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The Toughest Assignment in the Corps

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I have no idea how I became blessed with the honor of commanding the Special Ceremonial Platoon (SCP) at Marine Barracks, 8th & I, Washington, D.C.  The platoon consisted of three sections: the Corps’s Color Guard, the Body Bearers, and the Silent Drill Team. It was my Officer Candidate School (OCS) as I reported in as a SSgt from Vietnam destined to become the platoon sergeant of SCP. However, a combat commission recommendation from my RVN company commander was approved and I became the platoon commander vice the platoon sergeant — quite a strange sequence of events.

Body BearersI was blessed to be able to see first-hand what these Marines do day in and day out. It is quite a story in my book and worth the read, especially if you are familiar with the battles during my time there (1967-69) — the Tet Offensive of 1968. The Body Bearers were so busy, we had to augment them and the color guard with Marines from the drill team. A very sad time for all of us in Ceremonial Guard Company. While every burial was deeply emotional, it became unbearable when you knew the Marine you were burying.

This link will take you to an inside look at what it is like to be one of the brave souls — it is very emotional to me personally. God bless those Marine s assigned to that duty. Read the book and learn what it takes to be one of these blessed souls, and how they are able to maintain their sanity in such an assignment.

If this video does not touch your heart, perhaps you do not have one.

Originally posted 2016-02-14 12:52:00.

3 thoughts on “The Toughest Assignment in the Corps”

  1. I was with H&S Motor T…Gunny Lech and Lt Waigand snco and mto

  2. Semper Fi Devil Dog…I found your book while browsing the net about a year ago. I was a young lance corpral in 2/6 when you were our battalion commander and took us to the Med in 87…Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your book it really touches base on the life of the young Marine and answers the question of what it could have been like to be a career Marine for those of us who moved on after 4 years. Thanks for the great read…Semper Fidelis

    1. Todd, thank you so much for the comment. I am glad you enjoyed the book, you are the kind of Marine for whom it was written. I hope it rekindled many fond memories e.g. Monte Romano, Italy? LOL Oh Dear, I don’t know about you, but I will NEVER forget that hump, just about killed me. What company were you with?

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