Origin of the Lance Corporal (USMC)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2024
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I enjoyed being a L/Cpl so much, I decided I would try it twice.
Ah, got punched by the ninja huh? Respect killer :D
Lol
😂
Real Marine!
U win!
Just to demonstrate how hard it is to escape the rank of LCpl, in a bunch of combat MOS's Marines half-jokingly have "Senor Lance Corporals" in leadership positions.
That exists in non-combat MOSs too.
@@coolbreeze2.0-mortemadfasc13 not saying you're wrong but the difference between a POG MOS and let's say an 0311,
POG MOS - gets to do extra paperwork and spreadsheets; gets to tell others that they're doing a job usually meant for a Staff Sergeant or Gunny..
Grunt MOS - take over a fire team or two and assault that building; gets told to do a call for fire or 9-line..
This POG was a tank-commander as a lance once upon a time.
That's because of all the Sergeants and Staff Sergeants getting orders to recruiting duty, Drill Instructor, and to a lesser extent, Corporals going to MSG Duty. There was also sea duty but I understand Marines don't do sea duty.
Where 2nd awards at!? Errrrr
When I was deployed with 3/5 in Afghanistan, a lot of squad leaders in companies were lance coolies because of the broken ass promotion system. Didn't matter if they were not NCO's though - they filled in the billet and got the job done as best as possible. Lots of my friends got out after 4 years in the Marines never getting promoted to Corporal.
I don't blame them. I'm not saying promote just to promote but rank in the Corps just takes too long.
03s are the worst for picking up a CPL
Cutting score is ridiculous
And 1/7 here
You'll did work over there
God Bless
Ergo. Perma Lance, I was a SAW Gunner in the Corps before I got out.
Good friend of mine was promoted to Cpl at separations lol
I WAS IN M 3/5 IN NAM
When I was Lance Corporal stationed at Marine Barracks, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico from 1982-84, Lance Corporals were section leaders, a section consisting of 10 men. When I transferred to the fleet, I was very surprised to learn that L/Cpls had no leadership responsibilities.
Why the fuck are you putting a slash in the rank abbreviation? It’s LCpl dude
Try being a Cpl or Sgt in a G shop. We'd be taking out the trash at the end of the day 😂
I had a few lance corporal squad leaders and they did awesome. Aggressive junior leaders that had the trust of their entire squad.
Typically the oldest and/or the more mature of the group.
Sergeant: *Gives corporal a lance*
Corporal: “What’s this?”
Sergeant: “I thought it be a fun way to tell you you’re being demoted.”
The three best ranks in the Marine Corps: Lance Coconut, Sergeant, and Gunny.
SgtMaj Sutton used to call us Lance Coconuts in Hawaii. Never heard it before or after that man until now.
40 some years ago, I knew it as "Lance Coolie".
@@akallio9000 was still a thing as of 2014 when I got out.
@@akallio9000 still a thing as of today trust me
Lance Cooley.
I made Lance in January '65 in Vietnam when we (3/9) rotated back to the Da Nang airbase. In the 60s it was very hard to make rank. We had PFCs with good records get out as E2s at 4 years, and that was not unusual. Back then Lance was described as a Marine with enough rank to get out of crap details, but not enough rank to have much responsibility.
So basically the best rank to have.
AS AN E-3 IN NAM I WAS A FIRE TEAM LEADER OF 3 PLUS ME. A COUPLE PRIVATES OR PRIVATES FIRST CLASS. THAT WAS 65-66.
COULD HAVE BEEN E-4 THEY SAID IF I RE-ENLISTED.
THAT WAS 1966. BY THEN I'D SAW TO MANY FELLOW MARINES DIE. MY COMPANY HAD TO REORGANIZE
AFTER OPERATION STARLITE OR CHU LAI 8-18-1965.
WE LOST 14 KIA WITH MAYBE 40 WIA.
SEVERAL WERE SENT TO OTHER NAM UNITS.
I WENT TO C-1-1, DA NANG.
THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER STORY.
OOH-RAH
SEMPER FI
@@NAMVETSTARLITE I retired from the Army in 2011. Spent 20 years as a Grunt. Before I went to Iraq in 2004 I read a book called Operation Starlite. That battle was the first triple envelopment using sea, land and air with helicopters. My hats off you guys set the standard.
If you don't mind me asking what regiment were you with?
All those marines that got out after 3 1/2 years as a senior Lance corporal while in the army you can get e4 specialist at 18 months of service with a good pt score, good range qual, and showing signs of becoming a leader.
That’s all you have to do to pick up E4 in the Army? Jesus…
In the Marines you don’t get your rank on time like in the army. You have to earn it and there has to be a space.
@@massmike11 the army is desperate for nco's as retention is low as expected. I was a tanker and I saw many guys get e5 at 2 1/2 years and SSG at 5 years.
@@smokeypuppy417 lol Never happen in the Corps. Usually get Sgt in your second enlistment and SSgt at 10 years or so.
The USAF did away with their E-4 NCOs. I was lucky or unlucky depending on your perspective to be promoted to E-4 one month before the change. There were no boards or tests. Time In Grade and Time In Service was all that was required.
It was a best rank I ever had!! I ended my USMC tour as a Sergeant. But Lance was the most fun
Many moons ago when I was a Lance Bombardier (L/Bdr) I was told the job in the old days of muskets etc.. was to Defence the Gun Crew's with a spear/lance I left as a Sergeant after 14 years although I personally enjoyed being a "full screw" (Bombardier) more. Best rank to be in my mind in the British Army Being a lance Jack was shit to be honest lol...
Bombardier was in fact a rank within the Royal Regiment, there was a time when we had both Corporals and Bombardiers, we also had the "rank" of driver as well, but that was more a mix of appointment and rnak and didn't really take proper shape until much later on. That continued up until the end of WW1, but there were mass changes in the interwar years with the merging of the RFA and the RGA into the RA and the move of Brigades to Regiments
It was about that time terms like Gunner, Lance Bombardier and Bombardier were offically recoginsed as ranks and the structure we know of today came into force.
Also I always found the full screw rank to be our terminal lance, I got mine in under 5 years, then took 10 years to pick up my third due to dead man shoes, then 5 years later I'm BSM, great days
The common saying from my time (70's-80's) was "The first stripe is the hardest to earn and the easiest to lose" Don't know if it still applies today!
The content made on this channel is the finest of anything I have seen on TH-cam.
There is a German idiom "eine Lanze für jemanden brechen" so "breaking a Lance" which means to stand up for someome
Same in Spanish! we have 'Romper una lanza" ir to break a lance used as in 'i have to break a lance for so and so, that tasking was way out of anyone's league!'
and it's more of a 'devils advocate' or defending/justifying an enemy.
'That politician is an ass and his policies suck, but I'll have to break a lance for him, no one expected COVID! so it's not entirely his fault!'
@@Fede_uyz ooh knew way to impress my friends during English class
Thanks!
Also, COVID-19 was totally predictable, countries that began to prepare in advance had lesser mortality rates if am not wrong
looking forward to seeing the British Army ranks and weapons appointments from sections to Bn in the future !!!!!!
I separated as an E-3, Lcpl. Thanks for the video. Very informative.
Thanks for watching!
I'm a Vietnam-Era, Cold War-Era, Gulf War-Era Vet. I've held every rank through Sgt twice. At one point I was the senior LCpl in the Corps with 6 years TIG (a present from HQMC). Soon after received meritorious promotion to Cpl, one year later reenlisted for 6 yrs with promotion to Sergeant and a fat bonus. Spent the normal TIG to Staff Sergeant, later got passed over for GySgt due to ticking off my OIC for refusing to write a charge sheet on one of my men and received a double-signer fitness report. But it was all worth it. It was a wild ride and I'd do it all again. Or, perhaps I will. I sense a reincarnation in the future where I'll be back as a Space Force Marine. Semper Fidelis, Jarheads!
Fair winds and following seas to all.
Back in the late 70s during a 3 year enlistment, I was pretty much a terminal Lcpl with a lot of duties of a Cpl. Eventually I was promoted to Cpl 12 days before my active duty enlistment ended
Make one about the USMC Gunner. That is a very, extremely rare rank
Gunny is not that rare, master gunny on the other hand.
@@massmike11 he's not talking about the rank Gunnery Sgt, "Gunner" or infantry weapons officers is what he's taking about it's not a rank it's a billet
Once again not a rank it's a billet
In 75 , I had a conversation with the last gunner .
It was an arty rank
WO4 with a bomb burst on one side . Called a pineapple
Later the Marines activated the rank again
He was a young private that read the artillery manual .
During a live fire operation, the battery kept missing .
The young private asked the sgt why the aiming sticks were off .
The sgt chewed him out .
The general heard the original question and told the sgt to let the pvt work.
They started hitting the target.
The general forced the sgt and prv to exchange ranks.
I asked how long he was a sgt
He laughed and said until the previous sgt took him behind the tent and kicked his ass .
Back then you had to fight to keep your rank .
I also was given a cleanliness lecture by a sgt major who was a tarrawa survivor .
He caught my plt coming out of the bush after 2 weeks .
We kept our mouths shut and took his lecture
@@ccshzdccshzd6146 Just a small correction to your otherwise excellent post. Marine Gunners (and other warrant officers) are promoted to their rank/MOS and then go to the Warrant Officer Basic Course at TBS.
When I was a LCpl and a "Watch Chief" I referred to myself as the NonNCOIC
Many months as an lance Cooley
I'm late to the party. I was in the Marine Corps as an Avionics tech from January '66 - December '69. Managed to get out as an E5. I never thought much about the unique aspect of the Lance Corporal rank. Thanks for the history lesson.
My old neighbor was a retired Marine Sergeant Major. One day he says to me: " Sir..did I tell you I was an E-10 in the Corp"?
I paused, did some mental calculations and said "SGM...the EM ranks only go to E9"
He smiled and said " I made E2 five times"!
"Senior privates" ah so true. It was a battle of its own to get out as e4.
As a corporal, I can tell you from experience, that a senior lcpl is your best friend, as far as getting things done.
The term broken lance is a bit less neat than the explanation about a weapon broken in combat. A 'lance' was a widespread medieval term for the squad of men based around a mounted, armoured man-at-arms. Naturally how this was actually composed varied widely, but for example it might include the knight himself, his squire, and another more lightly equipped horseman. Sometimes also additional foot troops would be part of the lance.
The broken lance term in Italy referred to soldiers who for whatever reason had become detached from this organising structure. In late medieval/renaissance warfare the traditional feudal organisation of armies was becoming inadequate for various reasons, and soldiers being hired as individuals became more common.
I followed your comment to the wikipedia page, _lances fournies_ , which details a lance as typically consisting of a knight/man-at-arms, a squire, and a page, with maybe 1 to 3 archers attached. It was a cavalry unit of 3 to 6 men. Seems like these lances were then grouped into a squadron of 25 lances with a [Lance] Corporal in charge. I speculate that a Lance Corporal was therefore a cavalry equivalent to an infantry corporal with the "lance" indicating a difference from the regular infantry rank.
_lanze spezzate_ appears to refer to former members of mercenary companies (typically they got into that state because their company lost a battle and disbanded) who were employed directly by Italian city-states. Their "lance", AKA squad, had disbanded, or been broken, hence the name, translated, "broken lance".
Just posting this for the enlightenment of others. The etymology of lance corporal has long been curious to me.
Edit: I did some further digging and now I think both origins might be correct-in a way. _Lanze spezzate_ became the word lancepesade, which was a higher grade of private, but as time went on and duties increased lancepesades became effectively a lower grade of corporal. From this a new rank of lancepesade-corporal was created, thereafter shortened to lance corporal.
Important note: rank and grade don't mean the same thing, with rank being the official/formal term and grade being more informal/temporary.
Never knew such a history about a rank, thanks for this
These videos about the history of military ranks are very interesting and this one about the Lance Corporal is no exception, keep it up Battle Order.
Wow and literally first 🥇! Hope for video about the National Guard units soon.
The salty LCPL taught me how to work hard and how to skate in the same breath when I was a Pvt. In the infantry, they were the smartest during field operations but in garrison they drank to much and we had a blast with them. Semper Fi to the LCPL.
E-3. Lance Corporal.
Best rank in the Marine Corps.
Ha ha
Not.
You are not joking. No NCO responsibilites, but you get to tell boots what to do..
I remember being really excited to be promoted to LCpl to get the crossed rifles. The seasoned or “salty” LCpl have leadership responsibilities. I was with a smaller unit as LCpl and had more responsibilities than I had as Cpl with larger unit. I spent most of my time as LCpl. I was excited to get Cpl for blood strips then Sergeant to be a Sergeant but the best memories were the LCpl days in Okinawa.
Great times there! Semper Fi
I was a LCpl infantry squad leader in the Marines. I had 2 Cpl’s as team leaders in which 1stSgt did not like. I was in this role over the Cpl’s because I had combat experience in Afghanistan. The 2 Cpl’s were in drill known as 8th & I with no combat experience. My final squad ended up being all LCpls including myself as Squad Leader. I was in this role for a year and half before getting out and was never promoted. During war time some of the best combat Marines are the LCpls.
Former Marine here, excellent video! Quick question, what movie did you pull the clip from starting at 1:49? Keep up the good work!
Thanks mate! It's a Spanish film called Alatriste
@@BattleOrder That explains Viggo Mortensen in the clip. He's fluent in Spanish along with several other languages like Danish and took readily to Quenya and Sindarin.
It's a fucking excellent movie. You can pause some scenes and the composition, lighting, etc looks just like the paintings of the era.
I was a corporal once and a lance corporal twice my favorite rank just enough rank to subdue the privates and not enough rank to be responsible for anything Semper Fi 68 to 70
@@1GUNSQUIRREL 😂 Yep!
My first actual rank was LCPL, which was given to me within 12 months of completing my subject 1 CPL course. The subject 1 CPL course was pretty much the very first leadership course that junior ranks would experience in the Australian army. We had a course of about 80 soldiers, both male and female and it was an all corps course. The course was made up or field craft, leadership and discipline as well as drill. In an infantry battalion, the LCPL was used as the left and right markers on Battalion parades, which would guide the companies out on the Battalion parade ground in to formation which consisted of close to 700 soldiers and supporting staff. When a company deployed, the LCPL would be designated 2IC of a section “and the section commanders under study”, their main roll within a rifle section is to command the support team which consisted of the LCPL/GNR1/GNR2 with the LCPL having the M203 grenade launcher which would be used as a mini motor support element. He’s other tasks was to ensure the section had plenty of supplies I.e food,water,ammunition and reported back to the section commander CPL if any supplies was to be ordered in through the supply system.
Remember to lift with your Lance Corporals.
The best line in 1917: “Now f.ck off Lance Corporal.” Lol
Lance corporal. I was a lance cpl twice LOL finally made E 5 before leaving the good old usmc. GREAT program
As an ex British soldier, I can tell you that Lance Jacks normally share command responsibility in a section, as section 2ic and are responsible for about 4 lads. Full screws are the next step up......🇬🇧🇺🇸✌✌
Ah yes Lance Criminal or Lance Coconut. A rank that looks like Mosquito wings are having a sword fight with each other.
It's amazing how many things you're not interested in until someone makes a video about it.
The highest compliment for a content provider if you ask me.
I enlisted in the US Navy in 1961. There was a Marine unit assigned at my first command for security. I remember seeing Marines with two different types of stripes, some had crossed guns and some did not. Then I remember seeing posted a USMC Memo stating that if personnel did not qualify for promotion to the "new ranks" by a certain date the would "revert" to the new (lower) rank with no loss of pay.
At that time a corporal E3 had two stripes and was an NCO, but when the rank reorganization occurred in the early 60s corporals became lance corporals, still an E3, but not an NCO. So instead of two stripes you got one stripe and crossed rifles where a PFC E2 was just one stripe. A full corporal was two stripes with crossed rifles and was an E4. Sergeants became E5s and Staff Sergeants became E6s etc.
"Although many cite this as the beginning of the end for the Marine Lance Corporal, it wasn't truly the end; it just went a little *underground.*"
I saw what you did there.
Is it bad that I immediately saw Sean Bean’s Sharpe the moment I heard “Chosen Men”?
I spent 2 years Active Duty as a L/Cpl in a Comm Plt as a Radio Operator working Tactical Air Contol Party (TACP) did not get my Corporal rank until I went into the Reserves in 1980. Then screwed up and was demoted for a while back to L/Cpl . Left as a Sergeant in 1987. My Dad Retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant when he Retired whom saw Action in WW2, Korea (1950 to Chosin) and
A very interesting bit of history. Good job done.
That said, in both British and Commonwealth army Artillery Corps, the rank of L/Cpl and Cpl do not exist, rather are Lance Bombardier and Bombardier. The bottom rank in the British and Commonwealth Artillery is Gunner (Gnr). Interestingly, its the hardest rank to achieve and the easiest to lose, including in the US armed services.
Cool video! Always wondered about the USMC Lcpl.
I was a Lance Corporal from Oct 1990- May 1993. Best job in the Marine Corps.
I was a LCpl from Mar '88 to Oct '90.
You should do a video about why some in the Army, Marines & Navy used to tilt their caps. I was always told it was the "salt dogs CAR".
When I was stationed in Okinawa during the mid 1990’s and watching the Forced Entertainment, er Far East Network, they had a commercial about the origins of the Lance Criminal that is a tad different. In that version the Lance was a soldier on horse with the big stick, like jousting, and was effectively the same rank as the corporal, who was an infantryman. But when his horse was killed out from under him, he would attach himself to an infantry and become the assistant to the Corporal, thus making him a Lance Corporal.
Please setup an account so we can donate to you and whoever helps you make these videos. Extremely informative
As a former E4, I approve of this video…
*Godfather theme begins to play*
@@hellacoorinna9995
🤣
A fellow mafia man I see
Just found your channel. Excellent video!
Terminal Lance Cooley here! July 1995 - May 1998. I didn't mind. I knew before I enlisted I was just going for the 4 year experience then rejoining the civilian world :)
Corporal is the first rank of non commissioned officers throughout the entire Marine Corps. You don’t have to be in the infantry (0311) to be an NCO
Great video! Question: Could it be possible to have a video in regards Medics (corpsmen?)? Thanks.
My understanding was a "Lance" was a rank occupied by an enlistedman NOT Paid. while a "Breviate" was an Officer occupying a higher rank NOT Paid.
love your work! but seeing how the Marines are a Dept. Of The Navy asset, I'd love to see a video on current Naval officer and enlisted ranks as they are so different from the other services. Keep up the great work and fly Navy!
Marines are a department of the Navy all right, the MEN's DEPARTMENT!
The back bone of the Corps
I don't know, Terminal Lance says Lance Corporals are the asshole of the Corps. Fucked raw in the dark and not a drop of lube in sight.
A euphemism for work horse or beast of burden?
I was a fire team leader as a lance corporal and when they saw that I could do the job, I was promoted to corporal. They waved E-5 in front of me trying to get me to reup but I got out.
I was one of the VERY LAST Corporals (2-Stripe). I believe I made it in early 1959. I was a 3061 / with Ration Platoon, AS&D Battalion, Force Troops, FMF, Camp Lejeune, NC. Pulled Duty NCO / Corporal of The Guard. I may still have the old 2 stripe collar rank. I came back in in February 1961, as a L/Cpl. - Semper Fi to all who wear Marine green, including our Corpsmen. 👍🇺🇸
I hope soon you can do a video on Yugoslavian and post Yugoslavian orders of battle! I'm trying to track down sources myself right now to get a clear picture.
There’s also the unofficial rank of “senior lcpl”, which I enjoyed very much. Basically enjoy the benefits of a cpl without the expectations and responsibilities. It’s a good time.
Lol except I had to borrow corporal chevron to drink at the nco club
Very fascinating video. Although I never served in the military (bad eyesight) I was always a nerd for rank tables and the origins of ranks, rank structures, and the names of ranks, many of which were archaic and no longer applied in our modern era. Thanks for this video!
I'm also a military rank nerd, even when it comes to foreign ranks which do not have counterparts in the United States.
Have you ever heard of these ranks from different nations? Cornet, Senior Lieutenant, Senior Captain, Senior Colonel, Brigadier, Colonel General, among others.
During WW2, the Imperial Japanese Army held two, captain ranks, one more senior than the other.
@@jeffyoung60 Yes, I've heard of most of those ranks. The German rank of Generaloberst is frequently translated into English as "Colonel General" because in German, "Oberst" means colonel. What it actually means is "Highest," like the German ranks of Leutnant and OberLeutnant, which are usually translated as Second and First Lieutenant, but really mean Lieutenant and "higher" Lieutenant. So Generaloberst actually means "Highest General."
Also, "Cornet," which i believe comes from the age of horse cavalry, was a junior officer whose role it was to literally play the cornet (a trumpet-like instrument) which was important in signaling the maneuver that was desired. The rank of "Ensign," which in the USA is only in the US Navy, and is the lowest ranking commissioned officer, was also originally a junior officer whose role it was to have the care and custody of the ship's ensign, or flag(s).
The rank of "Brigadier" is fairly intuitive, meaning "one who commands a brigade." In modern times, a "brigadier" is often considered a very junior form of a general, but in earlier times, he was more like a senior colonel, not afforded the same respect as a full General.
I believe brigadier general came before brigadier. The British and French had the rank of brigadier general, a commander of a infantry brigade back in the 18th century to the 20th century. Around the 1920s, the British Army decided the rank of brigadier general was either superfluous or redundant. A brigade should be commanded by a full colonel and the next higher formation, a division, should be commanded by a major general. The term, regiment, appears to be fluid, and could have been smaller or larger than a brigade, depending on the army and the time period.
The British decided the rank of brigadier general should no longer be a flag officer rank and thus reduced it to, brigadier, which the Brits though was more flexible. A brigadier could command a brigade or a light division.
Many other foreign armies agreed and eliminated the rank of brigadier general. Some armies, like the United States and Israel still maintain the rank of brigadier general. The U.S. Air Force, in particular, is enamored of the rank of brigadier general and frequently uses it.
For the Russians, a brigadier to them would seem more like, 'senior colonel', a rank that was just above full colonel.@@b.santos8804
I remember my LCPL promotion. It opened avenues.
It always bothered me that I was a two-time LCpl. Always wondered why so many of us EAS as E-3. This video helped explain why. Thanks for sharing.
when I joined the New Zealand army in 1979, a LCpl was god ... they were the knower of all knowledge given DIRECTLY to the soldiers. While obviously you interacted with all other ranks, the LCpl was the leader you interacted with the most.
as a former Lance Cpl i was very interested.
Battle Order: The first rank of USMC Lance Corporal in the twentieth century came sometime around 1912 and makes its first appearance in that years uniform regulations. You are correct in that they wore just the single chevron originally (that we currently associate with the PFC rank) but, like the next iteration, the single chevron was also worn only on the right sleeve. At the time, it was also significantly smaller than the 8 inch wide dress chevrons of the other ranks, with the Lance chevron only 3.5 inches wide.
In October 1917, the USMC created the Private First Class rank following the Army's lead. The original insignia for PFC was a pair of crossed rifles.
In August of 1926 the PFC took over the single chevron and Lance Corporal began to wear the Corporal chevron (once again, only on the right side). By the time the 1931 Marine Corps Manual was published, the Lance Corporal rank had been abolished.
It was revived officially in January 1959 in it's current form and has remained unchanged since.
I was an 0311 SL in the MC back in the mid 90s. We trained our sr. Lance Corporals to know the job of the squad leader and jr. Lance Corporals to know the job of team leader. I looked at all of my lances as leaders and they performed like masters of their craft. Semper Fi! 1/6 HARD!
"...it just went a little *underground*."
I see what you did there, and I like it.
I'm a Lance Corporal in the Finnish Border Guard reserve. In our system the rank is known as "ylirajajääkäri" or senior border jaeger.
Took me forever to break lance and get promoted to Cpl. job didn’t change any though.
It took me 21 years to get to SGT But i was on the highest pay grade (group10) as an Aircraft tradesman and as an "All Trades" person (Electrical, Instrument , Radio, Engines and Airframe) I had an "extra" 10 days Annual Leave each year and flight duties pay as well, and Field Allowance when i went bush. So i was doing OK. PS when i went bush, the front seat in the plane next to the pilot was mine, i did not wander through the dirt and mud.
Yep
@@libertyman3729 You're stuck in the same environment, but you get to supervise the work.
I made Lcpl in 13 months and was room commander
In the Army Grades E4 and E5 have the largest concentration of the enlisted force (22 and 20 percent, respectively).
Knew it was British in origin, but not too much else.....great presentation and layout of one of my favorite ranks!!! I got out a sergeant, but enjoyed my time as a "lance coolie" in 2nd Tank Battalion!!!
I wasn't even a senior lance and they tried to stuff into a fireteam leader position. We were short handed due to "Slick Willy" Clinton and the RIF. My platoon sergeant was discussing it with me and some Boots. He turned to me and said, "DiBo, we're going to groom you for leadership." I almost laughed in his face. I knew better. Anyways, years ago, about 1996, I was serving with 3/6 Lima, on deployment to Camp Schwab, Okinawa. I was sitting in the chow hall, eating and watching FEN. They put up a blurb about the lance corporal dating back to medieval times. There was a fighting man called a lancer; rode a horse. It was said that if a lancer lost his horse, he was sent to the infantry until they could get him a new horse. While in the infantry he had the authority of a corporal. Just thought it was interesting. I was Terminal Lance. Semper Fi, Marines!
Proud member of the USMC E-3 Mafia! 85-89
The guy at 5:13 looks like "God dammit Seamus, we don't want them to know we're here!"
Fun fact: the first lance corporal who arrived at Camp Lejeune was subsequently ordered by his platoon sergeant to mop concrete for a whole weekend after having bought a Model T Ford at 25% APR.
My father was a Lance corporal in the Canadian infantry with the British 8th Army in Italy. A LCpl would lead either the gun element ( BREN ) or the rifle element of a section lead by a Cpl, which 3 would make up platoon lead by a Sgt. After a year of fighting in Sicily and Italy, it wasn't uncommon to find platoons lead by Cpls.
I was so proud to have been a Lance Corporal, I was one twice!
Scott in the 2nd royal tank regiment in Libya in the early sixties we had a lance corporal called Jimmy Harris. He was busted so many times I suggested that he put his stripes on whith zippers so that he could take them off easily.
Even at 61 I'd re-up, and this time Mary the Corps to be a Lifer, Oorah Semper Fi , Carry On and Beyond 👍👍👍💥💯💯💯‼️‼️‼️
Great video Thank you
A good Sergeant gives a squared away Lance Corporal a mission, some leeway to exercise some personal initiative, a sector of fire and that LCpl will kick some ass....everybody happy happy happy.....
In Nam E-3s were in charge of heavy equipment /weapons. As E-3 I was placed in charge of a helicopter UH-34. Position named as "Crew Chief". Armor and other heavy vehicles/weapons used the E-3 as entry into operating and responsible for the maintenance of said equipment. What I saw, E 4 was given to the "next man in line" promotion across the grade. Other words same time in. Sgt ( E5) came as a reward for re-enlisting unless there was a need for that rank overseas in country. That's how I saw it 1965-1969 USMC
L/CPL is a utilitarian rank. I could be walking guard or I could be Corporal of the guard. Lance corporals do what privates and PFCs aren't trusted to do, and what corporals don't want to do. Old Seer L/Cpl USMC 58-61.
This was really educational
It's funny how the Navy and Coast Guard are the only branches that kept specialty as part of the rank, going as far as to make it part of the rank insignia even.
The army and the navy grew out of different traditions. If you gather men together for war on the ground, you organize them in the way that's needed to conduct combat ashore. On board ship, a man's primary identity is his job on the ship (Bosun's mate, carpenter's mate, etc) and the ship needs to be sailed regardless.
Understanding this is the first step on the path to enlightenment in understanding rates and ratings.
Lance/Corporal 3 times, finally got it right
I enlisted in '82, was a Field Radio Operator, ranks were "frozen" and it was common to say things like "I'm a Lance with 27 months time in grade" oh and there was no bonus either so you could re-up and stay at that rank for a little while longer lol, I did not.
I left Viet Nam as Sgt. E-5 after 20 months "in country" (Jan '69-Aug '70). Took 9 months to make L/Cpl & I was as proud of earning those "mosquito wings" as anything else I earned in the Marine Corps. However, I did wonder what the origin was, I knew a couple Vets from Korean War era that were Sgt. E-4's. Thanks for enlightenment. ✌
Best rank I had. I was a Sergeant when I was discharged but being a “Lance cookie” was the best. Most fun!
I was in the British Army - the Lance Corporal was the infantry section 2ic. It was the hardest promotion to get and the easiest to loose - your Battalion CO could bust you back to private, whereas a full Corporal needed to be put in front of a Brigadier (Brigade CO).
I was a Lance Corporal in the Infantry for about 8 years before promotion to Corporal, a rank I held for another 12 years before being discharge from the Armed Forces. To be honest, I couldn't command even a LCpl's picket. I have no leadership competency. I served as a M203 Grenadier throughout my service in a Rifle Platoon.
I was a lance fir 3 years. Got promoted 1 month before I went on terminal leave.
Spent 2 years as a Lance coolie. By the time I made Corporal, I had already been Corporal of the guard for several months and we had Corporals that were Sgt's of the guard, then we all got promoted so it worked out.
Just curious why they are showing PFC Insignia, instead of Lance Cpl. Lance Cpl looks like the Army's PFC. And PFC looks like the Army's Private.
Made me smile when you said free war sergeants to captains. That's exactly what happened to my grandfather on Iwo Jima
Wait until you read about the UK Household Other Ranks, they are all Corporals.
Also, what's the film at 2:33?
In the summer of 65 , the Army was considering using the Rank of Lance Corporal, a few were promoted and ranked. By Christmas that year the rank was gone and rank of private reinstated.
Make video about Croatian rifle squad.