Selected for Staff, not accepting, more people should do the same.

I recently attended the SSgt Symposium for newly promoted/selected SSgts, and I think the perceived esotericism associated with pinning a rocker puts rose colored glasses on most Marines regarding themselves and the Marine Corps. I think the symposium itself was, in large, a beneficial tool to re-cage folks on the implied gravity of the transition but here’s what I took from it:

Just because you were selected, doesn’t mean you’re the best person for the job. You were selected from your peers based off of a very short brief given by someone who has never met you, decided by a board of people you’ve never seen, dictated by factors that are entirely ambiguous. (The board debrief is incoherent and contradictory at best.)

I think it’s important for Marines to think long and hard about responsibilities and duties associated with the role; it is not simply extra pay and BAH as a reward for staying in long enough without getting in severe enough trouble. A good Staff NCO is a subject matter expert for all things Marine Corps (hence “Staff”), all while maintaining a high level of PMOS credibility which is especially difficult to maintain for SDA and LAT mover Marines. TLDR; if you suck at your job, don’t accept.

Be honest with yourself, if you’re not going to be present as the bridge of communication between your commanders and subordinates, don’t accept. If you can’t maintain Marine Corps standards, don’t accept. If you can’t hold yourself to the same expectations you hold your subordinates to, don’t accept. If you don’t have the bandwidth to evolve with new TTPs, don’t accept. If you already have a shitty work/life balance, don’t accept.

We’ve all had bad SNCOs, either struggling to fulfill the role or biding their time until retirement, but there’s a reason every rank after Sergeant is still 3 stripes up, you’re still a servant, staff servant, first servant, etc. if you can’t serve your Marines, don’t accept.

Prime Hall

MARSOC Marine Raider

One of the most Valuable Lessons Learned in the Marine Corps: Overcoming Challenges and becoming a leader in the Marine Corps.

NJP 3 times

Am I turning homo?

The USS Abraham Lincoln (5000 Marines and sailors) has been out to sea for more than 250 days! ⚓️
After that kind of extended deployment, you’d think the crew would get a nice, quiet first port visit to relax and recharge.
Nope… their first stop is Pattaya Beach, Thailand. 😂🇹🇭
What could possibly go right—or wrong—on this first port visit? 😂🍻🌴
Welcome ashore, Lincoln! You’ve earned it! 🇺🇸⚓️

If you missed your monitor earlier because of deployment, exercises, or some other really good reason, this is another chance to sit down with them in person.

Stops include Iwakuni, Camp Butler, Pendleton, Miramar, New Orleans, Lejeune, Cherry Point, New River, Twentynine Palms, and Hawaii, with separate infantry-only visits at several locations.

I put the full schedule into one flyer so it is a little easier to keep track of. Full list of which monitors are coming will be with your Career Planners...go locate them!

Full MARADMIN:
https://stay-marine.com/messages/403-26

2 weeks ago now I ended up getting 2 tickets in one week 🫥. One was for doing 14 over going downhill and the other was for improper usage of my seatbelt. I had it slung behind my back. My command spoke to me and my OIC and Gunny are pushing for a Company Level NJP. And I was eligible for Cpl this month and just checked and it now says I’m non recd. Does this mean they’ve already routed up my NJP and I just have to wait for my trial? My Plt Sgt had me make a Slideshow on Speeding and I got it done in a week and also had me take some driving courses prior to my NJP which most likely will happen. I’m just a little confused and some help would be appreciated.

They create a tacky appearance and don't seem to be necessary.

Did my five years and I’m proud of what I did even if my body was failing me near the end. What I’m not proud of is getting home and seeing everyone got fucking old on me most of my grandparents have either died while in or died since I’ve been out, it’s been about a year or their health is severely declining. I mean hell even my own dads having health issues and when I went to Paris island he was healthy as a horse, my little brother ain’t little no more he’s a full on fucking adult. I don’t know this is some bs bitching I get it but fuck, maybe if I would’ve done even one cool thing I could defend my time in service but I didn’t do shit to support the marine corps if anything I was more a failure and burden than a supporting member due to weight issues and lacking at my mos but that happens in my field. I guess my question is has anyone else felt this shit? I guess if there’s one good thing to come out of everything I’ve finally gotten my ass back in shape probably best shape I’ve been in in my life actually have debated on rejoining but am honestly of belief that my body’s way too fucked at this point. Genuinely believe I need therapy or imma lose my fucking mind over this shit but therapy’s like for the navy or some shit so I don’t thinks that’s much of an option.

Was on the aircraft carrier for a month. It was a DEP to the Virgin Island, Jamaica. Turned out we were in the middle of the Persian Gulf doing Nuclear drills. Aircraft was landing and launching 24/7. Nothing in my records?

Not really, just a coincidence. Washington Monument in the background.

Obviously the "presidential salute" largely began with Reagan and presidents, as civilians, are not expected to return military salutes. That said, why do saluting protocols with respect to the president seem to differ between branches?

The airman's salute corresponds directly to the president but the marines remain in their position. Why the difference?

Joe Cantafio joined the Attention Now Podcast to share the incredible story of taking his music to Iraq to entertain our U.S. troops serving far from home. 🇺🇸🎸 Joe talked about what it meant to stand in front of America’s service members in a combat zone and use music to bring them a piece of home, even if only for a little while. It wasn’t just another performance—it was about showing appreciation, lifting morale, and supporting the men and women who were putting everything on the line. Much respect to Joe Cantafio for stepping forward and bringing music, encouragement, and a little bit of home to our troops in Iraq. Semper Fi!

Hello, I have a question and I figured this might be the best place to ask. I have a friend that I’m suspicious of. Not just because of what he’s told me regarding the marine stuff, but because of many other things he’s told me.

He says he’s in the marines and a part of a special task force. Twice this year he said he was enlisted to take part in a 1-2 day mission. Both times were in Iran. He said he flies out of Camp Pendleton and is in Iran to complete the mission for one or two days and then they fly him and the rest of the task force home after. Does this sound like something the marines would do? Fly someone to Iran for a day or two then send them home?

Thank you.

I’m sure this has been covered plenty but I’m still unable to find a way to get a dd214 member 4. I need it for employment. I don’t even remember seeing this form as all I have in my “military paperwork folder” is a dd214 member and service forms. Does anyone know how to obtain it? Apparently my job needs it to say member 4 at the bottom right.

I just want one for my keychain. People who know will know and give me a nod and maybe a handy if I'm lucky, everyone else will wonder what the fuck it is, and I want it that way. I see a website that's selling them for like 35 bucks, I don't need a real one. I was wondering if anyone could make a 3D printed copy or some such thing. Thanks!

I’m a Corporal with four years in the Corps, going on five. I recently PCA’d to a new unit and there’s a Gunny here who’s not in my MOS at all. Dude reads up on the manuals and now acts like he knows my job better than I do. He’s extremely nitpicky—corrects me on tiny things and talks like he knows every single thing I do word for word. It’s starting to get under my skin because I actually do this job every day, while he’s just reading about it. I get that he’s a Gunny and I’m supposed to show proper respect, but it feels like he’s stepping on my lane hard. Has anyone dealt with something like this? How do you handle a senior who micromanages or acts like an expert in a field they’re not in? I want to stay professional but I’m getting frustrated. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks, devil dawgs.

Anyone else notice Google Maps doesn't consider any of the roads on Camp Lejeune to exist anymore?

It is still ok to ask, "Are you Man-Lady or Lady-Lady?"

Asking for a Shipmate on the USS Lincoln.

Served from 20-24’, and I always wanted tattoos but never settled on designs and I’ve been out 2.5 years now and want to get something to commemorate my service.

Miss the good times of the MC everyday and forget all the bad times like a bad ex, but I’ve been battling back and forth internally if it’s weird to get a motto tat after I got out.

Would love to hear if others got a motto tat afterwards and what you got.

Thanks in advance fellas 🤙

Vid is a lil old