One of the things I’ve come to love about writing for the Internet is the new friends I make whose perception sometimes make me smack my forehead in wonder that in all my years some insight they easily offer up had so completely eluded me until now. One such is a jarhead, and believe me, as an old paratrooper, I use that term with respect and brotherly affection. Old Leatherneck Troy Watson introduced me to the concept of Chronic Marine Syndrome, which as best I can determine is the inspiration of retired Marine Corps Brigadier General, Mike Mulqueen.

Reading the list of symptoms associated with Chronic Marine Syndrome, I realized quickly that the New York Times and other mainstream media organizations have been right all along that those who serve their country, and especially those who have actually fought in their country’s service have most likely developed a syndrome which, considering the moral fiber of the mainstream media and the nation of sheep they seek to form and lead, could accurately be categorized by them as pathological.

Pardon me Marines in general, and General Mulqueen, specifically, but I think CMS extends beyond the Corps and infects past, present, and surely the future ranks of all American military services. Consider, if you will, but a few of the symptoms General Mulqueen has defined as markers of this unique infliction, as well as some others I have added:

First and foremost, having confidence in who they are

Possessing pride in oneself, one’s organization and the country they serve

Being knowledgeable of and comfortable with the terms honor, courage and commitment

Determined to see the mission, regardless of temporary setbacks, accomplished

Often either respected or despised by others, due to their unique abilities and talents

Internally and essentially immune to organizational political correctness

Able to meet you with a firm handshake and look you in the eye

When not a warrior, a first responder, cop, fireman, nurse, doctor, EMT, etc.

If he/she says “Hang on, I’m coming for you,” you can bet your life, they’re coming for you

Shares the tremendous pride and the undying respect of his or her family

Shares the tremendous pride and the undying respect of his or her buddies, military and civilian

Shares rations, water and candy bars with the unfortunate children of war

Shares, unfortunately, the gratitude of only some of us in this nation he or she protects

Yes, I’m beginning to see where the media can make a sensational case that these people, these soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen that we send out in harm’s way to defend us, somehow possess a demonstrable set of symptoms that clearly differentiate them from far too many in America today, especially these selfsame parasites in the mainstream media who greedily suck at the nation’s wounds and feast on the world’s offal. Since these symptoms seem to apply solely to a unique minority of volunteers who place selflessness above all other virtues, a condition of some rarity in this age of “me first,” I can now understand how those staunch, courageous patriots at the New York Times and their fellow travelers at the broadcast networks see our returning warriors as unwell in some way.

Yep, I simply can question their judgment no longer; our troops returning from the Mideast wars are indeed afflicted and it’s time to give that affliction a catchy name like the one the media loves for my generation of warriors: PTSD. However, considering the group of symptoms described above, I think we should call this current problem, CWS: Chronic Warrior Syndrome.

Long may our young warriors be afflicted. HOOOAHH!

Russ Vaughn

Vietnam 65-66

Contributed by Russ Vaughn on February 18, 2008 at 01:11 PM in Russ Vaughn, The American Warrior | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: Raven

Awe Geez! God Bless yah Russ...you hit another home run here!

I love Marines- I have this **thing** for them and your list, as well as Troy's list- show the world WHY. I do sleep better at night knowing these men who suffer from CMS still carry with them the values and honor and moral of the USMC- they do so all their lives. And for all the services- yes, they are of a different breed of men. The editors of the NYT and other MSM don't know the meaning of the word MAN unless they have served. (And even then I would question their manhood!)

Thanks for another great read Russ!

Posted by: Raven | Feb 18, 2008 4:59:13 PM

Posted by: Delta

Yes, God bless the Marines, and also, don't forget all the other services, because if they weren't there, the Marines wouldn't be there, at all. The Armed Services depend on certain factions to survive, and though I believe the Marines are definately "hand to hand, boots on the ground fighters", there are many more support services behind them. Right after 9/11, Several members of different branches served by going behind enemy lines, including Air Force, undercover, to Afghanistan, meeting with tribal leaders etc. Again, this is a worldwide operation, and every single branch of the military is involved. If just one, than it wouldn't happen..God bless the military!!!!

Posted by: Delta | Feb 18, 2008 9:16:28 PM

Posted by: the gray dog

Russ,

Another pearl. Your prose shines as brightly as your verse. Thank you.

Posted by: the gray dog | Feb 21, 2008 1:52:48 PM

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