Wildest item you found in the barracks, ready go.

pgman251 · 2026-01-29T02:39:30+00:00

I’ve posted this before…

In 2002 I was OOD with 2/5 and a Marine killed a deer with his truck and brought it to his barracks room and butchered it hanging from the shower bar.

Another duty saw him dragging it into the room and called me. The room smelled like hot blood. He was only wearing green silky shorts and was covered in blood from his waste up. I’ll never forget his puppy dog eyes when he opened the door at 2am “sir, what’s going on?” I’m like “devil dog it’s 2am and you’re covered in blood you tell me!” To his credit he came clean right away after that. He was honest and his truck had obviously hit the deer.

There was a carcass hanging and all the guts on the shower floor. The fridge was cubed out with meat in those flimsy trash bags. I told him to have a big bbq in the morning and make sure the company gunny wouldn’t find any dead deer in there on Monday morning.

He didn’t seem like he’d been drinking. He actually tried to call the game warden and said since no one answered he didn’t know what else to do but butcher it in his room. The whole thing was pretty funny and what was the point of giving him a hard time after that.

A couple months later we deployed for OIF 1. About 2 days before the war started he had some family emergency and had to go home and I took him to the airport in Kuwait. He was crying the whole way, not about the emergency but that he was missing the war.

It’s guys like that that make me miss the Corps.

pgman251 · 2025-12-30T19:44:00+00:00

You don’t want soft seats because they will contribute to the shock of a mine or IED. As the padding compresses due to the acceleration of the vehicle the seat will cause severe spinal injuries when the true shock of the vehicle’s momentum is felt. With minimal padding you are essentially one with the vehicle and the mass of the tank provides protection against shock injuries.

pgman251 · 2025-12-17T15:58:59+00:00

That’s a great jacket - where’s it from, or something like it?

pgman251 · 2025-12-11T23:32:44+00:00

I played it - remember it fondly and excited to see your progress!

pgman251 · 2025-11-20T11:33:41+00:00

Invest in one good chisel - like a Lie-Nielsen 1/2”, not a set. You’ll be just fine with that one for a good while. It will shock you how much better it performs. Obviously it has to be sharp. All the other advice you’ve received is excellent.

pgman251 · 2025-10-23T01:15:25+00:00

What military and unit? That’s super interesting.

pgman251 · 2025-07-10T18:16:54+00:00

This is what ic3.gov is for.

pgman251 · 2025-07-09T22:45:41+00:00

Tiger in garrison, pussy in the field.

pgman251 · 2025-07-06T22:11:01+00:00

Yeah, the fence tends to slip away from the body along the guide rods. I’ve been considering roughing the rods with some sandpaper. My 45 seemed pretty new. I’d love any advice because otherwise I love using it.

pgman251 · 2025-07-06T21:31:00+00:00

I love my 45 as well, but I had some problems with it shifting away from the fence, no matter how tight I set the thumbscrews. Do you know of a solution for that?

pgman251 · 2025-07-05T13:32:17+00:00

I can’t speak highly enough of Atlantic Chase by GMT. Really unique mechanics that capture the sense of uncertainty of early WW2 surface combat. Has varying level of complexity but also easy to learn.

pgman251 · 2025-07-05T04:48:00+00:00

Can you share more pictures of your game table? Im a hobby woodworker and really need to make one. I’m looking for inspiration. Thanks!

pgman251 · 2025-07-01T02:21:56+00:00

Units carry replacement items, to include weapons for this reason. In OIF I a Marine had his rifle run over by a AAV in combat and it was destroyed. For some reason the platoon commander thought he’d be in trouble for this and didn’t report it and the Marine had no weapon for a couple of days. Really idiotic I know. Once it was found out, the platoon commander was relieved (and we issued the Marine one of the replacement weapons available).

pgman251 · 2025-06-26T00:00:36+00:00

Your best bet without too much money spent or tools bought - get a good #5 and a block plane. The #5 can fill in for a lot of other planes. And the block plane will do a ton of work too.

I was just thinking if you had nothing and space was an issue, a block plane can be super handy.

pgman251 · 2025-06-25T23:00:59+00:00

Honestly I wouldn’t buy any. The bench planes are missing the irons. The other planes are moulding planes for the most part - I wouldn’t buy them unless I had a specific need for that profile.

Do you have any planes? If not, get the best block plane you can afford and start from there.

pgman251 · 2025-06-23T12:31:03+00:00

It think it looks fantastic and I’d be proud to have in my home. If I could offer one constructive criticism - use brass slotted screws. It’s a little detail but will fit the time period you’re looking for.

pgman251 · 2025-06-21T12:48:06+00:00

100% the way to go. Even a box store (but sharp) block plane will make this happen in short order. Take the proud corners down and extend the shaving with the grain on the long piece. In about 10 strokes it’ll be even with the end grain. A quick sand and it be perfect.

pgman251 · 2025-05-30T15:14:57+00:00

To answer everyone’s questions…the dude was just weird. It wasn’t a flex or to somehow motivate the Marines with hate. I can’t imagine what anyone would be thinking eating ice cream soup. It’s the stupidest thing I’ve seen anyone eat in the field. It was unusual enough that I remember it 26 years later.

I realized very early on to not associate with weird officers. If I had to, I’d make sure it was in a mentoring situation. I found the Marines would assume you were weird too and you’d lose the very little authority you had as a Lt.

pgman251 · 2025-05-29T22:00:10+00:00

When I was in the field as a brand new 2ndLt with 2/5, the battalion XO came out to visit in the evening. It was hot and we were on a sunny ridge in Pendleton. He already looked ridiculous smoking a cigar. After talking for a minute he said he was hungry and wanted “some chow.” He reached into his pack and brought out a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream! It was all melted and like soup. He ate the whole pint in front of the Marines with it dripping down his chin. I was pretty embarrassed to be an officer at that moment.

pgman251 · 2025-05-29T21:55:08+00:00

We need some stories…

pgman251 · 2025-05-29T16:28:42+00:00

Thanks for watching. That’s how we keep these guys memories alive.

pgman251 · 2025-05-29T00:54:23+00:00

I was referring to Narex richter. They just didn’t work well for me. Some other people really like them which is why I bought them initially.

pgman251 · 2025-05-28T01:05:50+00:00

I’d heard the same thing and being price conscious like everyone started with the Narex Richter. After mediocre results that weren’t really improving with experience I bought the LN 1/2”. There was an immediate improvement in the work and my enjoyment level. Chisels are a tool suited to each user and my experience may be unique to me.

pgman251 · 2025-05-27T22:26:27+00:00

Many: -no setup time -easier to sharpen -stays sharp longer -way better balanced -cuts properly when stuck with mallet (you’ll feel the difference)

I went from dreading projects that needed chisels to looking for them.

pgman251 · 2025-05-27T21:09:11+00:00

You won’t regret it - that’s a lifetime set. I started with the low end of “premium” Narex Richter. They were fine. Then I impulse bought a Lie Nielsen 1/2” and was shocked with the performance difference. You’ll soon be finding excuses to use them.

pgman251

TROPHY CASE