USMC Unwritten Rules...

[Born Invincible]

I'm not even going to start this out as a negative thread I just want to put "pen to paper" so to speak on the so called unwritten rules in the Marine Corps and maybe turn myth into truth. Feel free to add any I miss, and or correct anything that I say in this thread (I'm a big boy i can take criticism).

1) A "Low Reg" is not a regulation haircut. This haircut has been described to me as a haircut where the fade starts at or below the top of the ear.

2) No hands in the pocket. Hands can only be in the pocket in the field at best. The top reason I received was and I quote, "Marine's don't do that, it's what separates us from the Army."

3) No chewing gum in uniform. (This has been discussed in another thread...)

4) Field Days HAVE to be conducted on thursdays.

5) You have to wear "civilian clothes" the same way you wear your charlie service uniform. By this I mean collared shirt and slacks. (I once had a 1stSgt say that was the only way he would allow his Marines to go on liberty... he was not my 1stSgt, thank God.)

6) You can only wear the CIF issued beanie when the sun is down, or better yet when it is 32 degrees or colder...

7) Marine's only write in black ink.

[Funkymustafa]

2) No hands in the pocket. Hands can only be in the pocket in the field at best. The top reason I received was and I quote, "Marine's don't do that, it's what separates us from the Army."
I see officers and SNCO's contradict each other on this all the time. Though it usually depends on exactly how cold it is.



3) No chewing gum in uniform. (This has been discussed in another thread...)
I don't know about chewing gum as that is more visible with the chewing, but I am in a grunt unit and people dip everywhere. In the field, in parking lots, in classrooms, standing around outside, etc, all in uniform. Leadership has never said anything.



5) You have to wear "civilian clothes" the same way you wear your charlie service uniform. By this I mean collared shirt and slacks. (I once had a 1stSgt say that was the only way he would allow his Marines to go on liberty... he was not my 1stSgt, thank God.)
I have never encountered anything like this. Ironically enough the sluttiest cocktail dress I saw at the ball was on the CO's wife.



6) You can only wear the CIF issued beanie when the sun is down, or better yet when it is 32 degrees or colder...
I hope nobody seriously tried to enforce something like this, it's fair game 24/7 in the field...

[owens2023]

You got most of them. Here are a few corrections.

1. A "low reg" is a regulation hair cut. The order states that the hair needs to be graduated from 0 to 3 inches and side burns can't extend past the middle orifce of the ear.

2. Hands are not allowed in pockets even in the field. If your hands are cold then put the gloves on that you were issued. The Commandant has just recently put this out as an ammedment to the uniform regs.

3. You can chew gum in uniform. You just can't walk and chew.

4. I don't know why it's always on Thursdays.....just is.

5. Civilian clothes should reflect the same appearance as wearing Charlies. The regs have been modified to include jeans and tennis shoes so long as they reflect a professional appearance.

6. Beanies, like boonies are only authorized in the field.

[Your_Name_Here]

I'm not even going to start this out as a negative thread I just want to put "pen to paper" so to speak on the so called unwritten rules in the Marine Corps and maybe turn myth into truth. Feel free to add any I miss, and or correct anything that I say in this thread (I'm a big boy i can take criticism).

1) A "Low Reg" is not a regulation haircut. This haircut has been described to me as a haircut where the fade starts at or below the top of the ear.

2) No hands in the pocket. Hands can only be in the pocket in the field at best. The top reason I received was and I quote, "Marine's don't do that, it's what separates us from the Army."

3) No chewing gum in uniform. (This has been discussed in another thread...)

4) Field Days HAVE to be conducted on thursdays.

5) You have to wear "civilian clothes" the same way you wear your charlie service uniform. By this I mean collared shirt and slacks. (I once had a 1stSgt say that was the only way he would allow his Marines to go on liberty... he was not my 1stSgt, thank God.)

6) You can only wear the CIF issued beanie when the sun is down, or better yet when it is 32 degrees or colder...

7) Marine's only write in black ink.

I can't speak to most of these, but can add perspective from where I sit, as AD/AF.

- There is a Haircut thread, where things were hashed out ad nauseum; there was apparently an effort to codify "low reg" and define it for the purpose of banning it.
- AF Instructions also prohibit putting hands in pockets; only if you are inserting or extracting something there. Hands cold? Wear gloves.
- This, if true, would be unfortunate. Our prohibitions are against eating, drinking and tobacco while walking about.
- Depending on what's coming up, Field Day-like efforts are generally done as part of spinup to an inspection
- My brother got out of the MC in '06; he told me some about Marines liberty dress code, and my impression was that come hell or high water, there is to be NO sagging pants and any other accessorizing that might go with that.
- Bases vary slightly in implementation, but generally if it's cold enough to wear the beanie/watch cap (I assume you refer to this), it's cold enough to wear the rest of cold-weather gear.
- US Govt forms don't copy well if done in colors other than black (or blue) ink.

[Born Invincible]

You got most of them. Here are a few corrections.

1. A "low reg" is a regulation hair cut. The order states that the hair needs to be graduated from 0 to 3 inches and side burns can't extend past the middle orifce of the ear. Top of the ear orifice

2. Hands are not allowed in pockets even in the field. If your hands are cold then put the gloves on that you were issued. The Commandant has just recently put this out as an ammedment to the uniform regs. Wear is this written when did i miss this?

3. You can chew gum in uniform. You just can't walk and chew.

4. I don't know why it's always on Thursdays.....just is.

5. Civilian clothes should reflect the same appearance as wearing Charlies. The regs have been modified to include jeans and tennis shoes so long as they reflect a professional appearance.

6. Beanies, like boonies are only authorized in the field. I was told this in the field

I put the things in that were actually told to me in the 10 years i've been in...

[owens2023]

The hands in the pockets is a new change to the uniform regs order. It was officially put out in a MARADMIN.

The beanie thing is at Commander's dicretion. All issued gear is worn at Commander's discretion.

[Born Invincible]

ok, maybe i'm crazy or blind or stupid (your choice) but can anyone find and post the MarAdmin that states no hands in the pockets? I just spent the last 24 hours scouring the pages of www.marines.mil and haven't found it i also went directly to the source and checked out MarForSysCom's page and don't see that change either. (http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Changes%20to%20MCO%20P1020.34G.asp) somebody help me turn this myth into fact...

[Rawr]

I just spent the last 24 hours scouring the pages of www.marines.mil

i gave up on that horribly designed website years ago ;)

i only use MOL when i absolutely must, and i have been considering deciding to refuse to accept the mypay EULA.

Marines are awesome at killing shit, but absolutely fail when it comes to anything related to the internet.

could you imagine this forum if it where official and USMC run?


so, here is my contribution:

1. Marines fail at internet technology.

2. The CD that gets passed around with all the MCI answers does not exist.

3. Related to #2: your "training NCO" that signs your MCI answer sheets is whomever you want it to be.

4. There is no such thing as a Sergeant. There are, however, many Marines who have the first name of Sarn't and Stasarn't (say them out loud :) ). Both names are French. It is commonly believed that the origins have something to do with ww1.

[USMC_8156]

4. There is no such thing as a Sergeant. There are, however, many Marines who have the first name of Sarn't and Stasarn't (say them out loud :) ). Both names are French. It is commonly believed that the origins have something to do with ww1.

To the point where the other day I heard someone say "Sahr-jent" out loud and I looked at them like they were speaking another language. You just don't hear that.

[owens2023]

The official change to P1020.34G (Marine Corps Uniform Regulations) is still in processing. According to the offical uniform board website, the new regulations are to be adhered to even though the official order hasn't been rewritten yet. The Commandant has approved them already. Here is the new reading that change 5 will say:

>CH 5 3. The use of chewing gum, chewing tobacco, cigarettes; hands in pockets; or the consumption of food or beverage while walking in uniform or while in formation, are examples of activities that detract from an appropriate military presence. However, good judgment will govern the application of this policy in the field environment

[USMC_8156]

>CH 5 3. The use of chewing gum, chewing tobacco, cigarettes; hands in pockets; or the consumption of food or beverage while walking in uniform or while in formation, are examples of activities that detract from an appropriate military presence. However, good judgment will govern the application of this policy in the field environment

So, does that mean no hands in pockets while walking, or period? Hopefully they clear up the language.

[owens2023]

LOL.....I know I thought the same thing though. The new addition to the order also states that it cannot list everything that is deemed not professional in uniform so it is up to commanders and senior leaders to use their best judgement as what is and isn't.

So, this means if someone corrects you because you have your hands in your pockets while standing still, then it is still valid.

[fenway]

black pen is just professional, especially in civilain land.

hands in pockets is not professional

collared shirts and decent clothes on liberty is required and has been. on base ...maybe not so much it should look decent

[USMC_8156]

collared shirts and decent clothes on liberty is required and has been. on base ...maybe not so much it should look decent

BS. Show me a base/unit order that says you have to wear collared shirts on liberty.

[CSBurns]

A collared shirt is NOT mandatory, but has to be a clean, serviceable. I have a shirt that has three buttons on is that has no collar and it is acceptable to wear. The base order down at Lejeune says collar or no collar. There are a ton of decent looking shirts out there that have no collar.

[USMC_8156]

A collared shirt is NOT mandatory, but has to be a clean, serviceable. I have a shirt that has three buttons on is that has no collar and it is acceptable to wear. The base order down at Lejeune says collar or no collar. There are a ton of decent looking shirts out there that have no collar.

Long story short, there is nothing wrong with a T-Shirt and jeans.

And how is a piece of civilian clothing serviceable :tongue:

[CSBurns]

No rips or holes in it is what I meant.

[fenway]

I know marines and sailors in foreign ports have to have collared shirts

[Born Invincible]

when you are deployed especially with a MEU you usually have to wear a collared shirt. While i was on the 31st MEU our MEU & Battalion commanders made it mandatory for places other than Okinawa.

[Wheels]

I know marines and sailors in foreign ports have to have collared shirts

It's not mandatory, at least on the boat i was on. I got off the Nimitz in June and every port we hit maybe 20% wore collard shirts. The only restrictions were no holes/rips, no short skirts/shorts/belly shirts... things of that nature. I guess the dress code is at t he commanders discretion (sp?) and varys from unit to unit.

[MACHINE666]

I think the unwritten rule of the USMC is to make their peoples lives as miserable as possible. Both on this board and in real life I've witnessed how Marines are treated first hand by their chain of command and it's deplorable. One or two bad apples ruin it, and everyone else pays for their crimes. I would almost show sympathy but you guys chose the lifestyle you live, just as I chose to go into the Air Force right out of high school. I think alot of you guys would do better in the Army since they're not as high strung, and you guys won't deal with the wimp-factor that goes along with the whole Air Force. As for myself, I don't mind being called a wimp or whatever the case may be - I'll gladly take my X-Box 360 on deployment and enjoy the 6 months of Air Conditioned living quarters!

[OIFCOMBATVETNYC]

Isnt a blanket party and unwritten rule? ;)

[Gunny_2862]

I think the unwritten rule of the USMC is to make their peoples lives as miserable as possible. Both on this board and in real life I've witnessed how Marines are treated first hand by their chain of command and it's deplorable. One or two bad apples ruin it, and everyone else pays for their crimes. I would almost show sympathy but you guys chose the lifestyle you live, just as I chose to go into the Air Force right out of high school. I think alot of you guys would do better in the Army since they're not as high strung, and you guys won't deal with the wimp-factor that goes along with the whole Air Force. As for myself, I don't mind being called a wimp or whatever the case may be - I'll gladly take my X-Box 360 on deployment and enjoy the 6 months of Air Conditioned living quarters!

Look, I know it's hard to believe it, but sometimes paying en masse is a fact of life and works better than punishing an individual. Sometimes, so many individuals are punished, that commanders are left with no choice but punish everyone to get a point across. That matter can be debated, but it works if used properly and at the right time. If you think every marine is treated that badly, you haven't seen enough or you saw examples from a unit with weak SNCO's and Officers who couldn't or didn't have the trust and confidence of their commanders.

Speaking with a few few friends who jumped ship and went to the army, they immediately were disgruntled with the lack of discipline compared to us....even among "POG" MOS's. They also hated the ratio of officers and senior enlisted to troops, making even Sgt and SSgt equivalent to our LCpl and Cpl duties and responsibilities. Ask the fence jumpers, they will tell you as they seen both sides of the issue. If you've always been army, you might never notice that difference, and it's not wrong, it's just the way it is.

As far as you being happy doing what you do, I'm glad you are happy deploying in environmentally controlled conditions with X-BOX capabilities, I would be too. I never was able to even wonder what that would be like (in my first 16 years, 10 of those in division) until I touched down in luxurious Camp Taqqadum this summer and realized WTF are we doing living like this?? II thought I deployed to an Iraqi boy scout camp at first....

It's not so bad being a marine, it is what you make it. Follow the rules and enforce those given and life will always be good. Only challenge those rules in private and things can be changed for the better, they will be for the most part. We aren't high-strung, we just have more rules and rightfully so, we all train to pick up a weapon and fight if needed. Remember machine, all marines must be ready to convoy and do defensive patrols around camps and posts. The grunts patrol towns and fight the enemy regular armies, they don't have time for defensive patrols (if they do, the fighting is over), hence all the rules and the way we are generally treated. I bet those air force special forces people act more like us then they act like the normal airman like you portray them to be with your example of yourself.

Just my opinions on why some things are the way they are with my observations and experiences with other people.

[OIFCOMBATVETNYC]

I served on Marine Corps active duty from the late 80s to the 90s and the same gripes today were the same ones back then. But bottom line its the best fighting force the world has ever seen. I am now an Army Officer (was an Army SNCO as well) and still miss and yearn for the Marine days. Army knows how to fight but the bond isnt the same as the Corps. JMHO. And their are very Hooah units in the Army. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions (which I was a part of), 75th Ranger and alot of others. Observe those units and it all makes a stresful day.

The above post hits the mark about us former devil dogs that jump the fence lol.

[fenway]

a bitchin marine is a happy marine.

this is just stuff that happens in the military and civilian world. bueracracy, politics and such is part of life. doesn't mean a bad organization.

just watch the movie office space


as long as you like your actual job... you are good.

[fenway]

hands in pockets, or chewing gum isn't appropriate for some working at Subway so it definetly is not in the MC

[USMC_8156]

hands in pockets, or chewing gum isn't appropriate for some working at Subway so it definetly is not in the MC

What? When's the last time you were at Subway? Regardless, putting your hands in your pocket and chewing gum is acceptable at many Wall Street law firms, so what?

[Born Invincible]

It's not mandatory, at least on the boat i was on. I got off the Nimitz in June and every port we hit maybe 20% wore collard shirts. The only restrictions were no holes/rips, no short skirts/shorts/belly shirts... things of that nature. I guess the dress code is at t he commanders discretion (sp?) and varys from unit to unit.

The navy seems to have much more relaxed standards while deployed than the Marines. At most port visits we had to have collared shirts these places included Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Cambodia, Philipines, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong. The places we didn't were Thailand, and Hawaii (with the MEU on RimPac we were collared). What I have gathered is that it's up to the unit commander and his/her own personal preferences.

[Born Invincible]

hands in pockets, or chewing gum isn't appropriate for some working at Subway so it definetly is not in the MC

chewing gum isn't appropriate in any job where you have to have verbal communication with a coustomer. I don't like to receive classes, counselings or anything where i have to understand someone who has gum in their mouth, dip or chew is even worse because it stinks and distracts from the business at hand when you notice a stray tobacco in the nooks and crannies of the teeth. However, in my opinion (and in my defense not something i allow), i don't see anything the least bit unprofessional about walking around while chewing a stick of gum as long as when you are being talked to you ensure that it's not being chewed on during a conversation.

I'm a huge fan of the hands in the pockets. but definately not while walking. it's not even comfortable to walk around with your hands in your pockets. but i have yet to use a functional Marine Corps glove that keeps your hands warm enough and allows dexterity. The inserts suck when used inside the leather shells they render your fingers useless. The OR gloves suck and rip and tear very easily. however my pockets keep my fingers much warmer. I never lose one of them and need a missing gear statement to replace the one that "somebody" borrowed and never returned

BUT as a SNCO i do enforce the regulations that i'm given and due to that fact i correct the MArines under my charge to ensure we are all on the same page... but when i'm a SgtMaj... ha ha haaaa

[SGTUSMC1986]

Heres to Add to Your List

1.) No hands in Pockets? I mean why, its cold outside, keep them warm, put them in your pockets, who are you hurting.

2.) No Beanies? You might as well pack that thing in the big green bag you got in boot camp with the rest of your gear, because your not wearing them here buddy. I mean its 0700 and 60 degrees out, there is ice on your windsheild and you go into work and you are told to take your bennie off and find a cover. Your a Marine, Adapt and Overcome... Then when you go to BAS, you have to wait hours on end for them to give you medicine for a cold you got because you cant wear your beanie.

3.) Do as I Say, Not as I Do. Our Senior Leaders wont let you do what they do, aka smoking in front of barracks is just one of the many to choice from. I mean what makes it any diffrent or ok to do it, rules are rules and they are meant to follow. Just because A marine has more time in, doesnt make it ok for them to break the rules.

4.) Field Days? They say Field days are suppose to be more relaxed, I havent seen this yet, only getting worse. Every Thursday, stricker and stricker.:mad2:

[hawk71049]

Heres to Add to Your List

1.) No hands in Pockets? I mean why, its cold outside, keep them warm, put them in your pockets, who are you hurting.

2.) No Beanies? You might as well pack that thing in the big green bag you got in boot camp with the rest of your gear, because your not wearing them here buddy. I mean its 0700 and 60 degrees out, there is ice on your windsheild and you go into work and you are told to take your bennie off and find a cover. Your a Marine, Adapt and Overcome... Then when you go to BAS, you have to wait hours on end for them to give you medicine for a cold you got because you cant wear your beanie.

3.) Do as I Say, Not as I Do. Our Senior Leaders wont let you do what they do, aka smoking in front of barracks is just one of the many to choice from. I mean what makes it any diffrent or ok to do it, rules are rules and they are meant to follow. Just because A marine has more time in, doesnt make it ok for them to break the rules.

4.) Field Days? They say Field days are suppose to be more relaxed, I havent seen this yet, only getting worse. Every Thursday, stricker and stricker.:mad2:

OK, I give up what is not relaxed about the field days of your era, I don't get it...:confused:

.

[OIFCOMBATVETNYC]

I just hated the aftermath of Field days. If your room didnt pass inspection on Friday, you will get re-inspected on Saturday. No swoop circle to NYC for me. This is when I was at Quantico.

Nothing wrong with be stricter.

[kenny10]

I just hated the aftermath of Field days. If your room didnt pass inspection on Friday, you will get re-inspected on Saturday. No swoop circle to NYC for me. This is when I was at Quantico.

Nothing wrong with be stricter.

Our field days are pretty much bullshit since we have a SSgt who just got out of the drill field and hasn't done anything else.
Last week, I had one of my Marines fail field day because his window sill was not clean, he swore to me it was. So I went and checked during chow and it was clean as hell. EXCEPT FOR the bird shit on the OUTSIDE of the window sill. I got angry and asked the Marines who inspected the rooms, he failed field day because there was bird shit on his window sill
HOW RIDICULOUS IS THAT???? is he supposed to stay there all day and monitor the birds and kill the ones that shit on window sills? I couldn't believe that crap, this was after the SSgt made the new rule
this rule.........full fledge field day every monday no matter what! he did this because two Marines in the unit had gotten in trouble on back to back weekends, oh and here is a nother rule! if you have more than a quarter of an inch of ice in your freezer, then it must be defrosted
I have to defrost it every single week and that is nuts
heres one last one, he went through a Marines drawer (one that you cannot lock) and failed him because his cover was upside down in it!

[Lone_NCO]

I mean its 0700 and 60 degrees out, there is ice on your windsheild

Its 60 degrees and its ice on your window? LOL if you say so. If it makes you feel any better i'm stationed in columbus at the MEPS, I have to get the applicants in the building around 0545. Sometimes I'm standing outside for 30 mins in the rain or even snow. This time of yr its usually about 20-40 degrees in the morning and i've never worn a beanie, never. I dont understand how your getting sick from not having a beanie unless your leaving with wet hair.

OIFCOMBATVET: When were you stationed in quantico? I definetly remember those field days, one week my SSgt made my shop refield day in alphas and get inspected not once, but twice. From then on we were inspected by the company, and by our Sgts and SSgt.

[Lone_NCO]

Our field days are pretty much bullshit since we have a SSgt who just got out of the drill field and hasn't done anything else.
Last week, I had one of my Marines fail field day because his window sill was not clean, he swore to me it was. So I went and checked during chow and it was clean as hell. EXCEPT FOR the bird shit on the OUTSIDE of the window sill. I got angry and asked the Marines who inspected the rooms, he failed field day because there was bird shit on his window sill
HOW RIDICULOUS IS THAT???? is he supposed to stay there all day and monitor the birds and kill the ones that shit on window sills? I couldn't believe that crap, this was after the SSgt made the new rule
this rule.........full fledge field day every monday no matter what! he did this because two Marines in the unit had gotten in trouble on back to back weekends, oh and here is a nother rule! if you have more than a quarter of an inch of ice in your freezer, then it must be defrosted
I have to defrost it every single week and that is nuts
heres one last one, he went through a Marines drawer (one that you cannot lock) and failed him because his cover was upside down in it!

I dont know Kenny, when I was stationed at Pendleton the freezer rule was always in effect. The drawers not being secured as well. If you didnt have some kind of letter from the BEQ manager saying it was in the process of being fixed then they would fail you for it being unsecured. Broke or not!!! The ones you couldnt secure you made sure they were organized like a recruit. The upside down cover thing, if that really was the reason, was some BS though. The bird shit thing is just hilarious, i'm sorry but I couldnt hear that as the reason and take someone seriously anymore.

[kenny10]

Not wearing a beanie does not give you a cold
ICE??? IN 60 DEGREE WEATHER, i hope thats a typo

[kenny10]

I dont know Kenny, when I was stationed at Pendleton the freezer rule was always in effect. The drawers not being secured as well. If you didnt have some kind of letter from the BEQ manager saying it was in the process of being fixed then they would fail you for it being unsecured. Broke or not!!! The ones you couldnt secure you made sure they were organized like a recruit. The upside down cover thing, if that really was the reason, was some BS though. The bird shit thing is just hilarious, i'm sorry but I couldnt hear that as the reason and take someone seriously anymore.

I about died when he said my Marine failed because of the bird shit, I couldn't believe it. A quarter of of an inch is ridiculous, I keep my fridge on 3 which is in the middle and I get about a quarter of an inch of ice, two or three days after I have defrosted it
We can't secure the drawers we have, there is nothing that locks it. The SSgt sends out a field day result email and puts down the problems and the failures in the excel spread sheet, its funny to read sometimes

[Lone_NCO]

I about died when he said my Marine failed because of the bird shit, I couldn't believe it. A quarter of of an inch is ridiculous, I keep my fridge on 3 which is in the middle and I get about a quarter of an inch of ice, two or three days after I have defrosted it
We can't secure the drawers we have, there is nothing that locks it. The SSgt sends out a field day result email and puts down the problems and the failures in the excel spread sheet, its funny to read sometimes

Oh wow, one of those public embarassment kinda deals. They did that at Pendleton as well. The freezer thing cant be helped to much, it was just something I got used to.

[CYBERFX1024]

When I was with my first unit. Me and my 2 old roommates we would clean the hell out of our rooms, and we would never fail AT all. If you had three hits, you failed plain and simple. But I got it cleared through my chain of command (plt. and the Co. Gunny) that I could put a Confederate flag in my room. First off I am NOT racist, I have ancestors who fought for the confederacy. But back to the point. For 3 months we passed EVERY field day, with maybe one hit if that. Well we got a new Plt. Sgt. And then almost immediately we started failing every week. I would ask what hits did we get, and the Sgt. would give me one hit (dust above the locker). Then we would fail. And have to re-field day on friday night. So I took it down, and we started passing again. So I kept it down. But thank god I am married and now live in a house which I can do or hang anything I want.

[OIFCOMBATVETNYC]

I about died when he said my Marine failed because of the bird shit, I couldn't believe it. A quarter of of an inch is ridiculous, I keep my fridge on 3 which is in the middle and I get about a quarter of an inch of ice, two or three days after I have defrosted it
We can't secure the drawers we have, there is nothing that locks it. The SSgt sends out a field day result email and puts down the problems and the failures in the excel spread sheet, its funny to read sometimes


hey at least they didnt catch the female in my walllocker lol

[Cardeezy]

I had a SNCO that put up a hits and failures list. Those are hilarious... we had failures from a poo flake left in the toilet to someone owning a Justin Timberlake CD. Yep, you read that correct.

[CYBERFX1024]

When I was a young boot LCpl and first got to the fleet. I got stuck in a room with two guys who got busted down. One was a PFC, the other was a LCpl. They both were Corporals at one time. But the LCpl was still on restriction, and just wanted to piss people off. So he had someone go out and buy him the Satanic Bible, and he put that on display right beside his rack. You don't want to know the comments and looks we got for that one.

[CplH5811]

Isn't it great how personal bias can be a reason for field day failure? This kind of BS is exactly why people are getting out. Well, amongst a laundry list of other operational problems from higher ups.

[Lone_NCO]

Isn't it great how personal bias can be a reason for field day failure? This kind of BS is exactly why people are getting out. Well, amongst a laundry list of other operational problems from higher ups.

Sad, but true and strangely enough most leaders dont even realize they do it. I try my hardest not to let my own preferences and opinions effect how I treat other people. Like many other things in life not being bias may be something you actually have to think about aside from the topic at hand. For example, having a one on one counseling with a female Marine. The problem is the main topic, but you have to be thinking about perception (not behind closed doors), certain things you cant say, even the tone you speak in. I feel its something good leaders develop and the others...well they're the ones we're on here talking about. With that said, I just try to learn from good and bad leadership so when Its time to fill the next rank I can be that much better of a leader. I recommend the same for you.

As far as Marines getting out, I hate to say it, but if we were throwing out the bonuses like the other services were throwing out retention would not be a problem. Look at our most recent case, they wanted a push in numbers, offered bonuses and like magic we're ahead of schedule. BS exist everywhere, the question is how much is worth dealing with for the set encentive?

[MADAMESINCERE]

Sad, but true and strangely enough most leaders dont even realize they do it. I try my hardest not to let my own preferences and opinions effect how I treat other people. Like many other things in life not being bias may be something you actually have to think about aside from the topic at hand. For example, having a one on one counseling with a female Marine. The problem is the main topic, but you have to be thinking about perception (not behind closed doors), certain things you cant say, even the tone you speak in. I feel its something good leaders develop and the others...well they're the ones we're on here talking about. With that said, I just try to learn from good and bad leadership so when Its time to fill the next rank I can be that much better of a leader. I recommend the same for you.

As far as Marines getting out, I hate to say it, but if we were throwing out the bonuses like the other services were throwing out retention would not be a problem. Look at our most recent case, they wanted a push in numbers, offered bonuses and like magic we're ahead of schedule. BS exist everywhere, the question is how much is worth dealing with for the set encentive?

Unfortunately, you guys just don't have the budget for those big bonuses.

HOOAH

[ERAMIREZJR]

For some you had questions about the new marine corps order, if you look at the Maradmin and can't find it I usually google it and it comes up, try new grooming standards or new uniform policy, in it states all the things we did as Marines that weren't orders but now are in it. Some examples, haircuts like the horseshoe, mohawk, high tight, tear drop and the low reg are no longer authorized. For some that are a fan of the low reg I read it and if I read it correctly it states that back of your head the fade must be online with the sides and can't go below the bump on the back of your head. It also states you cannot wear earrings, yes I know what your thinking it was one of those things that we did as Marines, walk and talk on cell phones, walk and dip at the sametime, hands in the pocket unless you are in the field, Are some of the new ones. I have to admit I am a SNCO some of my peers don't read the order or put their own spin on it. I learned from some of my mentors, common sense and go by the order nothing less or more and the morale should be fine in your unit. As far as Field days, its not a requirement to do it on thursday I have been in plenty of units that do it on monday, cause realistically Marines relax and some even destroy their rooms over the weekends if the NCOs aren't around or don't make the correction so they used a lil COMMON SENSE, started holding the NCOs accountable for really jacked up rooms on the weekends and did a field day monday. I tried to use common sense when it comes to cleaning rooms. What I looked for with my Marines was the effort put forth to clean and organize the room. and the barracks including drawers. To sum it up if it looked clean, smelled clean and was cleaned in and out of the room then they passed with less than three serious hits.

[DevilNuts]

To sum it up if it looked clean, smelled clean and was cleaned in and out of the room then they passed with less than three serious hits.

That's the big picture, I think alot of folks lose sight of. Field Day wasn't invented to F with people, its purpose is one of order and cleanliness. It's to ensure the Marines are living healthy, comfortably and that their dwellings are not breeding grounds for disease.

Everyone knows that at 29 Palms there is a fine layer of dust on everything, or that on Okinawa the floors and walls sweat. If the room is neat, secured, and generally healthy, I don't see the need to bust balls for a missed finger full of dust on some remote jutting surface in the corner of a room.

I agree with the relaxed policy. Marines have enough stress at work and in the field, they should be able to feel like they are "at home" in the barracks. Happy Marines do better work and it is a very very small concession on the part of the command.

[owens2023]

I have to agree here as well. As a SNCO myself, I have never used field day as an opportunity to "F" with my Marines. Field day is exactly what DevilNuts said it to be. It's just to ensure that the rooms are clean because leave it to most Marines on their own and their rooms would be dirty all the time.

It just stems from the old "It happened to me now I am going to do it to you" mentality. It also comes from SNCOs and even some NCO that their rank goes to their heads and they go on a power trip.