Sgt Major of Parris Island resigns following altercation with protester

Dear faithful members of Mitchell’s Militia,

This entire story makes me sad: Sergeant Major of Parris Island recruit depot resigns following altercation with protester.

I can remember getting pissed at Staff NCOs when I was in, who were enforcing — at times — ridiculous civilian attire standards even while off base.

But it breaks my heart to know this Sgt Major will soon no longer have a Corps to serve. And having myself gone through the brutal adjustment required to become a civilian, I can assure you that this man is headed for at least two to five years of serious pain and hell. (And honestly, I believe people who serve 20+ years and make a career of it have it even harder making that adjustment.)

Sergeant Major, thank you for your years of incredible service. You may have over-reacted, as even some Marines are saying, but your passion and love for the Corps motivate me to no end. And if that were my base and someone had been doing the same thing right out front of it — especially after I called them at their home the night prior — I would have done the same thing or much worse.

I might be wrong — I frequently am — but I’ll bet you in ten or fifteen years, that former DI feels bad about this entire episode. I understand why he was protesting the trade made by Obama, and I’ll bet he’s still super angry at the Sgt Major, but with about ten years and some distance from the event, I’m betting he’ll wish things had gone down differently.

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

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