Comments by "Sar Jim" (@sarjim4381) on "The Drydock - Episode 061" video.

  1. Back in the days where there really were a multiplicity of guns on USN ships. the Marines provided gun crews for at least two 5"/38 mounts and a couple of quad 40mm mounts. They not only provided the crews, they became the experts on repair and and maintenance on their mounts. They'd assist Navy ordinance men at those tasks when asked, and they provided a far bit of training for the FNGs that were assigned to gunnery roles. With far fewer guns on Navy ships now, Marines still man some of the free swinging light weapons like.50 caliber M2 machine gun and 25mm Bushmaster cannons. They are the landing force in being if a small target needs to be attacked and secured, and they provide ship security for nuclear weapons compartments and various top secret areas of the ship. Marines are responsible, along with the Navy Master At Arms, for the overall protection and security of the ship while in port and at sea, with Marine NCOs often acting as the Officer of the Deck. They were generally in charge of the brig, and moving prisoners between the Captain's Mast and place like sick bay. What Marines really practice for is an attack of the ship while it is in port. If the SHTF and the ships is under fire from attackers attempting to seize the vessel, the Marines are the ones that turn out with weapons locked and loaded, ready to fight off the threat or die trying. In between such feats of derring do, Marines also swab the decks and do KP, so it's not all fun and games.
    9
  2.  @lizardb8694  Thanks for that information. I knew Marines were no longer stationed on ships, but they were still deployed, particularly on amphibious ships. That makes sense, since some of the first ground troops to go in are Marines. Some are still regularly deployed on carriers and cruisers in area like the Persian Gulf. The proliferation of light weapons bolted to the decks in WWII fashion while transiting "hot" zones still needed trained artillerymen, and here the Marines have been able to fulfill that role again in the modern Navy.
    2