H.O.G. Tooth
USMC Hunter Of Gunmen
By: Marshall Bowen
In the exclusive realm of the Marine Corps Scout Snipers the Hunter of Gunmen Tooth, or H.O.G. Tooth, is the most idolized item that one can possess. It is the projectile portion from a .308 caliber round fired from the M40A1 sniper rifle. Before you can be presented with the H.O.G Tooth you must first undergo an intense indoctrination and selection process to join the Scout Sniper Platoon. If you complete the indoctrination and peer review by senior members of the platoon, you are eventually sent to 3 months of Scout Sniper School, one of the most respected and difficult military schools in the world. Upon graduation day, the newly christened member of this elite fraternity is finally presented with the H.O.G Tooth. Few honors are more hard-earned or proudly worn.
I recall my entire life before entering the military as being simple and not having any real commitments. Personally, I had not been tested with any real adversity, nor intimately known anyone else who had. Thus, I had little frame of reference for the degrees of strength and weakness that an individual, including myself, could possess. I was not critical of people, generally lumping everyone into generic categories with few real distinguishing traits. I knew that there were people whom I enjoyed spending time around more than others, and those whom I respected more, but it wasn’t a distinctly drawn judgment in my mind. There was nothing in my life at that point that I had to fully commit to and I’d never had to give everything I had just to accomplish one specific goal. The idea of what such a thing would take, and what it would mean about me or anyone else in that situation was not a part of my state of mind.
I knew I wanted more for myself than just a diploma to hang on a wall in some cubicle, working a dead end job with no real satisfaction. I saw these people every day; living empty lives and half-consciously trying to forget the risks they’d left untaken and the dreams and potentials they’d left unfulfilled. Dead people with bills to pay, jobs to get to and cable television to watch. I wanted to do something that I knew would test my limits both physically and mentally, and I never wanted to be one of those people who spent his or her life wondering what could have been.
On August 5th, 2002 I signed the enlistment papers to join the United States Marine Corps for four years. This is the most life altering decision I have ever made.
After I had completed all the basic requirements needed to join the fleet, also known as the infantry, I was presented with the opportunity to participate in the Scout Sniper Indoctrination. If completed successfully I would belong to one of the most respected military units in the world and eventually be given the chance to attend Scout Sniper School and earn the H.O.G Tooth.
After many months of intense physical training I was finally offered a seat at the school house. During the three month course I was able to witness human beings pushing themselves both mentally and physically to points many would never think possible. It was during this process I began to differentiate people from one another in an unsympathetic, coldly critical way. If we were capable of doing these things, why should we ever accept anything less?
Three months later I completed the course, along with the remaining sixteen individuals from the initial class of forty-two, and was awarded the coveted H.O.G Tooth. Ten days later I deployed again to Iraq, only this time with much more responsibility and knowledge.
During our eight month deployment in the Al-Anbar province near Haditha, Iraq I was faced with adversity and physical and mental exhaustion in combat each minute of every day, along with all my fellow members of the Scout Sniper Platoon.
These moments only solidified my outlook on human beings as a whole. To this day I am extremely discriminating. I know what it is like to be truly tested. I know how few people actually have what it takes to make it through the greatest, most brutal tests in life, and I have developed a good deal of first-hand experience in distinguishing who those people are. I can and do make this ascertainment with people I come across within a matter of seconds.
I still wear my H.O.G Tooth to this day and it is a constant reminder of what I went through to earn and keep it.
The boundaries for what a person can do with their lives, for what an individual is truly capable of, are established entirely within the mind of that person. I saw this repeatedly during my time as a Scout Sniper H.O.G. while I was screening new candidates for the program.
Now, as an instructor for Barefoot Fitness, I see this same effect. At the USMC Sniper School, countless men with the opportunity to do something great with their lives and achieve a coveted goal fell short because something within their minds was lacking. The guys who made it weren't necessarily the physically strongest or most gifted. They just had what it took to push through discomfort and outright anguish in order to get what they wanted.
At Barefoot, I see the same dynamic played out with a different set of people. Nobody who comes here begins with their ideal body. Everyone starts out at a different level to some extent, but a similarity lies in the fact that they all have a goal in mind of what they want to accomplish through their training. The true test lies in the mind. The rate at which individuals reach their goals seldom has much to do with what they start out with. I'll see someone who begins our program completely out of shape; weak, overweight and immobile, but possessing that certain rare level of character that I have learned to distinguish. That person will throw themselves wholeheartedly into the program and I will watch them and know that one day they will wake up and look in the mirror to see exactly the person that they had aimed to become. It is these people whom I delight in working with.
I made the decision that one day I would wear a H.O.G. Tooth. I pushed myself past the breaking point to earn it, and once I did I literally fought to the death to continue to wear it.
Ask yourself: If you were to decide upon an ultimate goal, which category would you fall under? Would you find a way to make it happen, or would you let yourself fall short? Your potential in life is limited only by your own mind. What would be revealed if you were truly tested? Are your goals lofty enough to ever find out? Given the right path, will you be able to move forward towards your goal despite the inevitable stumbles and difficulties, or will you give up, rejoin the mediocre majority and go back to your comfortable rationalizations? Either way, you are in control.
- Marshall
P.S.
Are you a hunter or a military or law enforcement sniper looking for concealment materials? I custom make gun wraps, ghillie blankets and full environment-specific ghillie suits through my website 308ghillies.com and can teach you hard-earned lessons on stalking, stealth and concealment.
Comments for This Entry
Marshall, I couldn't have put it better myself. It's very hard to have sympathy after enduring hardships most won't ever imagine possible. Better yet to a real life human being and not a fictional movie character.
Posted on 09:15PM on November 05, 2008 [permalink]
Thanks for the blog. It allows us to know a little more about you which is refreshing. It is so nice to know that we have such talented instructors, both physically and mentally, encouraging and teaching us what we need to do to reach our goals. Because of what you and Craig have gone through in the military it provides for high expectations which I know I don't want to disappoint. Your high expectations and knowing what you have accomplished is what pushes me.
Posted on 04:25PM on November 08, 2008 [permalink]
Brother Marine and BareFooter, Marshall ~
Thank you for the moto stims! The "Barefoot Fitness" link in Hak's latest blog entry sucked me over.
Up until today, I never thought to think that someone(s) took my experiences and ideas to heart, to make a business of them.
Urrah !!
--erl
btw: My hardest trial happened the summer of my eighteenth year, cross country in the mountains. It was the worst physical test of my life. Marine boot camp was easier, but "harder" in the sense that it went on and on, day after day.
Posted on 08:50AM on December 14, 2008 [permalink]
Is'nt it amazing? Disciplined, strong exercise which pushes your body and mind to the edge and shapes your body, also clears your mind to such an extent that you can actually start judging people better,understanding them better and respond (not react) to them better. What an inspiring post!!
Posted on 11:23PM on December 29, 2008 [permalink]
I've thought it before but now I'm sure after reading this, I want to make sure I'm always pushing myself. So, if you think I can do more or am ever slacking, please call me out. Thanks, Marshall, for all you are doing to help me.
Kelli
Posted on 12:37PM on March 23, 2009 [permalink]
My son passed his INDOC 3 weeks ago he was 2 weeks short of his 18th birthday...as I read the above it sounded like conversations that I have had with him.
OOORAHH!!
Pops
Gysgt 3/3/Delta
Posted on 02:57PM on April 17, 2009 [permalink]
INSPIRATIONAL
Posted on 06:59PM on April 28, 2009 [permalink]
That sounds like an amazing process. I have always been impressed by snipers. A great anime about one is Golgo 13.
Posted on 08:14PM on July 24, 2009 [permalink]
To my surprise I have never come across an accurate description on the trials and tribulations that a Marine faces with every day from the minute He or She steps on those faded yellow foot prints, to the day they shake the hands of their proud and distinguished Commanding Officers. I truly hope that when people read this they do not simply tell themselves that they want to be just like that, but to become the truth that is within themselves. To strive for greatness is not a matter of who you are or how you were raised. It is a matter of mentality. The point at which one chooses to immediately doubt themselves from the get go by asking "I hope I can make it" as oppose to "I am going to make it." Anyone can achieve greatness, but what separates Us Marines from all of you great citizens, is the choice that we continue to carry that which has been so deeply engraved in us, the fact that we are and always will remain, United States Marines, that is why there are no such things as a Former Marine, Once A Marine Always A Marine, you don't need to go through hell to find your limits and surpass them, "even though it helps aha", you just need to believe in yourselves and remind yourselves each day that greatness is not something that only remains in some, but is buried deep within all of us, and that it is up to you and how disciplined you are willing to be, in order to shape that dull edge into the sharp tip of the spear. We are all given the gift of twenty-four hours, three hundred and sixty-five days a year, to choose which what we do, your choices will always determine who you will become, but it is your mentality that decides whether it will be a great journey and one you can be proud of, or one that you will forever spend asking your self those two little words "What If..."
GySgt Camp Pendleton, CA 1st Division
"Suffer Patiently and Patiently Suffer"
Posted on 04:20AM on November 22, 2009 [permalink]
Came across your link when I typed "marine corp HOGs" in google, wanting to know the abbr. before reading a newly purchased book; "HOGs in the Shadows: Combat Stories from Marine Snipers in Iraq". I'm 20 years old and have asperations of joining the USMC because I too ponder how anyone could live a lackluster lifestyle without knowing what they are capable of. I want to push myself in the same way you did in order to find out what real achievement means, not just a shiny sticker on an A+ test. The real reason for my rant... THANK YOU for your insperation. You not only provided me a safe country to live in, but also the motivation to reach a life-long goal. "Discipline" has become a priority to me and my main focus. If you, or any Marine, could possibly give me some more information or answer my questions about the Corp, please e-mail me. I dont want to hear a recruiters hog-wash (no pun intended) just so he can have a signing bonus for unaccurate information. Thanks again...
For now, an aspiring Marine,
~Adam
Posted on 08:42PM on February 07, 2010 [permalink]
WOW Marshall !! I'm so proud of you! and both Chelsie and Zachary look at you as a role model. Thanks for all you have done.. :)
Your Cuz..
Kim, Chelsie, Zachary & Aden
Posted on 10:51PM on February 18, 2010 [permalink]
Awesome blog Marshall! Very inspiring! It encourages us to push harder. It encourages me to personally push harder and take myself to the next level - physically! Thanks!
Posted on 08:46PM on March 03, 2010 [permalink]
Marshall,
Great inspirational stuff. I just received a national ROTC scholarship pretty sic! I plan to push to the limit and go infrantry, maybe Special Forces or Rangers. We'll see. I'm into physical fitness wrestling, running and weight lifting pushing to the limit. I may go pre-med or kinesiology depending on how long I stay in the military so I can have some options. The challenge will be great. I have some questions about a friend of mine who got a NROTC scholarship to U.C. San Diego. All expenses paid and a great stipend. I'll get back to you soon.
Mark
Posted on 11:51AM on August 04, 2010 [permalink]
I graduated fron Scout Sniper school at Camp Pendelton in December of 1986...I was not awarded a HOG TOOTH....was just wondering when the HOGS TOOTH award started ??? Thanks for your help. Semper Fi !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on 08:48AM on September 25, 2010 [permalink]
awsome story. talk about earning your spurs. sheesh.
Posted on 11:57AM on October 12, 2010 [permalink]
Thanks Marshall. I am sixteen years old and will be going into the delayed entry program soon. All my life I have lived for becoming a Marine. Your blog really made me think about what it will take for me to become of the elite few.
Posted on 04:48PM on October 12, 2010 [permalink]
Marshall, this article not only skillfully and beautifully written but exhibits a clear manifestation of what it is like to join the 8541 community. I have to put this out there for you because this will make you sick to your stomach. Back in '06, when I was deployed in Fallujah with 2nd Recon, one of my buddies and fellow snipers passed away. At the memorial ceremony, I placed my HOGs tooth on the pistol grip of the rifle. Our p.o.g first sergeant said that it was unacceptable and that I would have to take it off. To this day I want to strangle that prick with his glow belt. Anyways, I have never taken my HOGs tooth; even when my all my ex g.f.'s have whined about it hitting them in the face I just tighten up the 550 cord. Thanks again for the article. By the way, Stone Bay is the hardest.
Posted on 07:44PM on November 05, 2010 [permalink]
Comments are closed for this post.