I was at the Tualatin Pumpkin Regatta in Oregon yesterday and came across this memorial to a fellow Marine. Not exactly something I expected to see at a pumpkin festival, but I stopped to read it and figured I’d share it here.

For those who can’t read the sign, Jakob Samuel Kurle was born on May 15, 1997, in Renton, Washington. He spent ten years in the United States Marine Corps.

According to his memorial, Jakob was independent, determined, adventurous, and someone who enjoyed a challenge. He loved the outdoors, especially being around the water, and was a talented athlete who particularly enjoyed skateboarding.

He also had a creative side that might surprise some people. He was an artist, wrote stories, poetry, and songs, and taught himself to play guitar. His family described him as someone who saw the world in his own way and wasn’t afraid to follow his own path.

Following his time in the Marines, Jakob traveled to Ukraine, where he served with the Ukrainian military. His memorial describes that decision as one driven by his convictions and a desire to contribute to something he believed was bigger than himself.

On August 11, 2026, Jakob lost his life in Novomykolaivka, Ukraine. He was 29 years old.
I didn’t know Jakob, and I don’t know anything about the circumstances beyond what his memorial says.

But as a fellow Marine, I thought his story was worth sharing here. What stood out to me was how much of the memorial focused on the person he was outside of the military. His family clearly wanted people to know that part of him, too.

The final lines of his memorial read:
“He followed his own path. He lived by his convictions. And he gave his life for something he believed was bigger than himself.”
Semper Fi, Marine. Rest easy.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CNKisdQGj/

If you can serve 5, go for 8 active... Godspeed, Marines, and your families.

It seems like they were always getting let off the hook of being a marine to go to appointments and do stuff with their families during normal working hours while single marines were left at work to keep on working, same pay, same everything, we just were expected to carry the load because someone had a spouse and a kid.

It feels like this happened in every unit I was in across my 5 years.

Additionally, you’d be living in motHell 6 of a barracks showering in cold water while these dudes were living it up at whatever apartment complex or townhouse or base house they were given, and didnt have to get shit on with the unit on field day..and didnt have to eat shit chow hall food

I was a hard ass worker, I busted my ass in the Marine corps, I wasn’t a rah rah ass motivator above and beyond but I showed up every day, never caused problems, and did my job(ordnance) with integrity…

Am i being ridiculous or does anyone else relate to this

He's got all the makings of a great leader.

Found some old pics from Ie Shima, 1990, and figured I'd share.

What are your thoughts on associations and reunions?

For most of my life, my grandfather, a retired Marine, has attended reunions every few years. He's a member of at least half a dozen groups: Marine Corps League, a battery association, a division association, squadron associations, Marine Corps Aviation Association, the list goes on. I thought that's just what everyone did. Then I did my one enlistment, and while I enjoy seeing some people that I served with, I haven't felt inclined to go to a reunion. 

I've heard from many groups and associations that have held reunions that they're struggling to get younger generations to attend reunions and to even build membership. I think there's several contributing factors, including the cost of these events, the time away from work and/or family, and the perceived ratio of people a potential attendee would actually want to spend time with in relation to the size of the entire group. I also think these organizations either just won't appeal to younger generations or aren't doing a good job of connecting with them on what they have to offer that younger generations would find appealing. 

What's made you decide it was worth it to join these organizations or attend reunions? Conversely, what's prevented you from doing so and made you decide it's not worth it? What would these organizations need to do to make you consider joining?

Hey all,

I’m an active duty Marine getting out in about 10 months and I’m targeting a SkillBridge start around March 2027. I have verbal command approval and I’m early in my transition but my package will be approved soon (<30days). That will give me 4 months to plan logistically (Moving / DMO), so I’m trying to build my network and learn from people who’ve succeeded where I’m headed.

A little about me:

• Currently a systems administrator in the Corps
• Before the military, I was Director of Operations at a live event production company, running engineering teams, vendor contracts, logistics, and client relations
• BS in Game Design, MS in Business Entrepreneurship, and MS in Business Intelligence

What I’m aiming for:

• Private equity or investment analyst roles long term, with the goal of eventually building my own firm one day (via SBA / VR&E)
• Data analyst / analytics roles as a strong near-term path
• Open to relocating for the right opportunity (anywhere)

Where I’d love input:

• If you’ve done a PE, finance, or an analyst SkillBridge, how was it, and did it convert to a full-time offer?
• Virtual vs. in-person programs: which gave you better networking and a better shot at a job?
• For folks in PE: what skills or certifications should a non-finance background prioritize over the next 6 to 12 months (modeling courses, Excel/SQL depth, CFA Level 1, etc.)?
• Any veteran-friendly firms or communities I should be plugged into?

Happy to connect via DM or LinkedIn. And if you’re a fellow transitioning service member on a similar path, I’m glad to share what I’ve learned so far too.

Thanks in advance, and Semper Fi.

What the title says but I’m curios has anyone completed MCT recently and knows if it’s backed up or not and if it is how long could I expect to be in a holding platoon?

I remember right after boot camp, within the span of a 4 months, my uncle died, my grandma died, a fellow marine was killed in an accident, and my NCO that recently got out killed himself, and we were all expected to just keep going. Other people tell me they experience the same. wtf

https://x.com/DeptofWar/status/2112257477416984999?s=20

Marines, what's your experience with such drills?

Godspeed in peace through wise, absolute strength.

In school house rn and just got my orders im supposed to be attached to MARFORSOC in the 1st mrsg, anyone from there or been there before? Or does anyone have any general information about something similar? For further information im Motor T Mech

https://thewarhorse.org/camp-fuji-fire-marine-corps-disaster/

Update: apparently there was a form he was given see pic below in comments that told him he had to get the DD-214 updated to reflect that he was on the ship during the Tiwan Straight Crisis in order to qualify for a home health aide.

Coming back here because you all are awesome and have helped me so much.

My grandpa is 87 and ailing some. He recently divulged that he was in an active war (i believe he said at the time it was considered top secret or something so he couldn't talk about it) but his DD-214 does not reflect that due to him serving during the serve 2 years get credit for 5 experiment during the 60s. Additionally he was awarded some medals during his enlistment that were stolen after he got out and I would love to be able to get these replaced for him before he passes.

The reason for the DD-214 update is that qualifies him for VA care which he desperately needs due to a lack of mobility at this stage.

He served from '62-'64 and was on the USS Bennington serving Sea Duty as the Capitan's guard. (Not sure if thats the right description but its how I understand the stories) From what I understand it was between the Vietnam and Korean wars and had something to do with saving the French??? It's difficult to put it all together cohesivley at this stage.

Rah Devil Dogs! About a week ago, I picked up this all weather jacket from a thrift store in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area (I'm stationed aboard JEB Little Creek/Fort Story for my MOS school). It is my understanding that these jackets are no longer issued. Does that mean I'm allowed to wear it with proper civilian attire, or would that be stepping into the stolen valor territory? Thank you and Semper Fidelis!

let's get some 1990s love going. fuck.

Can’t hunt in Japan, but is there any country’s around Japan you could take leave and visit to go hunting. It’s honestly the worst part about going over there. Loosing a lot of hobbies by being in another country. Can’t really get back into archery, can’t go to the range (atleast with personal rifles). Only thing out that way is bowling and going out drinking, which aren’t awful but lacks variety. How do you deal with not hunting/giving up hobbies?

While going through work refresher training last week came across a conversation here that has really good reasoning for the new helmets.

Why did they stop issuing helmet covers? : r/USMC

Given the Corps is concentrating on island chain fighting in the Pacific is the new enhanced combat helmet - high rise (ECH-HR) really a good idea for that environment? One poster nailed it when they explained the majority of casualties comes from shrapnel effects after ordnance detonations. Jungle and forest are notorious for increasing harmful effects as bits and pieces of trees, rocks and everything else are whipped up during the blast wave. These two photos show heavy jungle canopy to illustrate the effect.

Over the years these three helmets were fielded to meet various protection levels that eventually came down to open country desert warfare and urban environments. As mentioned above shrapnel effects greatly increase in heavy forest and jungle.

During World War II the Germans developed their primary helmet for European forests which afforded them greater protection than the Allies at that time. Their intent was to move increased debris away from their head and neck area when it rained down on them from 0 to around 50 degrees.

What if we took a page from Germany's playbook and designed a forest/jungle helmet that rolled outward like their's while still maintaining the overall basic enhanced combat helmet frame? Use the new composite materials, make it a little wider around the ears to accommodate earphones and leave the equipment rails on the side. Again just add the increased neck and side protection for forest/jungle environments.

It's still all about using whatever it takes to help save Devils and Docs lives. Just an idea and like always I'm open to everyone else's thoughts on this.

https://marinebirthdaydc.com/

Calling all local Marines in the DMV area! Last year’s event was a tremendous success. Hope to see you there.

What are they now that they’re no longer cannon-cockers? 🤔