G.I. JOBS VIRTUAL CAREER EXPO   I   JUNE 29TH

This is the True Origin of the Marine Recon Paddle

two marines in dress uniform holding a recon paddle
[adrotate group="2"]
[adrotate group="3"]

So, you just became friends with a Recon veteran and he’s got a decorated wooden paddle on his wall. What the f*ck is that all about? Well, it’s a tradition. Simple as that. But there’s history behind that tradition and, if you really want to really wow your new Recon Marine friend, you can throw this little tidbit out there.

In fact, there’s a good chance they don’t even know the true story behind it.

The Viking misconception

A lot of people believe Recon inherited the paddle tradition from Vikings. While there certainly are similarities between these seafaring badasses of old and today’s Marines, the paddle is not one of those traditions.

The paddle is a little more of a contemporary tradition. It got its start with the Marine Raiders of WWII.

Much like Recon, everyone wants to be a viking until it’s time to do viking sh*t.

(Painting by Frank Dicksee)

The Raider origin

According to legend, modern Recon Marines can trace their military family tree back to the Raiders of the Pacific, who had military-issued paddles because, well, clandestine means f*ck your boat motor, you got good, ol’ fashioned manpower.

Like all most issued gear, these paddles had to be returned prior to parting ways with the unit. Thing is, after spending so much time with these paddles, they started to feel more like yours than the government’s. So, boat-mates would break into supply lockers and steal the paddles back for their “true” owners.

Obviously, no one actually stole it. Who would steal government property?

(U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Decorating

Upon successfully stealing your paddle back, your boatmates would decorate that sh*t and give it to you before you left as a going-away present. Today, even non-Recon Marines are gifted paddles, but the tradition started out with the Raiders.

Would you like to know more? Watch the video below for the full story, as told by Brad “Ice Man” Colbert (of Generation Kill fame). Of course, there’s some explicit language in there, so be aware.

This article originally appeared on We Are The Mighty

More From We Are The Mighty

Three Reasons Why ‘Generation Kill” Feels So Authentic
Force Recon Marines Use This Risky Tactic To Sneak Behind Enemy Lines
8 Famous People Who Served on D-Day
6 More Comis Book Creators Who Served Their Country

Follow We Are The Mighty on Twitter

 

READ NEXT: FAMOUS ACTORS WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY

READ NEXT: 5 THINGS YOU LEARN FROM BAND OF BROTHERS

READ NEXT: 5 OF THE MOST ACCURATE MILITARY REPRESENTATIONS ON SCREEN

 

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
[adrotate group="4"]
[adrotate group="5"]
register-login

Easy Access Account

Save your favorite information and recieve the latest on jobs, education, and franchise oppertunities. Just enter your email address for initiall registration and subsequent logins


register-login

Easy Access Account

Save your favorite information and recieve the latest on jobs, education, and franchise oppertunities. Just enter your email address for initiall registration and subsequent logins


register-login

Easy Access Account

Save your favorite information and recieve the latest on jobs, education, and franchise oppertunities. Just enter your email address for initiall registration and subsequent logins


Learn practical skills to achieve your goals.

Identify the companies, schools, and franchise opportunities that fit your goals

Discover the range of possibilities for your future.