Fire that Piece of S____ (POS)

During my 30 years in the Marines Corps, I was helped along the way by many NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers), Staff NCOs (SNCO) and Officers; who gave me a second chance – I was helped by Corporals and Generals alike. My many mistakes helped mold me; therefore, those mistakes MADE me who I am. Below are a couple of stories about second chances:

1. When I was a 1stSgt I had to deal with an unusual situation. During morning PT one of our new Marines literally threw another Marine in front of a car; at an intersection – because he was upset. When the Platoon Sergeant found out, he was furious. He wanted to Marine out of his platoon right away. I summoned the Marine and asked him for his version of the story. He immediately admitted to everything. He told me the other Marines had been giving him crap for a week and he had enough. Although he went way overboard, I had been in his position before – wanting to throw someone under a bus (car, etc.). Instead of me punishing him, on the contrary, I took him with me to train the Marines of the Battalion’s Scout Sniper Platoon (SSP) in aerial shooting. I taught them (SSP) in a classroom and then we went to the LZ (Landing Zone) where I taught them how to rig the aircraft. Then we took to the sky and buzzed all around 29 Palms Main-Side conducting dry practice. Some people might ask: “why take a shithead on a cool mission like that?” Here is why: while I was talking to him, I needed to go to linkup with the SSP, so I took him with me and we talked multiple times during that day. He turned out to be a great warrior. I have always wondered what would have happened to him if we had NJP (Non-Judicial Punishment) him; probably would not have gone well – for him.
2. During the invasion of Iraq in 2003 one of our young Marines made a split-second decision in a possibly volatile situation; I would have made the same decision, along with every other Marine I know. After being harassed and called “killer” one too many times, he snapped and jumped on another Marine while holding a knife…. Once he was pulled off the Marine the Plt Commander and Plt Sgt insisted he had to go. I said, “fine he will stay with the headquarters Marines.” It turned out he was one of the Marines I had trained as a DM (Designated Marksman) and he carried an M-16A4 with a 4 x ACOG Scope attached. I trained him, therefore I trusted him. He became my personal bodyguard for the rest of the invasion. This allowed me to let my rifle “hang” (3-point-sling) when dealing with civilians; I always knew he had my back. We could have NJPed him, but I chose to give him even more power and he became one of my greatest assets.
3. While a was a Battalion SgtMaj I was stopped by one of our Chief Instructors (a GySgt) and he told me he fired one of his hand selected instructors and told him never to return. Now, I wanted to support the GySgt, but what the hell? I think I should have some say here brother. I did support the GySgt by his Sgt being removed from their staff, but I did not punish him. I sent him to another unit in the Battalion, where he quickly took over. He turned out to be the most outstanding Combat Shooting Instructor I have ever witnessed; and then was leading a group of amazing coaches that trained every Marine Lieutenant in Combat shooting – he stepped-up the game for himself and everyone around him. Again, no NJP, thank goodness – he was a Godsent to every Lt that was trained by him and his men.
4. While I was a Battalion SgtMaj I received a call from a fellow SgtMaj that worked for the General above my General. He told me he had a POS E-7 that he wanted to send me; off the books – therefore not against my headcount. He said to have him pick up cigarette butts for the next 18 months; or whatever I wanted to do with him. The next morning a squared away GySgt in Service Alphas (Marine Green Dress Uniform) showed up in front of my office; so, I invited him into my office and asked for his side of the story. I could see his side of the story. Here, I had this squared away grunt SNCO, who claimed he wanted to work and I was short a 1stSgt so I told him:

Me: SgtMaj _____ told me to have you pick up cigarette butts for next 18 months; and that is fine if that is what you want to do?

GySgt: SgtMaj, I am not a shithead. I am an outstanding Marine who pissed off the wrong people.

Me: Great. I need a 1stSgt at _____, can you handle it?

GySgt: Well, SgtMaj, I have never served as a 1stSg, but with your help I am sure I will do great things.

Me: Great, get to work. Your office in that building right over there; go introduce yourself.

I did this on purpose. The Marines he was going to lead would eat him alive if he was weak; I wanted him to prove he was a leader – he did. He was an exception leader of Marines. He never disappointed me once. This second chance worked out great for me; I needed a 1stSgt and he did a great job – which made my life easier.

I could give many other examples. Here is a recommendation: always get both side of the story, be objective and challenge your so-called POS. There is no such thing as a bad Marine; BUT there are Marines doing jobs that they are not made for (not always true; we all know there are some POS out there).

SF DKD

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