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Sgt. Maj. Kent’s Baby NCO response

The choice of words to describe brand-new NCOs may have been on the harsh side, but calling them by any other name makes them no less inexperienced. A person who is under 21, spent only eight months as a lance corporal, and is now an NCO based on cutting score alone is a real hindrance to operations within that Marine’s shop. They are given duties and put in leadership positions of lower ranks by those same higher-ups who see only the aura of two stripes up and a pair of crossed rifles in the center, not the person. We can call them ‘baby NCOs’ or we can call them ‘Short-time-in-service NCOs,’ it doesn’t change the person that was promoted. The Marine Corps needs a longer time in grade for lance to corporal.

Unpublished death photo of Ernie Pyle found

The photo should not have been published in deference to his wife and family at the time of his death. Publishing the photo now is appropriate. He was a beloved figure to all Americans as a result of his keeping the home front informed of life as it was lived by the American soldier in combat. No frills, no glory and no propaganda. Ernie Pyle depicted that life and earned the camaraderie of soldiers and the American people whose loved ones were the subjects of his reporting. His contribution to our nation should have earned him the civilian equivalent of the Medal of Honor. It is not too late to so honor him.

MARSOC inquiry

What could the Corps have done to give more support to its first special operations company?

Rafael Peralta

The recommendation to award the fallen Marine the Medal of Honor has lingered for almost three years. Is that too long?

Recruiting station snub

How should the Corps handle Berkeley’s actions toward the Marine recruiting station?