They already have a few good men.

I have often written that although I was a grunt, my respect and admiration for the Marines is very high. This is due to many personal moments and contacts with these brave men and women and over the years, I have developed friendships and many a morning after from too many beers. However, let me tell you something, these men and women are hard-charging, get the job done professionals.

Las year I had read an article where the Marines had decided to join the ranks of SOCOM adding their own unique brand of a special operations warrior. Today I read an article discussing the training they are undergoing for their special operations team.

I read through this with interest a few times and could not help coming to the same conclusion with each reading, the Marines are already in the Special Operations business, they are only honing their skills a bit and giving their unit a new name so as to join their brothers and sisters in SOCOM.

Contrary to popular belief, the Marines think for themselves and react accordingly in a combat situation. Often you will see Hollywood, who cannot resist portraying the Marines as zombie clones blindly following some A-list star into combat. Of course, in these films, the men always die and the A-list star lives to save the day for his close-up with the flag.

Let me tell you something, this is a bold-faced Hollywood lie and they need to start telling the truth. These men and women think for themselves, they improvise, react accordingly and carry their spirit of corps the rest of their lives. They are professionals, through and through.

Clint Eastwood is catching a bit of heat over his latest film relating to the battle of Iwo Jima because people are tired of watching WWII movies where everyone dies. That is about the stupidest comment I have ever heard and yes, I actually read it somewhere last night in my travels. I was ready to come unglued on the author, but for some unknown reason he failed to provide am email. Gee, wonder why.

On Iwo Jima, the Marines had the fight of their lives and one third of all of the Medal of Honors awarded during WWII were done so resulting from the invasion of Iwo Jima. Due to a random moment when a photographer decided a few men putting up Old Glory would make a good photo this battle has forever melded into our minds. Today, it is difficult to think of the Marines without thinking of this one moment in history.

Congratulations on joining SOCOM Marines, but you have been in that business since you were born.

Semper Fi from an old HooAh.