Bufalo - VIEWS FROM THE TOP: Politically Incorrect Ruminations About the U.S. Marine Corps and a Few Other Things

VIEWS FROM

THE TOP

POLITICALLY INCORRECT RUMINATIONS ABOUT THE u.s. MARINE CORPS

(and a few other things)

By MSgt A. A. Bufalo USMC (Ret)

S&B Publishing

All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2006 by S&B Publishing

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the

written permission of the author or the publisher.

First Printing March 2006

Printed in the United States of America

www.AllAmericanBooks.com

BOOKS BY ANDY BUFALO

SWIFT, SILENT & SURROUNDED

Sea Stories and Politically Incorrect Common Sense

THE OLDER WE GET, THE BETTER WE WERE

MORE Sea Stories and Politically Incorrect Common Sense

NOT AS LEAN, NOT AS MEAN, STILL A MARINE!

However, Neither is Marine Corps Policy

Even MORE Sea Stories and Politically Incorrect Common Sense

EVERY DAY IS A HOLIDAY

Every Meal is a Feast

Yet Another Book of Sea Stories and Politically Incorrect Common Sense

THE ONLY EASY DAY WAS YESTERDAY

Fighting the War on Terrorism

HARD CORPS

The Legends of the Marine Corps

AMBASSADORS IN BLUE

In Every Clime and Place

Marine Security Guards Protecting Our Embassies Around the World

SALTY LANGUAGE

An Unabridged Dictionary of Marine Corps Slang, Terms &Jargon

LORE OF THE CORPS

Quotations By, About & ForMarines

What in the hell are you doing down there Gunny! Do you realize that you illegally crossed an international border, and have for all intents and purposes invaded a sovereign nation? My Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Francis G. Duggan, counseling me after I had crossed the Congo River into Zaire with a boatload of French paratroopers

I have never been shy about expressing my opinion, something which became increasingly evident to others as I began to write and publish books. I credit the Marine Corps with making me that way. As Colonel James M. Lowe once said, Marines know the difference between chicken salad and chicken shit, and arent afraid to call either what it is!

I think it is important for people to have an opinion about everything, provided of course they first take the time to become informed . The only thing worse than someone without an opinion is someone with a strongly held belief who believes that way based upon emotion, rather than fact and there are quite a few examples of that sort walking around Hollywood these days.

Even if your point of view is different from mine, I certainly respect your right to it - provided you have some facts to back it up (i.e. dont try telling me the World Trade Center was destroyed by our government rather than Islamic terrorists in order to enrich the oil companies). As a far more eloquent man than I named Voltaire once said, I do not approve of a word you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it and there are Marines (and some other folks) on watch 24/7 to guarantee it stays that way!

The common thread which binds us together is a Marines love of country, desire to protect our democracy, and belief in liberating the oppressed. Most of us join this gun club, at least in part, because we believe in what our country stands for. Every one of us is an instrument of democracy, and a weapon for freedom. Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

I believe courage surpasses integrity as the most indispensable leadership quality in this age of dont ask, dont tell politics. Im not talking about the sort of physical courage normally associated with heroism, but moral courage. Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

The Marine Corps is a martial organization charged with the defense of our way of life, not a laboratory for social experimentation. Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

One of the worst things the Army ever did was issue Black Berets for wear by all soldiers. In typical Army fashion they tried to boost morale and aid the recruiting effort by giving out a trinket to the rank and file, but when they did that it became just another hat . It was also an insult to the Rangers who had previously worn it. They are the closest thing to Marines the Army has, and such fine soldiers deserve better than that. Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

A time honored, but officially outlawed, Marine Corps tradition is the pinning of gold wings. I realize it sounds gruesome when described to an outsider, but when done properly the ceremony is a highly motivating experience (and) while getting blood wings is purely voluntary, ninety-nine percent of eligible Marines opt to go for it. I consider my blood wings to be one of my most sacred possessions to this day Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

Admiral Nimitz said, Uncommon valor was a common virtue after the battle for Iwo Jima. Many of the Marines about whom he spoke werent yet old enough to buy a drink by todays standard. Twenty-three thousand of them were killed or wounded in that battle. Am I the only one who thinks a Marine should have the right to legally drink a cold beer before getting his legs blown off? Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

Call me crazy, but the last time I checked there was nothing fair about combat. Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

Please explain to me why WMs, who are always complaining about a lack of equality, never seem to complain about not being held to the same physical standards as men the tendency has been to lower the bar in order to accommodate all, and that doesnt translate to success on the battlefield. Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

If (gender) equality is really the issue, shouldnt everyone be required to register for the draft? I would think that feminists would be enraged by draft registration pamphlets which say MEN over the age of eighteen must register for the draft. Shouldnt they say Americans over the age of eighteen? Where is the outcry of indignation over this disparity? Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

The term equal opportunity is a hollow one unless it is accompanied by equal responsibility and equal requirements . Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

Loyalty from the military is not about politics. We are all Americans. It is about the way members of the armed forces are treated by those in their (civilian) chain of command. That is what determines how troops perceive a leader. Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

If you can believe it, the Army and Air Force actually award a ribbon for completing basic training. The Marine Corps, with a far more demanding boot camp, simply awards the right to be called Marine. The next thing you know, they will issue every soldier a beret Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

The Marine Corps takes most everything to an extreme, and cleaning the barracks is no exception.

Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

What would have happened if someone (at Tailhook) had inappropriately grabbed a male fighter pilot? Probably a punch in the nose, and thats the end of that. Someone gets a black eye. But throw a female pilot into the mix, and it turns into a federal case. Literally. And the entire U.S. Navy gets a black eye.

Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

If you have ever heard that song (the Marines Hymn) played on the (bag)pipes you know the sound is almost spiritual. Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)

Ive always considered myself to be a Marine who follows regulations, but sometimes situations arise which necessitate throwing away the book and applying a bit of common sense. Master Sergeant Andy Bufalo, USMC (Ret)