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!
Thank you, COL Bathurst. It is not news to learn of another American institution going woke, but when that institution is USMC, whose unparalleled success is due largely to unswerving devotion to martial principles, it is alarming. One must wonder if CMC is cynically posturing (“woke washing”) to stay on the right side of Congress to protect his funding or does he truly believe the tradition and heritage that raised him up is evil? If the former, the fever will pass and not too soon. If the latter, was he stupid ten years ago or immoral? And how will he atone for his personal role in perpetuating this evil?
P.S. The woke remind me of the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14.
I should not have said “stupid” and “immoral.” I meant “misinformed” and “complicit.”
Our military leaders need to get some balls and stand up to and kick out these socialist pigs.
You are totally correct , I have been thinking like you for a long time, the left has been working on the military leadership for years to insure only those who agree with with them are promoted. The next step is to abolish the Corps, God help us!
Col. DS Billik, retired
All you can hope for is the next president will fire this guy…he isn’t loved by his fellow generals either.
Well said Col. Bathurst and thank you Sir. It’s about time all concerned Marines publically sound-off loud and clear about the serious and long lasting damage and devastation that current CMC Berger is doing to our nation’s Marine Corps. Hopefully your couragous open letter to General Berger will motivate and inspire many other Marines of all ranks and eras to speak-up against Berger’s politically correct “force plan” before it’s too late and CMC Berger does more damage to our “Corps”. It makes me sick to my stomach every time I read about it. It would be very interesting to know the thoughts and opinions of Marine General and former SecDef Jim Mattis on this stupid Berger “plan”. Semper Fi Marines ……. and long live our glorious Marine Corps!
Good question, in fact a very good question! His silence on the matters at hand only support my thoughts on Mr. Mattis.
The Client of the Cohen Group speaks volumes.
Hopefully this works.
https://flagofficers4america.com/sign-our-letters#f516786b-416b-49c5-b908-08c3472a1d8a
Nah, it won’t work, nothing but a new POTUS will work. The woke don’t care. I do note there were 13 Marines who signed the letter, some were surprises to me, but two were not and I knew and served under them both. God bless them.
Jim, funny, I also instinctively counted the number of Marines that signed the letter. It was noticeably slim. Like you I too saw a couple names on there I knew but again, the list was dominated by all the other services.
Tom, LOL, guess we old old farts think alike. If my memory serves me correctly no Marines above MG, and most were BG’s, which tells me something. JMHO
Jim, there was one 3-star, Fred McCorkle. He retired as Deputy CMC, Aviation. He and I communicate regularly and he is with us 100% on this issue. But the rest were MGs and BGs as you stated.
Col Bathurst,
Sir, I could not agree more! I, like many others, joined the Corps was to because they were different from the other branches. We all know what we went through to EARN the title and join the ranks of all our brother and sister Marines! There isn’t another branch that sport more pride than the Marine Corps!! Bumper stickers, shirts, hats, and tats! We want people to know that we are Marines, and as a retired GySgt, I claim that title proudly. To just give it away is so damn disrespectful and disgusting. Only a turd would accept the free title, let alone the elevated rank. There would be a complete breakdown of respect once the Marines knew someone joined that way.
As for the rest of your talking points, I am completely behind them. Don’t water down OUR Corps by changing the standards with every little culture breeze that blows by. If you don’t want to adhere to the standards…join another service. If wearing particular headgear, or not shaving for religious conflict with the uniform and grooming standards, then maybe the United States Marine Corps is not where you fit. Remember, this is a volunteer service. Nobody makes you join. We shouldn’t have to change our standards to fit your preferences.
At the end of the day, we DO NOT want to be a mirror image of the army.
God Bless the United States
God Bless the Untied States Marine Corps!!
Semper Fi,
Gunnery Sergeant Michael T. Williams USMC/ Ret. 1992-2012
Well said Sir , and thank you for saying what needs to be said , what we’re seeing is a breach of trust not only in our Corps but across all service’s and our Nation in the social contract ” Victor David Hanson” wrote a article recently about that. What’s happening right now is very dangerous the CCP will not be defeated with rainbows , unicorn , lollipops , mermaids or ferry dust. Those that say this is just an extension of the civil rights movement are actually insulting MLK and his Dream! All this nonsense started at the top and as a Retired GySgt and one of the many LCpl Sqd leaders you and others took a chance on. Again Thank You Sir ! God bless you and yours , Merry Christmas and S/Fi! Long live Cincinnatus!
One thing is always true: No matter when you served, or what unit you served with, the new Corps is never as great as the Old Corps. I’ve been hearing this my entire life (and even say it myself). This letter could’ve been written at any time by any old salt who sees a Marine Corps not quite the same as when he (or she) served. Why is that? Because the military is a direct reflection of the ever-changing society from which it recruits its members. I’m an old fart, I don’t understand this craziness going on right now in our society, and wish things would revert back to the way it was when I was active duty. Therefore, I share many of the same sentiments, but at the same time I realize I might be wrong. Why? Because when I was a young Marine, the old farts back then used to say the same things about us.
Not quite the same Bob, this time it is absurd as to what is happening to my Corps. I too am an old fart — 81
The Corps was also full of pot heads and druggies in your time. Remember that. Marines today are smarter, stronger, faster, and more advanced in every way.
Really, during my time? Hmm, strange, I did not know that, I must have been one of them. And you know all your comments are true because…? I know nothing of you sir, yet my background is an open book. Please share with us your extensive experience and qualifications to make such comments.
Bob, I get what you are trying to convey, BUT, sorry sir, what this CMC is doing is so far against the grain the Marine Corps was founded on and what our history speaks to, it is beyond absurd, beyond ridiculous, beyond imaginable!!! No compromise on any Marine’s part is acceptable, Change is one thing and the Corps has experienced its fair share of changes but NEVER, NEVER has anyone gone this far to change what we as Marines stand for. Semper Fi!
Amen Tom!!!!!
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OMG. Reminds me of the ’70s when Adm. Zumwalt relaxed standards for the Navy but the Marines stayed the course and everyone admired them for it. If my memory serves me correctly, it wasn’t long before the Navy saw the light and reversed course and got back on tract. Hopefully, these times too will pass and long honored traditions and standards will once again be cherished and admired. Semper Fi.
Colonel,
I joined the Marines in 1964 at Parris Island and was ultimately commissioned and left as a selected Captain in 1973. The USMC is an integral part of my psyche and character, and something I’m tremendously proud of having been a part of. My brother Marines were the best people I have ever been associated with in my life.
I totally agree with your letter–this moron (I do not respect him enough to call him sir or general) has no business being in the Marines, let alone Commandant. He’s a careerist lapdog doing the bidding of those who wish to bring America down.
I don’t know what to do about this other than be prepared if worst comes to worst.
Please keep up the good work, Sir.
Bill Fello
USMC 1964-1973
1964? I left the drill field at PISC in May 1964 as a Sgt. You sir should, in fact you NEED to read my book is you haven’t already. Thank you Skipper!
Lt. Col. Amen brother. I am in total agreement sir and I know so many others as well. Semper Fidelis.
I was a Sergeant serving from 1963 until 1967 and getting discharged after returning from Vietnam. I agree completely with your assessment of the CGM! It’s time to get back to the old corps of values!
Col
Here are some thoughts. Reinstate 20 years of service = 50 % base pay /30 years of service 75% of base pay immediately. With respect to Marines leaving for Army/Navy: offer more options. Right now you have options: DI – recruiter – MSG. Offer increased reenlistment bonus, duty station options, geographic locations, secondary MOS, Airborne quotas, Ranger School, Language School, Pathfinder school, advanced MOS school, Royal Marine Commando School, International Ranger School (Los Lanceros-Ejercito de Colombia), ECP, MECEP. Eliminate up or out restrictions. Allow SGT to go past 10 years. New accessions: reinstate Quality Enlistment Program (six years active duty-guaranteed SGT), start an 8 year active duty Quality Enlistment Program (guaranteed SSGT), 17 year old enlistment incentive, offer a a career enlistment contract for 20 years of service similar to French Foreign Legion. With respect to downsizing. Big mistake to eliminate infantry battalions. Tank battalions could have been moved into 4THMARDIV/USMCR. Maintain facilities and convert into I & I staffs. Personnel in 1st/2nd Tank Battalion transition into USMCR maintain rank and retirement after 20-30 years. Giving up quality USMC personnel to US Army tank units big mistake. Transition tank personnel to AAV or LAV rather than lose them to Army. We worked very hard to keep our strength at 197,000 – let’s never look back to 172,000 or less. Now we are in danger of becoming Naval Infantry Component of the US Army.
Well said sir. I have been communicating with other officers I served with who share the same concerns
I have also shared with my senators and congressman ( I hope we all will exert that pressure)
Al, this is beyond anything this CMC can comprehend. Why? Pretty simple. It would enhance the Marine Corps which is NOT in his agenda of woke, cancel culture, climate change broadband. Remember he wants to bring the Marine Corps into the 21st century and he wants everyone to forget about our Corp’s history, its meaning, its uniqueness. Climate Change, Cancel Culture and CRT are important to him as a…Marine…not sure at this point which Corps he is involved with…He is an embarrassment to our Marine Corps…all due respect to his rank and position…but he drank the liberal Kool Aide and our Corps is no longer what is was as a result. I am as disgusted as you are.
SF
Sir, I had the privilege of being assigned to RS Chicago while you were CO. This puts into words what most of us are thinking. We often said that the Marine Corps was not a reflection of society, but sadly that is the route we are being taken down.
Thank you Master Guns, always a joy to hear from a brother from Chi. Read the book? Lots of RS Chicago in it. Might rekindle some fond (or not so fond LOL) memories. LOL
Jim,
One thing that I would like to add, but I’m sure that it’s not a fault of this Commandant since it has been going on for a number of years, is the wearing of utilities in public. During my time in the corps (1966-70) if we left the base we had to be in a dress uniform unless we were on a work detail. It sickens me every time I see a Marine at the airport waiting for his/her flight while dressed in utilities We always looked so squared away in our uniforms and that was one of things that set us apart from the other services. Let’s get back to looking like Marines!
Mike, I thought the last CMC stopped that. I have only flown a few times of late, but have not seen any Marines in Utes, lots of Army.
Your letter was right on Colonel. Those of us who served prior to this ‘woke’ commandant’s tour did not expect any easy time or favoritism based on anything. Everything we went through in the Corps is part of why we are Marines forever. I was a door gunner on a VMO-2 Huey during the Vietnam war. I was fortunate enough to return to CONUS unharmed physically, but proud of my contribution to the war effort. All my fellow Marines were just that – Marines. No quotas, no categories, no special treatment. My Drill Instructor treated us all the same so we could all proudly wear the EGA with head held high forever.
Keep up your campaign to save our beloved Corps and country. How can a true patriot vote for any of these socialist thugs?
Semper Fi,
Jim Shriver (Sgt. E-5, 1963-1973)
Thank you, and BTW PLEASE you were not a Sgt E-5. You were a damn SGT PERIOD, drop that pay grade!
that is one difference (of many) I learned between the ARNG (and active duty army) and the Marine Corps. Using pay grade for rank.
I was a Sgt. when I left the Marine Corps after 3years, 9 months and 18 days. (early out for college). In the ARNG I was an E5.
AMEN, but we have Marines who refer to themselves as a Sgt E-5, that infuriates me as a former Sgt.
No one, NO ONE was allowed to call me an E-5. Great story in my book about that, in fact several times! You should read it.
Hi Col: This is my second letter to you the first after reading your book and the path you took in your career. I did 40 years 54 to 93 in electronic maintenance and loved it. Never made the drill field or recruiting as you did but did two years in NAM at Dong HA at FLSU-1 and FLSG-B keeping the Comm side of the war working. Did lots of things over the years trying to accomplish the mission and take care of the troops. Had some wonderful young men and women to lead and see blossom into great hard charging Marines. It really breaks my heart to see the way things are going in the country and the Corps. You certainly hit the nail on the head with your letter to CMC and I salute you for it. Take care and ignore the ones who do not see how bad it has gotten.
Semper Fi. Charlie Sherry LtCol USMC Ret