Trav's Thoughts

Squared away.  Ship shape.  Good to go.   I've heard these expressions used to describe a good troop who has himself and his gear ordered.  This is a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine who is steady and dependable. 

I've never heard the phrase "good piece of gear".  I like it though.  It is the response a Marine will give you to describe another Marine that he knows and respects. 

Sergeant Dakota Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions as a Corporal in September 2009.  Here is the citation.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a member of Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009. When the forward element of his combat team began to be hit by intense fire from roughly 50 Taliban insurgents dug-in and concealed on the slopes above Ganjgal village, Corporal Meyer mounted a gun-truck, enlisted a fellow Marine to drive, and raced to attack the ambushers and aid the trapped Marines and Afghan soldiers. During a six hour fire fight, Corporal Meyer single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, saved 36 Marines and soldiers and recovered the bodies of his fallen brothers. Four separate times he fought the kilometer up into the heart of a deadly U-shaped ambush. During the fight he killed at least eight Taliban, personally evacuated 12 friendly wounded, and provided cover for another 24 Marines and soldiers to escape likely death at the hands of a numerically superior and determined foe. On his first foray his lone vehicle drew machine gun, mortar, rocket grenade and small arms fire while he rescued five wounded soldiers. His second attack disrupted the enemy’s ambush and he evacuated four more wounded Marines. Switching to another gun-truck because his was too damaged they again sped in for a third time, and as turret gunner killed several Taliban attackers at point blank range and suppressed enemy fire so 24 Marines and soldiers could break-out. Despite being wounded, he made a fourth attack with three others to search for missing team members. Nearly surrounded and under heavy fire he dismounted the vehicle and searched house to house to recover the bodies of his fallen team members. By his extraordinary heroism, presence of mind amidst chaos and death, and unselfish devotion to his comrades in the face of great danger, Corporal Meyer reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Marines don't leave anyone behind if there is anything they can do to prevent it. 

In the words of a Marine 1st Sgt, "If Meyer had never been awarded the Medal of Honor and you were to ask me about him I would have said he was a tough, dependable, solid, leader of Marines and a Kentucky wise ass.  He's a good piece of gear and I would serve with him again in any clime or place."