Letters - Marine Corps Community, discussions, blogs, photos & video - Marine Corps Times

Letters

No FAST FOOD AT FOBs

I would like to comment on the article “A Whopper of a decision” [Feb. 22].

It’s about time an order was issued to close fast-food concessions in Afghanistan. We spent some rough times in Afghanistan, in remote areas, with little logistical support. Most of our support was “self-help,” and we got very good at it.

When we would travel the several hours it took by convoy to get to the larger logistical hubs to get major work done or get support, it sometimes seemed hard to find that support.

However, the eateries were packed with service members sipping on ice-cold coffee, or seeing how far they could get the cheese on their pizza to stretch. Not to mention, the majority of them were what we would call “fluffy.”

However, I do believe that there is a huge need for morale boosters. That was one thing we looked forward to when we would travel to the larger forward operating bases — getting that cup of coffee and a trip to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. But rarely would we visit the fast-food joints. The chow hall was sufficient for us, as it was a huge step up from what we were getting in our remote areas.

When we were exiting Afghanistan, while at Bagram Airfield, my team was disgusted when we saw male service members kicked-back and getting manicures and having their hair shampooed at the beauty shop. To think, those guys were in receipt of the same pay and benefits as those of us that were downrange.

— Gunnery Sgt. Brad Jones, Okinawa, Japan

END QUAKE RELIEF NOW

At what point did our U.S. military become the world’s first-aid kit?

It is truly sad and devastating what has happened in Haiti and Chile. Two countries in less than two months have been hit by destructive earthquakes, which have left millions of people displaced and thousands dead.

However, I do not understand President Obama’s decision to send out our military to Haiti with such force, and for this long. With the most recent earthquake in Chile, our president promised to send out our troops if we are needed — but for how long can our country do this?

Our military already is stretched thin with the current events happening in Iraq and Afghanistan. There just aren’t enough of them to go around.

Troops with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and sailors on the amphibious assault ship Bataan, one of the first ships to arrive in the wake of the Haiti earthquake, had only been home a few weeks from a seven-month deployment before receiving 24-hour notice to deploy again. Those Marines and sailors are still out there with no return date in sight. Not only is this strenuous for our service members, but also to their families as well.

Our country has agencies, such as the American Red Cross, that are funded and prepared to assist in these kinds of natural disasters. Our military should not be obligated to take up the task of humanitarian relief for extensive periods of time. I can very well see how this deployment can be a noble and dignified one, but it is not enough to justify a mission so costly, both monetarily and physically, on a military that already is having difficulty sustaining the current tempo of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. They have a larger role to play and a truly more important one that relates directly to our country’s citizens, safety and freedom.

— Marisol Romero, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

OBAMA PUSHED DADT ISSUE

Now that the president has made “don’t ask, don’t tell” a national issue again, he also has made it clear he wants to repeal it.

As commander in chief, President Obama has given his “commander’s intent” on the subject, and what are Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates going to do, ignore the commander’s intent? [“Mullen: Dropping ‘don’t ask’ is ‘the right thing to do’”, Feb. 15]

As we are all aware, they both serve at the pleasure of the president. If they don’t support him, his policies and programs, they’ll be out of a job.

Mullen stated at a recent Senate hearing that speaking for himself, and only for himself, it is his personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly is the right thing to do. And when asked if he believes he was using command influence on the military to change the policy, Mullen responded by saying it was his belief that the policy was fundamentally unfair and forces some who serve to live a lie. Maybe Mullen should have been asked some follow-up questions: When did you form this opinion? Why did you not mention this belief at your confirmation hearings? What was your position 20 years ago when the policy was enacted?

Everyone that has worn the uniform of our nation knows what command influence and the commander’s intent are, and Mullen has received it from the commander in chief. To state at this time what Mullen believes to be an unfair policy, and not having ever discussed the issue before now, is just bull, and his leadership is in question.

— Master Gunnery Sgt. Chuck Hawley (ret.), San Pedro, Calif.

TATS CAN HURT PROMOTIONS

As a Marine with full-sleeve tattoos, I understand that in certain ways I have limited what I can do to serve in the Marine Corps [“Tattoo taboos,” Jan. 25].

However, when you are told that you are grandfathered in so that you can finish your career without the tattoos affecting your progression, there should not be any comments from promotion board members saying that tattoos were looked upon unfavorably.

I think it would be fairer if promotion photos were taken while wearing the service “B” uniform, instead of the service “C” uniform. That way, as board members look at the Marines in zone for promotion, the tattoos are less likely to be a factor.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions on what makes someone look professional, but in service Bravos I look no different than my fellow Marines who do not have tattoos.

I am not accusing anyone of being prejudiced, or saying that the most qualified for promotion are not being chosen. I am just stating that if someone sitting on the board is against tattoos, wearing Bravos would keep the system a little more in-check when looking at a photo as a tool for critiquing a Marine’s appearance in uniform.

— Staff Sgt. Stephen W. Justice, Jacksonville, N.C.