Okay gang, here it is, read, enjoy or not, and PLEASE give me your comments — I am not thin skinned. What a sad commentary to have to write, but I had to!
Dear Commandant Berger,
Sir, I pen this open letter to you, not as any form of disrespect, but only one of disagreement—albeit a rather loud and harsh disagreement. I have followed with keen interest much of what you have been carrying out as our 38th Commandant. I have hesitated writing to you since I know there is nothing I or any of my fellow retirees can do to change your mind. We have been watching and reading with much dismay your actions aimed in only one direction—you know, and we know where that is.
Firstly, you are surely wondering who this seemingly brash retiree is writing me? Well succinctly, I am a retired Marine just short of thirty-six years—ten enlisted and twenty-six as an officer. Having received a combat commission as a Sgt during my first tour in Vietnam, I eventually retired October 1993, so I was into my 23rd year when you were commissioned in 1981. I also note from you biography we are fellow Marylanders, you in Woodbine, me in Inverness.
In 1982 I was—as a senior Major—assigned as CO of the Corp’s then largest recruiting station—Chicago. I went in as a “fireman,” my predecessor had been fired. Chicago had ninety-two canvassing recruiters; the only station close to us was Los Angeles with seventy-eight. These two stations required a LtCol as CO because they needed an Assistant Operations Officer to help manage a pool that numbered into the thousands at any given time. If my memory serves me correctly, we annually shipped around 4,000 recruits to MCRD, San Diego.
I knew nothing about recruiting when assigned to this command. However, I was blessed to have a Deputy Director, an ADPP, and two Recruiter Instructors who were recruiting SME’s in every respect—they taught this Grunt Major how to spell recruiting.
With the help of many outstanding Marines, both canvassing recruiters and “A” billets, Chicago slowly rose from a failing station to be the top station for nineteen consecutive months. Because of the mentoring I had by so many experts, including the LtCol running MRRE at HQ, I believe by the time I was reassigned three years later, I was among the select few of the most knowledgeable 8402 officers in the Corps. It was the toughest assignment I ever had during my career—including combat. I learned much about the heritage, values, and the respect Americans had for the word Marine—and about myself as a leader.
So, why am I telling you all this? It isn’t meant to be boastful for I am certain any dedicated Marine would have been able to do the same with such expert mentoring and hardworking recruiters. No, I tell you because recruiting is in my veins. I bleed recruiting. I understand it better than most—including your general running the recruiting command. I think about it often. I have visited RS’s, spoke at poolee functions, and I started and ran a National Young Marine unit in IL for years. So your new “plan”—so cagily named “Semper Fi”—where your recruiting general has asked all veterans to be “faithful” to their Corps and assist in the recruiting effort—which I know is not doing well—really “woke” me up. Pun intended. The sheer audacity of such a request is unbelievable. Do you really think the retired community is going to take up that challenge? If you do, you sir have lost touch with your retired Marines.
I communicate regularly with 100’s of Marines, former, active, and especially retired—the entire non-active Marine force are in agreement that you are destroying “our” Corps. Sadly, I can longer speak with recruiters or poolees without lying, and I will not do that.
I say this with a heavy heart, but I have recently talked to one of our super stars from the Young Marine unit out of joining the Corps. That’s all he wanted to do when he graduated; he wanted to be like me. I even gave him some of my uniforms to wear in the unit. My conscience and respect for him would not allow him to do that—he was too good for that. So he took my advice and went on to college in hopes that by the time he graduates in four years you will not have totally destroyed our Corps. Maybe, just maybe, someone will come along and right all your wrongs.
Your actions are—as you state—”in the interest of bringing our Corps into the modern society” are contrary to everything our Corps has stood for since its birth. Your push for sexual preferences for women, unisex uniforms, women in the combat arms, allowing transgenders, relaxed female grooming standards and acceptance of despicable tattoos, fraternization at all levels, the vapid attacks on the very culture of the Corps, and its alleged racist/sexist heritage is unacceptable to those who have worn the EGA. I have not mentioned the draconian reduction or elimination of combat units and equipment, the destruction of the MAGTF, or your latest thoughts on recruiting cyber experts at elevated ranks without having to attend boot camp or OCS
Enlisting high tech people without having to go through boot camp or OCS? Having never been enlisted, you cannot “feel” the rage your Marines will experience. Those two “initiations” have always been the key ingredient that banded us together and made us a family forever i.e., earning that sacred EGA for life. I spent tours as a DI at Parris Island, and a Sgt Instructor at OCS—I know the intensity with which Marines hold that honor. I took part in instilling it.
Eighteen months of maternity leave. Sounds great—the female gender love it. May I asked which Marine, male or female, will do her job while she is home with her newborn for one and half years? Let’s be honest and ask of what value is this Woman Marine to the Corps? Joins for three years and spends one half of her enlistment on maternity leave. Considering recruit training, MCT, and then MOS training, you may have her for a year or even less. Bad move general.
Allowing a Sikh Major to wear his religious head garb and go unshaven? (Update: Doing more research after a call from a dear brother, it appears this dirt bag is a selected captain, not a major. I can’t find where I got it that he was a selected major? I highlighted and expanded the pic of him and sure enough he is wearing 1st Lt bars. Sorry.) Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea what other Marines are thinking when they see him? No, I’m sure you don’t, and you obviously don’t care. Your changes are all directed towards pleasing every minority and the hell with everyone else. Is that what you mean about bringing the Corps into the “modern society?” General, that is your modern society, not mine or that of the retired community.
You are watering down our Corps, so we look like everyone else. We never looked like everyone else—we never wanted to look like everyone else. Remember the ad, If everyone could be a Marine, it wouldn’t be the Marines. America doesn’t need a second Army, America has always loved her Marine Corps, but that is slowly changing—some look at us as victims now. It’s amazing the questions I get from knowledgeable people when I am out and about wearing my Marine ball cap. You think America isn’t watching? Guess again general.
And what’s this about your comments concerning the Army National Guard recruiting our discharged Marines? Of course they do, why not? They are trained, disciplined, and understand honor, integrity, and commitment. Plus the ANG are not going woke like the Armed Forces. Another of my super stars in the Young Marine unit, a female, could not get into the PLC program at her college, so she went ROTC and is having the time of her life, getting rapid promotions employing the leadership principles she learned in the Young Marines. Remember them general, there are eleven of them in case you never learned them or forgot them.
Moreover, you complain about the other services recruiting our prior service Marines. Again, why not? But you say some of them are disappointed and are asking to come back into the fold. Did any of your recruiting gurus dig into what it was they were dissatisfied with the branch they chose? Probably not. My bet is they missed what the Corps had to offer such as pride, honor, being part of something great, and of course wearing the hard earned EGA. I will watch this action closely for I believe if you allow them a “streamlined” method of coming back, they will find themselves again disappointed by all the changes you have made to the Corps they remembered and loved.
Are we soon to become obsolete and folded into the Army? I mean they have artillery, so we didn’t need them. Is that your plan—we think so. Look above you general—what is the service of your bosses? I am sure they applaud your actions as it falls right in with their desires.
Finally, recruiting older Marines, not 18–20 year old’s as they haven’t achieved full maturity yet —so you say. Tell that to those of us who served in WW I or II, Korea, Vietnam, or the Sandbox. I know and I would “think” your generals would know what type of young man seeks out the Corps. The one we have always—to use the new PC term—vetted and made him a Marine for life. Now you don’t want him. You want the misanthropes, the gender confused, the lost souls, the weak minded, and those we know are poorly suited to the battlefield.
In closing, it appears your changes are destroying everything the United States Marine Corps has stood for in 246 years—the very fabric of the Corps. What happened to “We don’t promise you a rose garden,” or “The Few, The Proud, The Marines?” Now it appears it’s, “Come Join Our diverse organization, all are welcome.”
As I said at the beginning, I mean no disrespect to you general. I know I speak for the vast majority of the retired community when I disagree with all you are doing to “our” Corps. It seems you just don’t know how to say “No” to anything unless it is to diminish our traditional values. How dare you call our heritage racist and sexist. Tell that to four of the last six Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps who were black. My mantra was always, “Mission, Men, Myself.” Having read your Bio and watched intensely what you have done and are doing to our Marine Corps, I must place you in the category of a term I learned long ago as a PFC—Cocker Spaniel Marine! If you are unfamiliar with that term perhaps you need to read my book, We’ll All Die as Marines.”
Semper Fi General (if you can be), Jim Bathurst Col, USMC (Ret) 1958–1993
Postscript. You will probably never see this letter, but maybe, just maybe, someone will read it and find a way to get it on your desk. I hope so!
Colonel, couldn’t agree more with your well expressed comments. I was commissioned, June1958 and served till 1978. I had the privilege of being trained by Marines who were the product of the Depression and two wars, WWll and Korea. They were our heroes and we looked up to them, officer and enlisted, as our mentors. My first platoon sergeant told me once, half in jest and half serious,
“ Lt. You listen to me and I’ll make a good officer of you”. I hope he did because to me the Marine Corps taught me and guided me throughout these 85 years. We, as a society and a Nation are threatened from within. Plato warned of the dangers of a democracy in the hands of the ignorant, I’ll-informed and uneducated. That’s why the Founding Fathers crafted for us a democratic REPUBLIC. Unfortunately, over the past forty, or so years, since the Viet Nam era, we have been sliding ever more so to the left and this sled is now being reflected in our Corps. If this move is not reversed and soon, I fear that this Republic is doomed. 2022 will be a year of serious consequences if we fail to reverse this move. We are weakened by a President and Vice President who are a combination of ignorant and incompetent and this is reflected in our military leadership. I hope and pray that, at my old age, I am not seeing the end of our beloved Corps and Country. We must resist these forces both in our Corps and country. Colonel, I forwarded your letter to a Command and Staff College classmate, a retired LtGen in the hopes it starts something. I agree with you, unequivocally, and wish you the best.
Semper Fi, brother
Theodore J. Scotes, Marine
Thank you Theodore for your kind and uplifting words, Think I needed that. Smiles. Yes, Platoon Sergeants!! I was one several times, then a Co Gy, then (in the same company) one day commissioned. One would think I knew everything to do as a fresh caught brown bar without OCS or TBS. Oh dear was I ever wrong. There is a great sto9ry about that in my book. One where my first platoon sergeant was brave enough to straighten this brown bar out! Too long of a story to comment here. Have a blessed day sir!. I’d be interested in your classmate’s comments, IF he replies.
I arrived at PI 59 years ago Jan 1963. I was proud to serve, as MSG in Moscow Russia 1965-1966, during the cold war. I have remained proud to this day. It saddens me to read this account, and see the impact of this “woke” general. I hope some common sense comes to light.
Charles, you went through PISC while I was on the drill field (1962-636) as a Cpl/Sgt. Thank you for your comments
I recently celebrated my 50th Anniversary of becoming a Marine, graduation day Dec. 7, 1971 MCRD Parris Island. It was a day I remember with so much pride that to this day I proudly wear my ‘Marine’ hat and ‘USMC’ sweatshirt. It is only recently, the last five years or so, that I am regularly stopped by strangers and thanked for my service. The years 71-73 were not so kind to anyone in any branch of service.
One person recently asked me if I just wore this hat cause I liked it or was I in the Marines? My answer was, No one wears this hat “unless” they were in the Marines. The Marine Corps is a fraternity of men and women that not only served their country but did so knowing that they were to be tested like no others to become a Marine. You knew coming out that you were ready for anything you would be thrown into. More important, you knew that you could always count on the Marine next to you as he/she was as well trained as you were. I was not aware of the changes that are being suggested, If true, this is a travesty. While nothing stays the same forever, the wholesale changes suggested here would totally change the fabric of what it means to be a Marine. I applaud you for writing to the Commandant and as importantly informing all of your fellow Marines. Maybe it is time for the Commandant to call it a career.
Trus me John, everything I said in that is absolutely TRUE!
Jim, I have been following the comments posted concerning your letter to Gen Berger. I understand that you have had over 12,000 hits, maybe even more by the time I post this. I thought I would follow up with this post because I think many would be interested to know that the retired Marine Corps General Officer (GO) community, although not “publicly” sharing their concerns over the horrific direction this CMC is taking our Corps, have indeed weighed in on the CMC’s recklessness.
Like you, I am fortunate to remain in touch and friends with many of our Corp’s retired ground and aviation GOs and they are candid about the direction Gen Berger is taking our Marine Corps. One of the reasons we do not see them publicly condemning the CMC is because there is a silent code among them, no matter how much they may be in disagreement with each other, one GO publicly bashing another is taboo. I can appreciate this code as long as I know they are out stepping up to the plate and providing their senior counsel and as I said they have. I have been told that one of the Corp’s living institutions, Gen Gray, has personally approached the CMC and tried to reason with Berger. However, like all the other GOs that have confronted him, he is simply numb to their counsel and is hell-bent on destroying the Marine Corps with his social, WOKE agenda. I have also been told that there are many active duty GOs that are in complete disagreement with this CMC’s destructive guidance but for obvious reasons can never and will never speak out while on active duty.
Also, as an afterthought, many who have posted comments to your letter think your letter will never make it to the Commandant but like you I disagree. My guess is by now he has not only read it and wonders who the hell you are, but probably questions your motive for writing the letter even though it is clear as day. Why would he question your motive for writing the letter? Simple! He apparently does not see nor does he understand the absolute recklessness in what he is doing to the Corps. I believe this completely. Where he went wrong in his career and how he was elevated to GO rank with that type of mindset is beyond baffling to all of us.
So to all of your followers Jim, please know that we have some extremely dedicated retired GOs out there that share not only Jim’s concerns, and ours as well, and they clearly see the writing on the bulkhead and it ain’t good for our Marine Corps!!!! Couple this with the destruction our brain dead socialist President and his staff of ignorant asses and his even more brain dead VP, our country is in trouble.
I remain hopeful that when they finally trash this worthless president and his administration and the, liberal progressive (read socialist) WOKE destructive policies they are implementing that we get a president in office that will select military leaders who will concentrate on war fighting and rid the services, especially our Marine Corps, of WOKE minded GOs who think CRT, culture cancel, and Climate Change are more important to this nation that winning wars.
SF Jim
Tom
Thank you for you words of wisdom. If no on else, I think I needed to hear that. Have crossed p[athys Tom?
Jim this is Col. Tom Czech, USMC Ret. We last worked together at LFTCLant when Fulford was the CG. Sorry I did not include my last name so maybe you were unaware of who I was.
S/F
Tom
LOL, Of course I remember you well Tom, but when you simply replied with Tom, This ole man was confused, which isn’t hard to do these days.LOL Thanks Tom
Outstanding. I totally agree. Semper fi
Thanks, Jim, for your well stated letter.
General Bohm called me last week in response to my email to him, which I posted on this blog. He said several things that sorta allayed my concerns but I wanted to pass on the comments that reveal the depth of the problem we face.
When I told him I joined up in 1975, he replied that he was 7 years old in 1975. And some important things have changed since then. The most significant in my view was the attitude of the 18-27 year olds who are the recruiting pool.
He said half of them hate America. And while the other half are patriots, half of them are rev’d up over social justice, climate change and the other woke crap (my words not his) the left has infected our society with. That leaves 25% of the pool who just want to serve and his conclusion is that this pool is not large enough to sustain the Corps. This is a problem.
I disagree with your decision to counsel young folks to avoid enlisting. We need patriots who love this country and want to be Marines. I’m a former JAG and I encourage all law students who seek my advice to join the USMC.
Interesting Mike. I can see for where he comes. However, I wonder how he knows that? For the general in charge of the Recruiting Command to put out those kind of figures causes me to question them. I’ve been there Mike, I know how it works. Because I was Chicago and so huge, the folks at HQ showed up in my TAOR frequently. General Mundy had that position when I Was out there. I saw him a few times every damn year. He didn’t have a clue what the thinking was in the several thousand man pool we managed. And neither did I, my OpSo, or the AOpSo, nor would I think any RS CO today does either. I applaud your encouragement for law students to join the Corps. Of course that would depend, for me at least, their ilk. But I cannot in all honesty and my heart recommend a young man of my ilk to join our Corps today. If General Bohm wants the kind who are patriots and want to serve, then recruit them, but that is not who they are in search of today, at least from my recruiters tell me. Anyway, thank you for post and the word from the horses mouth!
I totally agree with Col. Bathurst and MSGySt Steen. Our Marine Corps has a rich and storied history that makes us all proud of who we are and what we do. As our motto and characterizations of Semper Fidelis, Honor, Courage, and Committment continues to honor our past; and, it should continue to mold our future.
Marines are a special breed and it all starts with the yellow footprints and earned EGA. We all care about what we have – let’s not lose it.
Leadership never retires.
Semper Fi,
Ron Armstrong
Thank you Sir for have the “balls” to say what a lot of us retirees are thinking. Hopefully, he’ll see your letter and realize what he’s doing is destroying our Corps.
Semper Fidelis,
Bob Gregory, MSgt, USMC (Ret)
1971-1995
Your actions are a virtual slap in the face to real Marines who have served and died for 246 years. If you want to enter politics, take off our uniform first, you don’t represent the values of real Marines. Grow a
beard, you won’t have to look at yourself in a mirror while shaving. Sgt. Donald L. Cook 1452— 1955- 1963
So you say Donald. Like the saying goes, everyone has one. And while I respect your right to have one since I served so long defending those rights, you and I are not from the same ilk, not even close. While I know nothing about you, and my life is an open book, I can only make some assumptions, which I will not do. But we are obviously far apart. BTW, I don’t have a beard, but I do sport a goatee, and when I look in the mirror I have no problem liking and respecting the guy I see. Me thinks you are in a distinct minority here Donald, which I suspect you have been all your life. Have a good day sir
Amazing analysis Sir! I’m a young buck here (’85) but, Shortly after achieving E5, there was an inquiry into my boot camp DI’s. They wanted me to recount events where a DI “shamed” a recruit. My simple answer was No Thanks….I respect the EGA way too much to participate in bullshit.
Good for you Brian!!
Commandant, you are embarrassing yourself. Don’t embarrass the Marine Corps.
I couldn’t agree more! I am a lowly corporal that served during peace time (76-82) as a Motor T field tech, and I don’t lower my head when I say it! When I started talking to the recruiter (1975) Vietnam Nam was still a fresh memory for most folks! I served with some outstanding VN Vets and I am a better man for it!! Thank you sir for speaking what most if not all are thinking!! Semper Fi
he is just another woke trying to destroy the corps
Yes but a powerful one who has the authority to destroy it. Sad!
Never in my life have I agreed more than anything I have read speaks exactly what is in my heart and mind. I personally feel like I have slapped in my face when reading of the changes the current Commandant has made to my beloved Marine Corps. Shame on the current Commandant. Sgt James William Moore. 64-69.
Jim, I read your letter with great interest. First let me introduce myself, I’am an 83 year old Marine. I graduated in my 20th year, April 1959. Your letter says all the things I have felt for the past years. I was not aware of the “woke” ideas that are spreading thru out the Marine. My grandson, who was just dropped from the officer program at Quantico because it was discovered he had a peanut allergy. He had spent his whole life dreaming of becoming a Marine. He was destroyed it after spending seven weeks training before his allergy was detected. he was so unnerved by the classroom indoctrination his whole line of thinking has changed.
My heart has been broken, more so because as a Past Commandant, twice, of my Marine Corps League Detachment, the changes since you became Commandant, have had a horrible affect on my present fellow Marines. “There is a God”, and there will come a day of reckoning when you must face the father of the Marine Corps. God have mercy on your “woken soul”. He will not be “woke” I can assure you….
With the sincere condolences,
Cpl. (E-4). Raymond P. Reis Jr. (1840934)
Raymond, we are of the same ilk. I graduated in June 1958 as a HS dropout. The Corps made, not only a man out of me, but a patriotic American human being for lfe. I turn 81 tomorrow . You NEED to read my book sir. Click on “Buy The Book” and I will get the email
S/F Raymond, Jim
It’s not my Corp.
Thank You for this well written insight, which is also sadly true of our society today.
I am a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant of 32 years. I total agree with the Colonels Comments, it too sicken me to see the direction this CMC is attempting to dismantle and devalue our beloved Corps,I pray he fells miserably. I think he has lost his way and it’s clearly evident he doesn’t believe “OUR Corps” is special. In his eyes, views and or beliefs were just another 4 divisions of the USArmy because, his sick “woke” whacked out liberal views are well within the sick views an alinement with the “woke” USArmy and it saddens me for he direction the woke DOD and JCS is leading the services. These Generals that are leading our services today are weak politicians and are not acting in the best interest of all the fine young men an women currently serving and those who have left. Of greater concern I can’t believe these Sergeants Majors and senior Enlisted (I now most aren’t) are just quietly allowing these General officers to make some of the brain dead decisions that are going to effect the moral of the forces they command on a daily with this bullshit “woke crap” that’s destroying the moral and reenlistments of the real Marines. This proves theater most General officers are more concerned about the social engineering experiments mandated by the brain dead liberal socialist politicians want to play with, instead of preparing our troops for the continued threats they face from China, Russian, Iran and Islamic Extremist that will do anything to kill us all. To cover their weak asses they’ll use the old excuse of the civilians are in charge of the military which is a lie. The real truth is they’ve become weak politicians themselves and it shows the fear these Generals have of some elected politician that doesn’t know a thing about what it takes to motivate these young men and women to do the things necessary to defend our country. I’m hope and pray these young Americans get the leaders they deserve instead of more of these lying social justice warriors that most of the officer have sadly become today. In closing, the US Military and especially the USMC is not a place for a person to find out who they are socially, if they haven’t figure that out in 17-21 years of life they will have a difficult time making that transition during their first enlistment. They will destroy the moral and welfare of a unit ( I know because I’ve seen it) and it’s also not fair for the others to troops who will be forced to understand and be forced or be forced out because 5heyll become the problem which is BS. They’ll also be forced to take up the slack for someone who’s trying to figure that out who and what they are or want to be at government expense and the expense on others who are being called names if they don’t agree. I’m not being mean, I’m being truthful and these General Officers should be enforcing the rules and regulations of the UCMJ and some social justice BS we don’t have a problem with but can create by pushing this one sided no debate training to reform someone’s beliefs or thought process. These social justice warrior Generals need to quit being afraid of offending any group or politicians because once that uniforms is on we all become fighters not social justice warriors. For all those who enlist the understand thst Uncle Sam owns their butts and they have agreed to assimilate and adhere to the UCMJ, no bread, no turban, clean face, and the cover and uniform of the day and don’t have the right to push their desires and wants on others who are adhering to the UCMJ. I pray the Marines get a commandant that will fight for them and stop this destruction of our beloved Corps. We need our Tanks and Artillery to ensure we don’t have to wait on the army for Supporting Arms, this Commandant apparently doesn’t understand the importance of being self sufficient when your forward deployed as a MEU without an Army support insight. God bless our Marine Corps, our Marines and most importantly their families who also have to deal with consequences of bad leadership because it effects us all.
Semper Fi,
Samuel Steen
MSGySt USMC, (retired)
Well said Top . There are many who agree with you .
👍
As a JROTC SMI in the inner city of LA for twenty years, I was very familiar with Prospective Marines of the future. Even THEY as HS kids with limited exposure to our proud heritage didn’t want us to lower our standards! I would think the living prior Commandants are not happy about what’s happening… we can only trust they will band together and do something about it.
Major T. C. Richardson, USMC (Ret)
I As a former EGA holder, 1954-58 I proudly served in the 3rd Marine Div…Stationed in Camp Fuji ,Japan we expected the Korean war to start up again at any time…We were ready.I was a “Buck” Sgt. & a squad leader.The war never re-started & after my enlistment ended
I had a career in Law Enforcement…retiring as a Captain
My heart & soul & love for the Corps never ended.
I could tell at first sight of the present Commandant he was bad news
& I never met the man. He is just another brainwashed woke admirer
( like Gen Millie) & bad news for the Corp…what in hell has happened
to these idiots?Yes…Idiots they will ruin the Military & I don’t want to
see this happen to My Marine Corps . Wake up Marine Corp Officers
get rid of this poor excuse for a Commandant !!