Tuesday, July 31, 2007

One sad and one funny

Over at Shooting the Messengers Fits has reproduced a memo from the Marine Corps PTB which spells out when the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform may be worn. What it boils down to is that Marines are forbidden to wear their MCCUUs off base unless they are driving in from or returning home to off base housing. They are forbidden even to stop at the local Circle K for a cup of coffee on the way in unless they can get it through a drive in window. An exception is made for emergency situation like traffic accident or breakdown.

What it all seems to mean, at least to someone on the outside of the Corps looking in, is that Marines are not supposed to dress like they are going to war anywhere a soccer mom might see them and have the vapors. This strikes me as sad.

This next bit that I found over on Knowledge is Power is not genuine, but it strikes me as very funny:

To: All Commands
Subject: U.S. Navy Directive 16134
Ref: ComMidEast (mip://03620fb8) For Inst 16134//24 K All commanders promulgate upon receipt. The following T-shirts are no longer to be worn on or off base by any military or civilian personnel serving in the Middle East:

A. “Eat Pork or Die”
[both English and Arabic versions]

B. “Shrine Busters”
[Various. Show burning minarets or bomb/artillery shells impacting Islamic shrines. Some with unit logos.]

C. “Napalm, Sticks Like Crazy”
[Both English and Arabic versions]

D. “Goat - it isn’t just for breakfast any more.”
[Both English and Arabic versions]

E. “The road to Paradise begins with me.”
[Mostly Arabic versions, but some in English. Some show sniper scope cross-hairs.]

F. “Guns don’t kill people. I kill people.”
[Both Arabic and English versions]

G. “Pork. The other white meat.”
[Arabic version]

H. “Infidel”
[English, Arabic and other coalition force languages.]

The above T-shirts are to be removed from Post Exchanges upon receipt of this directive. In addition, the following signs are to be removed upon receipt of this message:

A. “Islamic Religious Services Will Be Held at the Firing Range at 0800 Daily.”

B. “Do we really need ‘smart bombs’ to drop on these dumb bastards?”

All commands are instructed to implement sensitivity training with respect to the above topics upon receipt.


I especially like the one about Islamic religious services being held at the firing range.