Behind the Cover

Behind the Cover: The Marines draw down in Afghanistan

By Dan Lamothe on December 5, 2011 Afghanistan, Behind the Cover, Infantry, The CMC

Commandant Gen. Jim Amos made a big splash in the media during his Thanksgiving trip to Afghanistan, not only visiting Marines, but frankly assessing the future there. Significantly, he acknowledged to Associated Press reporter Bob Burns that the number of troops in Helmand province would drop “markedly” next year as part of President Obama’s planned drawdown of U.S. forces in the country. “Am I OK with that? The answer is yes,” Amos said. “We can’t stay in Afghanistan forever. Will it work? I don’t know. But I know we’ll do our part.” In many ways, those comments raise as many…

Behind the Cover: 15,000 Marines must go

By Gina Cavallaro on November 29, 2011 Behind the Cover, Marines

You’ve read some of the details about the coming 15,000-Marine drawdown of the Corps in previous issues of Marine Corps Times. But this report takes it even further. In this issue, you will learn specifics: which units are being deactivated, how many will be reorganized or realigned and where the Corps will actually be adding people and assets. For example, along with the stand down of a historic regimental headquarters and three battalions, several tank companies, field artillery batteries and recon companies will go away. At the same time, the logistics community will undergo sweeping changes, and Marines will be…

Behind the Cover: The hidden truth about ‘sleeves down’

By James Sanborn on November 14, 2011 Behind the Cover, Military appearance

In the aftermath of an unpopular decision to go “sleeves down” all year, Marine Corps Times has obtained documents that detail the behind-the-scenes Uniform Board debate that lead up to the change. The documents, obtained from a source with knowledge of the board’s voting process, reveal some startling truths leadership didn’t want you to know. For all the details check out this week’s edition of Marine Corps Times or subscribe here and read it online now.

Behind the Cover: MARSOC for non-grunts

By Gina Cavallaro on November 8, 2011 Behind the Cover, MARSOC

MARSOC just keeps growing and changing. This week’s cover story is a good example of that… a course meant to train combat support and combat service support Marines in the tactics, techniques and procedures they’ll be expected to know when they deploy with MARSOC teams, is also an opportunity for non-grunts to learn some pretty high-speed stuff. During the six-week course at Stone Bay aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., all students learn to fire a host of weapons, including foreign weapons, and get to do speed reloading and weapons transition drills with an M4 assault rifle and 9 mm pistol. After…

Behind the Cover: The 2012 paychart

By Dan Lamothe on October 31, 2011 Behind the Cover

Military service is about honor, courage and commitment. A little cash money for the effort isn’t a bad thing, though. This week’s Marine Corps Times cover story lays out military pay raises that begin Jan. 1. Congressional editor Rick Maze outlines where the 1.6 percent boost for 2012 comes from, and what the prospects are for wage increases in 2013. The story also includes the actual paychart, a perennial favorite for Marine Corps Times readers that lays out the 2012 basic pay raise by rank and years of service for both the officer and enlisted communities. The issue also includes…

Behind the Cover: Marine Corps orders sleeves down all year

By James Sanborn on October 24, 2011 Behind the Cover, Military appearance

Marines are up in arms over — well — the right to bare arms. And we aren’t talking about the rifles they carry into combat. We’re talking about the pair of standard issue guns permanently attached at the shoulders. As of today Marines will wear their sleeves down all year, according to a recent order, approved last week by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Leaders say the change promotes uniformity of appearance. Marines deploy with sleeves down so they should wear them that way at home too. Also, sleeves protect Marines from the sun and insects even in a…

Behind the Cover: KIA bracelets

By on October 10, 2011 Behind the Cover, Military appearance

This week, Marine Corps Times’ staff writer James K. Sanborn uncovers efforts across the Marine Corps to crack down on troops in uniform who wear bracelets bearing the names of friends killed in combat. Commands in North Carolina, California and Japan have ordered Marines to remove their KIA bracelets, as they’re not permitted under existing uniform regulations — and there’s nothing to stop others from following suit. To date, there has been no formal call to amend the rules, Marine officials tell us. It should come as no surprise that many Marines are livid. A call for opinions posted in late…

Behind the Cover: The Basic School just got a lot harder

By Gina Cavallaro on October 3, 2011 Behind the Cover, Leadership, Training

The new program of instruction at The Basic School will show the Marine Corps’ newest officers what it means to walk to work every day. As they go through the six-month course, the lieutenants will no longer be driven to and from the ranges for their individual field exercises. Instead, they will set out on foot from Camp Barrett aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., and — wearing all the gear they think they need — will stay in the woods for their field exercises before walking home again. Some ranges are five miles away… some are a hearty 15…

Behind the Cover: Our State of the Corps issue

By Dan Lamothe on September 26, 2011 Behind the Cover, General officers

This week’s Marine Corps Times offers some serious double-barreled action. The main cover story outlines a new plan President Obama unveiled Sept. 19 that could cut Tricare and retirement benefits as part of a broad initiative to cut the federal deficit by $4.4 trillion. It’s something you’ll likely hear a lot more about in the future, considering the president also called for the creation of a commission that could recommend widespread changes to military retirement. That’s one major piece of news. This week’s issue also offers a special report featuring a 16-page pullout section aimed squarely on explaining the future…

Behind the Cover: We’re gay. Get over it.

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By Tony Lombardo on September 13, 2011 Behind the Cover, Don't Ask Don't Tell

On Sept. 20, the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy banning gays from serving openly will be stripped from the military’s rulebook. For gay Marines, official repeal will be a historic day, comparable to the moment 63 years ago when President Truman ordered the services to end racial segregation. For straight Marines, this will bring changes, too. “That’s gay” — a pervasive phrase used throughout the Corps to express dislike for almost anything — will no longer be tolerated. Equal treatment will be a must. And yes, some gay Marines will bring dates to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in November.…

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