MARSOC Marines Make Taliban Pay For Wounded Teammate 🇺🇸 

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It’s honestly surreal seeing this man on RU-vid. I had him as my company 1stSgt and I remember him as this larger then life character while I was going through boot camp like “no way could there be a dude this cool” and he was just a total embodiment of what being a Marine truly means. His little quotes are something that have stuck with me longer then the names of my own drill instructors 😂

He's the kind of Marine that will run into the nearest building with you to avoid colors and at the same time will push you out of the way to take a round for you! Would've loved to have served with him

I Love That Quote!!! “The Marine Corps is like a one way marriage”. It is sooooo true!

The guy who tied him in pull ups was in my platoon, we both enlisted out of Dallas MEPS and shipped to boot camp together and he was the rack next to mine the whole cycle! It’s so awesome that he remembers that because that’s also something I’ll never forget and I still tell people that story.

"I layed down the hate on these guys" this dudes one liners are absolutely gold!

I was at DI school when 1stSgt parkes spoke to my class 4-20. man is 100% genuine and a down to earth person and i couldn't picture him as a drill instructor seeing him with a campaign cover lol. awesome human being!

I might forget a birthday, anniversary, or where I parked my car. I will never forget my Drill Instructors.

Man I was smiling and laughing through the whole video. What an exceptional human being. Thank you for your service brother. 🇺🇲

I remember meeting Randall at 1st MSOB/MARSOC and deploying with him in Afghanistan as a SOTF-West. I believe we were both Staff Sergeants at time, I was in Comm and he was part of the Paraloft. It's true, we had the badest and coolest dudes in Marine Corps for this deployment...the A team. One of the best deployments while in the Corps. One of a kind.

Randall Parkes exemplifies the essence of an outstanding American Marine. Humble, personable, dedicated, and honest. Semper Fidelis 😎

57 yr old Navy Vet here I hope these people like him who joined the military 2001 thru 2006 or so run this country some day .

This dude is such a perfect story teller! Lol he epitomizes just about every “cool” person I ever served or worked with. The kind of guys that make a deployment wayyyy more tolerable!

He was my first sergeant at MCRD. I never knew anything of his career until now! Awesome video thank you for this!

The joy he shows about his career, it makes me miss the Marine Corps. Great fckng people. And congrats on the degree from USC Marshall. Great school!

Just lost my best friend to suicide, whatching your episode reminds me that I have everything I need to keep pushing! Semper Fi

Had the pleasure of having him as my Senior Drill Instructor during boot camp. Real stand up guy, you could tell behind that campaing cover, he was actually a really nice person.

One of the best interviews ever. Literally , this guy was so entertaining.

Stand up guy and comes across as very genuine and down to earth. Too bad the corps loses great men like him and keeps the careerists who are out for themselves and the game.

Seely is an absolute war machine. Loved working with him over the decades.

" I was like an orchestra conductor of pain and suffering. " Lol what a line 😂

Awesome interview. Bravo Zulu to First Sergeant Parkes. My Father-in-Law was an Iwo Jima Marine. He was in for 4 years and was active every day of those years. He was away from family the entire time. Sure different than now. He trained up to be a Demolitions man for his Iwo deployment. On hos 26th day on Iwo, he was shot, taking a foot long grazing shot down his back when he was falling into a bomb crater in the sandy soil there. His older brother, a navy Corpsman found him in the triage tent just hours before he was taken off the island to be sent ship for transport to a hospital. He always said, " I was a dumb 19 year old Corporal, I should have gotten shot on day 2 to get the Hell outta there!! To his final days, he spoke of the friends he lost there. He joined the local VFW in Eagle River, WI, where he lived and was a member there for 62 years. He held a very deep Hatred for the Japanese most of his life. He finished his Corps time after doing Japan Occupation as an MP. When he got home he went to work at a quarry where his demo skills got him to be the primary blasting man for the quarry. After a year of that he got into Electrical work and became a Lineman then a supervisor for a number of years, even doing contract power-line work in foreign countries. I sure do miss him. He was as much a Father to me as my very own Dad was. Thank you lester Twigg. Semper Fi.

Besides being able to tell an amazing story, this dude is hardcore. Thank you for keeping my family safe. It’s MF’s like you that we need in this country.

I love hearing this guy's enthusiasms! he is a great storyteller!

I've listened to this like 3 times. Parkes is infectious with his positive attitude. Musta been awesome to serve with. Wish I woulda reenlisted every time I hear him talk about our Corps.

This kid is hilarious! Never stops smiling! Reminds me of Micky Rooney...personalities like this in Combat are worth their weight in gold...

Great, likable guy, always upbeat, and a great storyteller. It was a pleasure to serve with you Brother.

Once again an amazing interview Sir. Keep up the great job giving these heroes a chance to tell their story.

Guys like him get on well in the Marines cuz he’s having fun, it doesn’t seem like much will really piss him off. So glad to hear him talk

Damn! That guy motivates the piss out of me. I’d love to see him do a Ted Talk on recognizing and taking advantages of opportunities without losing your self. There are so many friends in mind, both veteran and civilians, that could get a lot out of that.

This was one of my most absolute favorite people to watch. He is just like me and my older brother. We were both Marines and surfers.

An absolutely outstanding interview. Not only from a great Marine and his description of the grunt-life experiences, but most especially his attitude and professionalism as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor. The most important job in The Corps ... they make us what we are, and establish within us an ethos and that never give up no matter what attitude that makes us HARD, as crazy as it sounds to everyone else. We we carry it with us forever. (Most of us anyway, as not all have the same positive experience). From an old Corps Jarhead -thanks Top, and God Bless 🙏. Semper Fi 🇺🇸

The drill instructor segment had me dying 😂😂😂

1st sarnt Parkes!! He was my 1st Sgt in BMP (where injured Marines go) on the recruit depot in November 2020. We had a Marine go UA and when I was giving my report to the MP’s, I was in 1st Sgt’s office and I noticed all of his moto shadow boxes and paddles from his previous units/ deployments. I realized he was an absolute badass. I knew he was attached to a recon platoon but I had no idea he was a recon Marine and MARSOC Marine, nor did I know he spent time in Fallujah. Rah 1st sarnt, I’m honored to have been under your leadership if only for a short Time

Randall sir, Thank you for my Freedom. Thank you for getting " Payback" on those Taliban Bastrrds.. Stay Positive Stay Healthy Stay Safe. God Bless 🙏 you and your family. Amen. Big Jim New Hampshire USA aka BOSTON STRONG

God bless you sir and thank you for your service. All the best to you and your family on all your future endeavors.....

One thing I learned early on was to have an exit strategy when taking taking on any endeavors. Being a DI is one of the most Selfless things you can do. Where it’s not all about you, and you are giving back.

Love how he's got respect for the enemy,a real man. It's not personal it's war and we're on different sides and not respecting men that are doing what you do is how you get buried!

Watching this was straight therapy. Loved it

Excellent work, sir! "Stitchin them up" 😂😂😂😂 Proud of the work you did over in that sandpit fecal hole!

What a great storyteller! Very inspirational! We are so very lucky to have great veterans like First Sergeant Parkes walking among us.

I wish I would of served with him in the corps, however I had the pleasure to meet him as my realtor and he is super humble, down to earth and on top of his game. 100/10

I hope he knows how much we appreciate his hard work though out his career 🎉 Thank you so much for your service and making a difference in this world 🌎 🎉

His eyes light up re-telling his experiences. Doesn’t take a genius to see that this individual found his calling. I am proud of and grateful for warriors such as this to do the dirty work that most would be incapable of.

Cant get enough of these personal stories in the service 🙏 🇺🇸

I leave for MCRD SD in 10 days and this was a great video to come up on my recommended. This guy is someone we can all learn from and aspire to emulate

"I had to go back to be the bait"...good times gone bad! RESPECT 👊

I am a Vietnam veteran, taught by WW2 & Korean vets. Same shit, different days. Hoorah, Semper Fi!

Damn! That guy motivates the piss out of me. I’d love to see him do a Ted Talk on recognizing and taking advantages of opportunities without losing your self. There are so many friends in mind, both veteran and civilians, that could get a lot out of that.

This guy is great. Humble, hilarious, and an unashamed savage. I love to see it; it makes me proud of my great nation and the millions of vets who are trying to make it in the "normal" world after service.

This Devil is my brother from another mother, started as a TOW guy myself, finished at Force Recon, family in Hemet, lived in Menefee, this was crazy, to hear his parallel story. I loved the one-way street on the Semper Fidelis.

Hey! he was one of my DIs! So cool to see him outside of that role.

Thank you for your service. God bless you and your family.

I went to MMA (Marine Military Academy) and it was like his boot camp stories but it never stopped for YEARS. I was in Delta Co., and our D.I. was the just-retired HEAD drill instructor of Paris Island. The sadistic punishment we got and learned how to put out was beyond anything I've heard of except what's done in the Marines. It was both the most terrifying and best experience of my life. Decades later, the only thing that can come close to the breaking edge like that is doing Ironmans, ultra marathons, and Ultramans - Super long distance stuff where the pain is so intense and long, your body is screaming at you to quit. But haven been through that madness and torture, you know nothing can actually stop you unless YOU decide to stop (or pass out. lol). Thank you USMC for transforming so many of us half-men into the best versions of ourselves we could ever be. The only downside is not being afraid of anything, ever. And if you feel afraid, that's what you go headfirst into immediately. The no-fear and edge-of-death thrill seeking can get you into trouble sometimes. ;)

Thank you very much for allowing these men to tell their stories. As a 90's kid from a family of servicemen, I have always had the utmost respect for any capacity of military service.

Overall I'm a retired as a Gysgt and I'm about 62 years old. God Bless and Semper Fi to the Marine Corps

This guy brings out the best in people.

Thats the happiest Marine ive ever seen, not to mention a 1st Sgt. S/F

F-cking awesome. What an awesome interview. Great guest. WOW! I really enjoyed this.

The tie off hits hard for me. We wear our med kits on our back to be out of the way. The one you wear is for them to save you. Theirs is for them. I only trained, but use everything. Love you man.

I wasn't in the armed forces, but him explaining the drill instructor experiences was like hearing about every "hazing" for lack of a better term really, I ever went through...I imagine I wouldn't have wanted joining the military to be any other way. I see the comments, and I'm confident this guy got it right.

One of the best veteran interviews I’ve seen. Awesome job, Randall. Semper Fidelis.

Parkes is a FANTASTIC Marine, I was his Series Commander at PI.

Thank you, this hit home hard in more than one way. Semper Fi and Happy Birthday Marines

I can listen to this marine. Tell boot camp stories all day long. Thank you for your service.

Served in the USAF from August 1978 through August 2000 (21 years, 11 months, 15 days)....retired as an E7 (Master Sergeant)...I'm proud to say I have thousands of military brothers and sisters around the world...Thank you for your service...As they say, "Once a Marine - Always a Marine"

When he said his enlistment date 😮 Thank you for your service.

Smart level headed man who new what he wanted in life. Took advantage of opportunities and did well for his family and himself...great story...best believe every one of those guys will never forget you for making them watch a movie for 2 hours with no sound...LOL,,GOOD ONE..

I feel that story of the hill in my bones from the inflection of your voice

One of the most interesting and engaging presentations. SF!

Fuck the parachutes, grab the machine gun. You’re with us now. That’s the most jarhead thing ever. I was in from 2012-2017. 0311. Good times. I miss my friends, the traveling and the foreign food more than anything. My old CO in my first duty station was a former MARSOC and Force Recon CO . His name was Major Fred Galvin. He was my CO in security forces Alpha FAST Co. I really wonder if Parks knew him from his Marsoc time. He was the real deal and I looked up to him. That’s all I have to say about that. Great interview guys, thanks again and keep it up! Parks, Thankyou for your service and congratulations on your retirement. You earned it.

I did Thanksgiving, and Christmas on MCRD San Diego, 2001.... And I fucking love you for the boot camp story you shared. Hahahah Fuck yeah!! Semper Fidelis brother! ❤😂😂. 😂

Christmas in Basic... Night of this post Christmas Day 25 DEC 2023 reminds we of when I was at Lackland (yes Air Force LOL), well our TI was a former Marine, TSGT Gilbert. Christmas morning 1988 we woke up to Merry F'n Christmas now get your ass out of bed! He kept us wired straight, we graduated Honor Flight. Great memories!

Your spirit and personality is infectious. You must have been a great dude to deploy with.

The last 10 minutes of this interview hits sooooo hard.

He submitted his retirement package exactly the same way I did in 2005. I had always gone wherever the Corps sent me. My last duty station was Marine Barracks 8 & I. I had completed two parade seasons and wanted to go back to a deploying unit at Lejeune. I called my 08 monitor and asked for orders, and he told me that I HAD to stay in DC for another year. I hung up the phone with him, called our admin section, and asked them to send me the paperwork I needed to submit my retirement. I never looked back. He didnt realize that I knew I had other options.

Thank you and team for what you guys have done!! God bless you! Semper fi!! These stories need to be shown the first night you step on the yellow foot prints!!

Top Marine, bringing the pain to the Taliban. He’s everything a Marine rifleman should be. Thanks bro.

F..Yes,, this is all I can give you an Eagle, Globe and Anchor.. Never forget my Recruiter, 1983. one week after Beirut, Gunny Matson, he was tanker..he seen me talking to Navy and Air force, he was like you want to be the BEST.. I said hell yes, and then I joined the USMC.. went back 13 weeks later with dress blues and Platoon Honor graduate

Deeply grateful for you and to you.

Guess I never knew you went on to be a DI after Season 1. FYI I wasn't squirting blood, the Goretex was storing it like a bucket until I dropped my arm and we were playing slip and slide with blood on the GMV floor.

"Needs of the Marine Corps." Felt that in my soul.

Damn this was my boot camp company 1stSgt, great guy, definitely the most memorable guy I ever met

my son just graduated boot camp at Pendelton a couple days ago i got to hear all about the green belt lol im going to have him watch this i really like how you talked about whats next i know at that age he thinks the future is soooo far away i think hearing it from a fellow marine will help allot thanks for sharing this!!!!!

I was a hat at San Diego and he's correct easily the hardest duty I ever did besides combat. Work your ass off but worth it. We produced a very good product.

Career monitors= #1 cause of attrition for 4.9/4.9 Marines and superb staff NCOs. Semper Fi

I watched Randall's second UV episode first (EXCELLENT!!!), so I had to watch this one, too. Seeing a 20 year MC veteran transition so successfully to the civilian world is really a great thing to witness. Randall is the definition of "squared away".

Strong work brother.. certainly a favorite member Mashup (service member briefing). THE Corps loves to disseminate the big Green Weeeeny. Take advantage of every opportunity especially those appearing uncomfortable or unsavory. My biggest regret is regret~ Major P. Anyone from BRC 4-8 or TBS 3-13? Mustangs lead the way!

Funny to see him slip back into drill instructor mode.

Man I have watched this more than three times Semper Fi!

Sgt. Randall… PLEASE write a book! Even if you think it might not be book worthy, I sure you, it is.

This dude, this warrior, is a real treat, listening to his interview. He's a rare breed. Truly, and eccentric Bad Ass! Haha

That double pose JC Penny print 👏👏😂😂 miss those

this dude was my 1st sgt at mcrd lmao he taught us how to do ur sleeves and gave a really moto speech exactly about raising your hand for opportunity. crazy small world

That plate stacking PTSD statement you made at the end got me. I'm going to talk to a professional. All is well but need to start the process by genuinely thanking both of you for this video in its entirety. Vr❤/ MuffinMan

Was an 0311 rifleman lat moving to be an 0321 reconnaissance man when marsoc came to fruition in 06. I remember all the D company guys leaving to fill slots for marsoc. First deployment was a gaggle fuck doing all types of hybrid work due to reduced size of our element. It was truly the Wild West as Parkes stated. Thank you for your service!

I understand totally about loyalty going one way. I was taught to be loyal to the company you worked for and that was a big mistake. To illustrate, I worked for a pharmaceutical company that had lots of money. After 10 years I was outsourced by an H1B visa person. Companies want you to be loyal to them, but they are never loyal to you, My name is Richard.

Absolute BEST interview Ive ever seen !!!

Semper Fi! Sometimes I miss the gun club, sometimes I don't. But the Marine Corps will always be my single greatest personal achievement that only I could accomplish, unlike a marriage or raising children, and for me that will always be the thing I take most to heart from my days in the Corps.

Respect to the "lifers" who put in their 20 years with the service.