PJs - video

[Heliport]

If you ignore the presenter's rather melodramatic style and hype, it's not a bad video.

Link

It's about 5 minutes long so best to save before playing unless you're on broadband.

[happyhamster]

you're not wrong about that presenter !

[NickLappos]

We Americans grew that idiot (R. Lee Ermey) so that US Marines would have a role model. I guess serial killer John Wayne Gacy was already on another assignment.

Note the difference between Ermey's bravado and the professional attitude of the REAL heros who are interviewed!

I have worked with those PJ's and they are great. Not mentioned is the tatoo on their butts, a small "Jolly Green Giant." All USAF rescue helos have the call sign "Jolly" based on Vietnam lingo. USAF fighter pilots started using the name when the vegatable company ran an advert where the Jolly Green Giant picked up his little buddy. The USAF S-61 (HH-3C) was the original Jolly Green Giant.

It is so much a part of the culture, about half the hits on yahoo images for Jolly Green Giant get USAF rescue aircraft and patches!

[Pilot135pd]

He also did a great job in the movie FULL METAL JACKET !!!

[speeddial]

The best in the world, no one comes close, enough said.

[havoc]

PJs

The video does not do their dedication justice.

Nick, hopefully you never needed this PJs service:

http://www.afa.org/magazine/valor/0389valor.asp

I met Duane at KI Sawyer AFB, you could tell he seemed out of his element not being a PJ. I think he passed away from another heart attack.

[SASless]

Guys,

Ermey was a Marine....somehow that seems a bit funny when you say it that way. If you watch Mail Call a few times, you will see his program is actually pretty good. He brings up all sorts of topics and gets to visit places and do things that are a real giggle.

He has been flying with the Thunderbirds, parachute jumped with the Golden Knights, and other things.

His comedy bit about doing in water melons with everything from bayonets to Civil War cannon can be a real laugh.

Maybe he is just a bit too tongue in cheek for foreign viewers.

Lighten up Nick....he is just a former Marine turned Hollywood actor trying to make a living....and seems to be having a good time doing so.



Mini biography


A talented character actor known for his military roles, R. Lee Ermey was in the US Marine Corps for 11 years. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and his service included 1-1/2 tours in Vietnam. After injuries forced him to retire from the Corps, he moved to the Phillipines, enrolling in the University of Manila, where he studied Criminology and Drama.

He appeared in several Filipino films before being cast as a helicopter pilot in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now (1979). Due to his Vietnam experiences, Coppola also utilized him as a technical adviser. He got a featured role in Sidney J. Furie's The Boys in Company C (1978), playing a drill instructor. Ermey worked with Furie again in Purple Hearts (1984). However, his most famous (or infamous) role came as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (1987), for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe. He did win the best supporting actor award from The Boston Society of Film Critics. Since then he has appeared in numerous character roles in such films as Leaving Las Vegas (1995), Se7en (1995) and Dead Man Walking (1995). Ermey, however, prefers comedy to drama, and has a comedic role in Saving Silverman (2001). Ronald Lee Ermey continues to be one of the best character actors in the business, and you can bet that when his name appears in a movie's credits, he is going to be top notch in his role.


Actor - filmography
(In Production) (2000s) (1990s) (1980s) (1970s)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006) (filming) .... Sheriff Hoyt
Cat Tale (2006) (filming) (voice) .... General Puddles


Man of the House (2005/I) .... Captain Nichols
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) .... Sheriff Hoyt
Willard (2003) .... Mr. Martin
A.K.A. Birdseye (2002) .... Sheriff Gathers
... aka Birdseye (USA)
Frank McKlusky, C.I. (2002) (V) (uncredited) .... Jockey Master
The Salton Sea (2002) .... Verne Plummer
Run Ronnie Run (2002) .... Lead Kidnapper
Y.M.I. (2002) .... John
On the Borderline (2001) .... Capt. Elias
Taking Sides (2001) .... General Wallace
... aka Fall Furtwδngler, Der (Austria)
... aka Taking Sides - Der Fall Furtwδngler (Germany)
... aka Taking sides - Le cas Furtwδngler (France)
Scenes of the Crime (2001) .... Mr. Parker
Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 (2001) .... President Richard Benson
... aka Megiddo (USA: short title)
Real War (2001) (VG) (voice)
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2001) (VG) (voice) .... General Barnaky
Recess: School's Out (2001) (voice) .... Colonel O'Malley
Saving Silverman (2001) .... Coach Norton
... aka Evil Woman (Australia) (Europe: English title) (UK) (USA: working title)
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex (2001) (VG) (voice) (as R. Lee Ermy) .... Wa-Wa - The Water Elemental
Jericho (2000) .... Marshall
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins (2000) (V) (voice) .... Sarge
Skipped Parts (2000) .... Caspar Callahan
... aka The Wonder of Sex (UK)
The Chaos Factor (2000) .... Col. Ben Wilder


Toy Story 2 (1999) (voice) .... Army Sarge
The Apartment Complex (1999) (TV) .... Frank Stanton
"Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot" (1999) TV Series (voice) .... General Thorton
Avalanche (1999) .... Gary
... aka Escape From Alaska (USA: video title)
Life (1999) .... Older Sheriff Pike
You Know My Name (1999) (TV) .... Nix
... aka Bill Tilghman
Toy Story 2 (1999/II) (VG) .... Sergeant
The Sender (1998) .... Colonel Rosewater
Gunshy (1998) .... Jerry
Switchback (1997) .... Sheriff Buck Olmstead
"Cracker" (1997) TV Series .... Lieutenant Fry
... aka Fitz (UK)
Rough Riders (1997) (TV) .... Secretary of State John Hay
Weapons of Mass Distraction (1997) (TV) .... Billy Paxton
Dead Men Can't Dance (1997) .... Sen. Pullman T. Fowler
Prefontaine (1997) .... Bill Bowerman
Savate (1997) (uncredited) .... Benedict
... aka The Fighter
The Frighteners (1996/I) .... Sgt. Hiles
... aka Frighteners (UK)
... aka Robert Zemeckis Presents: The Frighteners (USA: complete title)
Soul of the Game (1996) (TV) .... Wilkie
... aka Field of Honour (UK)
Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back (1996) (uncredited) .... Preacher Brian
Dead Man Walking (1995) .... Clyde Percy
Under the Hula Moon (1995) .... Lt. Col. J. P. McIntire
Toy Story (1995) (voice) .... Sergeant
Se7en (1995) .... Police Captain
Leaving Las Vegas (1995) .... Conventioneer
... aka Leaving Las Vegas (France)
Murder in the First (1995) .... Judge Clawson
... aka Meurtre ΰ Alcatraz (France)
Chain of Command (1994) .... Benjamin Brewster
Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994) (uncredited) .... Mess Hall Guard
Rise and Walk: The Dennis Byrd Story (1994) (TV) (uncredited) .... Mr. Byrd
On Deadly Ground (1994) .... Stone
French Silk (1994) (TV) .... Chief Crowder
Kidnapped (1994)
Love Is a Gun (1994) .... Frank Deacon
Body Snatchers (1993) .... General Platt
Sommersby (1993) .... Dick Mead
Hexed (1993) .... Det. Ferguson
... aka All Shook Up (UK: video title)
Double Switch (1993) (VG) .... Lyle (the handyman)
True Identity (1991) (uncredited) .... Houston's Boss
Toy Soldiers (1991) .... General Kramer
Kid (1991/I) .... Luke
... aka Back for Revenge
83 Hours 'Til Dawn (1990) (TV) .... Glen Fairling
I'm Dangerous Tonight (1990) (TV) .... Lt. Ackman
The Take (1990) (TV) .... Weller
The Rift (1990) .... Capt. Phillips
... aka Endless Descent (USA: video box title)
... aka Grieta, La (Spain)
The Terror Within II (1990) .... Von Demming
... aka The Terror Within 2 (USA: video box title)


Fletch Lives (1989) .... Jimmy Lee Farnsworth
The Siege of Firebase Gloria (1989) .... Sgt. Maj. Bill Hafner/Narrator
Demonstone (1989) .... Col. Joe Haines
... aka Deathstone (UK)
Mississippi Burning (1988) .... Mayor Tilman
Full Metal Jacket (1987) (as Lee Ermey) .... Gunnery Sergeant Hartman
... aka Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (USA: poster title)
Purple Hearts (1984) .... Gunny


Apocalypse Now (1979) (uncredited) .... Eagle Thrust Seven Helicopter Pilot
... aka Apocalypse Now Redux (International: English title: longer version)
The Boys in Company C (1978) (as Lee Ermey) .... SSgt. Loyce (Drill Instructor, Co. 163)



Filmography as: Actor, Miscellaneous Crew, Himself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Miscellaneous Crew - filmography
(2000s) (1980s) (1970s)

The Year of the Rat (2003) (V) (special thanks)


The Siege of Firebase Gloria (1989) (additional dialogue) (as R. Lee Ermy)
Full Metal Jacket (1987) (technical advisor) (as Lee Ermey)
... aka Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (USA: poster title)


Apocalypse Now (1979) (military advisor) (uncredited)
... aka Apocalypse Now Redux (International: English title: longer version)



Filmography as: Actor, Miscellaneous Crew, Himself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Himself - filmography

Hollywood Vietnam (2005) (TV) .... Himself
The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) (TV) .... Himself
American Veteran Awards (2004) (TV) .... Himself (Host)
Chainsaw Redux: Making a Massacre (2004) (V) .... Himself/Sheriff Hoyt
The Year of the Rat (2003) (V) .... Himself
"Mail Call" (2002) TV Series .... Host

[Bronx]

Hey SASless,
while your writing, you got anything to say about the PJ's?

[SASless]

It has been said already....wonderful guys....people to be admired and looked up to.

[Talking Radalt]

Disappointed or what?!!!!
When you said "PJs" I was hoping for something more along the lines of:

[Gerhardt]

It's not his civilian resume that has my respect but his military service. And he's a hoot to watch on Mail Call, although he pisses my wife off wasting all the perfectly good melons.

[Wizzard]

"Studied Criminology and Drama" ???

Says it all really

[NickLappos]

PJ's have the small job of going down the string, deep in enemy territory or into a forbidding sea, and handing the penetrator to the victim. When most people would be scrambling to save their skin, PJ's slide off the door sill, and fall into the dark night and 60 foot seas to guide victims to the hoist.

As an example, that PJ from Perfect Storm was never found. I know of another who had to spend the night alone in a raft in 45 foot waves, 700 NM out in the Atlantic, when his helo was bingo on gas and the seas were too rough to pick him up after the rescuees were aboard. At first light his crew was over him, showing the teamwork that these crews are famous for.

I read similar stories of the crewmen in the UK, we are very luck to get to work with such guys!

[Huron Topp]

The best in the world, no one comes close, enough said.

Canuck SARTechs might argue that point...no they wouldn't, they're too modest.

[toolguy]

Being a real fan of Mail Call and R.Lee's show, I'm biased, but he does a lot of fund raising work for service families and donates a lot of time to military family welfare and support causes. Sure, the show is over the top, but he always has gives credit to those in uniform.

PJ's are really very high end on the skill tree, they have to train constantly to keep their edge. I think that in certain cases, they are trying to do too much. It takes about two years to fully train them, and the selection process weeds out so many, that very few actually make it to a squadron. The few that make it are getting burnt out.

In my experience, the Navy and Coast Guard Swimmer is right up there with the PJ for guts and skill. But, I also know a few Army Dustoff medics with the same medical skill and dedication.

Maybe the Air Force should keep the PJ's for the high end work, but multiply the force, with troops shorter skill sets: shooters for securing the LZ, medics to treat the wounded, and swimmers for the water. This way, the PJ's will not get burnt out, keep training for their high end skills.

[Pass-A-Frozo]

Combat SAR?? What's that?!

To expensive for this colony.

[buoy15]

I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with an RAF PEdO who is a PJI - the modest and lovely Sqn Ldr (then), Pete Smout

I discovered he had been awarded the AFC (wow!) but he was reluctant to discuss it

Explanation from his mates (not the London Gazette)

On a trg jump, a student's primary failed to open - his secondary then Roman Candled

Pete saw this and ditched his primary - skydived to grab the student - and pulled his own secondary, some 100ft from the ground, saving both of them

He never shouts about this

Not seen the video either

Love many, Trust a few, Somebody's looking after you!

[Mmmmnice]

Very entertaining and there's no doubt that PJs do a lot of high end work, but they are still subject to the usual human frailties.
I spent a couple of weeks in the company of a PJ taking part in a spot of winter training - I was surprised to see his boots left outside his basha as the temp dropped below zero - I was not surprised to see him spend most of the following morning defrosting them before cramming them on his feet!
but heh, we all get it wrong every now and then. I would also say he was one of the most entertaining guys I have met - hot-dogging on skis - eating tons of snow unintentionally - drinking more than ought to be humanly possible etc etc. Ah the military don't you love it......

[Check 6]

Ermey's Marine Corps awards and decorations

Ermey's Marine Corps awards and decorations are as follows:

Combat Action Ribbon
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star
Drill Instructor Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar
Sharpshooter Badge with Pistol Bar

I do not see how you can compare him with a "draft dodger." He served his country honorably, including in combat.

Back on topic, may God bless the PJ's.

[SASless]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a partial list of actors who suspended their careers to serve in the United States Armed Forces after America was attacked on December 7, 1941 …

Eddie Albert - U.S. Navy … Saw combat on Saipan and Tarawa. Earned the Bronze Star.

Gene Autry – U.S. Army Air Corps … Flew cargo planes in China, Burma and India

Humphrey Bogart – U.S. Navy … Wounded in World War I, he tried to enlist after Pearl Harbor but was turned down because of his age.

Neville Brand - U.S. Army … Wounded in action

Jackie Coogan – U.S. Army Air Corps ... Volunteered for hazardous duty with the 1st Air Commando Group

James Daly – U.S. Army and U.S. Navy

Sammy Davis, Jr. – U.S. Army … Assigned to Special Services Command

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. – U.S. Navy ... Served on a battleship and as a commando raider. Helped to organize the forerunners of today's Navy SEALs.

Henry Fonda - U.S. Navy ... Served aboard a destroyer in the Pacific. Earned a Bronze Star for Valor.

Glenn Ford – U.S. Marine Corps … Earned a number of citations and awards for combat action. After the war, he transferred his commission to the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Clark Gable – U.S. Army Air Corps … Enlisted in 1942 at age 41. Volunteered for combat duty and flew missions over Germany. Earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

Charlton Heston – U.S. Army Air Corps … B-25 gunner; saw action in the Pacific.

William Holden – U.S. Army Air Corps … Served 1942-1945. His brother, a U.S. Navy pilot, was killed in the Pacific in 1944.

Brian Keith – U.S. Marine Corps … Saw combat on Rabal

Werner Klemperer – U.S. Army … Stationed in Hawaii as a Military Policeman, he auditioned for and was accepted into Maurice Evans' Special Services unit.

Nancy Kulp – U.S. Navy … Served as a Navy WAVE

Bert Lancaster – U.S. Army … Served in Tunisia and Italy

Tim McCoy - Served in both World War I and World War II

Ed McMahon – U.S. Marine Corps … Became a fighter pilot in 1944. Recalled to active duty in 1952 for the Korean War and flew 85 combat missions.

Burgess Meredith – U.S. Army Air Corps

Glenn Miller – U.S. Army … Assigned to the Army Specialist Corps. Convinced the Military that he could modernize the Army Band and improve the morale of the troops. Organized the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. His plane disappeared on 15 December 1944 over the English Channel.

Robert Montgomery – U.S. Navy … Enlisted in the British Military before American joined the war and drove ambulances in France until the Dunkirk invasion. When America entered the war, he joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Naval Attachι on British destroyers hunting German U-Boats. He commanded a PT boat and participated in the D-Day invasion aboard a destroyer.

Wayne Morris – U.S. Navy … Flew 57 combat missions in the Pacific. Shot down seven Japanese aircraft, becoming an “Ace”. Credited with assisting the sinking of five Japanese warships.

Lee Powell – U.S. Marine Corps … Saw action at Tarawa and Saipan before being killed in action in the Marianas.

Tyrone Power – U.S. Marine Corps … Enlisted immediately after Pearl Harbor. Flew wounded Marines from Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Gene Raymond - Served in both World War II and Vietnam

Ronald Reagan – U.S. Army Air Corps … Enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1937; commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and was called to active duty in 1942. Because of a hearing loss, he was not allowed to fly, so he was assigned to make training films.

John Russell – U.S. Marine Corps … Wounded at Guadalcanal

Robert Ryan - U.S. Marine Corps … Served with the O.S.S. in Yugoslavia

Rod Serling – U.S. Army … Severely wounded by shrapnel during the invasion of the Philippines

Jimmy Stewart – U.S. Army Air Corps … Flew B-17 and B-24 combat missions, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, France's Croix de Guerre and 7 Battle Stars. His son, 1st Lt. Ronald McLean, was killed in Vietnam in 1969.

Lewis Stone - Served in the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II


A link that discusses John Wayne's World War II service...

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_004.html