The Gunny speaks

Military Times recently interviewed R. Lee Ermey, combat veteran of Vietnam and Drill Instructor extraordinaire, on important subjects such as Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, rules of engagement, tattoos, and stationary. A couple of excerpts (emphasis mine):

Q. What are your thoughts on the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and recent efforts to end the ban on open service by gays and lesbians?

A. I don’t have a problem with “don’t ask, don’t tell.” It works. Now all of a sudden, this illustrious leader of America decided he wants to put openly gay people in the military. But where are they going to live and take showers, and which bathrooms are they going to use?

I liken it to putting me in the woman Marine barracks. I would have a great time, but I don’t think they would like it very much.

If I’m taking a shower in an open shower bay, the last thing I want is some guy looking at me having sexual fantasies.

I think everybody in this country should have equal rights, but I don’t think we should infringe on someone else’s to give another person more.

Funny, the founding fathers had the same thing in mind when writing the Constitution.

Q. You served in Vietnam. What do you think about the rules of engagement today in Afghanistan?

A. We lost Vietnam because a bunch of people in Congress who had never been in the military or never experienced war were calling the shots.

In Vietnam, we couldn’t fire our rifles unless we were fired upon. That seems like chicken s— because you might not get your turn.

Under this administration, after a firefight, it seems like we just about have to put up yellow tape, conduct forensics and collect shell casings like a crime scene.

It’s gotten to the point where a young man is afraid to shoot his rifle in self-defense because he might be brought up on murder charges. I think we should be above that. We should have amnesty. Higher-ups in Washington have amnesty. How about the poor warrior in the field just trying to do his job?