I tried to enlist. With that said... it comes down to being a good person or not. Seems like you experienced alot of shitty people not raised correctly. But again. Just my opinion. Found a beretta btw. Gonna get it

[@Phoenix_OP]

I feel the same way when I was in the Guard. Me and my good Colleagues work hard, but never got promoted. One of my close friend was stuck being an E-4 CPL for 8 years and was denied getting promoted. While this was going on, I withness the circle jerks getting promoted for being but kissers. The Toxic Leadership problem is happening in every Military Branch and Components.

[@razor9156]

The Stumps??? What a hell hole. Spent 7 years in the Corps (late 70s to mid 80s). I agree with your assessment. Most if not all of my staff NCOs were Vietnam Vets. Great men, outstanding leadership. Times have changed and not necessarily for the good. Semper Fi.

[@garybryant7274]

I enlisted in 04, 74. I was a 6112, ch-46 mech. Saigon fell a year later so I'm an era vet but was never in country. I was good at what I did on the birds so I didn't have a problems with promotions. I got out as a Cpl in 78. Things were so bad on getting parts that all the squadrons kept 2 or 3 birds out on the flight line to cannibalize parts. Things were much the same as you described back then. After I got out the Iran hostage crisis happened so I re-enlisted in the reserves. K-3-24 4th MARDIV. That was a good company. But nothing happened and since I was a class 3 reservist I quit. My civilian supervisor was a WW2 Marine ( Quadalcanal, Guam & Iwo Jima ) hated the Marine Corps and gave me a lot of shit so I chose Tool and Die work over the Corps. My son was a grunt, 1-3 in the 90's. Same experience as you and I. The Marine Corps has been broken since at least Viet Nam. Semper Fi, brother. 👍

[@kc17821]

True if you are friends with the powers that be you get promoted. Then you are a boss.If not you work in the rain, dark ,cold, heat. Whatever, just don't get a bad attitude or you get guard duty mess duty etc. I worked on 53s also .1982 to1986 Semper Fi!

[@bryananderson4076]

89 to 94 0311 with 2/7 and 1/7 ....in my time our leadership was different we were led by Vietnam vets ...my col was a mustang ..he understood..and trained us with the corps values

[@UncleVoodoo]

I never encountered too much trouble but I butted a lot of heads… and usually came out on top. I have an extremely strong personality and had the abilities to it back up so I tended to steamroll over people above me in rank, I just focused on out performing my inferior “superiors” to the point that their superiors were unable to not take notice and people learned to either follow me or stay out of my way. I had an incident that flipped a switch very early in my mil career that shaped my behavior- as a pvt I relieved a ssg and 2 sgts of command and took over a squad, completed the mission properly and got us out of danger. After an investigation I was promoted to cpl (army nco) and given my own squad. After that I was a force to be reckoned with. In the civilian world I’m surprised I haven’t been fired from my current job (my current job sounds a lot like your mil exp) because I’ll kick open my bosses door and tell him to pull his head out of his ass. But that’s just me.

[@wendyvic4046]

Wow. Sounds like things are still the same! I served in the early to late seventies, and you are SPOT ON when you point towards "toxic leadership". There were a few units I was with which had horrendous leadership, similar to what you have described. I was fortunate enough to be transferred into units with some outstanding leaders, and it makes ALL the difference. It really shouldn't surprise us though, because people are just people after all: some are good, some are "dick heads".

[@joec2442]

That’s all sick and sad to hear

[@paulhastings3109]

I believe it all branches 🇺🇲

[@pray4mojo35]

It sounds like your describing most police departments. Toxic leadership is exactly what destroys a good department and makes the good coppers leave.

[@RandomGuy17768]

It's all in there plans, to make all the good guys quit or leave, that way they can indoctrinatie the new ones coming in without any pushback.

[@randyfrazier8307]

I wanted to be a lifer, I went to re-enlist and was told that I couldn't because Obama was downsizing. There were no jobs available. Its a sad state of affairs.

[@RustinCohle-c1x]

Yeah it's like that with AAVs. Same bad leaders.

[@sermexflomex1423]

I worked with plenty of shit birds in the early 90’s.

[@Lead_Ache_5]

My buddy is still in and said everything is pussified now. Gotta not "offend" anyone. Or get NJP. But still love you salty Devil Dogs. 🤠🍻🇺🇸

[@robertsmith6068]

I felt the same way about my four years as an 0311. It was a great disappointment to me. I did get out as a Sgt. but I was disgusted by the low quality or something more (or less) profound. I didn't understand what the problem was either. Maybe it's the civilian culture. Don't get me wrong there were some good Marines who believed in honor, integrity and courage. I tried to measure up.

[@bluefalconssuck5881]

Who has time to combat train when you have to learn 107 genders and 87 pronouns? Rainbow Guidons for everyone. Yeah, NO... Screw that.

[@ligmaballs0911]

You sound like all those bitter ass grandpas

[@bluefalconssuck5881]

@@ligmaballs0911 Those "Bitter-ass Grandpas" footed the hefty bill for the price of your admission... Only to watch you shit yourselves in terror on the teacup ride... They've earned the Right to be that way.

[@angelrivera3920]

Glad to see 👀 wasn't alone, did my time and got out. Miss my friends (no better friends in my life, when you in the shit together) but you always have assholes to deal with.

[@stinkeye460]

Although I never served I believe it's a number of things that have screwed up our military. First there is too much civilian control. Only a few members of Congress are vets. The brass are politicians not warriors. The military is being turned into a social experiment and now the left puts more emphasis on liberal indoctrination than training men to become warriors. Also our service men and women are grossly underpaid. Several years ago the Postal system in Va. was trying to recruit new workers and they started out at $20.00 an hour plus the usual benefits. Why would anyone today risk their lives to protect a country that is becoming a Marxist police state run by corrupt politicians? One that uses the FBI and ATF to intimidate law abiding citizens that disagree with what these Nazis are forcing on us?

[@josephmiller1941]

29 Palms?? I'm so sorry,lol.

[@Matteo_]

Bad units start with terrible leadership. As the old say goes... 💩 rolls down hill. My last unit had a lot of the same BS you were talking about. Except the SNCO's and officers loved to play games for the sake of it. And if you didn't suck their __ and weren't part of their little crowd you got endlessly effed with.

[@ArmedSteadyFirearmsChannel]

Sounds familiar