By Michael Gerson
Thursday, March 10, 2011HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Until five months ago, Forward Operating Base Jackson, in Sangin, was an island in a Taliban sea. Patrol bases were ringed by Taliban flags, about 100 to 200 meters out, to dramatize the state of siege. Everywhere beyond the main road was an enemy sanctuary. Each spring the fertile land along the Helmand River bloomed red with poppies from horizon to horizon. Thirty-five drug-processing labs helped fund the Taliban.
In October, about 1,500 Marines arrived, took the offensive, pushed into the territory beyond the roads – and sustained the highest casualties of the Afghan war. During the first three months of operations in Sangin, more than two dozen Marines died; 150 others were wounded.
But the Marines, as usual, got the better of the killing – counting more than 400 insurgent dead. In the end they owned the ground. War-weary locals have begun cooperating and providing information. Morale of the Afghan army and police has improved. Farmers are being given other seeds to replace poppies. Though the region is not fully pacified, the Marines have quickly established themselves as the toughest tribe in this part of the Taliban homeland.
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Well that’s really good to hear.
In Afghanistan the people only respect those who are in control and show themselves to be the toughest and meanest.
Was there ever a question who the toughest is!
Marines are tough Blast, my dad was one.
Of course I’m sure anyone from any of the services they would say THEY are the toughest.
SemperFi…improve adapt..overcome..to bad the rest of American can not understand the concept. half of America has no idea of the initals USMC..born in a tavern on 11/1/1775..
@Mos 8541,
10 November 1775
What is it about those Marines? During Korea, there were Marines who had never been to boot camp or ITR: they fought with the Frozen Chosin and did as well as the best.
It warms my heart to hear about Marines doing well. May G-d Bless our troops and make sure those Marines don’t run out of ammo.
Marine Corps Rules:
1. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
2. Decide to be aggressive enough, quickly enough.
3. Have a plan.
4. Have a back-up plan, because the first one probably won’t work.
5. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
6. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun whose caliber does not start with a ‘4.’
7. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.
8. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral & diagonal preferred.)
9. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.
10. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.
12. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.
13. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating your intention to shoot.
Navy SEAL’s Rules:
1. Look very cool in sunglasses.
2. Kill every living thing within view.
3. Adjust Speedo.
4. Check hair in mirror.
US Army Rangers Rules:
1. Walk in 50 miles wearing 75 pound rucksack while starving.
2. Locate individuals requiring killing.
3. Request permission via radio from ‘Higher’ to perform killing.
4. Curse bitterly when mission is aborted.
5. Walk out 50 miles wearing a 75 pound rucksack while starving.
US Army Rules:
1. Curse bitterly when receiving operational order.
2. Make sure there is extra ammo and extra coffee.
3. Curse bitterly.
4. Curse bitterly.
5. Do not listen to 2nd LTs; it can get you killed.
6. Curse bitterly.
US Air Force Rules:
1. Have a cocktail.
2. Adjust temperature on air-conditioner.
3. See what’s on HBO.
4. Ask ‘What is a gunfight?’
5. Request more funding from Congress with a ‘killer’ Power Point presentation.
6. Wine & dine ”key’ Congressmen, invite DOD & defense industry executives.
7. Receive funding, set up new command and assemble assets.
8. Declare the assets ‘strategic’ and never deploy them operationally.
9. Hurry to make 13:45 tee-time.
10. Make sure the base is as far as possible from the conflict but close enough to have tax exemption.
US Navy Rules:
1. Go to Sea.
2. Drink Coffee.
3. Deploy Marines
My younger brothers in arms still amaze me Semper Fi, Always Faithful !!
I like it. ..Go to Bluejacket.com Humor. By the way, Army Rangers could not walk 150 miles……A Marine Recon would have to carry them the last 149 miles…..
The Marines have been successful enough that they are to be expanded out to some of the hot-spots in the surrounding provinces. As far as they’re concerned, everyone else should leave the country, and they’ll hand what’s left back when they’re done… No camera’s allowed.
There are 43 flags flying at HQ in the capital …One of them is the red Globe and Anchor.
@timt223
It’s very important to know who are giving a simple command to within the military…
“Secure that building” means very different things to the 4 forces…(No joke to follow)
Airforce:
Procurement department will contact a real-estate agent, and pay 2X what it’s really worth.
Navy:
A couple of sailors will turn turn off the lights, and lock the doors and windows, then leave.
Army:
A squad will guard it after clearing it for threats, then rotate 2hr watches, challenging anyone that gets too close. They will not leave until relieved.
Marines:
Will shell it with artillery, while pouring in thousands of rounds of small-arms, until someone tells them to stop.