Good Morning all. Sorry, have been off the net for a while. Just returned from an RV trip to one of our—one time favorite places—Key West. Used to go there every winter when we were snowbirds; however, last time was 2010. Wow! Has it changed? Still expensive as all get out, but the base where we always stayed—Sigsbee Island—has significantly changed. More rules and regulations, most of which were senseless, superfluous, silly, unnecessary stuff, that for 36 years I put up with because I had to. Had to laugh at all the demands placed on us visitors, but no guards at the gate. I asked and someone informed me they are short of personnel so the moved them to other bases. Oh, OK, guess that makes sense to. . . . . . someone? But if you want to take advantage of the lower site costs, $27 for full hookups, one must grin and bear it.
Can’t believe what is happening within our once proud Marine Corps. I am planning on posting several posts in the next few days, so hang in there and follow along with me. I can assure you they will get better each time. So, hear is the first one announcing the Commandant’s new recruiting plan. The following was sent out to all retired Marine generals by the Recruiting Command CG.
Generals,
Greetings from Quantico. I hope you and your families are well. Thank you all for the tremendous contributions you have made, and will continue to make, to our Corps and Country. I would once more like to ask for your assistance and service.
This month, Marine Corps Recruiting Command initiated a new campaign titled, “Operation Semper Fi.” I am sure it comes as no surprise to you that Marine veterans are the most loyal to their service. However, recent history has demonstrated that they can also be our Corps’ most vocal critics. I am asking for your help in addressing this.
Support of our Marine veterans as influencers and ambassadors within our local communities is more important now than ever. Public opinion of the military as an institution continues to drop, propensity to serve is at historic lows, and the Marine Corps seeks significant support to operationalize Force Design 2030 and other initiatives.
I believe that rebuilding trust and maintaining America’s “want” of a Marine Corps must begin with our Marine veterans. Operation Semper Fi seeks to rekindle the pride that all Marine veterans experienced having earned the title Marine. It is designed to remind Marines of the special bond that exists between those who live by the motto of Semper Fidelis. It acknowledges the fact that we have all been through tough times and may not always agree; however, despite these shared hardships and challenges, we still remain family.
Operation Semper Fi is a call to action to re-connect Marine veterans and to build on the pride they have for the Corps. This in turn will foster increased and positive advocacy for the Marine Corps institutional priorities and the challenges Marines face at home and abroad. Additionally, this revitalization will assist recruiting operations by developing and sustaining relationships with influencers in communities across the Nation and set conditions to increase prospect referrals. The enclosed document provides greater detail on the campaign.
As part of the campaign, this Veterans Day, we launched a public service announcement entitled “Full Circle.” This PSA showcases one Marine’s journey of service over the course of their life; from inspiration, to training, to active duty, and community service following. A Marine’s drive to serve their country endures and inspires the next generation. When they earn the title, Marines make a solemn promise to remain faithful to the cause of our Nation, to the Corps, and to each other.
You can view the PSA at YouTube Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IfVnhxZpv98 or with access to DVIDS at https://www.dvidshub.net/video/821534/full-circle
I am confident that your positive examples and community connections can help strengthen advocacy, gain access, and help inspire Marine veterans and those they influence to support our Corps. I respectfully ask each of you to reach out to your local Recruiting Station Commanders to see how you might assist.
Additionally, please contact our community engagement team at community@marines.usmc.mil or (703) 784-9454, or feel free to contract me directly at jason.bohm@marines.usmc.mil or (703)784-9400 if you are willing to support our national outreach efforts in support of recruiting.
Your willingness to assist in this effort is greatly appreciated. You are living proof of the adage, “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.” Thank you for remaining “Always Faithful.”
Very Respectfully,
J.Q. Bohm
MajGen Jason Q. Bohm
Commanding General
Marine Corps Recruiting Command
Yes sir, I "ain't" a general, but I am retired. Okay Marines, did you get all that? Understand now what CMC wants you to do? Okay, stand by!
Jim
Thanks, Jim. Here is what I just sent to Gen. Bohm:
Good morning General Bohm,
First, Happy Thanksgiving! We have much to be thankful for, including the continued performance of our young Marines all over the world.
Second, I saw your recruiting message and your email address, so I hoped you would let me and us know what is happening at HQ. Bits and pieces of news indicate the USMC is following the lead of the President and Sec Defense in “rooting out” alleged extremists and imposing a woke indoctrination to ensure from bottom to top that an alleged systemic racism and white privilege are eradicated.
There is no such thing as systemic racism or white privilege, they are the code words for a Marxist analysis of social relations, intended to divide us, and I hope you can allay my concern about this issue. Our job as Marines is to train to kill the enemy while maintaining faith in the Constitution.
Training intended to root out “whiteness”, which is an absurd Marxist concept in any event, will do more damage to unit cohesion than anything we have ever seen.
I was a Marine officer 1975-1982 serving as a Judge Advocate at MCRD after my training was completed. In those days the DI’s would say we had light Marines and dark Marines, but no black, white, yellow or brown Marines. My father also was a Marine officer 1954-1960.
I hope what I hear in the news is not correct.
S/F
Soooo do we get to shoot anything? Or pillage anything? I can’t imagine pvts pfcs and lcpls changing, they are going to fuck up regardless, it’s just the nature of the beast and it’s fun to watch /participate. I can’t wait to hear the next part. Semper Fi
That figures! Semper Fi Colonel! Have fond memories of our time at the Barracks in the “Old Corps” lol Top Brosnahan
Thanks Top, same here, they were the times of the times, best time to have been in the Corps!! Stand by for more