USMC & race relations: Chapter 96

I had a “dark-green” platoon sergeant, Sgt C, (When I was a Rifle Platoon Commander.) who had been an enforcer for the mob in Chicago before joining the Marines (something about quitting the mob, he once told me the story) and finding religion.  He was also our Lay Leader and used to lead religious services when no Chaplains were available.  He was a man of God, but was ambivalent about the admonishment to turn the other cheek.  I also had a former pro-football (3-4 string) running back in my platoon, also black.  

I can no longer remember what the issue was that set off the sparks but we were somewhere in the field and everyone was miserable and irritable.  I had ordered running back to do something that he was not keen on, and he started giving me an earful and a couple of his buddies were backing him up.  I immediately went redline-pissed off and told him to shut the puck up and get his a55 moving.  He suggested that my mom had not been married to my dad and that he was not interested in doing the task that I’d just assigned him.

By now we’re nose to nose and this close to throwing down.  The booming voice of Sgt C brought the madness to a halt before an investigation and courts-martial were necessary.  Sgt C told running back that he would beat his a55 as sure as night follows day if he did not follow orders.  Situation diffused.

This story is not about race as far as I am concerned, but it did come to mind for some reason enlight of the 2013 NFL Riley Cooper “scandal.”  Just thought I’d share.  

Going golfing now, deuces.