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The article, “Changes to the Marine Corps Rifle Squad Organization—One Marine’s Opinion,” in the September issue by Kyle Stubbeman was quite interesting. His reasons for keeping the existing organization were spot on.
I joined the 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton out of ITR in June of 1965 and later transferred to MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. From there, on into Vietnam. I do not recall ever having a sergeant squad leader. Corporals were the norm until we needed replacements, which were few and far between. I served as a lance corporal fire team leader in Vietnam. I understand the Corps had more on their plate than to worry about promotions. For a brief two- or three-week period I was a lance corporal squad leader awaiting a corporal replacement. It was during that time that a sergeant from supply transferred in wanting some “trigger-time.” First thing our platoon commander told him was to take the rank off his collars and assigned him to my squad as a rifleman. He was informed that when he showed leadership he would be assigned accordingly. That did not sit well with him. Without going into detail or names, his conduct in his first firefight got him shipped back to supply, at his request, faster than he arrived.
Jon Johnson
Sidney, Ohio