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Letters

Keep the Navy name

I think most Marines have no problem with the title Department of the Navy [“Lawmaker reintroduces resolution to rename Navy,” Jan. 11]. We have always been a component of the Navy, and I am proud of my naval service.

Has anyone stopped to consider the costs that would be incurred by changing the title of a department of the United States government? I am sure some have, because the resolution [to rename the service the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps] has never passed. We could certainly find many more appropriate uses for the money.

Maybe a Marine Corps Times online poll could give us a better feel for people’s opinions on the matter? I think most people would vote against changing the department’s name.

— Sgt. Cameron J. Dumas, Fort Meade, Md.

‘Zero tolerance’ debate

While I do agree that there is a sexual harassment problem for females in the Marine Corps, I feel that a zero-tolerance policy is too black and white [“Zero tolerance,” Dec. 28]. It is always stressed that female Marines are supposed to be treated as equals, and a harsh policy does nothing but reinforce the idea that they are different from other Marines and need to be treated specially.

Male Marines joke around with one another all the time in such a way that could be considered sexual harassment if said in the presence of a female. The problem lies in this double standard.

There is a gray area when handling sexual harassment cases. A zero-tolerance policy does not take this into account and will create an even bigger rift between males and females in the Marine Corps.

— Sgt. Matthew Eller, New Braunfels, Texas

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If the Marine Corps is introducing a new zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault, what was the level of tolerance before? I thought it was already zero. Did I miss something?

— Sgt. D.J. Spies (ret.), Phoenix

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I completely agree that sexual assault and harassment should be eradicated. There is no excuse for the actions of the Marines [guilty of this].

But it is hard for Marines to see a female counterpart as another Marine. Where is the camaraderie when every time a woman Marine comes into the room, Marines have to censor themselves and consider what they’re saying? Even though comments are not directed towards that female Marine, will they be deemed disrespectful and/or distasteful?

I have complete respect for women, but my understanding was that once we put on that uniform we are all Marines. I feel that the more the standard is raised it will welcome a degree of separation between male and female Marines.

— Cpl. Jordan L. Bradford, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan

Always dress the part

While I was traveling over the holidays, I had a layover in Atlanta. As I was walking to my gate, I spotted a young private first class wearing his dress blues, which are not authorized for travel. What I found even more surprising was the fact that he had a laptop bag on his shoulder and was quite obviously walking and chewing gum at the same time.

I have seen this sort of behavior among young Marines time and again.

I immediately caught the Marine’s attention by walking up to him and quietly saying, “Hey there, PFC.” Being that I was wearing civilian attire, he was probably unable to immediately tell that I was also a Marine. I asked why he was chewing gum while walking in his dress blues. He looked at me with a blank and unapologetic look and stated, “I don’t know.” I asked him a second time and he shrugged at me while he continued to chew the gum.

I was offended that he didn’t seem to think he was doing something improper while wearing our most coveted of uniforms. I told him that he was wrong and was doing Marines a disservice by wearing his uniform in a substandard manner.

This is the fourth Marine in three years that I have seen traveling in dress blues. None of them were in compliance with uniform regulations. Two sergeants were carrying bags on their shoulders. One lance corporal had unbuttoned his Leatherneck collar while waiting to board his flight. When I confront these Marines, the answer I get is, “Oh, I am tired and frustrated from holiday travel,” without an admission of wrongdoing.

This is not behavior befitting a Marine in uniform.

Chewing gum and wearing bags on the shoulder like an elementary school child is no way to honor our Corps.

As leaders, we need to look at the way that we educate our Marines about how to behave in uniform. It is something we owe to our Marines. I hope that the next time I see a young Marine in dress blues I can be proud of them and honored to be serving by their side.

— 1st Lt. Esther C. Gomez, Jacksonville, N.C.