Officers or NCO

[chrislytle]

What is the difference between an Officer and a NCO in the marine corps. Does every Marine get a pistol and a sword(im sorry but i dont know the name of the sword) or is that just for officers? Thanks, im trying to decide if i want to be an officer or just enlist. Thanks alot

[jcollettusa]

An NCO is a Non-Commissioned Officer, an Enlisted Marine.

For the most part, only officers carry pistols, the average Marine carries the M16A2 service rifle.

NCO's do rate to carry the sword, but do not get issued one. For that matter, I don't know any officers that were issued one either. Swords are usually only used during drill, parades, or ceremonies.

If you want to be an officer you have to have a four year degree, but enlisted can go straight in out of high-school.

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Semper Fi

[YTDEVIL]

Was sword and pistol issue the deciding factor on whether you are enlisting or being commissioned?
And it's a Mamaluke sword.

[Gunpoint]

Officers get a sword and a nice pattern on top of their cover!!! I was going to be US Public Health Service or maybe even Coast Guard but then I heard about the sword and I changed my mind!!!

If somehow you ever lay your hands on a Mamaluke, please do us all a favor and jam it into your neck.

[josepy]

Trivia Question -

Why do Zeros have that stupid thing on top of their covers?

[JSOCMarine]

Josepy,
That "stupid thing" is a quatrefoil. It is in honor of a similar design that shipboard Marines used to have on their covers (hats).

As you know, in the days of wooden ships there were Marines on them and they were used for boarding enemy vessels, among other things. Well, sometimes the enemy boarded our vessels too.

The Marine marksman stationed high up in the rigging and on masts,etc., would pick off men as they were fighting below. They knew to look for the quatrefoil and thus would not shoot those wearing it. A simple, but effective means of ID'ing the good guys from the bad.

I do not know why it remained on the officer cover only. As with almost everything on a Marine uniform, there is a historical reason for it (the high collar, the blood stripe, the 13 stars on each button,etc.)

You know Josepy, before I became one of those "zeros" as you call them, within my many enlisted years, I did two tours as a D.I. The quatrefoil was in your history classes at boot camp, I am surprised that you had no knowledge of it. Were you one of those shitbird recruits who I used to find sleeping during class, and subsequently make life miserable for? If so, we may know each other! Semper Fi.

[jcollettusa]

Traditions my friends, traditions are everything, from the seven belt loops, to the blood stripe, to the leatherneck collar, etc... Tradition is what has made the Corps the worlds finest.

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Semper Fi

[JSOCMarine]

Josepy,
What Depot and Bn did you go through? I may have known your DI's. I knew many guys at both Depots at the time you went through. Remember who your Series Chief or Series Commander were? It's a small Corps.

Before I retired I saw several of my recruits promoted to Sergeant Major! One of them was the Sergeant Major of the battalion I was a commander in. My 1stSgt always asked me why the SgtMaj was a bit jumpy around me. Only the SgtMaj, myself and God know the answer to that question!

As far as the quatrefoil, I think it was on all Marine's covers, enlisted and officer alike. Kind of like a primitive form of GLINT tape, eh? Semper Fi.

[josepy]

JSOC -

I went West 2nd BN 2077 Graduated Oct 7 1988. I don't remember who the Series Chief nor Series Commander were.

If you had dinks who are Sergants Major then I am way after your time and you are a old man.

Cheers off to the gym and to throw some Coronas.

Viva Cinco de Mayo

[lavbo0321]

Graduated September 12, 1986.

BOOT!

http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif

Go see Gladiator!

Must See.

[YTDEVIL]

GODDAMN!
I'm glad I didn't say when I graduated. But, hey I'm gonna join in the raindeer games anyhow,
JO you BOOT! http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/tongue.gif

[josepy]

All you salts can remember one thing. In '90 you were salty and I was a boot but in '00 you are just older.

[YTDEVIL]

Very "OLDER!"
Gray hair, wrinkley skin, rickety knees, and as Adam Sandler stated it in Big Daddy "Old....Balls."
Hey technoligy has made a breakthrough, have any of you old timers heard of Viagra?


[This message has been edited by YTDEVIL (edited 05-08-2000).]

[This message has been edited by YTDEVIL (edited 05-08-2000).]

[This message has been edited by YTDEVIL (edited 05-08-2000).]

[jcollettusa]

Hearing you mention Viagra, makes me glad to be a "BOOT."

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Semper Fi