Marines sport Justin Bieber paraphernalia in Afghanistan?
May 3rd, 2012 | Battle Rattle Marines Pop culture | Posted by James Sanborn
The Daily Mail, a British tabloid, ran a story today about some “Marines” in Afghanistan sporting tight pink shirts with pop-star Justin Bieber on them. When I first saw the headline I thought why would any U.S. Marine — a hardened warrior — sport a tight Justin Bieber shirt?
Then I looked more closely and something seems off. These guys have a lot of hair. And the guy on the left needs to police his ‘stache. The Daily Mail reports that the photos were uploaded to Reddit by someone identifying themselves only as vchama.
Thus begins my conspiracy theory. I think this is all a ruse — part of an inter-service rivalry in Afghanistan. Are these guys Royal Marines? Are they Canadian soldiers who couldn’t resist supporting their fellow countryman? Yes Bieber is Canadian. I thought this must be a practical joke and whoever these guys are stole some MarPat to sully the good name of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Well, as the dedicated investigative journalist I am, always asking the hard questions and digging into the core of what is important to the Corps, I tracked down the user’s account. There I found a caption that didn’t say much, but does say THESE ARE CANADIANS! NOT U.S. MARINES! Also after a detailed forensic analysis of the photos it was revealed that the utilities worn by these solders are not actual MarPat.
As further evidence that these are not U.S. Marines these photos were also on the account.
What do you think the story behind these photos is?
But will they be running (off) on Dunkin’?
April 6th, 2012 | Camp Pendleton Food Pop culture | Posted by Gidget Fuentes
When officials mark the opening of the new and enlarged Marine Corps Exchange at Camp Pendleton, Calif., in early May, they might want to brace for an unusual crowd: Dunkin’ Donuts lovers.
We’re talking coffee and donuts, and muffins and bagels, too.
Dunkin’ Donuts, a Massachusetts-based company, has more than 7,000 restaurants across the country, in 36 states plus the District of Columbia, and there’s even seven overseas. But there’s not a single one in California, a huge state where Starbucks and McDonalds are a dime a dozen. But come May, the state’s first Dunkin’ Donuts eatery will open inside the new MCX.
It’s been more than a decade since the company shuttered its few California shops, putting the nearest Boston Kreme, Powered Cocoa and Spiced Apple donuts in the far reaches across the border – no, not Mexico, although it might as well be – in Nevada and Arizona. Why they did that is just mind-boggling, even in a state that screams healthy and fit but gorges on In-N-Out burgers and burritos.
That gap in time has been agony for throngs of fans, East Coasters mostly, relegated to reminiscing about Dunkin’s Hazelnut coffee and Salt bagels and waiting for the day to travel back East, where a trip to the nearest Dunkin’ Donuts is a required pilgrimage.
But with the new Camp Pendleton store, the 64,000 people who work or live at the base will be the lucky ones able to get their coffee and donut fix daily. At least that’s what the corporate data keepers expect. “We are honored and excited about the opportunity to serve the 64,000 people who live, work and train at the military base and look forward to keeping the Marines running on Dunkin’ with our coffee and snacks,” the Dunkin’ Brands public relations manager, McCall Gosselin, said in a response to questions, picking up the company’s motto of “America runs on Dunkin’.”
Running they will be. At a base with quite a few transplanted East Coasters – including the base commander – and Southerners more familiar with the brand’s sweets, the official grand opening set to run from May 3 to May 6 just might become more of a swarm. A big one. It won’t just be base workers and residents who can access the store, not far from the main gate and Interstate 5, but thousands of military retirees in the region, which itself has a sizeable population.
“This will be off the charts,” predicted Brig. Gen. Vincent Coglianese, the Marine Corps Installations-West commander. The New Jersey native knows: He described his wife as a big Dunkin’ fan. And a recent interview veered off into warm memories of hot coffee and tasty pastries, and anticipation of the “VIP” opening on May 2.
Coglianese expects to see as big a reception to Camp Pendleton’s Dunkin’ Donuts as the Marine Corps has seen at the Camp Lejeune, N.C., store, which reportedly had more business than the Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants outside the base in Jacksonville. The company rep wouldn’t confirm but said there are 25 other Dunkin’ Donuts at U.S. military bases, and service members apparently don’t shy away from its goodies. “The military population is a great audience for us and we are actively looking to develop new Dunkin’ Donuts locations on other military bases,” Gosselin said.
The company’s original announcement that the Camp Pendleton location will be the only site in California had left die-hard Dunkin’ Donuts fans out West thinking: Are they hazelnuts?
But how soon new sites would open isn’t clear. “It will be some time before we consider expanding into California,” said Gosselin. “We recognize there is high demand for Dunkin’ Donuts on the West Coast, as evidenced by the fact that California is the #1 state for sales of our bagged grocery coffee. However, Dunkin’ Donuts is moving westward with focus on disciplined development in contiguous markets that are adjacent to our existing base in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas. We will enter the market once our infrastructure is established to meet the demands of our guests.”
Fans anticipate the reaction at Camp Pendleton will be hot. But if the it turns out to be more lukewarm, well, that means there’s just more coffee and donuts for the rest of us.
Feminist calls Katy Perry’s Marines video “shameful”
March 30th, 2012 | Battle Rattle Camp Pendleton Marines Pop culture | Posted by Gina Harkins
Feminist Naomi Wolf, author of “The Beauty Myth,” is calling Katy Perry’s new video a propaganda piece for the Marine Corps and has suggested her fans boycott the singer.
Perry recorded the video for her new song “Part of Me” at Camp Pendleton, Calif. with the help of 40 female Marines. The video debuted March 21. Wolf posted the following comment about the video on her Facebook page four days later:
Some have come to Wolf’s defense, including people who identify themselves as Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Others are not so happy with her remarks, even saying she insults Marines.
Wolf added a new comment this morning saying she very much respects the brave men and women in the Marines, but very much disrespects the war profiteers who abuse their patriotism and feeds them into the war machine.
She also commented that Perry shouldn’t be glorifying war:
Some replies:
“We feel you insulted the marines and the rest of us in the military by calling Katy Perry video “glorified violence” because the video was basically depicting her in basic training, something we all go through…All she was trying to do was show us some support and by you insulting someone who has our back [you are] insulting us.”
“…the uniform code of military justice, says that we are here for YOUR protection…therefore, our “training” may be to violent for you, but for our sake, it may be nice to feel a little more appreciated for just the training we endure for your sake.”
“Becoming a Marine is one of the most challenging things you can do. Her video was about becoming self-reliant, not dependent on some man to feel empowered and happy. Your type of feminism is about an ideology that would melt like ice in the face of real, independent women.”
Another artist offers new Marine scout sniper logos
March 28th, 2012 | Afghanistan Infantry Pop culture | Posted by Dan Lamothe
This is one of four scout sniper logos that artist Luke Szczygielski said he was inspired to create after reading about actor Michael Ornstein's offer to help the community. (Courtesy Luke Szczygielski)
Actor Michael Ornstein of “Sons of Anarchy” fame reached out to Marine Corps Times last week, offering to help the Marine scout sniper community replace its controversial “SS” logo. The effort has received a widespread and varied response here on Battle Rattle.
It also has prompted another artist to offer to help. Luke Szczygielski, the designer of last year’s Marine Corps Aviation Centennial logo, reached out to say Ornstein’s effort inspired him to draw up some proposals, too. One of them is posted above, and the others can be found on his website here.
For comparison’s sake, the Corps’ aviation centennial logo looked like this:
Thoughts, of course, are appreciated — but please keep the discussion respectful.
‘Sons of Anarchy’ actor proposes new Marine sniper logo
March 23rd, 2012 | Afghanistan Pop culture | Posted by Dan Lamothe
Michael Ornstein plays Chuck Marstein on the show "Sons of Anarchy." (Photo courtesy Michael Ornstein)
Last month, a national controversy erupted after images of Marine scout snipers posing with an “SS” flag in Afghanistan went viral online.
The flag showed the notorious Nazi SS organization’s logo, something that had been used quietly in the scout sniper community for years. The “lightening bolt” SS logo was a nod toward the scout sniper title, with the bolts also depicting the swift way the Marines strike at distance. Its use deeply troubled some people, however, considering the darker World War II-era things it represented.
Actor Michael Ornstein was one of those struck by the story. A cast member on the hit show “Sons of Anarchy,” he said he has a deep appreciation for the U.S. military, and was troubled that judgment was passed on the Marines so quickly. He believes the use of the logo came from a “complicated perspective,” without a full understanding for what it represented, he said in a phone interview.
“It’s pretty difficult out there for these guys and women, and I think people should remember that and stay very positive and supportive,” he said of those in the military.
Ornstein is also known for his artwork, some of which can be seen here. He reached out to me and said he’d like to assist the scout sniper community in coming up with a new logo if they’re interested. He proposed this as a start:
In a follow-up email, he added the following:
“Images are a very potent tool and have been used since the first spark of the human timeline. Images transcend language and cut to the core of our communication. As an artist, I understand the power of images and symbols. When I first saw the story of the Scout Sniper unit using the “SS” symbol on their flag, frankly, I was concerned that WWII Veterans would see this flag and be negatively affected by seeing it, harkening back to what they fought against during WWII.
Through communicating online on this matter with civilians and Active Duty and Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, I was educated that the “SS” lightning bolts on their flag symbolized “Scout Snipers.” This made me think about where else I’ve seen that symbol and I remembered seeing the band Kiss play live when I was a kid and how they also used two lightning bolts to represent the double S’s in their logo, blasting out towards the audience in bright lights and smoke. I know that perspective is a tricky thing and something used in Rock and Roll vs. something used in the military carries different meanings. That said, not knowing the actual intent of the men in the unit for using the SS insignia, I’m giving the benefit of doubt that it wasn’t an actual Nazi intent.
All I knew for sure was that these men were Marines and that maybe they could use a new flag. So, I took up the initiative to work up my own design for a flag that I hoped might be agreeable to the men of this unit. The first thing I did was to talk to a real good friend of mine who happens to be a sniper and he told me what him and his friends think about in the field is “knowing that G-d is watching over them.” So, I worked from that concept and came up with an eye that would symbolize “The Eye of G-d” protectively watching over the men of the unit, staring directly into the face of the enemy. I kept the lighting bolts to symbolize “Scout Snipers”, but I altered them a bit. I’m offering this image as an American artist, hoping it’s honorable and badass enough to be acceptable to the men of this unit. I’m offering it out of deep respect and as a gesture of Thanks for what the men in this Scout Sniper unit and what the Military Community at large, along with their families at home, are tasked with bravely accomplishing each and every day.”
How about it, Marines?
Katy Perry joins the Marine Corps?
March 21st, 2012 | Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Marines Pop culture Recruit Recruiting women | Posted by James Sanborn
Check out Katy Perry’s new “Part of Me” music video filmed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. She joins the Marine Corps in what amounts to one big, long, awesome recruiting ad. Its not quite a Marine in dress blues slaying wizards on a chess board, but its a close second.
Get More: Katy Perry, Part Of Me, Music, More Music Videos
If you missed that vintage reference, check out this recruiting commercial from before some of you were born.
Behind the Cover: The new face (and body) of Marine PT
March 12th, 2012 | Battle Rattle Behind the Cover Pop culture | Posted by Tony Lombardo
Meet Pauline Nordin. She’s 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighs 117 pounds and has a body-fat percentage between 7 and 10 percent. She also sports biceps that measure “12 and a half inches, cold.”
She’s not a Marine, nor does she have military experience. So why is she featured on the cover of this week’s Marine Corps Times?
Her fitness and nutrition lessons have caught the eye of officials at Headquarters Marine Corps, who want to enlist her help in training Marines.
Nordin first hit their radar when a mock recruiting poster went viral bearing her image. The poster read “U.S. Marines. We turn girls into women and women into leathernecks.” It was created by an apparent super fan of Nordin, of which there are many.
Despite her lack of military training, Marine officials say there is clear potential in her teachings.
See this week’s issue for all the details about Nordin’s career, plus diet tips (she eats 7 pounds of veggies a day!), and finally, a workout Nordin says is guaranteed to kick a Marine’s ass.
A tie between Charlie Manson and Stolen Valor fakers? Yes
February 22nd, 2012 | Awards Pop culture | Posted by Dan Lamothe
With the Stolen Valor Act under scrutiny by the Supreme Court today, it seemed like a good time to bring a story out of the mothballs.
In 2009, I covered a story for Marine Corps Times that falls squarely in the truth-is-stranger-than-fiction category. The short of it: A man who claimed to be a retired four-star Marine Corps general had previously been married to convicted murderer Susan Atkins, ex-wife of the notorious serial killer Charlie Manson.
I know this because I went to great lengths to prove it. Donald Laisure claimed in the Marine Corps Association’s membership registry that year to have earned the Navy Cross, the Silver Star and an Air Medal in a 54-year career that included service in Vietnam, Panama and the Persian Gulf War. His registry profile also claimed that he went on to become the CEO and chairman of the board at Laisure Oil Refinery & Production Company in Greenville, Texas.
Based sheerly on those details, the profile already looked fishy. But a Google search also showed that a man by the same name had married Atkins in 1981. He reportedly decided to wed her after his psychic readings told him she wasn’t guilty of the horrific crimes of which she’d already been convicted. A records request to the state of California showed the wedding actually occurred.
In a phone interview, Laisure admitted that he had lied about his military service. He also acknowledged having been married to Atkins previously. They divorced a few months after their ceremony, and Atkins later said that Laisure was “not being totally honest with her,” according to a transcript of her 1985 parole board hearing.
I bring all this up to show the level of absurdity that can go with stolen valor issues. Based on experience covering stories like this, it’s clear that the individuals who lie about military service sometimes have myriad other issues.
That isn’t always the case, of course. Others have done it out of pure greed, reaping unearned benefits, gifts and admiration by claiming heroic acts at the expense of those who actually have performed them. Our newspaper chain has a full online database, the Hall of Stolen Valor, devoted solely to tracking and exposing those actions.
The Stolen Valor Act was passed in 2006 to deter these sorts of lies. As news reports like this point out, however, it’s constitutionality is considered shaky.
It’ll be interesting to see how the court rules on this issue. A prominent blog covering the Supreme Court suggests the justices may opt to narrowly define the law, rather than throw it out. Depending on how that occurs, that may be greeted as a victory by those who helped develop the law in the first place.
Aliens: Colonial Marines – Trailer
February 3rd, 2012 | Battle Rattle Pop culture Science & Technology | Posted by Blair Tomlinson
I’m not a “gamer” but I cannot deny how insanely awesome the graphics are in the Aliens: Colonial Marines trailer. The video game is being developed by Gearbox Software and will be released in Fall 2012. The game recreates the extraterrestrial creatures from James Cameron’s classic movie, Aliens.
The official site states one of the features is enlisting in the Marine Corps and getting tooled up with classic Marine weapons including pulse rifles, motion trackers and flamethrowers. Aliens: Colonial Marines will be available on Xbox360, Playstation 3 and your PC.
Wounded warrior Marines star in ‘Still in the Fight’ music video
February 1st, 2012 | Afghanistan Pop culture Wounded warriors | Posted by Dan Lamothe
Marine Corps Times posted my long-form story about Lance Cpls. Kyle Carpenter and Nick Eufrazio on Sunday. By now, you’ve hopefully heard their story: they were hit by a grenade blast in Afghanistan in November 2010, and Marines serving alongside them that day in combat insist Carpenter deserves the Medal of Honor. The Marine Corps acknowledges it is investigating what happened.
One of the things I mentioned in the story was Carpenter appearing in the music video for “Still in the Fight,” a song by Lt. Col. Mike Corrado. It’s worth a look, if you haven’t seen it. Carpenter, who has undergone more than 30 surgeries after sustaining catastrophic damage to his neck, face and arm, appears with retired Master Sgt. William “Spanky” Gibson and Cpl. Aaron Mankin in an upbeat song dedicated to their fellow wounded warriors.
As I write this, the song has been viewed more than 37,000 times on YouTube. It’s also for sale on iTunes, with proceeds going to the Fisher House Foundation. The organization offers the families of wounded warriors housing and support near military hospitals while their loved ones undergo treatment.
Carpenter spoke highly of Corrado, calling him “the man” during our interview. As reported in the story posted Sunday, Carpenter also said there’s no sense dwelling on his injuries.
“I think for guys who get severely injured and can’t move forward, it’s because the ‘what-ifs’ absolutely destroy their recovery,” he said. “It’s human nature for everyone to say ‘what if,’ but I try to snap out of it as quickly as I can because I’m never going to be able to go back and change what has happened.”