My Encounter with a Marine....

I am dumbfounded.

Published on November 21, 2004 By alison watkins In Misc

before you read this post, know that two past generations of my family have fought their patriotic hearts out to serve this country and I am thankful for their gratitude and dedication to the armed forces. My fiance comes from a military background as well......his father served during the war with Korea.

My friend (and florist for the wedding) Sarah decided to introduce my roomate and myself to her new main squeeze. His name is BJ and he said that he is enlisted in the Marines.
As he shook my hand he said, "well from the looks of that ring I bet that you are the one getting married."
Very pleasantly, I replied, "why yes I am."
He proceeded to say "Ooo I'm so sorry."
I then said, "excuse me?" (Mind you I was very confused because I had known this gentleman for a whole thirty seconds.)
Then he proceeded to ask about Hardin (my fiance).
He was like, "So what does he do?"
I explained how he was in NY working on his doctorate.
He then proceeded to ask, "Is he in the military."
I said, "No. He is not."
"What a sissy." he abrubtly said.
I then replied with, "Sir I have known you for five minutes and you are sitting there calling my fiance a sissy. I am not happy with that, nor do I think he would be."
He then asked, "What's his size, I bet I can kick his ass."
I then came back with, "number one I highly doubt that and number two Sarah, I think it's time for you and your friend to leave."

I just can't believe the mentality of this unintelligent mammal....I can't believe they let someone like this defend our country. He is truly a bad representation of the military.

Comments

Texas Wahine

on Nov 21, 2004

I'm not sure what you're aiming for with this post.

You are associating his military service with his bad behavior. This wasn't an experience with a Marine so much as an experience with a jerk, regardless of his profession.

What I am supposed to take away from this article?

Zoomba

on Nov 21, 2004

The really sad part is, it's guys like that who most often end up being the iconic representation of the military. Fair or not, the stereotype for the average soldier isn't one of an intelligent gentleman but a hive-minded brute. I know many people in the military who are amazingly smart, articulate and well-mannered. Why aren't those ones lifted up and pointed at as a good representation of the armed forces?

That said, I know a few guys in the army who shouldn't be issued ammunition too.

dharmagrl

on Nov 21, 2004

So, you meet one asshole and want to tar the entire military with the same brush?

This guy's an idiot. I know a few idiots....and some of them are military, some are not. Idiocy isn't exclusive to the USMC, yanno.

I'm not sure if you're trying to say that the Marine who shot the man in the mosque is like this or not...to be honest, I'm not really sure what you're trying to say.

alison watkins

on Nov 21, 2004

I guess I was so agitated with the whole situation I really lost my focus....This guy was selling himself as a poster child for the military and if he is a representation of who defending the country, then I truly am scared. Please tell me the military has not come to this!

Texas Wahine

on Nov 21, 2004

Please tell me the military has not come to this!

I mean no disrespect to you, but I would think that you would not need to be told that our volunteer military represents some of the best, the most intelligent, the most loyal, the most skilled, most disciplined, the most brave, and the most compassionate individuals that the US has to offer. Here's a counter balance to your anecdote.

alison watkins

on Nov 21, 2004

texas~
That was a very touching story. I think I'm just going to chalk that guy up to being an arrogant asshole.

Texas Wahine

on Nov 21, 2004

I think I'm just going to chalk that guy up to being an arrogant asshole.

I'm glad.

Mr_Frog

on Nov 21, 2004

I never got the impression that she was trying to paint *all* marines using this guy as the brush. Remember, she did say that both sides of her family has had an extensive military background, and the title was "My Encounter with a Marine", not "My Encounter with the Military".

I think, rather, her point here was to express concern as to how this elitist asshole considered himself to be above her fiancee because he was serving and her fiancee wasn't, not to lessen the value of the others that are currently serving.

-- B

dynamaso

on Nov 21, 2004

Alison, being ex-military myself (ten years Australian Air Force), I know there are as many dicks in service as there are good people. The fact that one idiot has been able to cast an impression over you, despite your opening paragraph, is really quite sad. I hope the next time you saw your fiance, you gave him a big hug and told him how much you appreciated him. Like Tex said, the military has it share of wonderful, humane people. Unfortunately, their actions tend to be over-ridden by the acts of people like BJ. Sad, but true...

alison watkins

on Nov 21, 2004

Thanks for all your great comments thus far!

Texas Wahine

on Nov 21, 2004

Mr. Frog:

Alison's resonse --

I guess I was so agitated with the whole situation I really lost my focus....This guy was selling himself as a poster child for the military

I don't think she was doing it out of malice or hatred for the military, but rather, she was appalled by the man's behavior and generalized (though subtly, and surely not intentionally). We all have that reaction sometimes. I'm certainly not upset with her, and I appreciate that she took the time to rethink it a bit. That says a lot for her character, that she will admit when she is wrong.

alison watkins

on Nov 21, 2004

That's sweet to say tex, and I know I shouldn't generalize about people, but this guy was a royal ass.

Nadeon

on Nov 21, 2004

Sounds like a Marine Recruiter to me. Having been a Jar Head for well nigh 12 years and an Army Recruiter for 13 I have had ample oppurtunity to observe, commune, and imbibe with them. Most are quite decent. A minority are not. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view, they are usually the successful Recruiters. It's called a challenge close, and they do it well. Unfortunately their success blurs their perception of reality. In any case, Semper Fi...but I still wouldn't let you date my daughter!

TasT

on Nov 21, 2004

It is unfortunate that you met one of the @sshole Jarheads. I have also had many experiences with them and unfortunatly the USMC does give many of it's members a "Big Head" so to speak and then mix in someone that has an I'm better than you complex already and you end up with someone like you met.

Fortunatly most of them get "Fixed" by ther leather neck brothers in short order...

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