In this episode we're talking about the marines on board the battleship. To support this channel and the museum, go to: www.battleshipnewjersey.org/v...
If you're looking for a 10" USMC decal to place on the scuttlebutts, reach out to your local Marine Corps Recruiting Station, or perhaps the museum at Quantico. Tell them what you want it for, and I'm sure they would be more than happy to get them to you in your mission to help preserve Marine Corps tradition.
@@bower31 the USMC has for a large part of its history been subject to underfunding and threats of disestablishment or to be merged into another service. Untill post WW2 they were not always respected in the White House and Congress.. So their PR is rightfully a very important thing, luckily for the most part they are no longer under those threats.. And if you ask me they are right to be proud of their history and traditions.
@911s73targa I'm very familiar, I wear a old unit T-Shirt frequently and have large EGA decal on my safe. I still find it a bit much at times though even being myself a Marine.
Old joke from the 60s: Sailor: "Why are you jarheads on our ships?" Marine "Well, we're here to protect you sailor boys, you know, like the Army has the K-9." Sailor: "Damn, Army always gets first choice!"
Whoever edited this deserves massive props for the inserts. People who don't do much video editing likely won't have considered the amount of time required to go through all the uploads, look for relevant content, then scroll through an average ~60 min interview, find the relevant portion, and then move on. It's one of those things where the average person has no idea how long it really takes. Well done!
Truth. Depending on the editing if you make a small change sometimes you got to wash the whole video of all the way through to make sure it didn't affect anything else.
My Dad was a MM2C on the USS Piedmont during WWII. When the Japanese suddenly surrendered about a week after the second atomic bomb was dropped, the US scrambled to get occupation troops into Japan. We were months away from Operation Olympic, the invasion of Japan and didn't have all the forces ready. The Piedmont was with the initial US Navy ships into Tokyo Bay and tied up in the Yokuska Naval Base. The entire crew was mustered on deck and all men over 6 feet tall were provided a USMC uniform, an OD sea bag, blanket, M1911 and Thompson M-1A SMG and used to secure Yokuska! Of course Dad was tall in instantly became an occupation Marine! He stayed in Japan until April 1946. I still have his Marine Corp sea bag, and blanket as well as some Navy items. So US Navy sailors can be pressed into "Marine" service if an emergency comes up. Interesting video Ryan. Thanks.
At new Walter Reed (old Bethesda Naval Hospital) They have mural-size pictures of the 1914 Veracruz landing. Those showed sailors pressed into naval infantry formations to supplement The shipboard Marine detachments. If I recall, they made makeshift 'camo' uniforms by staining white uniforms with coffee grounds. I think until the 1950s, basic ground combat was taught during naval boot camp.
We had a 50 man (In the 1980's, women were not yet allowed to serve on combatants) Marine detachment on USS Eisenhower (Nimitz class). They had 3 primary tasks: Protect the reactor spaces, protect the Flag Officers and protect the special weapons magazines. They drilled with Live ammunition. If you heard a Marine order "Hit the deck", you will hit the the deck voluntarily or otherwise. But they made great shore leave (drinking) buddies.
It was the same with the Forrestal and Kitty Hawk/Kennedy class ships which had the same mission parameters as the CVNs - just less range and more UNREPS and VERTREPS. Whenever you heard "RED DIAMOND ALERT" over the 1MC you knew that you needed to "MAKE A HOLE" for MARDET as they ran to the magazines and weapons elevators.
During my time onboard New Jersey in 1988-89, I worked on the 03 level Signal Bridge just forward of the Tomahawk decks. Due to the proximity to the bridge we always had the MARDET CO , Captain Guzman, who you briefly pictured in the video, passing through the Signal Bridge area. He was extremely professional and cordial to us always, sometimes staying to chat for 15-20 minutes while we were on signal watch. The MARDET used to practice no notice "silent"security alert drills, where there would be no announcements, just Marines running in battle dress with rifles and you better get out of their way! During one of these silent drills inport Long Beach, my girlfriend was visiting me on a duty day. As she stepped out of the Signal Shelter kneeknocker, she was knocked down by a Marine running to secure the Tomahawk deck. Of course he did not stop, but then we would not expect him to either. I served on five ships with Marines, 2-CV, 1 BB, 1 LHA and one LSD. They were always good shipmates who were bored out of their minds waiting to do their real jobs. Glad to have them and the job they did. Lance Schoenbaum SMC(SW/AW) USN Retired
Speaking as a United States 🇺🇸 Marine. I was deployed and attached to two ships of the United States 🇺🇸 Navy. The first was the USS Okinawa LPH 3, and the USS NEW ORLEANS LPH 11. While in transport to our deployments we ran a lot of PT on the flight decks. Weight training, uniform preparation, spit shining shoes and boots, preparation of 782 gear, detail cleaning of weapons. I was an 0331 so my weapon was the M-60 machine gun, 1911-45 auto, and also had a M-14 assigned to me. Lots of weapons cleaning! Replenishment and refueling details with the Navy. After the berthing areas were squared away. We did get some down time. And with that we went topside with guitars. Sat out on the flight decks and played music, sang CCR, Eagles, and John Denver songs. We saw the most magnificent sunrises and sunsets you could ever imagine! You truly realize how Majestic God is. And how insignificant mankind is when you see these things. When you are sum 50 miles out in the middle of the oceans! From the fantail, sharks, whales, flying fish, and many more! The Navy was great to us and man they had really great chow! A lot better that our C-rations and all we could eat. And believe me a (BLT) can put away a lot of chow! In this case (BLT) stood for Battalion Landing Team, not bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Oh and some people may want to ask this question? Yes I am a Shellback! OOHRAH, God bless America 🇺🇸 forever! Semper Fidelis!
I was also a US Marine on the USS New Orleans, several times, back in the mid-80s.. To/From Korea for various operations. Team Spirit/ Bear Hunt. I do remember doing PT and other things on the flight deck.. Good times.. They sunk the New Orleans a few years back...
I was a Marine on the Okinawa ... also on the Vancouver and Nashville. I was on the Okinawa during the failed rescue attempt of the Iranian hostages in 1980. Semper Fi
I was a Marine on the USS Kittyhawk 76-78 and Jesus I wished I could have just sang songs and danced like my man but ahhh no we actually had to guard the weapons magazines and escort weapons to aircraft! WOW@@Jdavidson210
We had nukes onboard USS ORISKANY in westpac. They had to be moved from a magazine below the mess decks and thru a portion of dining area. And yes sailors jacked with the marines whenever we could. Thats how me and 2 other dummies got thrown down on by a marine with a .45 one day in the chow hall. He was guarding a tall boy on a cradle and we got a little too close. Half an inch seems mighty big from that aspect. Anyway no one was shot and no one was written up but we were coached and counseled. Thanks for the video. We all thought it was naval tradition to harass marines. Did not appreciate the history of mutiny in the olden days. Oh dont tell a marine the marines are a department of the Navy. They will respond.. Yes, the MEN’s department!!
Further reading: "Battleship Marine - A Combat History of the USS Wisconsin in Desert Storm", by Lt. Col Kent Ralston, USMC (ret), executive officer of the ship's MARDET during the first gulf war.
Our battalion was part of a task force and some of us were on the LPH Guadalcanal, [Helo Carrier]. While there, I was assigned, along with several other marines to man a 3in50 gun. That was a lot of fun. I have fond memories of that time. Sadly, I heard they scrapped the Guad. We had a good time on ship, the sailors had great chow, and the showers were awesome after being in the field for a few weeks. You learn to appreciate the little things in life. Best job I ever had. lol.
In the Navy Stingers were never permanently assigned to a ship. There were specially trained Stinger detachments that would be temporarily assigned to a ship as necessary. That was my first job in the Navy and I deployed to the Arabian gulf for six months in 1988 in support of Operation Ernest Will.
That was my experience in '91. Ships in the Gulf had Stinger crew detachments (don't remember when they came aboard but they weren't onboard the entire cruise). On the FF I was on we had a two man detachment with I believe 4 Stingers. The missiles were kept in their own containers that were secured to the deck just behind the Signal Bridge.
Sounds like it was a detachment of LAAD (Light Anti Aircraft Defense) Marines, which makes sense. Back when I was in, I was a part of the DASC (Direct Air Support Center) and we had room for a LAAD rep although I think we had a LAAD rep once in my time.
If I recall correctly, in the Royal Navy of WW1, the Royal Marines on board battleships were actually given one of the turrets to man. One of the VCs at Jutland went posthumously to a Marine officer who shut the doors of the turret's magazine preventing the loss of one of the battlecruisers.
I served onboard 88’-90’. I have come to know a few Jarheads pretty good, they were always at the aft end of Broadway. Want to know what they really did onboard, they shined there boots, and lifted weights! My favorite story about them was one time they were responding to a security alert, so I was in the machinery repair space. The Marines were responding in groups of three. They were running down the passage with their rifles at port arms, when the first marines rifle was a “bit” to far to port. He caught the knife edge on the WTD, took the rifle to the chest, hit the deck, and his rifle bounced into the cross passage. The Marines behind him, just stepped on his chest, and continued thru the door. The third Marine, finally got up and responded, but that was just funny to watch. Got to watch Gunny Brown, “train” his Marines during crossing the line ceremony. Our Marines actually qualified repair locker and manned one of the lockers, I think it was repair 1aft, but I could be wrong on the locker number. GREAT bunch of guys,
You keep the marine rifle company bunks inside the armored citadel for the same reason you keep the magazines for the 16" battery there: massive destructive potential.
88-90 we had the Mossenburg M590 shotguns, M9 Beretta, M16A2 on the Wisconsin. Battleship MarDets were always highly armed. We had Law rockets, M67 frags, and much more.
The Heavy Cruiser USS Louisville CA 28 which my dad served on in WW2 from 1943-46 had 1150 sailors on and (55) Marines which manned (2) of the (8) 5 inch 25 caliber single gun mounts. The sailors had a nick name for the Marines which was Bell hop for their uniforms were so neat! The USS Louisville had (13) battle stars and had (52) sailors and Rear Admiral Theodore Chandler buried at sea due to (3) kamikaze hits in the Pacific.Thank you for sharing you video! God Bless our service men and service women - past and present!
Just wanted to give an extra thank you to Libby for the great interview edits. It’s really pretty amazing how much information and production gets put into these videos considering the cadence and that they’re not the team’s main job.
The ship I was on (USS Kitty Hawk) had a violent race riot in 1972 the day after we left Subic Bay for Nam and the Marines were deployed to stop it and then stationed a various points in the ship for a few weeks after.
Things like that are not something the brass want shared with the civilian world. Race Relations got very bad for a long time over there around that time. Not a proud chapter in the legacy of Vietnamese Nam.
I was in the Marine Corps and was an (AE) Aviation Electrician on CH-46 helicopters, we were were aboard helicopter assault ships. I was on the USS Tarawa LHA 1 ON WESTPAC in 86 and we were in deep blue transiting to our next exercise. I was walking down a passageway when they called away on the 1MC THE Marine Security Detail.I see one Marine in full battle rattle about 4or 5 knee knockers down with his 12gauge trench gun at high port yelling GANG WAY! GANG WAY! And high stepping down the passageway with the rest of the Marines a knee knocker behind him. A sailor stepped into the passageway and I told him you need to get up against the Bulkhead, he told me I should perform something anatomicaly impossible on my self then he stepped into the middle of the passageway. The leading Marine yelled GANG WAY!even louder as he came over the last kneeknocker and the sailor yelled at the leading Marine for him to do something anatomically impossible and stood his ground. That young Marine ht him with a textbook vertical buttstroke which put him close enough to me that I could pull him out of the way so he didn’t get trampled by the rest running by. I opened a hatch in a workspace and told the sailors inside to call for a Corpman.they came by about 5 minutes later and scooped up the sailor and took him to sickbay. He was a mess, I don’t know if he had a broken jaw but he left teeth and blood in the passageway. I never found why they called the Security Detachment or why he did that I’m fairley sure, he probably never did it again!
I was part of the USS New Jersey MARDET from 84-87 and left as a E4. My attic contains alot of photos and history as part of the BB62 from my time there. Would be great to talk to someone who has an interest in this specific MARDET
We had M-16A1 rifles, for our combat role, and M-14 rifles for ceremonial guard duty complete with a nickel plated bayonet. We also had M1911A1 .45 automatic pistols and M870 12guage shotguns. We didn't have any scoped rifles, and the machine guns we used both the M-60 and the .50 caliber M-2 machine guns were drawn from the ship's armory. They changed the door on my arms room. When I was on, it was a hatch with a big Sergeant and Greenleaf lock to secure it. We did have a few M203 grenade launchers .
Okay. Firstly during the age of sail, the number of Marines would be assigned equal to the number of guns the ship had. So 200 guns=number of junior Marines. During the 80s when I was aboard, we did not have our own Machine guns. We drew the M-60s and M-2 heavy machine guns from the crew armory located on the port side forward near the ship's captain's in port cabin. The Arms Room you're standing in was my work space and for the last few months I was aboard, my GQ station. The Detachment Commander was a Marine Corps Captain, and there was an XO, who was a Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant. Each of those had their own Stateroom and ate in the Officers Wardroom. The senior enlisted NCO was a Marine 1st Sergeant, (E-8), and there was a Detachment Gunnery Sergeant (E-7), as Well. Those two berthed in the Chief's Mess. We had a Staff Sergeant (E-6)who was our Admin Chief, and I was Sergeant (E-5)assigned as Detachment Armorer. Our assigned weapons were the M-16A1 rifle, The M-870 Remington pump shotgun, the M-203 grenade launcher (i mounted those on the M16A1s), the M1911A1 .45 automatic pistol, and the M14 7.62mm rifle. Although the M14 rifles were capable of firing, their main role was for ceremonial duties. We shared the MAA office located on the mess deck near the salad bar on the port side. In that room was the on duty Guard NCO and his assistant, and we had a supernumary (supernut), who was posted between the Marine berthing spaces at the head of Broadway in front of the two Scuttlebutts that used to have the Marine Corps EGA Stickers. In port, and during fair weather, we had quarters on the port side of the main deck by turret one. I was the Fuze/Sight setter in mount 55 as my GQ station for most of my time aboard. I was qualified at all of the mount 55 positions with the exception of the mount captain. The Detachment 1st Sergeant took that position. As Marines were assigned to respond to Security Alerts for designated special spaces, we trained to repel boarders, responded to bomb threats and other terrorist threats, manned the .50 caliber machine gun mounts. The two ship COs and XOs rated an orderly, but didn't want one. Occasionally, we had a Marine assigned as an orderly for a flag officer who wanted one. I hope this clears up some confusion.
I appreciate you spending the time to write this. Although I don’t see any replies from the videos maker I hope he is reading all this and will make updated and corrected videos in the future. Appreciate your service for our country AND preserving/protecting my freedom.
Great video, thanks! When Ryan started talking about taking the Marines off the battleships I was perplexed -- there were certainly Marines on the Iowa during my sea trial in 1985. I got to watch them mustered daily on the 01 Level near No. 2 turret. They did a little close order drill and then their officer inspected their weapons (from my station on the 03 I couldn't see every detail but they looked like M-16's). It wasn't just a platoon -- I think a complement of 60 seems about right. I had no idea where they berthed or that they manned a 5" mount at battle stations. I was familiar with the custom in the Age of Sail and it never crossed my mind that they weren't a part of every Navy ship's complement in all periods.
I kept a 12" eagle globe and anchor sticker that came into my possession back in the 80's. About four years ago I finally decided to quit saving it for something special and put it on a foot locker. I wish I had saved it to send to you, would have been a much more interesting place for it.
You were right to put it on that locker as the sticky compound dries out and becomes less sticky as time goes by. Eventually you'd have to slather some other kind of glue in order to get it to stick...
They say the people in nuclear propulsion know a lot of ways to hurt enemies trying to board the boat. They say they know a secret flavor of krav maga and a type of boxing that has 4 more different punches and can be used against multiple attackers. They also know shotgun, pistol, and knives.
I can't speak for battleship MARDET's, but I served aboard USS Forrestal in the mid 1980's as part of her MARDET. Marines at the time were no longer guarding the ship brig, but we performed the burial at sea ceremonies, provided a 'Sunset Parade' with our Silent Drill Team, for VIP's and dignitaries when visiting a foreign port for liberty as well as providing Orderies for the ships Captain and the Admiral when he was aboard on deployment. We were also responsible for morning and evening colors while in port. We were the ships Security Force and responded to any situation the Captain of the ship required, or any intrusions into the various munition lockers throughout the ship. Our typical weapons for that period would have been the M-16A2 rifle, the M870 shotgun, the M1911A1 service pistol, M-14's for our burial at sea and sunset parade details (as well as 'shark watch'), the M203 and the M-60. In the mid 1980's we were even sent to Guantanamo Bay to support the Marines there on the Windward and Leeward side.
Najs upload. I appreciate the uploads from Battleship New Jersey`s team alot.. Always down to earth, always informative! A huge thank you from Gothenburg, Sweden - love your video`s - keep up the good work!
MarDet USS Holland AS-32 (a submarine tender) 1975-1977. On our ship we didn't guard the brig EXCEPT if there was a Marine in it (never happened). The Master At Arms did it when a sailor was (also never happened). As to duties aboard the ship, it had the capability to store and maintain Poseidon missiles and Mk-48 torpedoes, both of which had Marine security stations. We also provided a compartment cleaner for the CPO quarters as our contribution the the ships cleaning detail (GREAT duty as you got to eat in the Chief's Mess). We also provided a driver/orderly for the commanding officer of COMSUBRON-14 who was aboard ship (but not the ships captain). And on appropriate occasions for the ships captain (but not full time). Our detachment was apx. 30, 1 Capt, 1 GySgt, 2 administrative personnel, the rest were there to provide security. We kept about 6-8 (M1911) handguns and 6-8 (M-14) rifles in the ready use locker in our quarters the rest in the ships armory (we only had one aboard ship which we shared with the Navy). We did have a couple M-60 machineguns (as the ship was otherwise unarmed) but no grenade launchers (as we had M-14s not M-16s), I don't believe the M203 (that goes under an M-16) had been invented yet. It was made VERY clear to the ships crew that when the security alarm went off we "owned" the ship until such time as the incident was over. During the "welcome aboard" briefing all new crewmen got the ships Master Chief and the Marine GySgt both stressed that when that alarm went off anyone not a Marine pretended they were a coat of paint on the bulkheads. We had essentially zero issues between the sailors and Marines aboard ship (except the obligatory sister service sort).
Thank you for the history on that. The 203 had been invented by that point but you were unlikely to see it for a while. I imagine it wasn't common-place until the 80's, however the handguard and the 203 itself were around and capable of being mounted on the M16A1.
Marines on a ship are like that fire extinguisher everyone keeps in their kitchen, garage and car (you all have them in all three places right?) 99% of the time in the way and a nuisance, but if that 1% event happens, you’re damn glad you brought them along and you Pat yourself on the back for having foresight
We embarked a stinger det onboard. They showed up when we got into the gulf and flew off before we left. They kept a couple stingers out on deck with them during the day, but they would just stick them in the CIWS magazine at night.
I was a Marine Stinger Missile Gunner from 1990 to 1996 and would have loved to have been assigned to the USS Missouri or the USS Wisconsin at the time. When we went through the Straits of Hormuz in 1991 when I was aboard LSD-45 USS Comstock as part of the 15th MEU, we were given live Stingers and had to stand watch on board until we cleared the Straits.
I was part of a Stinger det for 6 months in the Arabian Gulf in 88. I did stints on LPD's AGF's FFG's, Minesweepers. We never secured them at night. They were in their cases because Stingers can be used at night using NVG's to sight the target. I had an Iranian F-4 locked up with a Stinger in the middle of the night as it was making a low altitude high speed approach. It veered off at the last moment but that was the closest I ever got to firing one.
@@studinthemaking Captains orders. On his order I took the missile out of the box, activated it and had a lock. All he had to say was fire and I would have sent her downrange.
In 1985 as a Barracks Marine - I had the privilege of spending the day shadowing the MARDET on New Jersey when she came to Naples Italy. What an awesome memory! The Marines of the MARDET were squared away , motivated and took their mission seriously. You did not want to get in the way during an alert or changing of the guard. I believe each Marine was specifically selected selected
That's one thing the sailors never understood. We never ran 'drills' like they did, when an alert went out you never knew if it was the real thing or not, so we always responded if it was the real deal. In the Navy they would announce it was a drill, but not for the MARDET.
I did a TAD billet on the mess decks on the USS Midway. I was assigned to the scullery cleaning dishes. Mind you we would feed 3000 dudes in two hours and all those feed trays and silverware would pour in. It was madness of steam, hot water and food scraps. Well there were Broken Arrow drills and the MARDET would pour out of their berthing with M-16s and 45's drawn screaming at the top of their lungs "MARDET HIT THE DECK MAKE WAY-MAKE WAY! Which meant us too. All 5 of us laying on plastic dishwasher trays because there was 4" of water and food scraps. Damn jarheads loved it.
"like the army" - cue the sound of thousands of half-chewed crayons being dropped. In the early 90s I went to a few parties at the Marine Detachment at the US Consulate in Jeddah - great lads who were especially happy if you could rustle up some nurses for them.
Abord the carrier Coral Sea the Mardet basically just PT and did drills. They didn’t stand watches when we were in port , that was the ships security and company.
It was an interesting process to go through. I went through initial screening at the end of Infantry school at Camp Pendleton, went to a review board for further screening to determine whether I wanted Barracks Duty or Sea Duty, and was only one of 10 people selected to go to Sea School back in MCRD San Diego (I inadvertently disqualified myself from serving at Marine Barracks 8th and I because I had fractured my ankle in basic training and could not stand for long periods of time doing Close Order Drill). Completed Sea School and we got to pick our assignments based on our pistol score, needless to say the USS Coral Sea and the USS Forrestal were the only 2 carriers left to choose from when it became my turn, and Forrestal was just coming out of the Navy SLEP program. My group had to completely rebuild the MARDET from scratch lol.
I was on the USS Tripoli as an avionics technician in the AMID department--and a Marine--from November 1977 to August 1978. LPH-10 was a helicopter carrier and had a composite Marine Corps squadron along with at least a company of Marine infantry. Permanently assigned to the ship were a few Marines serving as orderlies for the captain and for the amphibious fleet commander. As most of the aircraft were Marine Corps (the Navy aircraft were usually just being ferried between shore stations) almost all of the aviation maintenance were Marines.
I was on USS L.Y. Spear AS36 (sub tender) when it was commissioned. The only time we ever had some Marines was for a week or so when we picked up our first nuclear weapons from the depot. They provided security due to the fact that the Torpedomen (us) were working to transfer the nukes onto the ship. After that they left to never be seen again and we took over security watches for ourselves. We were told that if the Marines were alerted to just get out of the way because they would just run over you.
Ryan, what got my interest is "Operation Hilton". When the MI Army National Guard Signal Team I was part of was in Iraq (2003-04). We kind of did the same kind of mission. Our team was called Kilo One Three. I dubbed our quarters at Camp Victory and BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) "Motel 13. We keep the blackout light on for you." At Camp Victory, I once answered the phone we had in quarters, "Motel 13". Boy did I get my butt chewed on by the Section Sargent! No humor! We would have various people from Company stay with us from time to time. At BIAP, we were the only team there from my Company. Battalion Headquarters was very close to where our team was on BIAP. We enjoyed having company staying with us. It gave us someone new to chat with. Our Company 1SG was a frequent guest. He was with us for Christmas. He got shanghaied as a senior NCO to do KP on Christmas! He had fun. The battalion cooks told him the pots and pans had never been cleaner! He thought they were just dirtying them just to keep him and others senior NCOs in hot water! I just wish the team had kept a motel guest book for all our guests to sign when they stayed with us. I had an e-mail lady friend then that worked at a resort. If I would have asked, she would have mailed me one. DRATS! The Captain of the New Jersey sure did the right thing with Operation Hilton. Moral is so danged important. You and I can't imagine how great a long hot shower, real food, and clean sheets would feel after being in the field for a long time. These guests for R&R gave the Big J a positive people mission for the Marines, Soldiers and the Sailors of the Big J. Thanks for sharing this story.
I served aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60) from 67 to 69. We had a Marine Detachment aboard. I was a GMT (Special Weapons) assigned to "W" Division, and they supplied security to our spaces, fore and aft. We had an additional photo ID that we had to present to the armed Marine to enter the spaces, which was our normal workspace. There was a duplicate photo ID that had a clip which we had to clip on our collar while inside our spaces. Our carry ID was then placed in a "badge board", and when we left our spaces we again swapped IDs as we exited, and sign in and out in the log book. The Marines also provided security anytime one of our "special weapons" was outside our magazines. We probably got along better with the Marines than most sailors aboard, as we interfaced with them frequently. They were not supposed to have coffee or anything while on sentry duty, but there was a small shelf just out of sight, and we would take a cup of coffee up for the Marine standing sentry duty. Security was such that the Marine was not supposed to even look into the space he was guarding, thus when the Sergeant made his rounds, he could not look past the door to see the cup of coffee, or the butt kit (Navy ashtray) even if he could see cigarette smoke or smell the coffee. They also provided security for the Captain, and ran the Brig. Anytime you saw the Captain, he was being shadowed by a Marine, typically in dress uniform.
I was a Marine rifleman in the 2000's and always regretted being a few decades too late to catch a MarDet aboard a BB. In fact, I never set foot on a ship my entire time in aside from the Missouri and Bowfin museum ships in Pearl. Was always something I wanted to do but never got to.
Very good inclusive description of the Marines on board a large ship of the line. We could also be found on aircraft carriers and cruisers with the same duties. We also manned a replenishment station during underway replenishment. The Marine Detachment CO and XO often stood bridge and deck watches while underway and in port. Tour of duty for all Marines except the detachment XO was two years. For some unknown reason the XO’s tour at the time I served was 12 months.
MarDet, USS Coral Sea. 1977-1980. Awesome job for a young Marine. First and foremost is the security of the ship. Second was running the brig and correctional custody. Last but just as important as a small landing party of Marines.
I can also tell you that I stood a lot of guard duty at the end of broadway guarding the entrance to Marine berthing and that water fountain never worked during my time. Berthing was port and starboard for our detachment 🇺🇸
One of the best videos portraying marines within the navy. Only one time did a squid get in my way and found out right quick what it means to hear a marine running at you yelling to hit the deck. I ran over a butter bar and got promoted to guns! Nott recommended!!! Was a long cruise home!
MAR DET was infamous onboard Battleships and Carriers'. Much Respect. Worked with both on the Missouri and the Vinson. I remember the Marines on watch on the Mo would be in full camo on watch around the "special" launchers. They LOVE'd the fresh cookies from the mess decks though. Hoo Yah! Devil Dogs and THANK YOU for your, well fuck it: Keep up the unforgiven work that keeps us all safe that we will thank you later for after the fact. Drinks on me. My Posse's on BROADWAY!
If anyone gets a chance the visit the USS Hornet in Alameda, CA they have a nice restored MARDET area on their self guided section. Appreciate getting to hear about Marines on New Jersey.
I served aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60) and when we were in the Philadelphia shipyard in 1968, the New Jersey was tied up to the same pier. I never went aboard, but did talk to some of the crew after they came back from sea trials. Most of what they talked about was what it was like when they fired the 16" guns.
I served with the Mar Det on USS Midway in the mid- 70s. there were about 55 or so of us. we guarded the CO, the XO and the Admiral since we were the flag ship. we also guarded and ran the brig and did other another job and I can't go into. That "sticker" on the door, wasn't a sticker but more of a plaque with Relief of the Marine Corps emblem on it and it was painted not brass that I could tell. I have a picture of myself standing in front of ours. we had so many jobs I never had time to stand in line to eat, so I mostly ate snickers and drank Pepsi. it messed with my liver, turned me yellow, I went to sick bay, got quarantined, launched off the ship the next day flown to Atsugi , helicoptered to Yokosuka Put in quarantine again, ( a large broom closet with mops and sinks I swear). Only to find out I need a few decent meals. but never could give blood again after that. And I got a pointless shot of cold thick anti hepatis , gama globen or something like that. Right in the ASS.
In WW2, Marines operated the 20mm Automatic Cannons. I talked to Sailors on the capital ships in WW2, and they told me that you could always tell when they were in real danger of taking a bomb hit or a kamikaze, because first they 5 inch mounts would try and shoot them down, and if they came closer, then the 40mm mounts would start shooting, and if they got through that then there were 20mm cannons all along the main deck and elsewhere. So when they opened up, the crew knew they were in real trouble. There were no stingers on board during my time aboard, nor were the Master at Arms Force armed on a routine basis. We shared an office with the Master at Arms right adjacent to the mess deck on the port side. There were two gun lockers in that office, one for pistols and the other for the Immediate Reaction force. They were the Marines that responded to security alerts, and would run over you if you didn't grab a bulkhead. I ran over an Ensign once. I didn't keep any ammunition in my arms room. They came up with that color scheme after I left as well. The gun box down in the staff NCO room was not used.
The Heavy Cruiser USS Louisville CA 28 which my dad served on in WW2 from 1943-46 had 1150 sailors on and (55) Marines which manned (2) of the (8) 5 inch 25 caliber single gun mounts.The sailors had a nick name for the Marines which was Bell hop for their uniforms were so neat! The USS Louisville had (13) battle stars and had (52) sailors and Rear Admiral Theodore Chandler buried at sea due to (3) kamikaze hits in the Pacific.Thank you for sharing you video! God Bless our service men and service women - past and present!
Ryan, are their any indications of Marine presence at or around the shell lockers? We have the ongoing questions about Project Katie, and if there were Marines stationed at some of the shell lockers, that would be another clue that they had Spicy Boii's aboard, just as there is with the guard shack near the Tomahawk batteries etc.
“Back in the days”, the last tin can I served aboard had 2 weapons systems capable of being equipped with “special warheads”. Of course we could neither confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any time. However with 24 officers and around 350 men we handled our own security issues, we had a group of trained crew directly reporting to the weapons division officer. A GM1 or GM2 as LPO. The rest of the security alert force were PO2 or above. Any nuclear capable magazines had 24x7 armed guards with silent “duress” alarms, and full blown GQ style security alert alarms. If alarm is activated SAT goes to armory and draws weapons and proceeds to station dependent upon what weapon you are issued, for example: M-14 01 level, fire and aft, port and starboard, you should see the man on either side of you. 4-6 12 gauge shotguns with bandolier of 00 buck, various fixed positions on main deck, 01 and 02 levels, 4-6 men with 1911 .45cal pistols, deployed with shotgun men, duty weapons officer, LPO plus one extra deploys to every access point for magazines or handling rooms where special weapons could possibly be, starting with the source of alarm anyone not part of SAT team must stand fast, no matter where you are, and what you are doing when source is located and alarm is cleared, carry on as before, SAT turn in your weapons. Drills are run a minimum of weekly, generally more often. Hint: when loading Ammo for deployment it was delivered at the pier, if you are going on a full deployment, you also go to one of 2 (at the time, east coast) naval weapons stations for part of your load. There are special forces boats patrolling the harbor and the pier, and about the area. Of course we can neither confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons, in port or deployed. But it’s sue not hard to figure. If we were a larger vessel with more capable systems a USMC detachment would be great. Weapons security is a pain in the butt, however, we sailors love our Marine Corps brothers, they are the best!
MarDet on aircraft carriers preformed security on special weapons areas stood guard on the brig and security during special weapons drills on the flight deck. they also did a lot of drills. I was in an aircraft squadron that served on the Ranger and the America during VietNam late 68-71.
I was in the Corps in the 70’s. I wasn’t stationed on a ship foe sea duty but I was on the USS Peoria LST 1183 and the UUSS Tripoli LPH 10. Just a reminder. The Marines are a Department of the Navy, the. Men’s Department!!!
I did two float on the Bonhomme Richard (lhd-6) as part of 31st meu. When we were aboard we had to pay "ship's tax" and help run the ship. I got "taxed out" to the MA's both times. It was a pretty sweet gig. I spent more time guarding the chow line than any nuclear missiles. Very cool to see some of how it was done on a battleship.
hahahahahhaha love the shade you are throwing, the truth hurts XDDDD On a different note, this is the first time I feel bad for the vc taking 16 inch fire
A young lady came up to me (I was in Charlies) and asked me, "How many Marines does it take to change a light bulb?" She was smiling and looked so sweet, I bit. "Four" she said, "One to change the bulb and three to guard him." Well I laughed and fell in love at the same time...
I got a tad choked up when that sailor, Michael Gorton spoke about the guy who asked about having an extra piece of cherry pie. I hope I'm not the only one.
from Fraser, husband of Leslie On British battleships the Marines would usually operate one of the gun turrets. They also had security duties mainly protecting the officers. One duty not found on a US battleship was providing the guard at "Spirits Up !". This was the daily rum ration issued around lunch time to the lower deck men (or enlisted men as the US calls them). I have witnessed this tradition which was abolished in 1971.
The Frame- 143-147, MARDET, Compartment I see the "Marine" Motto",- AS-BESTOS- we can ! That must be , new, after, 1981, when I served, With MARDET, on board my ship, CV-67,I did repair in , a MARDET, compartment never saw that.
I was a Marine assigned to Battalion Landing Teams, on troop ships and assault ships. As BLT members, we were not really part of the ship's crew, but we still had to walk the decks on guard duty, and provide security.
In general the A1 is the smooth roundish triangle hand guard and the long ribbed hand guard is an A2. However the upper and lower receiver differences is what really defines the model as the hand guards are interchangeable between both rifles.
You are slaying me Ryan. DC1 (SW) Thompson again. Two types of racks coffin 8 " s deep open up with a prop rod inside. We stored most our clothing and toiletries. There's a drawer that opens behind the locking plate. Those rack because storage space, had a smaller stand-up locker numbered the same. Dress uniforms and pressed shirts dungaree for inspections. The strap is mostly found on bottom racks used to , and this is apart of revielle. All hands heave out and thrice up. Bottom bunk thrised up to mop and wax deck. Next flat racks no coffin or lid. Just flat with a mattress. Larger secondary lockers . The Mardet berthing you were in 3-143-1-L. I used to hang out there while they slept. I would quietly play Nintendo golf at night with TV on mute. I even had marines working for me when I was helping run ERO9. Shipboard DC maintenance. Each Division incl. Mardet were responsible for DC maintenance in their spaces. ERO9 provide maint. Cards, tools and supplies to complete PMS on these items. So remember coffin looks like you could hid a stiff in it, flat is flat.
Great video, ty. My 5th great granduncle, Ebinezer Hyde, died on the Jersey. But the was the Old Jersey prison ship of the Revolution. I wonder if this Jersey was named in honor of those who died on that Jersey prison ship of the Revolution.
My buddy served aboard a Carrier in 1989-1995 he said they were there as Security a d would guard the "stuff". Hed just smile knowing i wanted more but he maintained a tight lip. Later on he fessed up that "stuff" was Marine Code for Nukes. They were never to reveal missions of what was being protected even on the ship. They were severely punnished for loose lips when caught on leave.
Sailor from a Gator Freighter (USN, was on LHA-4 USS Nassau). And I can tell you the Marines (when they were on our ship) did two things mostly. Stand in line for the ship's store and puke. Which one was more common depended on the weather.
Ryan’s screen presence continues to improve. One suggestion, tell him to not put his hands in his pockets. It does not feel natural, but looks that way one camera. If he is not gesturing to something to show it put his hands down at his side.
John. Just to say that royal marines were used in ww2 on cruisers and bb for security on board and in port also manned at least 1 main gun turret and some aa weapons. Some serve on ships to day I.e QE carrier to day with no problems. I have not served but do take a interest in progress in new developmens. Excuse typing first time time I have put my opinion in
The straps on the bunks was there for high sea to make you come out feet first instead of coming out falling on your head and breaking your neck. But as a sailor you learn now to wedge yourself in with blankets in high seas so you can sleep comfortably. But keep in mind in high sea even a battleship can rock and roll I have seen it first hand.
Let’s not forget the Marine Corp was founded only about 1 month after the Navy. In short the USMC is the nations first responders. Great videos Ryan, and crew!
I rode on two amphibious ships in WestPac in the late 80s, and 870/590 shotguns were used for ship security posts in port. Did they use rifles on the New Jersey?
