View Full Version : The 1stSgt's Office
Don Smith
10-03-2006, 16:29
Shooter,
I went to PI in 1960 2nd BN, so I guess I'm kinda a boot to you.
Semper Fi
well i was at the WMA Convention in Louisville Ky last month and the cmc was there. Gen Hagee. I shook hands with him and told him i might have retired before he went in the marine corps and i told him when i got out. He said nope, i was a 2nd lt for six months when u retired. semper fi
Damn it is good to see Shooter and our 1stSgt in here. Shooter you have me beat by a year and I am a Hollywood Marine. I enlisted 1Jun48. Too bad Don was at PI in 1960 as I was on the drill field in SDiego in 1960. HaHaHa.
Well i never was on the drill field, but i was stationed at parris island in 1966 for about 8 months before i got transferred to san diego for comm chiefs school. i went back to parris island about 6 years ago and there was only one wooden barracks left. The one i stayed in when going thru boot camp. I guess its gone since then, but that base sure has took a 190 degree turn since i was there. I was surprised to see quick food places and banks and much bigger px. Of course the sand fleas and mosquitos are still there. ha.
might take another run there pretty soon. Last year went to camp lejeune with the semper fi voice chat room for 4 days. rented a van and the marine corps furnished us with a driver. Also covered cherry point. Had a great time. even got to see the osprey maneuvering around. It sure made me feel at home again. semper fi
Don Smith
10-04-2006, 17:26
Yes, it is nice to go back to the old duty stations, where we spent our youth.
Last year on my way down to Flordia in Feb,. my SgtMajor( my Wife ) and I stopped by PI and stayed a couple nights.
Things sure have changed, when I was going to boot camp in 1960 all we had was the old wooden barracks ( H style ) , I think they started building the new brick barracks at that time for 3rd BN.
As my wife and I were watching a Recruit Graduation, I made the remark to her that the Commander of Troops looked so young to be a 1stSgt. She just smiled and said Don that's what they used to say about you.....do you remember ? I said I do but at the time I didn't think I so young.
Anyway after the pass in review, we stopped by the Marine Corp Museum, passed by Iron Mike....and told my wife that he was never going to see the main gate. That's a little inside joke our DI's would tell us. You magots will never graduate you'll be here longer than Iron Mike.
We then went into the Museum by this time my wife was getting tired so she just sat down on a bench on the first floor while I went thru the museum.
I came back about thirty minutes later and asked her if I was in a Museum. In her soft voice she said yes Don you are, why do you ask ? I said if this is a museum and I wore about half of the military uniforms displayed here while on active duty then what does that make me. Then she gave me a big smile and said.......OLD.
After that remark, I asked if she wanted to go to lunch. I figured if I got food in her month , then she would stop with the wise remarks.
Well , it was a nice couple days but you can't bring back the old Corp, but it will be in our hearts forever. And as long as we keep it in our hearts it will never die.
Semper Fi.......Marines......... .....:salute:
I just don't know what to say or how to express myself with two old timers back and posting. Welcome back Shooter and 1stSgt Smith. 1stSgt.. I expect to see you spend your evening in the eclub tonight and not be able to make it in tomorrow. That being the case I will give you one day TAD for home duty (not charged as leave). Then I expect to see all the dust removed from this office.. I know that the acting 1stSgt has been doing a good job.. but nothing like a old pro like you can do. I'm sure if you give the Gunny the word he will have this place ship shape by the time I stop by again.
Now I'm going over to the eclub to make sure your desk is clean over there and that they have uncovered your scooter.
So they tore down all the old wooden barracks. That was what we lived in while I was attending the 1stSgt/Admin School before goint ot Korea. There has been a lot of changes on nearly all our bases. Since they changed the main gatae at Quantico I am sure I could get lost there also.
Sure hope you stick around for awhile Top. How is the hip doing? They have kept your scooter cleaned, waxed, and serviced anticipating your return.
RedDok is still layed up, but he is home. Therefore it is good to have some of the older Marines around..Don I know what you mean about seeming too young. The new I-I Staff 1stSgt that reported last month looks awful young, but he has a chest full of medals. HeHeHe
GySgtJohn Petitt USMC(Retired) has done a good job of keeping the Company troops squared away in your absence.
LarryBee
10-05-2006, 09:26
I have a couple friends who went back to PI last year and they said the only thing left from the 60's is the barracks at the rifle range, said it hasn't changed.
I was in 1st Btn (old wooded barracks) in 64 and have said before I wish I had a plank from the deck as a souvenir.....wonder if they just plowed them under with bulldozers?
Lowe. E.T.
10-05-2006, 09:38
I have a couple friends who went back to PI last year and they said the only thing left from the 60's is the barracks at the rifle range, said it hasn't changed.
I was in 1st Btn (old wooded barracks) in 64 and have said before I wish I had a plank from the deck as a souvenir.....wonder if they just plowed them under with bulldozers?
No you dolt ..... they gave them to the the Mexican government to put across the border for housing for the Mexican citizens as they cross into the USA. -- Sort of a staging area.....
Why did you want a plank from the deck as a souvenir?? I heard your whole time in the Corps - you were holding a plant.
Every time - you give me the sword...... hahahaha
No you dolt ..... they gave them to the the Mexican government to put across the border for housing for the Mexican citizens as they cross into the USA. -- Sort of a staging area.....
Why did you want a plank from the deck as a souvenir?? I heard your whole time in the Corps - you were holding a plant.
Every time - you give me the sword...... hahahaha
Gene, those boards are sacred. Just imagine how many feet stepped on those boards, (some multiple times). Many of those feet belonged to Marines that became heroes, some gave their all, and then some went on and became citizens and performed their duties in Congress, Senate, City offices and even Larry became the CO of TSF. Bwahahaha
Larry, two black bears were hit by vehicles here within the last week. One this side of Oakridge up the Willamette River the other near Vida up the McKenzie River. Sort of odd as black bears usually don't get hit on our highways....just deer, elk, and possiums. These people didn't even need a rifle to kill one and here you have been blanked the last couple years. I am sure you had more fun. HaHaHa
Lowe. E.T.
10-05-2006, 21:27
Gene, those boards are sacred. Just imagine how many feet stepped on those boards, (some multiple times). Many of those feet belonged to Marines that became heroes, some gave their all, and then some went on and became citizens and performed their duties in Congress, Senate, City offices and even Larry became the CO of TSF. Bwahahaha
Larry, two black bears were hit by vehicles here within the last week. One this side of Oakridge up the Willamette River the other near Vida up the McKenzie River. Sort of odd as black bears usually don't get hit on our highways....just deer, elk, and possiums. These people didn't even need a rifle to kill one and here you have been blanked the last couple years. I am sure you had more fun. HaHaHa
~~~~~~~~~~~~
GR stated: "Gene, those boards are sacred. Just imagine how many feet stepped on those boards, (some multiple times)."
Well OK - if you say so --- smile -- But let's not stop there -- What about the urinals and the toilet bowls?
Many men performed their duties on them and have ended up doing the same as the pursued careers in Congress, Senate, City offices and even Larry, the CO of TSF.
Don Smith
10-11-2006, 18:59
So they tore down all the old wooden barracks. That was what we lived in while I was attending the 1stSgt/Admin School before goint ot Korea. There has been a lot of changes on nearly all our bases. Since they changed the main gatae at Quantico I am sure I could get lost there also.
Sure hope you stick around for awhile Top. How is the hip doing? They have kept your scooter cleaned, waxed, and serviced anticipating your return.
RedDok is still layed up, but he is home. Therefore it is good to have some of the older Marines around..Don I know what you mean about seeming too young. The new I-I Staff 1stSgt that reported last month looks awful young, but he has a chest full of medals. HeHeHe
GySgtJohn Petitt USMC(Retired) has done a good job of keeping the Company troops squared away in your absence.
Yea, PI looks like a College Campus now but the Marines still look the same. High and tight and full of fright.
Didn't know you were a 1stSgt but then again I guess that's when they designated M/Sgt's as 1St Sgt's and we only had E1 - E7 and as an E7 you could be a M/Sgt, !st Sgt or Sgt Major. I also went to the 1Stsgt's Admin School in 1976. Dam in Sept I had 30 years in grade. HAHAHAHA
I know Gy John has been fillin in for me. Ya know that's what good Gunny do they pick up the slack.......and we have one of the best Gunny's in our outfit.
Glad to see my scooter has been well maintained. The Dr says, I should be Ok for awhile but will need another hip, which will be my forth left replacement. I guess if I'm lucky I'll get 7 or 8 years out of this one. So we'll see.
I didn't know Red Dok was layed up. How's he doin ?
Hay ya know were not older Marine we just got some Time in......HAHAHA
Ya know i been retired about three years now and I'm always busy. Getting to the point that I don't have much time to spend on the computer and visit the web site. In the fall things kind of slow down a bit so I have a little more time to play on the computer.
My Sgt Major( my wife ) and I are going to Hawaii for a couple weeks the last part of this month. So were looking forward to the trip. going to lay over in SF for a couple days on the way over and on the way back were stopping at Los Vagas for a few days.
Looks like we'll spend most of March in Flordia to break up the winter. If it were up to me I'd be down South for the whole winter and leave the snow back here in NY.
Well I got my Leatherneck Magazine a couple days ago and haven't read it yet, so I'll hit the shower crawl in the fart sack and read it.
The smoking lamp is out......post the fire watch....and give me a early call about 0530 so I can get back to the Company Office and see what's been going on.
r
Yea, PI looks like a College Campus now but the Marines still look the same. High and tight and full of fright.
Didn't know you were a 1stSgt but then again I guess that's when they designated M/Sgt's as 1St Sgt's and we only had E1 - E7 and as an E7 you could be a M/Sgt, !st Sgt or Sgt Major. I also went to the 1Stsgt's Admin School in 1976. Dam in Sept I had 30 years in grade. HAHAHAHA
I know Gy John has been fillin in for me. Ya know that's what good Gunny do they pick up the slack.......and we have one of the best Gunny's in our outfit.
Glad to see my scooter has been well maintained. The Dr says, I should be Ok for awhile but will need another hip, which will be my forth left replacement. I guess if I'm lucky I'll get 7 or 8 years out of this one. So we'll see.
I didn't know Red Dok was layed up. How's he doin ?
Hay ya know were not older Marine we just got some Time in......HAHAHA
Ya know i been retired about three years now and I'm always busy. Getting to the point that I don't have much time to spend on the computer and visit the web site. In the fall things kind of slow down a bit so I have a little more time to play on the computer.
My Sgt Major( my wife ) and I are going to Hawaii for a couple weeks the last part of this month. So were looking forward to the trip. going to lay over in SF for a couple days on the way over and on the way back were stopping at Los Vagas for a few days.
Looks like we'll spend most of March in Flordia to break up the winter. If it were up to me I'd be down South for the whole winter and leave the snow back here in NY.
Well I got my Leatherneck Magazine a couple days ago and haven't read it yet, so I'll hit the shower crawl in the fart sack and read it.
The smoking lamp is out......post the fire watch....and give me a early call about 0530 so I can get back to the Company Office and see what's been going on.
r
No Top, I was never a full fledged 1stSgt. I have performed the duties of 1stSgt and SgtMaj before the current rank structure....but never the grade. I was a SSgt forever, TSgt and Acting GySgt, GySgt and retired over 36years ago as a MSGT (E-8).
RedDok seems to be coming along pretty good considering the old fart wears flip-flops. HaHaHa. His wife is off to Okinawa so guess it ios party time at Bob's house. (smile).
You probably would not need so many hip replacements if you stopped trying to be Superman. You know damn well you can NOT fly. Jumping off tall buildings is hell on the lower extremities in addition to the hips.
One of the retired CPO's I volunteer with at the local RAO is on his way to Hawaii. He is also retired Fireman so like Chuck he has his own condo, When we go I normally stay at the Hale Koa Recreation Center. Chuck stays next door at the Hilton or in his condo in Maui. As a Disbursing Officer I have heard through the grapevine that he took a dollar form each Marine each pay day and socked it away in a foreign bank. Now that he is retired he is fixed for life. HaHaHa. Anyway have fun in both Hawaii and Vegas.
Attention on deck.. the 1stSgt is on deck... and who is that other Marine.. hay that's me.
It's nice to see everything spit shined again.. I knew it would be done before I came back to your office 1stSgt. I was just looking at a fiscal report from 1stLt Dog Face. He informs me that 99% of the Marines passed the new rifle qualifications. We have to do something with that other 1%. Maybe pull them from duty and put them back through special retraining... They are Marines.. I want to see 100% qualification. I'll send a directive to the CO with a copy to you and the Colonel (what's his name). You know .. the colonel with the aid.
1stSgt.. is it still raining there in Florida? While I was there last month It rained on 2 or 3 different occasions. But never more then a hour or so at a time. It was hot and very muggy.. Temperature was running between 89 and 92 degrees while I was there.
Lowe. E.T.
10-13-2006, 11:01
It's nice to see everything spit shined again.. I knew it would be done before I came back to your office 1stSgt. I was just looking at a fiscal report from 1stLt Dog Face. He informs me that 99% of the Marines passed the new rifle qualifications. We have to do something with that other 1%. Maybe pull them from duty and put them back through special retraining... They are Marines.. I want to see 100% qualification. I'll send a directive to the CO with a copy to you and the Colonel (what's his name). You know .. the colonel with the aid.
***************
I've never seen anyone from Disbursing that could hit the broad side of an airplane hanger at the distance of 50 with a 175MM 0r 8" Gun.
The other 1% must be from Disbursing.
I thought only women worked in Disbursing anyway -- and the men were training to defend our nation?
Mwahahahahahahahaha
Colonel.. I always qualified expert in everything I shot... from the .38 to the .45 to the Thompson submachine gun, to the Grease gun, to the M-1 and, and to the M-14. I never did get to shoot the M-16. I was never required to qualify with it. I think they were afraid to give it let me shoot the M-16. That toy may have been too much for me.
Anyway I did not want to get my uniform dirty... That may have happened if I would have had to qualify... and then some young Marine would have had to police all my brass for me. So someone always took care of it for me. I had friends in the right places.
Don Smith
10-13-2006, 11:52
No Top, I was never a full fledged 1stSgt. I have performed the duties of 1stSgt and SgtMaj before the current rank structure....but never the grade. I was a SSgt forever, TSgt and Acting GySgt, GySgt and retired over 36years ago as a MSGT (E-8).
RedDok seems to be coming along pretty good considering the old fart wears flip-flops. HaHaHa. His wife is off to Okinawa so guess it ios party time at Bob's house. (smile).
You probably would not need so many hip replacements if you stopped trying to be Superman. You know damn well you can NOT fly. Jumping off tall buildings is hell on the lower extremities in addition to the hips.
One of the retired CPO's I volunteer with at the local RAO is on his way to Hawaii. He is also retired Fireman so like Chuck he has his own condo, When we go I normally stay at the Hale Koa Recreation Center. Chuck stays next door at the Hilton or in his condo in Maui. As a Disbursing Officer I have heard through the grapevine that he took a dollar form each Marine each pay day and socked it away in a foreign bank. Now that he is retired he is fixed for life. HaHaHa. Anyway have fun in both Hawaii and Vegas.
Top Ray,
I think your right about having my hips replaced but ya know we gotta live. And they way i figure it I don't want to just take it easy and become a light duty civilan,,,,,that' no fun. So my SgtMajor ( my Wife ) and I are going to do what we can while we can, then when the time comes we can't travel or need to limit our travel , then we can look back and have fond memories.
I have learned how to jump off building and land on my right foot only. HAHAHAHA. And when I fly I learned to land on my head and we both know I Marine can't hurt his head. HAHAHA.
Hay, if you were designeated a 1StSgt back in the Old corp , then you was a 1StSgt, nobody can take that away from you. Now days its a little different cause thing have gotten very technical. I still belive M/Sgt can fill 1sSgt bullits but 1StSgt's can't fill M/Sgt technical bullits. Both are leader but one is line and the other Staff. I, always held the M/Sgt in my Companies in high reguard but when push came to shove, they always knew who had the senior bullit.
Wasn't always like that our Marine Corp History tells us that there was a time that Gunny Sgts, were a pay grade higher than 1StSgt's, that was because of the technical skills it took to be a Gunner.
Thing change but the skill sets it takes to be a great Leader will never change.
While were in Hawaii were also staying at the Hale Koa I have heard it's real nice.
You know I think your right about Major Chuck getting a buck from all enlisted ranks and deverting it the an off shore account. I always wondered where that dollar went to ......now I know HAHAHAHA.
So when I'm at the eclub and put my drinks on his tab......its just a way of getting my Bucks back.......HAHaHa.
Glad to hear RedDok is comming around.
Well gotta shove off and do some shopping with the Sgt Major.
Life a good life and keep your power dry.
Semper Fi........:salute:
Don Smith
10-13-2006, 18:07
1stSgt.. is it still raining there in Florida? While I was there last month It rained on 2 or 3 different occasions. But never more then a hour or so at a time. It was hot and very muggy.. Temperature was running between 89 and 92 degrees while I was there.
Major Chuck,
I haven't been in Flordia since last March but i suppose it still rains there......HehEHEHE
My Sgt Major( my wife ) and I are going back to the Shades of Green for a couple weeks in March just before spring break, then would like to take maybe a 5 day Cruise while were there then and work our way back up the east coast. Need to stop by Quantico for a could days and see the new Marine Corp museum. That should take care of the month of March.
Ya do know I'm going to Hawaii ( you signed my liberty papers) for two weeks and staying at the Hale Koa so give me the scope on the Island, I know you have pulled more liberty there than a hound dog has fleas.
Take it easy Mustang........Semper Fi.............:salute:
I thought you was in Florida this week for some reason.. Did I sign two sets of leave papers for you?
My wife and I spent 3 nights at Shades of Green last month. Then moved on up to the Wilderness Lodge at Disney World. I spent 8 nights there before returning home. We met a group of people that were coming in.. including my oldest daughter. We had some of the Hall and Oats band members and their families with us as our guests for the last 8 days. So we had to be where they were staying. I assume you may have heard of them. The Wilderness Lodge was OK.. but very expensive. More then $400.00 a night for each room. I guess I am on a part way fixed income now. Starting last year and continuing for the rest of my life I will no longer get the military retirement COLA's. I have already passed the 80% cap. this goes for everyone that retired before 1975.. and as years go by, more and more retirees will be added to that list. It's a good thing that I have about 5 other retirements plus a income from owning a company.. and I still work... at age 69. I'll never really retire.
Don Smith
10-13-2006, 18:31
***************
I've never seen anyone from Disbursing that could hit the broad side of an airplane hanger at the distance of 50 with a 175MM 0r 8" Gun.
The other 1% must be from Disbursing.
I thought only women worked in Disbursing anyway -- and the men were training to defend our nation?
Mwahahahahahahahaha
Col,
I agree 99% requal is not good enough. I sure wouldn't want that 1% in a Fox hole with me covering my six. :banghead:
I did find out that the 1 % UNKs were the dispursing clerks...........so I got a plan.:crackwhip
We know how the disbursing clerks feel about Major Chuck..........they think he's a good Marine but at times tells them how he did the job when he was an enlisted man. :crackwhip
Now that really pisses them off. Ya know as long as the Marine Corp has had Mustang Officer's its been that way.:k_crying:
Some become over powering over with enlisted men cause when there with the Regular Officer's they don't quite fit in.
Anyway, I've gone to the base photo lab and had Major Chucks offical Marine Corp Photo enlarged to about the size of the bull eye on the able range.
Got one pasted to each target, now in the morning them non qual dispursing clerks are going to be marched to the range by Gunny John.........And i betcha
they don't miss the bulls eye this time.:banana: :banana: :banana:
Gunny John will bring me back the Range scores and i'll have them posted to the Marines SRB's....Do ya think well have a few EXPERTS..:sniper: ......HEHEHEHE..
Col is all about how to motive the troops......that's what us 1st Shirts get paid for.
Semper Fi...............:salute:
What targets?? I just came from the range.. was up there talking to 1stLt Dog Face.. I did not see any bull's eyes on those targets.. in fact I could not even see a target.. do you have them hidden? I was standing on the 300 yard line.. Do I have to move up to the 200 yard line?
Don Smith
10-13-2006, 19:01
I thought you was in Florida this week for some reason.. Did I sign two sets of leave papers for you?
My wife and I spent 3 nights at Shades of Green last month. Then moved on up to the Wilderness Lodge at Disney World. I spent 8 nights there before returning home. We met a group of people that were coming in.. including my oldest daughter. We had some of the Hall and Oats band members and their families with us as our guests for the last 8 days. So we had to be where they were staying. I assume you may have heard of them. The Wilderness Lodge was OK.. but very expensive. More then $400.00 a night for each room. I guess I am on a part way fixed income now. Starting last year and continuing for the rest of my life I will no longer get the military retirement COLA's. I have already passed the 80% cap. this goes for everyone that retired before 1975.. and as years go by, more and more retirees will be added to that list. It's a good thing that I have about 5 other retirements plus a income from owning a company.. and I still work... at age 69. I'll never really retire.
Major Chuck,
I don't think you signed two sets of leave papers for me. What i think happened was when i was on terminal leave and was ordered back to duty. I didn't comply with the reporting date and you covered my six by putting in leave papers for me to cover that period of time.
Yea.......$400 a night to sleep in the Wilderness Lodge is really BIG BUCKS.
Hell, I only paid $99 a night at the Shades of green. Anyway if ya enjoyed yourself being with your family that's what really counts.
I didn't know your military retirement pay could be capped and you could stop getting a COLA. I assume that's just for Officers ?
Anyway, It is nice to know you have other income to rely on. That's what planning is all about.
Since I retired from the Marine Corp, every job I had, I got vested in their retirement before i made a move to another job. Doesn't make me rich but my Sgt Major ( my wife ) and I live very comfortable and have every thing we want within reason. We look back at what we had when we were first married and living on a L/Cpl's pay and say how did we do it. Guess when your young and in love you din't need much but each other. And hay when ya get old its the same way.
I didn't think I'd ever retire but when I turned 60 and my health started to go. I deceided it was time. I really owed it to my wife to spend more time with her before something happened to me. I do however miss the wheeling and dealing of doing busness.
Semper Fi............:salute:
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