Asked if Marines and Sailors get along on ships.....

GWU PNS

GWU PNS

George Washington University Capital Battalion
Joined
Nov 4, 2021
Messages
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I was asked by several junior Midshipmen if Marines and Sailors got along during deployments on amphibious ships......

I found this short video to be a fairly accurate depiction, especially by the end of the first week when the Marines became bored. (Sailors are represented by the cat.) 😁

 
I spent a very short time on LHD-8 (USS Makin Island). When I was taken to the forward gym...I saw the hours:

USMC XXXX to YYYY
USN AAAA to BBBB

They did NOT mix.

I asked the CMC about that...he gave me this look that clearly said "Uh huh...you're air force...I'll cut you some slack..."
 
flieger83 said:
I spent a very short time on LHD-8 (USS Makin Island). When I was taken to the forward gym...I saw the hours:

USMC XXXX to YYYY
USN AAAA to BBBB

They did NOT mix.

I asked the CMC about that...he gave me this look that clearly said "Uh huh...you're air force...I'll cut you some slack..."
Click to expand...
And Marines would routinely press the limits of their hours and would utilize the "evil eye death stare" if a Sailor tried to challenge why the Marines had over stayed their welcome at the gym.
 
GWU PNS said:
And Marines would routinely press the limits of their hours and would utilize the "evil eye death stare" if a Sailor tried to challenge why the Marines had over stayed their welcome at the gym.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a very pleasant atmosphere.
 
I spent the majority of my time on a gator freighter since I was always on some sort of MEU rotation. Never had any major issues with the sailors just need to find a way to make things work like gym time. If it was Navy time I wore a white t-shirt to the gym and if it was Marine time I wore a brown/green t-shirt. No one ever questioned it, I'm sure someone had to have noticed but it always worked out.
 
Gym time on ship ? I am surrounded by youngens :)


I did nor serve in ww2 but the troop ship I sailed to VN on sure did.

The Marines lived like pigs. The hold where those racks were stacked one on top of another was really hot, smelly, and unpleasant. No gym in sight but the navy did allow them to come outside during the day. And then they did PT.

But as I remember no fights. Not with sailors not among Marines.

As I remember in some ways the happiest Marines I have ever been around. The excitement of a first time combat deployment.
 
My ship’s company tour was on an LHA (Leaving Home Again, Largest Hotel Afloat). By all accounts Sailors and Marines got along very well which I attribute to the senior enlisted leadership. On our Med/Indian Ocean float we hit eight ports that were perfectly spaced. This allowed time for the crew to get away from each other. Issues seemed small. Sailors and Marines gripe. It is said to be an indication that they’re happy. Marines are standing in line everywhere! We’re on water hours because Marines are taking Hollywood showers. Squids can’t cook. The chow is terrible. The mattresses are too thin. In the end they did what they had to do. And that was to be ready for any operational contingency. What made our cruise special was that we returned home safely with all of our Sailors and Marines. We didn't lose any aircraft which included phrogs (CH-46s), snakes (AH-1, Cobras), and hueys (UH-1s). On subsequent excerises and cruises, we would not be as fortunate.
 
I did four Blue/Green deployments on a Gator Freighter and although the cast of Marines and Navy dets embarked changed each time (as is the norm), we always had a decent Blue/Green relationship because from the Co to the Senior Enlisted, the command ethos was that we were a
team and needed each other to do our jobs.
 
Had a cousin who was Marine security detachment on a carrier with the 6th Fleet. He said riding in boats returning to the carrier after port liberty was always fun.:D
 
I never had any problems with rust-pickers. ;)
 
My dad (AOC) used to call the Marines on board ship "Floating turds". I'm sure it was meant as a loving nickname :cool:
 
Small Team Bacsi said:
Gym time on ship ? I am surrounded by youngens :)


I did nor serve in ww2 but the troop ship I sailed to VN on sure did.

The Marines lived like pigs. The hold where those racks were stacked one on top of another was really hot, smelly, and unpleasant. No gym in sight but the navy did allow them to come outside during the day. And then they did PT.

But as I remember no fights. Not with sailors not among Marines.

As I remember in some ways the happiest Marines I have ever been around. The excitement of a first time combat deployment.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing!!!
 
DD did her youngster cruise aboard an LSD. Witnessed training that involved both blue and green. Was impressed by both. But I think it’s when she started entertaining the thought of USMC over USN. 🤔
 
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THParent said:
I never had any problems with rust-pickers. ;)
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🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Happy to hear it. Would you have if a wardroom mess attendant brought you your soup with his thumbs in the soup plate? It happened on our transit during rough seas. The only time I remember a 1STLt getting upset. The Navy guys passed on the soup.
 
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