USMC Archives

Some Interesting Information about Marine Robert Mueller

June 13, 2018/in Archived Blogs

President Barack Obama, right, listens to outgoing FBI Director Robert Mueller, left, during Obama's announcement at he will nominate James Comey, a senior Justice Department official under President George W. Bush, to replace Mueller, as director of the F.B.I., in the Rose Garden of the White House on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Some Interesting Information about Marine Robert Mueller

Most of us are familiar with Robert Mueller due to his appointment as special counsel overseeing the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. But there is a lot more to the man than this one responsibility.

A graduate of Princeton University, Mueller served as a Marine Corps officer during the Vietnam War. He said he was inspired to serve in Vietnam because of the combat death of Princeton classmate and friend David Hackett. Mueller attended training at Parris Island, Officer Candidate School, Army Ranger School, and Army jump school.

Mueller was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” for heroism and the Purple Heart. He was also awarded two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Parachutist Badge.

Mueller went to Vietnam in 1968, and served as a rifle platoon leader with Second Platoon, H Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He earned the Bronze Star for rescuing a fellow Marine who was wounded by enemy fire during an ambush. Half of Mueller’s platoon became casualties.

Mueller said that nothing he ever confronted in his career was as challenging as leading men in combat and watching them be cut down.

In April 1969, Mueller himself was wounded. After he recovered, he returned to lead his platoon until June 1969.

“I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have made it out of Vietnam” said Mueller. “There were many many who did not. And perhaps because I did survive Vietnam, I have always felt compelled to contribute.

Mueller left active-duty service in 1970.

In 2004, he was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame.

Family Sues USMC for $100M

January 22, 2018/in Government, Military, Military News

Raheel

By Debbie Gregory.

The family of 20-year-old Raheel Siddiqui, a Muslim Marine recruit who died after being slapped by drill instructor Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Felix, is pushing to move forward with their $100 million lawsuit against the federal government.

Siddiqui’s death was ruled a suicide by a local coroner, which is disputed by his family.

The courts have consistently held that all claims relating to injuries to active-duty military personnel are not actionable in civil courts based on a longstanding legal doctrine that the government cannot be sued for injuries or deaths involving active-duty military personnel that occurred in the course of their service.

Shiraz Khan, the Siddiqui family attorney argues that Siddiqui should not be considered active-duty military because he hadn’t yet completed boot camp, and the hazing and abuse that led to his death because of his Muslim faith began during the recruitment phase.

Allegations of abuse involving other Muslim recruits at Parris Island involving Sgt.Felix had been raised prior to this incident.

Siddiqui, in his second week on the island, was reported to have been trying to request permission to go to medical for a sore throat on the day of his death. He was refused medical attention, instead being forced to run laps in his barracks. When he collapsed on the floor, Sgt.Felix allegedly slapped him. That is when Siddiqui allegedly ran through a door in the barracks and leaped over an exterior stairwell, falling three stories.

Felix was convicted of mistreating recruits, although he maintained his innocence throughout his court-martial.

His parents have maintained that their son, as both a faithful Muslim and son, was morally incapable of purposely killing himself. In Islam, suicide is a mortal sin. They also claim that Siddiqui never had any mental health issues or threatened suicide. He had spent months training with his recruiter before boot camp in order to succeed.

The government noted that following Siddiqui’s death, the family received $100,000 from the government in addition to a life insurance payment of more than $400,000.

Nude Photo-Sharing Scandal

March 16, 2017/in Archived Blogs

By Debbie Gregory.

A large group of active-duty Marines are under investigation for sharing nude photos of female troops without their consent. And as the scandal widens, the Marine Corps’ commandant has stepped in with an official statement, calling on the victims to come forward.

“These allegations themselves, they undermine everything that we stand for as a Marine Corps and as Marines: discipline, honor, professionalism and respect and trust amongst each other,” said Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Neller.

Neller said the number of known victims identified is less than 10 so far. “But we would encourage anybody else who believes they’ve been involved in this to come forward… I’m going to ask them [victims] to trust us,” he added, while admitting that he understands this could be “a bit of a reach for them right now.”

The scandal, which was made public by reporter Thomas James Brennan of Reveal News, originally implicated Marines belonging to a Facebook group called Marines United who were sharing images of naked female service members, identifying them by name, rank and duty station.

Active-duty Marines involved in the photo-sharing ring can be charged with violating UCMJ Article 134, general misconduct, for enlisted troops, and Article 133, conduct unbecoming, for officers.

“We claim that being a Marine is a special title, and something that you earn,” Neller said. “There is honor here. But there is no honor in denigrating a fellow Marine in any way, shape or form.”

New reports suggest other services may face similar problems. A message board on another website has become a forum for posting the photos of female service members of all branches.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis responded with a message to those under his command:

“Lack of respect for the dignity and humanity of fellow members of the Department of Defense is unacceptable and counter to unit cohesion.”

Mattis added, “We will not excuse or tolerate such behavior if we are to uphold our values and maintain our ability to defeat the enemy on the battlefield.”

MilitaryConnection.com encourages any service member who believes they are a victim to come forward as soon as possible.

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Military Connection: Next Generation of USMC Drones

May 8, 2015/in Military, Military News

By Debbie Gregory.

As the use of mechanized warfare continues to evolve, the United States Marine Corps is making a push for its next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to be more versatile. One of the features that the U.S.M.C. wants for all of its UAVs, usually referred to as drones, is the capability to be launched and operated from Navy vessels.

Many civilians may not know that the Marine Corps is a part of the Department of the Navy.Historically, marines (predating, and including early U.S.M.C.) were sea-going infantry, often responsible for ship-to-ship combat in the days when ships would board each other. Marines have also traditionally been used as expeditionary forces, brought across bodies of water onboard naval vessels and disembarked to the shore. Today’s Devil Dogs of the U.S.M.C have many more areas of responsibility than their predecessors, but they still embark on U.S. Navy ships, and are used as expeditionary forces.

Keeping with their amphibious warfare role, it only makes sense that, like their Marines, the Corps’ equipment be capable of ship-to-shore operations. The next generation of U.S.M.C. drones will range in size from hand-launched model-airplane sized to UAVs that are the size of manned aircraft. The drones will be used for surveillance, attack missions and logistic support. The Corps is even looking to use some for medical evacuation of wounded Marines.

Previous generations of Marine UAVs were almost solely land based. During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Marine drones mostly utilized long runways on land-based airstrips. The Corps’ leadership is reluctant to rely on those types of resources being readily available for any possible needs in the future. A self-reliant Marine Corps with ship-borne troops and ship-borne UAVs is much better equipped for any challenge.

The Marine Corps also wants their new drones to come equipped with control settings that would allow for a single control station to pilot any of the Corps’ drones. They are also in the process of developing unmanned ground vehicles like the Internally Transportable Vehicle, which was designed to fit inside an MV-22 Osprey.

The Navy and the Coast Guard have also begun efforts to develop their next generation of drones that are suitable for ships. Most notably is the Navy’s X-47, which has already conducted safe takeoffs and landings from aircraft carriers, both solo and with other manned aircraft on deck.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard,Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Next Generation of USMC Drones: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Marines End OEF Mission: By Debbie Gregory

November 10, 2014/in Archived Blogs

On October 26, 2014, U.S. Marines turned over their last base in Afghanistan, as they handed Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand province over to the Afghan National Army.

Both Camp Leatherneck and Camp Bastion, a British airfield adjacent to Leatherneck, were changing control, and the transfer had been kept secret from the media The Helmand province was hard fought territory for U.S. Marines and British forces. Of the 458 Marines killed in Afghanistan, 350 were lost in the Helmand province. The British lost 407 service members in the region as well.

The cloak-and-dagger switch was deemed necessary, as the Helmand province is still rampant with Taliban insurgents, as well as drug traffickers and gangs.

Giving control of Camp Leatherneck and Camp Bastion to the Afghan military marks what could be the beginning of a rapid reduction of coalition forces in Afghanistan. Approximately 24,000 U.S. service members, including Marines who are still providing security at the now Afghan-controlled Camp Leatherneck, remain in the country. That number is expected to be closer to 10,000 by January, and reduced again by 2016. The U.S. military will be watching the Helmand province with great interest for the next several months.

While many in and around the military community are criticizing the transfer due to the importance of the bases and the high-threat from Taliban in the region, it does make some sense to try to gauge the effectiveness of our Afghan allies before the end of this year, when our forces will be cut by more than half.

Since 2009, the base has been used by U.S. Marines and other American and coalition forces. Along with the land and the fortification, the Afghan military also received an estimated $230 million worth of buildings and equipment that the Marines have left behind. The Afghan Ministry of Defense is planning to use the use the 1,600-acre base to connect with Kabul, and to support its aviation operations.

The transfer of Camp Leatherneck marks the end of the Marine Corps’ thirteen year mission in Afghanistan. During their campaign in Afghanistan, Marines have fought with the valor and dedication worthy of their name. They completed every objective they were asked to, and now hand the reigns over to their comrades in different uniforms.

“We are doing exactly what our commander in chief has asked us to do,” said Capt. James M. Geiger Jr. He continued, “We have taken great pride in this mission. We are the last Marines and we’re protecting the reputations of our brothers who paid the ultimate price.”

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Marines End OEF Mission: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: “Fighting Joe” New CMC: By Debbie Gregory

October 22, 2014/in Archived Blogs

At a ceremony held at Marine Barracks Washington on October 17, 2014, Gen. Joseph Dunford became the 36^th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) is the Corps’ member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The CMC is traditionally the senior ranking officer in the branch, and reports directly to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Navy (SECNAV). The CMC is responsible for advising the President, Secretary of Defense, SECNAV, as well as the National Security Council and Homeland Security Council on all matters pertaining to the U.S.M.C.

The Office of the CMC is responsible for the overall performance of the Corps, including readiness, training, discipline, organization and implementation of policies and programs. Like all other joint chiefs, the position of CMC is administrative only, and offers no operational command authority over U.S.M.C. forces. Each CMC is nominated by the president, and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Terms for all joint chiefs are four years.

Joe Dunford is originally from Boston, MA, and he earned his commission in the U.S.M.C. in 1977. The new CMC held many positions along the way to becoming a four-star general. In the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Dunford commanded RCT-5, and earned the nickname “Fighting Joe.” From 2010 to 2012, Gen. Dunford served as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, succeeding Gen. Jim Amos, who he would later succeed as CMC. Dunford also served as commander of U.S. and Allied forces in Afghanistan from February, 2013, until his appointment to his new job.

Gen. Dunford was appointed to be the Commandant of the Marine Corps on June 5, 2014 by President Obama, and his nomination was confirmed by the Senate on July 23.

“My focus, in the coming years, will be to take care of our Marines and their families, and to ensure that our Corps remains the expeditionary force in readiness that our nation has come to expect,” Dunford said. He continues, “God bless you all, Semper Fidelis, and for those still in uniform, continue to march.”

Military Connection: “Fighting Joe” New CMC: By Debbie Gregory