Citing a wave of violence and murder in Mexico, the commanding officer of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Pendleton has made the
popular military "R&R" destinations of Tijuana and nearby beaches effectively off-limits for his Marines.
The order by Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland restricts travel into Mexico by the 44,000 members of the unit, many of whom have had multiple tours of duty in
Iraq, Afghanistan and other combat zones under their belts — or are there now.
It's my understanding from previous reports that this restriction is only for enlisted personel. Jeezo....all they want to do is buy a beer after
getting their asses shot off in service to their country. Doesn't seem right.
I'm a little confused. The Navy boys can still come down to TJ (with permissions) but the tough-guy marines are restricted? Isn't the Navy a branch
of the Marines?
" The restrictions don't apply to the more than 75,000 active duty Navy sailors in the area, but they are required to inform their chains of command
if they cross the border."
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
The problem is that Marines go down and get drunk and get in trouble. All it takes is one to make the whole Corps look bad. I remember when overseas
having a local bar banned because some Marine a few years prior got into a huge fight with some sailors. We went there almost weekly and never had an
issue.
Originally posted by Woooosh
I'm a little confused. The Navy boys can still come down to TJ (with permissions) but the tough-guy marines are restricted? Isn't the Navy a branch
of the Marines?
" The restrictions don't apply to the more than 75,000 active duty Navy sailors in the area, but they are required to inform their chains of command
if they cross the border."
I had read in another article that the Marines need written permision from a commanding officer. So while they are not completely restricted. I
wouldn't imagine some officer granting permission for a trip to Revolution Ave.
All well and good. Service people have gone to Tijuana, partied, and raised hell for decades. Occasionally some get into trouble with the local
authorities. But the point missing here is that to restrictive order noted in the article was because of the violence in Tijuana. If I was the local
chamber of commerce, whatever they call it there, I'd be infuriated. It almost looks like our military has taken an active role in tanking the economy
of TJ.
"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen.
The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back
if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt
"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes
"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others
cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn
"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law
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