Unit 2 IP Presentation Essentials Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Unit 2 IP Presentation Essentials - Essay Example (0323); Reconnaissance Man, Combatant Diver Certified (0324); Reconnaissance Man, Parachute and Combatant Diver Certified (0326); Machine Gunner (0331); Mortarman (0341); Infantry Assaultman (0351); Anti-Tank Missileman (0352); Infantry Unit Leader 0369) (Powers, 2012). II. Taking a step back, the grunt is part of the highly esteemed US Marine Corps, whose commander is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the US, and which functionally is part of the US Navy (Columbia Encyclopedia, 2012) 2. The place of US Marine Corps in American culture is one of honor, as evidenced by the dedicated war memorial that has come to be the final resting place of US Marine grunts (National Park Service, 2012) I. Life as a Marine grunt is hard and strenuous, from the first day of training through the different missions and tasks that the grunt is assigned to. It is demanding physically, emotionally, and psychologically, and only the fittest survive through to the training and the actual field deployments (US Marine Corps, 2012; Wetzel, 2012; Lodder, 2011; Hogan, 2008; Mitchell, 2010; Small Wars Foundation, 2009). 1. The dangers that grunts face in the Marines is real, and there are testimonies to the strength and courage of those who suffered serious and life-threatening disabilities and injuries on the field. Those testimonies and stories make up the vast lore of valor and bravery that make up the life of the Marine grunt, and they are widely discussed and honored by all Marines and the larger society. The story of one Marine who suffered massive injuries while on duty in Germany is the story of all Marines (Wetzel, 2012) References to grunt life in the protracted wars that the US continues to fight, such as those in Afghanistan, are graphic and unedited, giving us a glimpse of the unromantic aspect of grunt life, so unlike the romantic images we get from the movies and from popular culture. Real grunt life in the Marines is sometimes harrowing, but Marine grunts try and