All posts by Jim

Left HS before report cards came out. Enlisted in the Marines for four years. By the time those years were over, I was hooked - they had me for life. Spent nearly ten years as enlisted. Received a Silver Star, Bronze Star w/V, Purple Heart as a Sgt during first RVN tour. Upon returning to the State's received a combat commission to 2Lt. Retired after 36 total years as a Colonel. Book follows my career, but is more about the heroes with whom I served, the great mentors I had, and the leadership principles they instilled in me.

Mabus Issues CMC Harsh Orders

This memo is one of the nastiest I have ever seen coming from a political appointee. No one needs to read between the lines to see where he is going with this tirade. I am certain he received an ass whipping by a Marine somewhere in his lifetime, probably some free-spirited Young LCpl Infantryman. At least I hope some Marine got some licks in on him. I would certainly not pass up the opportunity; he is a fool, an idiot dressed in a fancy suit. Read the memo and you decide.

PS, I Had a copy of his memo, but lost it and am trying to retrieve it. If anyone has a copy, please send it to me so I can post for all to read,

Originally posted 2016-01-19 16:05:34.

Mabus Destroys Your Marine Corps

This post is now OBE as the idiot, Kool Aid guzzling SecNav has “seen the light.” He changed his mind “before” he had to appear before the Senate where he was finally beaten up rather harshly by some friends of the Corps. He needs to be fired for the idiotic words that consistently spew from his mouth!

 

Many have tried over the Corps’s 240 year existence, but all have failed. Even President Harry Truman attempted to dismantle the Corps, but found their popularity and following too strong to fight to the end. The Corps’s colors are draped with more streamers and ribbons from fighting more enemies, more battles, and more wars than one dare to count, and still the Corps survived all comers. But what about today? Can we survive the political onslaught of an administration hell-bent on reducing our military to cannon fodder?

It appears from Mabus’ January 1, 2016 memo to our Commandant that he has purposely come after us. Why? I suspect it is because we are the only service that seems to have any common sense about these dangerous actions being taken in the name of “diversity.” One does not need to read between the lines of his memo to understand Mabus is out to see our destruction. This from a two-year Naval officer who’s only military experience is aboard a ship that spent most of his tour in the yard getting refitted. Wow, that must have been really tough on him sleeping on clean sheets in his own stateroom while having his meals served in the officer’s mess by a  ship’s steward. Maybe he is after us because he got his ass beat by a young Marine Lance Corporal. Who knows why he is so hellbent on dismantling the Corps. As a retired thirty-six year Marine Infantryman, I am sad and absolutely horrified for what is about to happen to my greatest love. If this imbecile has his way, I will become a retired Marine “Infantryperson.”  The following article at the link below is one of the best that I have read on the matter. How can anyone read the author’s well-written piece and still think this is a good idea.

Where are our followers, where are our elected officials, where is the so-called silent majority, where is someone, anyone who has some intelligence, some common sense, some feeling of pride in America? Where the hell are you? If you are there, get on your computer and write, make phone calls, ask question as to how this is going to make our Corps stronger, scream, bellow, holler, do whatever it takes before YOU lose YOUR United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi, Jim Bathurst

PS, Be sure to check my post on Mabus’ aka “the idiot’s” Memo. I am sure you will be shocked, especially by his timeline. Marines are currently deployed all around the world, and this is to happen in three months. Mabus, you are an idiot that should be fired; and if Trump wins, as I hope he does, you can bet your days will be numbered and you’ll have to find someone else to beat up on – you imbecile!

PPS, If necessary, copy, and paste into your browser.

http://thefederalist.com/2016/01/19/nothing-can-take-down-u-s-marines-except-politicos-who-couldnt-hack-boot-camp/

 

 

 

 

Originally posted 2016-01-19 15:46:27.

5 states’ IDs no longer valid for Fort Bragg access

NOTE from me: Interesting, but definitely not surprised to see my great (NOT) state among the list. I mean we are probably the worse when it comes to ID’s for any reason.

FORT BRAGG, N.C.Fort Bragg can no longer accept driver’s licenses and state identification cards from Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico and Washington to get a visitor’s pass to enter the installation. The Department of Homeland Security identified these five states as non-compliant with the standards of the REAL ID Act.

“Effective immediately, residents of these five states can no longer use their driver’s license to get a visitor’s pass,” said Tom McCollum, Fort Bragg Garrison spokesman. “Driver’s licenses and identification cards issued by these states cannot be used to access not just Fort Bragg, but all federal facilities, to include other military installations.”
Federally issued means of identification can be used to obtain an installation visitor’s pass. These include a U.S. passport, permanent resident card / alien registration receipt card and an employment authorization document with photo. Driver’s licenses from the remaining 45 states can still be used as valid forms of identification.
“The process for gaining access to Fort Bragg hasn’t changed for the vast majority of people,” said McCollum. “If you have a DOD issued ID card, you can use it at the gates as you always have.”
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, established tougher requirements for proof of legal U.S. residency that would allow driver’s license to be recognized for federal purposes. Twenty-three other states are currently pursuing compliance for their programs under an extended deadline – with South Carolina among the list.
For current information concerning state-by-state compliance with the Real ID Act, visit https://www.dhs.gov/.
For more information on access procedures, please visit http://www.bragg.army.mil/directorates/DES/pmo/Pages/AccessInformation.aspx or call the Visitor Control Center at (910) 907-5165.

 

Originally posted 2016-01-14 15:30:45.

“We’ll All Die As Marines” Boards the USS Midway in San Diego, CA

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midwayColonel Jim Bathurst’s recently published book now prominently graces the shelves of the gift shop of #17 on the list of the top 20 museums in the United States (USS MIDWAY MUSEUM), as rated by YELP, and published in USA Today.

In it, Colonel Bathurst chronicles his nearly thirty-six year calling in the United States Marine Corps where he rose from Private to Colonel. His unique service over that extended period included as an 0311 infantry sergeant in the Vietnam War serving as a platoon commander (a lieutenant’s billet). He was awarded a Silver Star medal, Bronze Star medal with Combat “V,” a Purple Heart, and a combat commission to second lieutenant. Vietnam provided him a vast range of leadership challenges. “Combat is the ultimate challenge for any Marine leader,” Colonel Bathurst states emphatically. As with most Marines, Vietnam changed his life forever.

Upon arriving home, still an enlisted man, he was slotted to be the platoon sergeant for the famed Silent Drill Team at 8th and I St, Washington, D. C., but his quick promotion to second lieutenant, recommended by his commanding officer for exceptional leadership in Vietnam, changed that and he became the commander.

During that tour, while serving temporarily at Camp David as security officer-in-charge, he was errantly chewed out face-to-face by President Lyndon B. Johnson, an encounter he details in the book in all its bombast-Johnson threatening to send him to “VET NAM”. The Commander-in-Chief of all military personnel of the United States could not even distinguish a Marine Vietnam veteran, despite the various high awards for heroism he wore as colored ribbons above his left breast pocket, who had served his country in time of war honorably and heroically. Jim has never forgotten nor forgiven. Including it in the book at the encouragement of his editor has provided some settling of scores. Reading those few pages is worth the price of the book just to comprehend firsthand the ineptness of some who acquire the power of the White House.

Colonel Bathurst held various command billets from platoon commander on up including Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, the battalion made famous by the book and movie Battle Cry written by Leon Uris and referred to as “Huxley’s Harlots.” Just prior he had commanded for three years the Marine Corps’s largest recruiting station-RS Chicago. He retired as Commanding Officer, School of Infantry (East) at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 1993.

General Peter Pace, the first Marine officer to hold the position as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, said of the book: “Reading Jim’s book is like coming home… ” The book has received commendatory reviews in such prestigious military organizations and magazines as Leatherneck, Marine Corps Association, Military Writers Society of America, Naval Historical Foundation, U.S. Veteran’s Magazine, as well as numerous favorable online reviews by readers, such as those who purchased the book on Amazon.

Normally, a single-item seller is not the chosen vendor for books. However, with the cooperation, interest, and willingness to give the book a try, Event Network, Inc., the leading operator of gift shops for aquariums, botanical gardens, museums, science centers, and other highly regarded cultural attractions, agreed to a vendor agreement for the one book.

Colonel Bathurst, appreciative of their assistance in getting the chance to offer his book to the visitors of these military museums says, “Event Network is a company that cares; on their website they emphasize they are a “for purpose and in service” company, and they proved to be just that.”

As for writing the book itself, Colonel Bathurst says, “I wrote this in the hopes of guiding young Marines, both enlisted and officers, so that they can consider my advice about the demanding requirements of leadership a Marine encounters daily… ”

Colonel Bathurst is retired in Florida with his wife Nancy and two Siberian cats and a rescued Dachshund named Edgar. He is often invited to speak on such occasions as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, etc. He will be doing book signings at various locations, perhaps even the USS Midway Museum.

In summary, Jim Bathurst expresses it best when he writes “… the Corps was not a job, a career, or even a profession; it was-and still is-a way of life.”

He may be contacted at http://www.wellalldieasmarines.net

Expert Author

Major Dennis Copson is a retired United States Marine and is a resident of Oceanside, California. He is a freelance writer and editor.

 

 

Postscript: Sadly, this post no longer is valid, they have ceased ordering the book. And I have broken the ties with the publisher; therefore, should you choose to buy the book come straight to me at sgt-b@comcast.net or click on the contact link on the left.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Major_Dennis_Copson/120497

Originally posted 2016-01-11 16:03:15.