You, MOP Roy, my friend, are one salty mofo, and I thank you for that. So, you don't have to answer this in specifics, but are you a Battalion Commander or XO? I remember running into the crustiest, leatheriest, saltiest Marine walking the planet at the time - I was at Camp Schwab on the Rock, my bud was in from 3rd Tracks and we were hanging out on the cat walk at the barracks. There's a grungy old guy (I was 20, so everybody was old) wearing woodlands in the Oki heat, smoking Pal Mals or lucky's at the end of the walk. I forget the exact command, but he was a LTCOL Bn Cmdr - and holy $shit was he intimidating, you know the kind, when your brain just goes blank when they glance your way, and you just pop to attention out of fear. Just hanging over the handrail, looking around. I was enlisted, my view is this, it really takes an extraordinary individual to run these units, at all levels. I just don't want to see it lowered to a level that results in mediocrity, to a level somebody like myself could take a try (not that I am a poor leader or person, but after the fact, I honestly can say I would not have matched those in charge). You, you have a damn tough job, and I know that the fitness tests, qualifications, training, continued development, cutting scores etc (or whatever Officers have). all add up and require the best to advance.
Again, thanks-