encore
Inspection Time
A Marine Corps lieutenant tasked with conducting a bunk
inspection quickly learns just how stressful such situations
can be — even for the inspecting offi cer.
A
nyone who has served in the
military, regardless of rank, can
recall the stress caused by the
ubiquitous, constant need for inspections
of all kinds — personnel, weapons, ve-
hicles, and so on. But, not everyone under-
stands inspections also can be diffi cult for
the inspecting offi cer.
In 1967, I was a new offi cer and com-
mander of the gun platoon of a 105 mm
howitzer battery. Our CO directed us new
lieutenants to inspect our platoons using
the Marine Corps standards for clothing
and equipment display, also known as
“junk on the bunk.” Everything a Marine
was supposed to possess needed to be
inspected: his M-14 rifl e, packs, canteens,
dress uniforms, utility uniforms, boots,
dress shoes, etcetera. The list went on and The photo showed six, and the regulations
on. Fortunately, the Guidebook for Marines called for six, I thought to myself.
had a photograph of how everything was In my best command voice, so the en-
to be displayed on a Marine’s bunk. tire platoon could hear me, I said very
Tell Your Story
As student offi cers we learned a basic fi rmly, “Marine, where is your sixth set of
■ Submit your service-
rule: Be consistent and thorough, but do skivvies?” A broad smile began to form on
related adventures (or
not attempt to inspect everything in detail this young man’s face.
mishaps) by e-mail to
unless there are obvious mistakes in dress Time stood still, but there was nothing I
encore@moaa.org or by
or appearance that cannot be ignored. So, I could do but nod with a red face while the mail to Encore Editor,
looked over the photograph carefully and Marine happily yelled out, “Lieutenant, I’m
201 N. Washington St.,
made what I thought was a good decision. wearing them!” The entire platoon erupted
Alexandria, VA 22314. All
submissions will be con-
Every Marine is supposed to have six full in laughter. My platoon sergeant bellowed,
sidered for publication.
sets of underwear. They were accessible “At ease” and quieted them down, but I
and easy to count, so I decided that would could still hear a few muffl ed giggles. MO
be the fi rst item I inspected.
In my best military manner I ap-
— Robert C. Douglass is a retired Marine
proached the fi rst Marine, reached down,
Corps Reserve colonel. He is a civil engineer
and carefully counted only fi ve sets of un-
and volunteer track coach in Fremont, Calif.
derwear. There were supposed to be six. For submission information, see page 18.
76 MILITARY OFFICER JULY 2009 ILLUSTRATION: ELWOOD SMITH
JJul_encore.indd Sec1:
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