Walter Jones (R-NC 3rd) has sponsored an act to change the name and consequential titles of the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. H.R. 24. , S. 504

Before I could write an article on this, I had to ask "why?" I couldn’t seem to find the answer. I know the Marines used to be under the Navy in WWII (ie Carlson’s Makin Island Raiders, 2nd Marine Raider Battalion). So I asked a former Marine (may I please state right at the get go, Once a Marine, always a Marine) and extraordinary educator Ben Harrod. His reply: The Marine Corps is still under the Navy although it is viewed as a separate branch by most. This is an attempt to give them equal measure with the other branches. I would prefer Department of the Marine Corps over Department of the Navy and Marine Corps but I don’t think that will happen. The training for both branches requires the interdependence.

I also asked a Navy Veteran Mike Kiana. His reply, Well, originally, the U.S. Marines were part of the U.S. Navy and branched off on their own, I believe sometime around WW2, or about the same time the U.S. Air Force broke from the U.S. Army( Army/Navy football). Now, as far as I am concerned, Please do!! I have always felt that the active (and in-active) branches of the United States worked for the common good of the people of this nation. We may wear different uniforms, but, I sincerely believe that most veterans I know try their best to up-hold the constitution and try to keep the people of this country safe and that is why I feel that many Veterans in this country are ignored, and eventually lost in a sea of red tape, primarily caused by politicians who are so focused on their own greed and power. they don't know that we exist.

The status of this act as it moves through to becoming a law:
01/06/2009: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
05/04/2010: Considered under suspension of the rules.
05/04/2010: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 24.
05/04/2010: Mr. Heinrich moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
05/04/2010: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
05/04/2010: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
05/05/2010: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

H. R. 24 is an ACT to re-designate the Department of the Navy as the
Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.
The entire wording of it basically is to go through all documents and change “of the Navy” to “of the Navy and Marine Corps.”

It also states that This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the first day of the first month beginning more than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Before you Sailors and Leathernecks start making your political views known, I thought you’d be interested in the man who sponsored this act. Walter Jones is a member of the Armed Services Committee. His website states, “As a member of the Armed Services Committee, he has concentrated on safeguarding the well being of our nation's veterans and our men and women on active duty. His concern for Vietnam-era veterans led him to introduce the War Crimes Act of 1996, which allows prisoners of war, the opportunity to bring their persecutors to justice in U.S. courts. While only three percent of all bills introduced in the 104th Congress ever became law, the President signed Jones' War Crimes Act into law on August 21, 1996.”

Mr. Jones also introduced bill HR 1701 to establish a review board for certain former members of the Armed Forces with post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury.

He has military background as an Army National Guardsman.

The repercussions of HR 24 may not be earth-shattering -- more along the lines of editing FIND of the Navy. REPLACE of the Navy and Marine Corps. But it comes from someone whose political career I believe Veterans may want to watch and support.

Let the Armed Services Committee know where you stand on the H.R. 24 to re-designate the Department of the Navy as the
Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. And don’t forget to let Walter B. Jones (R-NC 3rd) know how you feel about his attempt to initiate this act and others for veterans! Speak to your senators, write your representatives. Email them! It’s still stuck in the committee. Tell your politicians how you feel – one way or the other.

You fought for the freedom of having a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” There’s no such thing as a silent Democracy. Let your voice be heard on this issue!