Dick Marckinko, plank owner

[jackhammer]

I've never served in the Navy, but special warfare is a close knit community even between branches (especially thanks to SOCOM), so I've heard plenty about Dick Marcinko. I was talking to two guys in the teams who say that his legend lives (and for some his legacy). It seems to me that most who know him or know of him either love him or hate him. I was wondering if there are any Navy guys out there who have an opinion. Personally, I think anyone who can make the Navy (or any branch of the military) take counter-terrorism seriously should be given points. But as I said, I'm not in the Navy.

[TonyU]

As a former wannabe Marine and former Navy Seabee, I can't stand him.
I dislike his arrogant attitutde.
I've met and dealt with many elite warriors, from Seals, Force Recon Marines to Delta and one of the things that impressed me was their humility.
By the way they carry themselves you can tell that are some dangerous muthas, by they didn't go around bragging about it.
Now don't misunderstand me, I think Marcinko is one dagerous dude, I just don't like his personality.
Of course I don't have the guts to tell him that. :(

Well, I had to edit. I initialy posted that the USMC has now become part of SOCOM. I read it about a year ago, but can't seem to find any proof of that. I even checked the SOCOM site.
Does anyone have any info on that? and if so can you direct me to the site. Thanks.

[George Kohler]

Well, I had to edit. I initialy posted that the USMC has now become part of SOCOM. I read it about a year ago, but can't seem to find any proof of that. I even checked the SOCOM site.
Does anyone have any info on that? and if so can you direct me to the site. Thanks.

Yes, there is a new Marine unit in SOCOM, but is in a pilot stage at this time. I believe the unit's name is Detachment One (DET 1).

[Sgathak]

Ive never met Marcinko, but I recently had the chance to meet with another SEAL 6/Red Cell plank owner... He was extremely knowledgeable, shockingly so... And obviously from the Marcinko school of personality, as the hour I spent in his presense was more angering/embarrasing (in the sense of his comments made me want to leave the room) than anyone I can recall in recent memory.

[jackhammer]

Well, I had to edit. I initialy posted that the USMC has now become part of SOCOM. I read it about a year ago, but can't seem to find any proof of that. I even checked the SOCOM site.
The marines didn't want to join socom (at least for the most part). Just like they seperate themselves from the navy, I guess they wanted their elite (recon units and such) to be seperate as well.

[TonyU]

The marines didn't want to join socom (at least for the most part). Just like they seperate themselves from the navy, I guess they wanted their elite (recon units and such) to be seperate as well.
Well, they are the best, you know.

[jackhammer]

Well, they are the best, you know.

If the marines were really an entirely seperate branch they would be the best branch in the military. They also have some of the best snipers in the military (seeing as they made it an art form in Vietnam). As things are, however, I wouldn't say the marines are better (or worse) than Army rangers, nor are the elite marines better than the SEALs, especially because their elite units are too regulated, being less seperated from marine standards than elite units are seperated from their branch's standards. Basically, there are no units in the Marine corps that can't be compared to some other unit in the military. If they were their own branch (technically their own branch, not just acting like their own branch), their overall excellence would make them the best. But as much as they'd like to deny it, Marines are part of the navy.

Marines: tough, reliable, and the best trained cannon fodder in the world.

[TonyU]

It was a joke.

[jackhammer]

I know :) But even joking your right, so...

[STORMCROW34]

I came accross this one a bit late but....Marines are almost trained too well. When I was in the Navy and an OS aboard an amphibious assault ship the USS Nassau, we usually had approximatele 2,000 marines aboard, and at any time if a couple of sailors lined up behind a door, marines would start to line up behind them. The funny thing is the look on their faces when you walk away after 10 minutes of standing there....

And I agree Tony all of the Seal team members that I have encountered were quiet, humble, and kept to themselves.

[jackhammer]

And I agree Tony all of the Seal team members that I have encountered were quiet, humble, and kept to themselves.

I certainly agree that this is standard among SOF units. But when rival units get together, it's a different story. All in fun though.

[David Craik]

The funny thing is the look on their faces when you walk away after 10 minutes of standing there....

No doubt as funny as watching sailors fam fire with a pistol or try to squeeze 300 lbs of overly rotund khaki-covered backside through an escape scuttle aboard ship. ;)

[STORMCROW34]

No doubt as funny as watching sailors fam fire with a pistol or try to squeeze 300 lbs of overly rotund khaki-covered backside through an escape scuttle aboard ship. ;)

:laugh: Not a pretty sight.

What's FAM FIRE? No khaki's here Soulend, I was quite proud of my bell bottom dungarees, and I never made it to rotund either, mostly due to traversing 8-12 steep ladders 6 times a day. When your daily schedule is 7 on, 5 off, 5 on, 7 off and on your off time you are working you're collateral duties, and the few hours of sleep we manage to eek out are usually interrupted with general quarters drills, you spend a lot of time climbing ladders, and little time sleeping. Although I have to admit we were WELL fed, and the food quality wasn't bad either. In fact it was good enough to compel 2,000 marines to stand in line ALL DAY LONG EVERYDAY while embarked. Seriously, most of the Marines I have encountered were great people, but unlike SF, rarely kept to themselves and were far from humble. But still great folks. :)

[DragonMind]

What's FAM FIRE?
Familiarization Firing.

[STORMCROW34]

Familiarization Firing.

Oh yeah, we did that in boot camp. If I remember correctly I actually hit my target once or twice, but I could be wrong, 17 years old was a long time ago. And I may have had an advantage over the other recruits. Growing up an army brat, you tend to get acclimated to firearms at a young age.