Gay.

[Jarhead0331]

TOKYO – The Marines have tried curfews, drinking restrictions and plain old jawboning to cut down crime and controversy on Okinawa, a key center of U.S. military power in the Pacific. Now they're handing out reminder cards.

The more than 20,000 Marines stationed in the Pacific region will get wallet-sized cards that promote core values of "honor, courage and commitment," and remind Marines of the battles fought and price paid by earlier generations.

"We are forward-deployed in the region, and we call this place home," says Lieut. General Kenneth Glueck, commander of the Okinawa-based III Marine Expeditionary Force. The card "serves as a constant reminder of our heritage, our traditions and the ideals that have made the corps what it is today."

Glueck went on a speaking tour of bases last year after a series of crimes by U.S. servicemen on Okinawa sparked large-scale protests and led to curfews and restrictions on alcohol consumptions for Marines and other U.S. forces. The Marines' V-22 Osprey also has been the target of protests over noise and safety concerns.

The card includes the names of battles and campaigns fought by Marines in the Asia-Pacific region. It also has a compass rose intended to remind leathernecks to align their values with "True North." No word on whether a GPS is next.

Read more: http://nation.time.com/2013/06/07/marines-get-carded/#ixzz2VXrsWwRg

Yeah...this will be effective.

[undercovergeek]

surely the threat of your Sergeant or Officer kicking you in the teeth for breaking the code should be enough?

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

I dunno about that last line. It kinda reads like tacit permission to act like a drunken jackass in the bars each night.

[Gusington]

From the thread title I thought for sure Azz had snuck back in here.

[Centurion40]

Makes me want to hear more stories of drunk Marines ratfucking Tokyo Disneyland!

[Windigo]

I guess introspective thought is too much to expect in today's western society.... what a waste of a perfectly good Renaissance

[LongBlade]

The Marines have had a PR problem on Okinawa for quite some time.

Most are good men, but once in a while there's a bad apple. Rape and theft I can recall hearing. Not sure about murder, but it's likely at least one has been committed.

Many of the Okinawans want the Marine base there removed, and the bad behavior of a few makes it even easier to get support for that request.

I don't know how you can stop it other than get better at identifying the bad apples. Pre-crime units haven't been created yet (despite the best efforts of the NSA and DHS) but that would probably be the next step.

Giving them a card to carry in the wallet wouldn't be half as effective as making them wear pink ribbons in their hair IMHO.

[Windigo]

The Marines have had a PR problem on Okinawa for quite some time.

Most are good men, but once in a while there's a bad apple. Rape and theft I can recall hearing. Not sure about murder, but it's likely at least one has been committed.

Many of the Okinawans want the Marine base there removed, and the bad behavior of a few makes it even easier to get support for that request.

I don't know how you can stop it other than get better at identifying the bad apples. Pre-crime units haven't been created yet (despite the best efforts of the NSA and DHS) but that would probably be the next step.

Giving them a card to carry in the wallet wouldn't be half as effective as making them wear pink ribbons in their hair IMHO.

Talk about punishing everyone for the sins of the few.

[OJsDad]

Marines have hair?

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

The Marines have had a PR problem on Okinawa for quite some time.

Most are good men, but once in a while there's a bad apple. Rape and theft I can recall hearing. Not sure about murder, but it's likely at least one has been committed.

Many of the Okinawans want the Marine base there removed, and the bad behavior of a few makes it even easier to get support for that request.

I don't know how you can stop it other than get better at identifying the bad apples. Pre-crime units haven't been created yet (despite the best efforts of the NSA and DHS) but that would probably be the next step.

Giving them a card to carry in the wallet wouldn't be half as effective as making them wear pink ribbons in their hair IMHO.

Not just Okinawa.  I know that when I was living in Kanagawa, the Marines were banned from going into Roppongi, a nightclubby area of Tokyo frequented by a lot foreigners (and slutty Japanese girls hoping to meet foreigners).  The Army, Navy, and Air Force were still allowed in but there had been too many incidents involving Marines. 

[Con]

Think this card would have made these marines think twice?

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/06/current-former-marines-caught-up-in-alleged-crime-ring/?hpt=hp_t2

Con

[LongBlade]

Think this card would have made these marines think twice?

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/06/current-former-marines-caught-up-in-alleged-crime-ring/?hpt=hp_t2

Con

No. That's why I'm advocating pink ribbons.

[The Puss]

The USMC should just leave. The minute the locals forget and fail to appreciate the USMC presence is when you withdraw. Have a great time when the PLA turns up on your doorstep and memories of Nanjing surface.   

[LongBlade]

There is that.

And the lack of economic boost. They'll notice when half the shops close because the Marines don't shop there anymore.

[Windigo]

see LB... it all boils down to money