My good friend joined the Navy out of high school before the Vietnam War. Thinking he would be a Medical Corpsman on a ship and with his GI bill become a Doctor. Mike was sent to Balboa Naval Hospital. When he graduated he was sent to Infantry Training at Camp Pendleton. He was so physical they assigned him to Force Recon and enjoyed the hikes and camping out. His unit was among the 1st sent to Vietnam. His encounters with Vietcong were on perimeter patrol around the base. He said the reason he survived was that neither the Vietcong nor the Marines knew what they were doing early on. My favorite stories Mike told were when he went to a bar and fight would break out between the Sailors and Marines, he just sat still drinking as neither side would touch him. Often a Marine would take up protective position on one side while a Sailor would be on the other side. Here is to Mike, who served his Marines in the best Navy tradition.
@@imjusttoodissgusted5620 Well said Marine !! Oo-Rah. " But Doc! Seriously, I don't know why it's leaking or painful !! I have never even paid a bar tab in the PI ! "
@@imjusttoodissgusted5620 No booze, spicy food, citrus for at least two weeks and if you were an air winger like me nothing but two weeks or more if washing aircraft all day. The air wing Marine terminalogy was " Corrosion Control ! "
My dad was a Navy Corpsman and Deep Sea Diver. He was in The Korean and Vietnam wars. He was one of three to survive Korea from a class of 130 Corpsman. I would say that a man must be brave to be a corpsman and my dad was that .....and lucky. Thank you Chief, you done good.
Good presentation on the “Navy Corpsman “ uniform from this old infantry Marine. I ended my enlistment in 1984, and we never worn our name tag ribbons. That didn’t take place until after I left the Marine Corps. I always thought it was a good idea. We always loved our “Docs” and considered them more Marine than Navy. They were always good for moral, and greatly respected. The rest of the Navy remained a mystery for us.
I served w/the Marines as a Navy Corpsman (HM3) in Viet Nam, 1966. It was quite an experience, many of the combat lessons carried over into my LE career. Quite a few of the cops I served with were Marine & Army Nam vets.
This is a solid channel. Thanks for your service! Coming from a USMC family, Dad and his cousins all said the most respected Marines were the Corpsmen. They may have been Navy, but at the Chosin Reservior and other hellholes, they were brother Marines. One of my closest friends was a Corpsman in Vietnam and was shot up horribly. Virgil's head is a series of plastic plates and he's blind, but he's still a tiger fighting for veterans. That protective instinct runs deep.
My Grandpa went island hopping with the 4th Marine Div. He disowned me when he heard I was following my dad into the Navy. He changed his mind really fast when he found out I was going to be a FMF Corpsman. He hadn't left his hometown in 20 yrs but drove 1,500 miles by himself to watch me graduate.
@@gopherman1801 thanks for your service. Dad was just the opposite, he wanted me to join the Navy or Air Force, like his brother. He said that I was technically minded, like his brother, Robert and needed to go where it could be used by and for me. My Grandfather was the worst soldier and had no love of the military. In 1918, he was given the dreaded duty of handwriting discharges at a convalescent hospital in Virginia. He actually wrote his own discharge from the Army and was never caught. I think I got my smartass streak from him.
I was an IC2 (ss) getting out of the Navy in 1970. I find your presentations very interesting and enjoyable. I graduated from MSU with degree in Electrical Engineering after leaving the Navy. The Navy gave me the self confidence to get an education via the GI Bill.
Hello Master Chief, I personally appreciate this video. I spent most of my active duty as a corpsman (Doc) with a combat unit, 3rd BN/11th Marines of the First MarDiv. It was great duty. Thanks again.
I served from 1971 till 1975 and cannot remember a Chief I did not like. We didn't socialize but the Chief was respected. My boot camp company commander was a Senior Chief and as far as I know an honorable man. He was strict but never abusive, always professional. Thank you for these history lessons. ADR3 Loren Kauffroath
As a sea bee we wore the 60’s USMC greens till the early 90’s. I liked the uniform. Loved the 8 point hat. I would get one a little small and use a hat block to starch the hell out of it. It looked awesome. We also used blousing straps for the pants. Definitely looked smart.
I miss them cotton greens and 8 point hat. Changing to that poly blend sucked in humid weather. Retired in 99 and still have one of the hat devices and I think old lair of greens. Miss them.
I was a corpsman on liberty in 1984 in Turkey after serving as part of the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon. A Marine staff sergeant buddy and I were walking down the street, minding our own business, and this local guy (who must have mistaken me for someone else) assaulted me and almost pushed me off a damn cliff. My Marine buddy was on him like white on rice and I had to pull him off the guy. I always knew that my Marine brothers would have my back, but his instantaneous response to protect me from that guy will forever remind me that the Marines will ALWAYS have the back of their corpsmen. Semper Fi!
Master Chief, I found this really interesting. As a RP serving in the 80s I remember the transition from the steel pot to the kevlar helmets, and from from flat green to woodland pattern field jackets. While I had the US Navy iron-on on my blouse, both of my issued field jackets (green and the woodland) still had the EGA devices.
I wore the low dominant and the olive green jungles with the Navy rank . Great info Master Chief . I went on to retire as a Capt. MSC officer in the Army National Guard .
Thanks Chief. As a career Marine we loved our Devil Docs. When I came in Sailors serving with the Corps had to wear USMC uniforms. Then it became optional because to wear the USMC green uniform you had to maintain USMC grooming standards. Had a Chaplain and Chief who wore USMC greens. Marines worshipped the ground they walked on. When the Corps developed the MARPAT cammies a Marine Corps order said onlyMarines could wear them. Us grunts said are you crazy. Let’s just set up the Docs for snipers.
Chief, I was a draft running teen and joined the Navy in 67. Was on a DLG and damn the the food was great. I only did my four, but what an experience. STG2
Religious Program Specialists (RP) wore USMC Uniforms with a black rating symbol and rank just as Hospital Corpsman. RPs were attached to USMC units and were FMF Sailors. They attended the Marine Corps School of Infantry upon the forming of the rate until finally forming their our school training with Corpsman at Field Medical School East. Only Hospital Corpsman and RPs can wear USMC service uniforms. I myself served as a FMF RP. Though a very small rate rarely recognized with only a few hundred FMF RPs, many have served in combat and protected countless Chaplains who cannot carry weapons. They are combatants unlike Hospital Corpsman and can be utilized as combat support by Marines if necessary.
Just subscribed, Master Chief. My Dad (CDR, 43-69) swore me (RD/OS2 68-75) in, my son (EM3 86-92) and daughter (ATCS ret 89-15) and her husband (MMCS ret 70-15), and granddaughter (CPL USMC 18-?) 92 and counting. We did it all, LCT’s, AD,’s, DD’s, DE’s, HC’s, VF’s (including the Blue Angels), CV’s, SSN’s, SSBN’s, and Marine logistics. BZ, MC.
Around the time of the Seabees 25th Anniversary, 1967, the Seabees were authorized to wear the Rate/Rating device on their cover instead of the Crow. See my Avatar. As I recall, about half of the troops wore the Rate/Rating device and other half stayed with the traditional Crow. Collar devices were chevrons only, Fighting Seabee iron-on on the left breast pocket below the U S Navy stencil, Last Name stencil above the right breast pocket, and the blue web belt with the USMC open brass belt buckle. I served with CBMU-302, Dong Tam Detachment. Dec ‘67 - Jan ‘69.
EuphJL, Served with CBMU-302 1974-'77. Subic Bay, Philippines. A mere shadow of it's size in 'Nam. ( But we were all in awe of your exploits while in country. ) 0:15 Did one TDY to Diego Garcia. Supported Grande Island after fall of S. Vietnam, U.S. WW-ll destroyers ( S. Vietnam Navy ) anchored / tied up alongside 5-10 deep. A different world / time. Baker, F. CM-1, 1EA CAN DO !
Great video. I was in the Army when the woodland pattern BDU was introduced. Lots of QC problems. It shrank unevenly, so after a wash, one leg might be shorter than the other. Sometimes the legs, sleeves, or pockets were sewn shut. The colors faded so that the beige and brown turned pink and purple. And it had that ridiculous Elvis collar. Plus it was hot so until the Army developed the lighter ripstop BDU, we were issued Vietnam-era jungle fatigues, which was a great uniform.
I remember getting our camis pressed by mamasan over in Okinawa with heavy starch. You could basically stand them up in the corner. However, they would eventually prematurely wear out at the creases.
I still have a complete set of greens, long sleeve shirt (as a Seabee we were allowed to get them cut short) and bullet proof blocked and starched 8 point... second class crows... (beaks out away from heart in combat, in toward the heart otherwise)...
In Jan 1967 I attended the Naval Advisory School in Coronado where I was issued Marine Greens (looked the same as John Wayne in Green Beret). As a Vietnamese Navy Advisor I wore either dungarees or the greens while in country 1967-1968
My Uncle Toney was a seabee in WWII. He was ashore in North Africa and Sicily. Shipped back to the states and went to the Pacific where he was part of the Iwo Jima invasion. My Uncle Chester was a Marine and also was on Iwo Jima at the same time. They met in Honolulu by accident after the battle.
Hey! That's me. I was a fleet-sailor assigned to a Seabee Battalion, making me a Seabee. I never saw a ship, not even a distant one. Saw a lot of the world, sure, and I can tell you it is 3/5ths Sand.
Just found your channel, Master Chief. Great job on the uniform change. God knows the USN loved to change the uniform! I even still have pieces of the “Chief-style” covers issued in ‘72. Seems like I was getting new uniform items every 6 months or so. Retired HM1(FMF) here…semper fi, Devil Doc!
I dont often miss my time in due to being forced out, but seeing many different presentations of our rate's history, and its association with our Devil Dogs, I was filled with nostalgia of my short time as a greenside Doc while watching this.
I miss my old 8 point green cover. 1980-1982, I kept a couple of covers starched and ready for inspection and it was standard wear for PWD Seabees in GTMO. After that it was a hard hat as standard issue for PWD Diego Garcia (lots of falling coconuts) and Naval Mobile Construction Battalions. As a “Bee it was certainly an honor and privilege to work with Fleet sailors, Marines, Army, Air Force, and other units of foreign services.
My father served in the pacific theater. He was the medic for expeditionary forces. 27 landings, 9 major invasions. 11 bronze stars. His last was Iwo Jima.
Until I got to my duty station in 3rd Marines, I thought the Navy had required green side Corpsmen to wear a mustache. From boot camp at MCRD to SOI West, the only Corpsmen sans mustache it seemed worked in the clinics.
Navy Aviation Green Uniform also has some interesting history all the way back to WWI. It has come and gone several times and was always a hoot to see Marines try and figure it out.
According to a former Master Chief on the Navy Uniform Board in a NAVADMIN years ago, the last time the Aviation Greens were authorized for wear, most of the sales at the NEX Uniform Shops were for retirees buying them, not active duty.
that was a great history lesson -- appreciate it ... i have a chief's WWII vandergrift jacket in khaki complete with patches and two rows of 1/2 inch ribbons ... thanks master chief.
Thanks for the video. I am a retired RP Chief, loved serving with the Marines. Last duty station was Second MAW. Great memories. Of course first and foremost, I are a Sailor!
Great video, Chief. I enlisted in the Navy right out of high school in 1958, and after A school, was stationed on the west coast. While spending a couple of days at a transient barracks, waiting for a hop to the PI, there was a third class corpsman in the barracks wearing a Marine uniform. I was shocked to see this as I knew nothing about corpsmen assigned to Marine units. It was never covered in any of our training. As far as the Navy’s new uniforms - Meh. The only one I like are the dress blues. I’ll take undress blues, dungarees, white hats, and undress whites any day over today’s uniforms; but that’s the thinking of an ex Navy old fart. Again, good video.
This is neat. I picked up a USMC Corpsman's knife and a 1941 pattern USMC jacket for my former-Corpsman wife, when we helped with some museum stuff. The blouse has a 1st class PO, Corpsman, with the cross, stencil on the L arm. Sadly, some reenector thought it should be duplicated on the R sleeve with marker, but it came out. Phew ...and now I know for sure. Thanks Chief!
Hello Master Chief, was wondering if you had any information about when the Seabees started wearing the Fightting Bee emblem on their uniforms, my research has indicated Vietnam War, what has your research told you?
Excellent video Doc. I have had the pleasure of being issued the Elvis uniform, transitioned to the ripstop, and then the digitals. I might add that the boots were black and as supply never seems to catch up with the Marines, we wore black boots during Desert Storm where the Army had the desert ones. As we transitioned to the digital uniform in 2003(?), we were actually authorized to wear the black boots until the 'coyote brown' boots were made the standard. On another note, my nephew has just graduated bootcamp is will be going to Ft Sam to become a Corpsman. I will recommend this channel to him. Semper Fi.
While with the Bees when issued a new set of utilities we would spray right guard under arm deodorant on the eagle globe and anchor and it would flake right off we would then sew on an embroidered fighting bee. While with the Bees I was assigned as assistant small arms trainer my boss was Gunny Gonzales a frozen Chosen Marine who taught me how to survive.
I love your historic accounts Master Chief. My grandfather fought in WWI and my dad in WWII. I Never knew my grandfather, I made an attempt a couple years ago to see if I could find some historic data on where he was stationed, what unit he was assigned to and so on. My father did not talk much about his dad’s service, I did learn much about his post war life. One souvenir I do have is his canteen inscribed with his “trench art”. When I made my request, I was told that his records were destroyed in a fire sometime in the 1950’s.
Brings back memories of my Dad, who was an HM assigned to the 1st MAW and, later, the 3rd MarDiv around DaNang from '67-'68. He still wore the OD green fatigue blouse whenever he was around the house until his passing. In fact, he was buried in one..............................
Very informative video Master Chief! The only thing I can add is that the corpsman’s helmet had a distinct marking system with a white or yellow circle being placed on the front, back or sides to label them as a corpsman. Many corpsman would go without the frog skin cover until later in the war once Japanese soldiers identified the markings as medical personnel for the same reasons army medics in the pacific chose to remove all of their markings. Some Corpsman also abandoned their medical bags, stuffing bandages into cartridge belts and other supplies into general ammunition bags.
Terrific. Next edition pls add the 2-position hook and ball chin strap for the M1 Helmet, the ball being a break-away at impact and the v-hook being a more secure fastening when required. The secure v-hook was rarely used, but it was there for a reason.
Master Chief. I really appreciate your vids here and the great Naval history you present. I was an FMF Corpsman 1970-75. Unfortunately, my first wife (most of us had one of those) "lost" my seabag with my USMC "Alphas." I want to recreate that uniform but for the life of me, I can't remember if we only wore the piss cutter (Garrison Cap) with ball and buzzard, or if we also had the Enlisted Service Cap. I know we did not have the FMF "Qual" insignia that they now wear. Can you give me a rundown on that as I want to wear mine to the next USMC Ball. Thanks for your service brother. Doc
10:07 Reminds me of "when in danger, when in doubt, port your helm and come about" alternatively, "when in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout."
Went to Dago for basic and Balboa for A school. Was in the class that moved equipt. from the old hospital to the new one. NAS Pensacola for C school, then to NavHosp Philly. NAS Willow Grove ( the only 'regular' on base ). Finally to Branch Med Clinic COMFLEACTS Sasebo Japan with float aboard St. Louis LKA-116. Thank God I was in when we had real uniforms - dungarees & boondockers!
This video brought back some memories! I loved the Sateen utilities (despite the heavy starch lol) they were very comfortable. When we switched over to the woodland camos I felt sloppy due to the loose fit. Plus when we went somewhere hot, like Le Jeune in the summer, I got very hot! HMC USN (RET) 1969-1989
Thanks for all the great videos Master Chief! I especially enjoyed this one, being a former "Regs" FMF Corpsman, myself! Would you please do a video on liberty cuffs?
The Navy's "Devil Doc's" were the only military personnel to be allowed to wear the uniform of two branches....The Navy & Marine Corps. There was the exception that they could not wear the Marine Dress Blues. Army Medics in WWII in Europe never wore a sidearm. That was different in the Pacific where the Japanese would shoot at Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen. Back then they were called Pharmacist's Mates. I was on armory guard at Camp Pendleton and we shared the armory with the 1st Medical Bn. I had never seen a HMC and his khaki work uniform looked like an officer and all I saw was gold. Being a Marine and being told that you salute anything that shines, I salted the Chief. He finally returned the salute and several Corpsmen that he entered with were laughing and I heard' "Stupid Jarhead". The Armorer said that the individual was a Navy CPO and they don't rate a salute. I could live with being laughed at...better to have been laughed at than not salute and find out the hard way. Semper Fi
My great grandpa was a greenside corpsman in ww2, where he fought in Guadalcanal and I believe Peleliu. If there were any things that my grandma knew of his time in the service, it was these: nobody touches doc, and that doc is a Marine as much as anybody with an EGA
I was an RMSN when L first went to Vietnam. I was attach. ed to Hq Bn 3rd Mar Div SU 2. Located at Dong Ha combat base. We were part of this unit that offloaded YFU's LCM8's LCM6's, LCU's. An LACRC's, . If it floated and carried cargo our unit unloaded lt. But I never did anything like that. We ran the comm & security. Part of this outfit. We got to make runs from Con tien down to Quang Tri.. And of course we wore marine fatigues (greens). This was July 67 until Msy 68. Our location was 9 miles east of and 12 miles west Cua Viet. Between training at different bases and servicing in Vietnam I wore Marine fatigues for almost 2 years out of 3 1/2 (early out). Never had any sea duty.
Master Chief, I noticed you didn't mention Navy Seals uniforms and their actions, like you did the Raiders. BTW, from 1960-1964, my USMC enlistment, the only Marines that wore camo were our Recon platoons. We wore the solid green. All of our uniforms equipment, and weapons (M1 Garand and Colt .45 autos, BAR, .30 cal air cooled MG), bazookas, and pineapple hand grenades were WWII and Korean War era.
Not so! No Seabees wore this pattern during the SW Asia Campaign. We wore the sateen greens, woodland helmet covers, woodland PASGT gear (body armor). Canteen covers were OD7, web gear was OD7..... I was at Ras Al Mishab (Camp Nomad) for six months. Gotta BUNCH of pictures.
In researching the history of my Army unit, 2nd Cavalry, I have found a reference to a US Navy Midshipman fighting with my unit at Fort Mellon during the Second Seminole War. A Midshipman McLaughlin was wounded during an attack. My source claims he was "serving with the Army" but based on my limited reading on the Second Seminole War the Navy wouldn't go on either patrols or pursuits with the Army. This makes me assume that the Midshipman must have been posting to a job at the fort. Would it be likely that this Midshipman McLaughlin was a Surgeons Assistant? Or would he be engaged in some other line of work?
You didn't mention the device similar to aviators, or submariners device for FMF corpsmen. I was FMF during vietman and have seen this device but don't know the history of it.
I found a few pics decades ago in the archives of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED); others may have come from National Archives or Library of Congress, both online.
during my first tour with the FMF at mcas beaufort sc in the early 70's we were given the option of wearing the marine uniform while in garrison. the only time we wore a navy uniform was when full dress was called for. i took preverse pride to wearing my "charlies" when doing comisary shoping over at paris island. i got a kick when i had dependents come up to me and ask "are you in the navy or the marines" also i would be asked "what country are you from" would love to sit down with you sometime and "SPILCE THE MAIN BRACE IN A SMART SEAMAN LIKE MANNER." we were on active duty at the same time. myself the last 10 years and you your 1st 10. i would bet we know some of the same people.
