Now browsing the "Marine Corps" category
Drill Instructor duty, Parris Island: A retrospective
15 Feb 2011 | 14 Comments | Continue reading »
I don’t intend this to be some exhaustive, bullshit guide on everything you need to know before coming out to The Island as a drill instructor. I’m sure San Diego is altogether different. In fact, I know it is because I’m a “Hollywood” Marine. I volunteered for Parris Island for the change of scenery and [...]
Recruit survival guide (politically correct remix)
12 Oct 2009 | 6 Comments | Continue reading »
I got into a fair amount of hot water over the original Recruit Survival Guide, prompting me to assign the post the algorithmically unbreakable password of YatYas98 and rewrite it to appease softer hearts. I blame the tree-hugging, save-the-whales, why-can’t-we-just-all-get-along, make-love-not-war whistle blowers, not my command who had to take action. Everything you see in [...]
Confused Marine debuts hybrid service uniform
6 Jun 2009 | 51 Comments | Continue reading »
Below is a picture of the United States Marine Corps Service C (left) and A (right) uniforms. The Service C uniform, dubbed “Charlies” or “Chucks” is authorized for leave and liberty and is most commonly worn by drill instructors during the summer months for days such as Family Day, graduation, and Sundays and holidays. The [...]
Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test (CFT)
15 May 2009 | 2 Comments | Continue reading »
The CFT consists of three events: an 880 yard run, ammo can lifts, and maneuver under fire. 880 Yard Run: Marines will run for 880 yards while wearing boots and camouflage uniform (trousers and skivvie shirt). Ammo Can Lifts: Marines will lift a 30 pound ammo can from the ground, over their heads as many [...]
Ignorance
3 May 2009 | 16 Comments | Continue reading »
I met a woman tonight, a conservative, an educated woman, who thought she knew what the fuck the war in Iraq was all about. She insisted she knew because she knew some people who had lived there. Her friends. “They left Iraq in 2004,” she said with conviction. “Then they were rich,” I replied. “Because [...]
2009 Eastern Division [rifle and pistol] Matches results
![2009 Eastern Division [rifle and pistol] Matches results](http://jaymekohler.com/wp-content/themes/yaml2/js/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/mm/i/2009/04/bear-crosshairs.jpg&w=125&h=100&zc=1)
3 Apr 2009 | 13 Comments | Continue reading »
The 2009 Eastern Division Matches were a success. Half of the team (eight Marines) received medals with five of them returning for competition at Marine Corps Championships being held 6-24 April. Parris Island was the winningest team in Eastern Division. My awards included a silver medal in individual pistol as well as firing member of [...]
Reenlistment
11 Mar 2009 | 12 Comments | Continue reading »
I reenlisted today, pushing my EAS out to 12 October 2013. That should give me plenty of time to get the hell off the drill field and over to Afghanistan before Obama pulls everyone out of there too. I used to believe anyone could become a Marine. But the fact of the matter is only [...]
Parris Island shooting team
9 Mar 2009 | 19 Comments | Continue reading »
On Friday, March 13th, I journey north to Camp Lejeune, NC for an opportunity to shoot competitively with the Parris Island Rifle/Pistol team. The CIAP has traditionally provided the Marine Corps with the skilled and experienced marksmen necessary to support a productive marksmanship training program and success in battle. The primary objective of the program [...]
Protected: Recruit survival guide
19 Aug 2008 | Enter your password to view comments. | Continue reading »
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Eleven year Marine Corps anniversary
29 Jul 2008 | 3 Comments | Continue reading »
I’ll admit I’ve taken my last eleven years as a United States Marine somewhat for granted. And now, as a drill instructor charged with making Marines, I see now more than ever that becoming a Marine goes well beyond a paltry twelve week recruit training cycle, follow-on occupational schooling, and even the first enlistment. The [...]
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Born in the year of the Dragon, the author grudgingly accepts the fact he has too many interests and not enough time. A cyclist as long as he can remember, an avid yet inconsistent writer since age eleven, and a U.S. Marine since age twenty-one, the author also adds computers, snowboarding, and motorcycles to his list of interests. Incidentally, he is aware of his inability to make a living from any but the Corps. The author accepts this as fact and remains optimistic. Feel free to drop him a line.
