Homecoming for the Master Gunny
- Posted by Beth on February 10th, 2006 filed in General, Iraq, Support the Troops, The War
Welcome home, Marine!
This picture is of reader Larry, who just got back from his tour in Al Asad, Iraq, and his beloved little princess, reuniting at last.
Welcome home and THANK YOU, Master Gunny!
Larry is a MGySgt in the Marine Corps; one of the elite corps of Senior NCO’s that are the backbone and the glue that holds everything together. Senior NCO’s don’t get the glory, and usually don’t get as many praises sung on their behalf, and it’s a shame. It’s a good thing they don’t let less “seasoned” people get to that level, because you can’t do that job expecting a pat on the back–it’s the Senior NCO that makes sure the other folks get their pats on the back. It’s the Senior NCO that becomes “Dad” (or “Mom”) to the younger troops, their shoulder, their shrink, their advocate, their cheerleader, their teacher, their mentor, their leader. It’s the Senior NCO who puts the brass’ plans into action and gets it done. It’s the Senior NCO who, behind closed doors, helps the young officers make the right decisions that are good the officer, for the enlisted troops, AND accomplishes the mission. The Senior NCO is THE “reality check” for the commanders, who could not do their jobs without them; the commander’s right-hand man. He maintains discipline in the unit, and usually by “walking the walk,” setting the example and the standards. Nobody wants to let down his or her Gunny, Chief, or Sergeant Major.
He (again, or she) goes to the combat zone and lives and works on the same patch of the Earth that the young troops do, but he makes it his job to make sure those young’uns are doing OK before worrying about himself. He or she knows his spouse back home has been through these deployments before, and the family back home misses him just as much as the 20 year-old newlywed’s spouse does, but they are the civilian equivalent of the Senior NCOs, tending to the young families while still having to manage on their own themselves.
God bless the Senior NCOs. You all may not get your pictures in the papers, and you may not expect to be hailed as heroes, instead you leave that to the younger troops to enjoy, but those of us who have served know it is the Senior NCO that is behind every single success in the United States military–in wartime or peacetime. I know that your families–your little princesses–couldn’t be happier to have you back home, safe and sound. And so are we.
Sorta-related extras:
–Profiles: The CSM (Army)
–Interview with a retired USMC Sergeant Major on Combat Leadership
– Veterans and Families - Coming Home
Linked at The Mudville Gazette and basil’s blog
Tags: military homecoming, NCO, Senior NCO, Marines, USMC, combat, leadership
Little Miss Princess :: squirt and dad on mama’s blog! :: February :: 2006 says:
[...] you will love this! http://bamapachyderm.com/ [...]
Dan says:
Absolutely right. Thanks for posting this.
Gun-Toting Liberal says:
Beth:
“God bless the Senior NCOs. You all may not get your pictures in the papers, and you may not expect to be hailed as heroes, instead you leave that to the younger troops to enjoy, but those of us who have served know it is the Senior NCO that is behind every single success in the United States military–in wartime or peacetime.”
Beth, my friend… this should be on a plaque hanging on the walls of all SNCO Academies!!! What an EXCELLENT freaking POST! God Bless you, my friend… regardless of which issues we may or may not disagree on, you are indeed a Patriot, a HERO (yes, a freaking HERO folks - she’s a DAV but she doesn’t like to broadcast it), and I’m proud to call you “friend”.
Blog ON. And thank you for a fantastic post!!!
Alabama Improper says:
aaawwww, it does make my heart smile. Thanks for sharing this.
Don Surber says:
Saturday’s Best
Early nominees for the best posts:
My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy: Homecoming for the Master Gunny
Comment: Heartbreaking
Deb says:
What a great post! Thanks for sharing. Gave me goose bumps.
GOP Bloggers says:
Carnival of the GOP Bloggers 1
This is the first edition of the weekly Carnival of the GOP Bloggers. Here is what some GOP bloggers are writing about on their own sites: Right Wing Nation discusses the Battleground poll that shows 61% of those polled consider…
Malinda777 says:
To Larry: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY! Congrats on being chosen at the GOP Carnival.