vincent p. norris wrote:

[1 - Since once a Marine, always a Marine, the only difference
between "retired" Marines is if they retired before or after the
20 needed to rate the pension....

I usually say, Marines on active duty and Marines no longer on active
duty.

I never had a set of dress blues, either.

Well, you would have, post-Korea. Blues were part of an
Officer's required kit, pilot or otherwise. ;-

Now that you jog my memory, I do remember the day when an order
arrived from Headquarters Marine Corps. Subject: Swagger Sticks.

Para 1 said something like "On and after (date), all officers will
carry swagger sticks."

Para 2 said something like "Swagger Sticks will be 18 inches long,
3/8ths of an inch in diameter, covered with cordovan leather........"

Para 3 said something about not carrying an umbrella or a bag of
groceries while carrying a Swagger Stick.

Whoever started reading it aloud to a group of us in the Squadron
office began to giggle, and eventually we all howled with laughter.

That must have been a bout 1952 or 53. If anyone has a copy of that
order, it would be a service to mankind's merriment if he were to post
it here.

Actually, it was Officers and SNCOs [at a minimum, disremember
whether it included NCOs - Cpls and Sgts].

One of the shorter-lived "customs". One of David M. Shoup's [MOH
on Tarawa] first acts when he assumed his duties as CMC on 1 Jan
1960 was to meet with his staff, Marines and civilians, on 4 Jan
1960 to talk about things.

The remarks are available at:
http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Hi...aggerstick.htm

and were, as he noted in the introduction:

"INTRODUCTION

To all Marines, naval personnel and civilians who comprise our
operating organization:

Good Morning. Although I speak only to this small representative
group personally, provision has been made whereby these remarks
will be either read or heard by the majority of Marines of all
ranks at all posts and stations."

and went on for a few paragraphs of "new boss" stuff.

Other than that, the sum of the his remarks addressed Uniforms
and Equipment thusly:

"UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

Non-combat type uniform changes now being processed will be the
last such changes considered for some time unless directed by
higher authority. Anything relating to the uniform of the Marine
which better meets his needs in combat will be given high
priority action.

In general I feel that a clean, neat, well-fitted uniform with
the Marine Corps emblem is tops. There is no need for gimmicks
and gadgets.

With respect to equipment we should emphasize simplicity,
ruggedness and ease of maintenance. And in design and gadgetry
the characteristics we demand should be a pattern of the
necessary rather than the ideal. We shall continue to strive to
obtain in a timely manner the best possible combat equipment

There is one item of equipment about which I have a definite
opinion. It is the swagger stick. It shall remain an optional
item of interference. If you feel the need of it, carry it…"

In the DC area as a Marine brat at the time, I can state that no
swagger sticks were to be seen on January 5th - or ever again -
in the hand of a Marine Officer or SNCO. They got the message,
loud and clear, however quietly, indirectly, spoken. ;-

[Step-dad was a senior Marine lawyer {law school on the GI bill
post-WWII USMC service} at a time when the Marines had 150
billets for lawyers, 93 of them filled. He had a heart attack
and was being medically retired, physical for promotion waived,
as a LtCol in spring of 1961, just after I had enlisted and was
in the 120-day pool waiting for HS graduation/shipment to PI. As
a senior lawyer, Ted was granted a "good-bye, thanks for
everything" audience with the Commandant, family included. Ted
proudly advised the Commandant that although he regretted leaving
the USMC early, his replacement "your newest Marine, my step-son
Private Johnson, is about to leave for PI after graduation."
General Shoup avoided comment on my '50s DA-style haircut, and if
he even raised an eyebrow I didn't notice it as he shook my hand
- too busy staring at that MOH ribbon atop a rather impressive
set of other ribbons and badges. If I could have melted into the
wall, I would have.]




--
OJ III
[Email to Yahoo address may be burned before reading.
Lower and crunch the sig and you'll net me at comcast.]