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Letters

Column not funny

I am writing in response to Master Sgt. Rob Kruger’s column regarding first sergeants and master sergeants [Back Talk, July 7].

It is unfortunate that Kruger made the decision to pour fuel on the fire of the invented feud between first sergeants and master sergeants. I recently attended the First Sergeant Symposium at Quantico, Va., and one of the main topics discussed was how we can overcome the fighting and build more positive relationships with other senior staff noncommissioned officers within our units.

Several master sergeants attended the symposium, and a panel of master sergeants answered questions from the group and offered advice on how we can build a stronger bond between the ranks. It was evident that the majority wished that everyone would see the first sergeant and master sergeant as equal and that the petty controversy would die.

In the column, there were many instances where it appeared that the master sergeant’s objective was to incite everyone with a military occupational specialty of 8999. I am positive he is proud of himself for his “courage” to write such a piece.

At the end of the day, Kruger did nothing more than professionally embarrass himself, as well as diminish the standing of SNCOs to readers. His piece was full of ignorant stereotypes that would be impossible and meaningless to address in any detail. I would never underestimate the role of the outstanding master sergeants that I have worked with, so it is puzzling why he went to such lengths to trivialize the role of the first sergeant.

It is apparent that the master sergeant’s mind is made up and he has a negative view toward the majority of first sergeants in the Marine Corps. It is unexplainable why he would choose to voice this personal outlook in a publication that is read by Marines of all ranks. It is also evident that his goal was not to bring our ranks together, which is disappointing.

To any master sergeant reading, you are my brother or sister. The first sergeant community knows you are our equal and are fully capable of doing our job at any time. We are all leaders; we simply wear different chevrons and have different responsibilities and roles within our units. I am certain that Master Sgt. Kruger’s ill-advised column does not represent your community, nor your views.

1st Sgt. Steven M. Burkett

Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Commercial flap

The definition of a Marine is anything native or relating to the sea. Marines are amphibious by nature and due to their mission, specialize in operating in aquatic environments. A Marine not being waterproof is sad, and the only thing more tragic is our brothers and sisters in the Navy not being able to survive in the water. Both cases are unacceptable.

For all these reasons, calling the “Leap” commercial racist is ridiculous [“Ad sparks controversy, June 23]. The commercial is based on the true reflections of Staff Sgt. Thomas Hill and the lessons he learned during his Marine Corps career. Water survival training was a catalyst for change in Hill’s life. It taught him that the impossible was possible and to be confident in his own abilities.

Gawker.com instigating racial paranoia should be considered racism on their part for fostering such rhetoric. However, it is unfair for Marines to demand journalistic integrity from a Web site whose expertise is media news and gossip, idle talk or rumors about the personal or private affairs of others.

I wonder, however, how much time Marine Corps Times spent writing their article. As the director for Marine Corps Water Survival School, I’d like to extend the reporter who wrote the article an invitation to visit us and go through Marine water survival training. I challenge him to do some serious reporting instead of something that is suitable for a high school newspaper.

Staff Sgt. Hill, I salute you. Your story is inspiring. “Leap” has captured the essence of what it is to become a Marine. It makes me proud to associate myself with you and our Corps.

Capt. Dustin J. Canestorp

Camp Johnson, N.C.

Beneath the surface

In the June 9 issue, a letter in the Opinion section stated that the memorial photo for Sgt. Merlin German was “tasteless” and that it “hurt morale” [“Tactless tribute?”]. As a personal friend of Sgt. German and his family, I beg to differ.

Sgt. German’s physical condition at the time of his death was not shameful or disgusting; it was who he was. I believe publishing the picture of him post-incident improved the morale of burned soldiers to fight for their lives and to not be ashamed of their appearance after they were injured.

Sgt. German was a beautiful man with a kind heart. He inspired and touched the heart of everyone who met him. His strength, courage and humor will forever be remembered by those of us who were honored to be in the same halls with him at Brooke Army Medical Center. He is an inspiration for anyone who truly knows anything about him.

My husband was burned during a deployment. Since his injury, my husband has had a hard time looking at pictures of himself before he was injured because they depict who he was, not who he is now.

There is nothing wrong with the picture of a burned soldier who has fought and survived. We should be honoring these men and women for the sacrifices they have made for their family and their country. We should not be trying to make them hide behind their old faces just because others do not understand their battles.

Meaghan Leavitt

Fort Campbell, Ky.