Sgt Grit Marine Forums

Hello everyone. My name is John Orsini and i am a 16 year old high school junior. First of all, i want to say that my hat goes off to all of those men and women who have served our country and have died protecting  the things that we everyday people take for granted. Thank you for doing what many choose not to do. I'm not going to sit here and tell you how hard my life has been, or why i should become a United States Marine. I will share with you however, my passion for the Marine Corps. My high school experience,although not complete, has brought out my true character in these past few years. I've learned that i can do anything i put my mind to, and not let anything get in my way to success.I pose just one question to all those who dare answer;was it worth it? Was it worth it every morning putting on that uniform and serving our country to the best of your God given abilities? Was it worth going to war, and perhaps dying for a government who cares not about the men and women who've shed their blood, sweat and tears to  defend its so called democratic policies? In the end, was it all worth it? I ask this because i want to be able to look back on my life and say  "at least i didn't lead no humdrum life." By leading the life that i  envision for myself, i see the Marine Corps as a building block upon which all my future endeavors will rest. I ask that God bless me with the strength to do what i feel is right. I know it will not be an easy road, as life is often not fair at times, and when many feel like quitting, continuing along the righteous path will ensure  a meaningful life in the end. My goal is not to become a hero, or make multi-million dollars out of my Marine Corps experience, because in the end, the only thing you have left in tact is your dignity. My friends and family think i am crazy for even speaking about joining the military, but their negativity and disbelief just gives me the fuel that i need to carry on. They chant, "you will change your mind a hundred times between now and then." They may be right about some things, but i will never change my mind about the Corps. I want God himself to tell me that i cannot join. Otherwise, when i am good and ready, i will join the sacred family, known as the Marine Corps. 00HRAHH. For those of you gracious enough to read my post and biography, i thank you.

                                                                                       Semper Fidelis.
 

-John Orsini (Future Marine)

 

I pose just one question to all those who dare answer;was it worth it? Was it worth it every morning putting on that uniform and serving our country to the best of your God given abilities?

YES!

 Was it worth going to war, and perhaps dying for a government who cares not about the men and women who've shed their blood, sweat and tears to  defend its so called democratic policies?

 Marines don't fight for the government or policy!  Maybe one day you'll understand.

yes but Gunny, who are  we fighting for then? we shouldn't be over in Iraq right now, or certainly not for this long. Politicians make wars, and then we have to pay for their mistakes.

Do me a favor, If you aren't prepared to go and fight someplace because you don't agree with it. Then the Marine Corps is not the place for you. Marines accomplish the the mission whatever it may be whether we like it or not. Marines fight for each other.

 

Now as for this: When you go pull a combat tour in Iraq, then and only then will you have any credibility with me to say whether we should be there or not. Because I can see from reading your PM that the only thing you know about it is what you've seen on CNN, and what you see on CNN is a complete joke.
 

 

Gunny, i never said i wasnt prepared to do what is neccessary, i just said that i happen to not agree with what is going on in the world right now. i also understand that a Marine does what is asked, without thinking twice about it. I have absoloute faith in our country, why else would i want to join the most elite fighting force in the world?

BTW, you do not rate speaking to the Gunnery Sergeant and use the term "Gunny."  That is Marine jargon for Gunnery Sergeant you are not a Marine.  If the Gunnery Sergeant tells you that you may call him Gunny that is a different matter.  But, until such time as you can claim the title, or are granted dispensation, stop using our jargon.

jburke, i only called him gunny because thats what his username is, and i abreviated it. i realize that in not a Marine, as a few people have pointed out. I didnt intend it to mean Gunnery Sargeant, i was only addressing him as his username.

His user name is Gunny1371.  I do not wish to engage you in a debate over this I am giving you instruction.  IF my Corps allows you to try out remember this  - when you receive instruction shut your mouth.  No one is interested in your excuses.

reaper294:

jburke, i only called him gunny because thats what his username is, and i abreviated it. i realize that in not a Marine, as a few people have pointed out. I didnt intend it to mean Gunnery Sargeant, i was only addressing him as his username.

 

Just shut up ya little turd. You're too frikkin political to be a Marine. Why don't you just go join the frikkin Cindy Sheehan fan club. Marines fight where they are ordered to fight. When they tell you to take the f*ckin hill, you say "Aye aye, sir," and you take the f*ckin hill. And it don't matter who's up there on the hill. You kill em.

God help the Corps

Edit--   Hahaha, I just realized this thread is from like 6 months ago, and I'm getting all fired up over it...hahaha, that's what happens when I post during beer call.

 

Al, this is usually how we chase the trolls away. If Yeti, Tom, Tracy, Paul and the rest don't get to them first. If they are really interested in the Corps, they do some research, stiffen their spines, harden their skin and come back to prove that we were wrong about them and they can and will make it. It's nice to see you feel so much for your Corps.

reaper....

 Become a Marine and you'll answer your own questions....until then, dont ask these questions again. We Dont fight for politics, or oil, we dont fight to earn medals or get recognition.....we stand the line so people like you can sit at home, play Xbox, and spend mommy and Daddy's hard earned money on new cars and toys.... We stand the line so 8 yr old Jonny can one day grow up to go to college and have a family of his own...so That Susie wont go to bed hungry, wondering where her next meal will come from.....We Stand the line for each other, Brothers and Sisters who took an oath to protect our way of life and to preserve it.

And if I die while defending your "rights"....it's not because I like you, or because I care...I don't....I die because it's my JOB to protect you, no matter HOW worthless you might be... I will die with honor, knowing I did my best.

reaper (reaper? give me a break!),

I'll respond to this for one reason and one reason only. That is to inform others of my answer to your basic question "Was it worth it?" All your other BS wrapped up not so covertly in your post is meaningless to me.

Was it worth it? You're damn right it was. One part of me is basically a very selfish individual. That part of me loves the fact that I achieved more in this life than most will ever hope for. I walked onto an Island at the ripe young age of 17 years old not knowing my ass from Adam, and 13 weeks later I held my head high knowing I was better than millions of others on this planet.

Another part of me, the selfless part, also thinks it was worth it. I filled a spot that needed filled. I allowed someone, somewhere to go to college or get a job or whatever. I firmly believe that this life is going according to plan. In that plan, my spot needed filled. I filled it.

Now, back to the selfish me. I saw places that a Coal Region boy like me could only dream about. I traveled the world, met a zillion people, made friendships that last until this day. Let's not bring up the seedier side of life, but yes, it was there as well. And now? I can talk to any Marine, anywhere, and it is like we have known each other all of our lives. The bond is unmistakable and immeasurable.

 Ok, back to selfless. All we train for, all we work for, all we sweat and bleed for, means nothing without action. There are many in this Country that shed tears and feel sorry when a Marine gets Orders for a combat zone or an active assignment. Not me. I wish him well, of course. But those of us that know, know that we train our asses off for one reason, to act. Ask any Marine worth his salt where he'd like to be today and you will get one answer: "With my Unit".

So, now that I've rambled on and on about this topic, I have one question for "reaper". Do you think it was worth it for me? Well, maybe 2 questions! Do you think I don't wish, every day, for just one more day with my Unit?

I'll leave you with this my young friend. We work FOR a Democracy (yeah I know it is a Representative Republic but that just doesn't work as well!) , not in one. Marines don't vote on their Mission. We don't pick and choose where and when we go. But when we go, we perform our Mission to the best of our abilities. Sometimes, politically, the Mission isn't the wisest. We don't really care since the validity of the decision has no bearing on whether or not we come home. My advice is, if you want to get wrapped up in politics stay home. If you want to excel and be a part of something beyond comprehension, leave your politics at home.

Well said as always.

Ma'am,

I'm not so sure it was well said but it had to BE said.  The day that Marines get to decide what battles we fight or what borders we defend or what missions we go on marks the end of the Corps. Who in their right mind would raise their hand and vote to die for anything? Excluding things like kids, the occasional good woman, etc... (I'm kidding!)

But seriously, we do not fight for any President, any Party, any ideology, etc... If you get wrapped up in that you'll never be able to live with yourself.

We serve for the Honor, read that again, the HONOR of being a United States Marine. We (for those playing at home, this is a clue) SERVE as United States Marines. We do not set policy, we do not enact policy. We don't even get to choose the paper we wipe our ass with.

However, we enforce policy. If every swinging (censored) in this Country believes Iraq is wrong, so be it. We don't really care. That Mission was given to us as Marines to carry out and execute to the best of our abilities. That is what we do. If the mood of the Country swings, how does that affect us?? Not one bit! 

I'll stop now before I start spewing what I really feel about these short sighted pricks.

"We don't even get to choose the paper we wipe our ass with."

 

Tom...they changed that policy.... All others stand as ordered

I guess I'm getting old. I can't keep up. If I had my druthers it'd be Charmin 27 ply with a Blonde after-wash. Unfortunately, I had fresh carved oak with a nice sandpaper fresco tint.

Wow, this was a 16 year old young man. I am impressed he was even thinking of the Marine Corps. Young man you keep up the good work. If you are still reading this the politics of this, I think, are way over your head right now as it should be. My suggestion is you read. Learn about this great country. Respect the things that make it great. Listen to those who have been in wars past. If you have an ROTC program maybe that is a good place to start. When it comes time to make the choice to become a Marine you will know why you are doing it just as each of these Marines did, including my husband. You guys are so fast to jump on people at times. I am sure this kid has little if no exposure to the Marine Corps. Instead of doing what I just read above, which I was really dissappointed with, you guys could have influnced a very young mind and heart.

Renee, believe it or not the ones that are really interested come back. They just decide that they won't be chased away. Some are like Tom Cruise and they "Can't handle the truth." We have had quite a few read the riot act and they have come back to the board and graduated and gone on to Iraq and elsewhere.

I know...there are some real winners. I read most of them and scratch my head. I just see this as a 16 year old boy. How many 16 year old boys are interested in the Marine Corps? Most of them are causing trouble, chasing girls, doing drugs,.... I was impressed he came here. He doesn't know the right way to show respect to those serving. It was an oppritunity to show him why he would want to join. To stand out in a crowd of disrespectful yound men his age and stand for something much larger than he will ever understand. Just my thoughts...

I know what you mean, sometimes they can be a little rough. I try and send them an e-mail to explain what is going on, some listen and some don't.

Renee', there are maybe 5 people on this planet I respect more than you. 4 of them are dead. Keep that in mind when you read this.

I, personally, take full responsibility for busting the balls of the newbies that I post to. 16 years old? In my day that seems to equate to 25. If they get scared away or disgruntled by a post on here, they will NEVER see 13 weeks.

I'll bust hard on these kids for as long as they can take it for one reason. That reason is this. If you can't take it here, you'll never last on PI or at that other place.

The kids that listen, take their lumps here, and respond accordingly, most likely will achieve something that most can only imagine.

 

Tom...believe me, I get it. I just think that some of it was a little out of line. But as I said...just my opinion. I only wish some of the 16 year olds I see had the same dreams and goals.  

Renee', I don't disagree that it can get out of line. I totally understand where you are coming from. I can only own my part in it and explain myself.

And yes, at 16, it's pretty damn admirable to desire this dream. I certainly don't want to discourage it. But at the same time, I don't want to lie to anyone and sweet talk them. It's a thin line I guess.

I truly am sorry for my previous statements and/or words that may have come across as impolite or for lack of a better word, silly. At the time i was 16. I am now not much older, being only 17, but i feel these last fews months have really changed who i am. However i still have the desire to become a Marine because i know how much the Marine Corps has done for our country and will continue to do. A part of me wants to become a  Marine, the other part of me wants me to go to college. This decision will not be an easy one, but i assure you all that i am still fully fledged about my possible commitment to the Marine Corps. It is a thought that crosses my mind daily. This thread has really gotten me flamed, but i have learned from it and i dont mind the criticism for telling me straight up. I like things simply and to the point because in the Marine Corps no one is going to hold my hand, and be kind to me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The previous replys have only helped me in my inner search to become a Marine, and be part of the greatest family in history, The Marine Corps Family. Thank you all for your constructive criticism and views on my current situation, and i apologize for not going about this whole process correctly.

-John Orsini