DRUMMED OUT OF THE CORPS

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It is no longer authorized to drum some one out of the Marine Corps and has not been for over 75 years.  So how does the Corps emphasize the dishonor of being kicked out?  The following is a true story, which can be attested to by my former Fire Team Leader.

Camp San Mateo on the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base in southern California is pretty much like the rest of the camps on the sprawling reservation between Los Angeles and San Diego, low one story barracks, a mess hall or two, motor-pool and a parade field.

A parade field is where troops assemble for such things as roll call, various inspections that happen with regularity, mounting up for trips into the field to practice warfare and P.T. (Physical Training)

On a particular sunny morning (its always sunny in So Cal), the word was passed down to fall-out in our Class "A" uniforms without weapons.  With much bitching and complaining about what we thought was a surprise inspection we dressed and preceded to go through the pre-inspection routine of Fire Team leaders then Squad leaders and platoon sergeants to make sure we were properly attired and "squared away" for the coming inspection.  Shoes and brass shined, sharp creases in our shirts and trousers and looking like recruiting posters.

As the norm, we waited for the word to fall out onto the parade field and tried to keep Myers squared away.  He could look like he slept in his clothes if we didn't keep an eye on him so we would usually make sure he was ready then stand him in a corner with threats of a severe beating if he moved.  Eventually the 1st Sgt came through the barracks telling everyone to fall out into formation.

The entire company was soon in formation, 1st Platoon, 2nd Platoon, 3rd Platoon and the Weapons Platoon.  Weapons platoon consists of machine guns, rocket launchers known as Bazookas in the Army) and mortars.  All the other platoons are rifle platoons.

We were brought to attention and Roll call commenced.  The Platoon Commanders reported to the Company Commander, "All Present and Accounted For."  The order of Parade Rest was given which is sort of like being at attention but with feet below our shoulders and hands clasped behind our back.  There is no talking at Parade Rest and ones head is kept to the front.

Shortly, a jeep appeared and pulled up in front of our formation.  In it, besides the driver, was a "chaser" (Armed Guard) and a guy dress in civilian clothes.  He looked familiar but I couldn't place him.  The "chaser" got out of the jeep and marched the guy in front of the Captain.   Our Company commander brought us to attention again.  The guy in civvies had a smirk on his face and did some jive moves in front of the Captain while laughing.  The Captain then proceeded to read from the judicial punishment orders for this young mans expulsion from the Marine Corps.

Whatever he had done to warrant a Court Martial must have been more than being AWOL (Absent With Out Leave) or sassy.  He had received a Special Court-Martial or a General Court-Martial because he was being discharged with a Bad Conduct or Dishonorable discharge.  The UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) is considerably more strict than civilian laws and the punishment can range from 6 months to a year confinement to the brig and if the offence is bad enough, life imprisonment at Portsmouth or death.

The law or rules broken must have been read but I cannot recall what they were since we were all astounded and amazed that this was happening.  As the Captain began to finish reading the charges and punishment decreed, we could hear drums being beaten with a slow and measured tempo on the other side of the barracks.  We were given the order to come to attention and the order to "About Face!"

The moment it took to do the action required, I saw the look on the guy's face that was of complete disgrace and shame.  The time that he had spent in the brig with miscreants like himself, had probably tried to maintain some sort of false bravado with each other but being presented in front of the men that he worked with and was relied upon to full-fill his sworn duties was ego deflating and beyond shame.

The drums picked up the tempo somewhat as the newly minted civilian was escorted to the jeep by the chaser and driven away behind our backs.  When the jeep departed the parade field, we were give the command to about face to the front and dismissed.  The drums had ceased and the clear sunny California day had a tinge of darkness about it as we made our way back to the barracks to change out of our uniforms and back into our normal work-a-day utilities.

We heard later that the chaser dropped the guy off at the entrance gate and gave him a parting kick in the ass.