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…
Browsing: scout sniper
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…
Few jobs in the military have as much mystique as Marine scout sniper. Army Ranger? Sure. Navy SEAL? Fair enough. The scout sniper has his own special reputation, though, and its one that’s earned the hard way. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement, say many Marines who know the community. Scout snipers have no primary military occupational specialty, have limited career options and cannot compete for big bonuses unless they leave their conventional infantry battalions for the bright lights of a job in the reconnaissance field or Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. And it’s hurting the scout sniper community…
