Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin Lepping, an explosive ordnance disposal technician currently deployed to Afghanistan, says former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is "the hottest cougar in the Republican Party." (Left photo by the AP. Right photo by Thomas Brown//Staff)
MARJAH, Afghanistan – When I came to Afghanistan, I expected to find many strange and unusual sights.
A gunnery sergeant with a tattoo of Sarah Palin on his buttocks wasn’t one of them.
So it is, however. Within minutes of meeting Marines who patrol this former Taliban stronghold from the Yellow Schoolhouse, a rundown former Afghan school here, I was asked my opinion about Palin, a hero to many politically conservative Americans. Before I had a chance to answer, however, I was introduced to fun-loving Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin Lepping’s left butt cheek.
Sure enough, there’s a realistic caricature of Palin there, perhaps four inches wide and five inches tall. She’s wearing her trademark glasses and smiling, her hair in a bun.
Lepping is attached to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines.
Lepping, a technician with 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., said he got the tattoo last June while on a routine assignment in Alaska. He and a few colleagues were sent there to clear ordnance from Air Force bombing ranges, and apparently had quite a bit of fun enjoying the nightlife after work each night.
“On the way back, I decided I wanted to get a tattoo that reminded me of Alaska, because we really had a good time,” said Lepping, currently attached to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. “I decided, ‘What could be better than getting a tattoo of the hottest cougar in the Republican Party?’”
Originally from Louisville, Ky., Lepping goes by the nickname “Gus,” a shortened version of his middle name, Gustav. He estimates he has about 30 tattoos, including a full sleeve on his left arm that pays homage to his job in a colorful mural that includes a variety of bombs and EOD lettering.
He’s also known for his quirkiness: Most nights, for example, he takes his bedding outside and falls asleep on the front stoop of the quarters where his fellow Marines live. He also has a tattoo on right butt cheek of the Southern Cross, the constellation of stars on the Australian flag.
“I had a good time in Australia,” he offered with a shrug.
Lepping said he is a fan of Palin’s, and hopes to meet her someday.
“If it was going to be a funny tattoo, I figured it had to be in a funny place,” he said. “I’d say it’s pretty famous in the southern California area.”
127 Comments
This is a shameful display by anyone…let alone a Marine…let alone a GySgt. Tell me would he find it playful and respectful if a LCPl put his face on their butt?? Does he think his CO would find it cute and funny if the GySgt put his face on teh Gunny’s butt?? Highly doubt it!
Want a reminder of Alaska put a Moose on your butt. In my time there I saw alot more moose than any of the Palins. This isn’t about Alaska or memories…this is sadly and simply disrespectful especially considering the location. And I’m not sure why the MarineTimes felt it necessary to promote? It is articles and guys like this that make this 15 yr wounded/disabled former Marine SSGT ashamed. Remember we are to be Always Faithful…period!
Aren’t you special Martin. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt “The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!” We are a different type of animal. And if Palin should be anywhere it should be as close to the tooter as possible. Semper Fi. Give ’em hell in Afganistan boys!!!
By the Way, I’m thinking the Gunny may be in outright violation of or at least flirting in the area of “Offensive Tattoo” as per MarAdmin 029/10 – look it up!
Thanks MarineTimes for pointing out another Marine SNCO who fails to lead as he should – by example. Let’s see a report about what his command does about it as they should. I await your follow-up story.
Do you not have a sense of humor? It’s their body therefore they should be allowed to express themselves in any manner they please. Just because someone doesn’t think the way you do, doesn’t give YOU the right to judge them and tell them whats right from whats wrong. And if you are highly offended by a blog (fyi, blogs exist simply to express interest and thoughts of an individual and these thoughts are protected by the first amendment), you are not obligated to read it.
Good grief. Calm down everyone. I’m sure Sarah herself would laugh.
Hilarious . . . the Marines always make us Soldiers laugh . . . thanks for lifting morale a bit, Lepping.
Dan,
Wow….you’ve really outdone yourself this time.
Stay safe; find more news of the weird.
I’m sure the governor is honored to go into battle with our Marines, even if it’s only as a tattoo…and I’m sure she’d get a chuckle out of this!
Watch your six and come home safe, Gunny.
All I will say is OORAH
lighten up Martin!
lighten up,
MartinFrancisFTFY
I know the Gunny personally, and I can honestly say that he is one of the most genuine people that I know. I do not know anyone that would say a bad word about him. Except for Martin that is. By the way, Martin, you say the Gunny is disrespectful but, I want to know what makes it okay for you to disrespect a fellow Marine? Lepping is serving our country and has for over 10 years. It makes me sad you take the fact he is being patriotic, and turn it around. Shame on you for not having a sense of humor and judging people when you know nothing about them. Miss you Gus! Keep boosting everyone’s morale and fighting for us! I know it’s what your great at! 🙂
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Martin, stop letting your obsession with Palin get in the way og logic.
I would like to point out that Sarah Palin is NOT in his chain of command. And with any luck it will stay that way.
Just because most of the mouth-breathing birthers and tea-partiers worship this dumb lady does not make her a government official. In fact, since she resigned as the governor, she is just like any other sexy librarian.
Sorry you got your panties in a twist, but it is really none of your concern.
if he is going to put his ass on the line………then he can put sarah palin’s tatoo on his ass as far as i’m concerend.
well said Dean.
It’s a perfect place for $arah, right next to another asshole.
Why not with the caption, “Drill baby drill!”?
Palin we all know is very stupid, will like her face being on an Ass!
Thanks guys (and gals) for proving my point. You may agree because you find it humorous and because it just so happens to be Sarah Palin, but is that the right reason to agree or allow this action? Would it be honoring to put the American Flag or the Marine Corps emblem on his butt cheek? How about if he put a picture of your mother on his butt? Would that be funny or acceptable then? Mom’s face would probably not apprecaite being located on someone’s butt. How do you think Palin’s kids feel when one of their school friends jokes about their mom’s face being on my guys butt? Really cute…really honoring! Is this the Marine way?
For the record, I would be this “uptight” if it was anyone else whether I liked them or not. I didn’t attack the Gunny or his politics other than to say this puts Marines in a bad light and this is not a behavior that brings honor to the SNCO Corps or the Marine Corps as a whole. It has made a Marine, a GySgt the brunt of jokes and makes a mockery of the idea of Marine discipline. We military members are to be above politics because we are to follow the legal orders of our leaders whether they are liberal or conservative – liked or hated. But those that dislike Palin or her message uses this Marine to further attack her and paints the military as immature and nothing but a joke. If a LCPl or even a Sgt did something like this over a drunken weekend maybe that’s one thing, but a Gunny who then brags about it to where a personal choice of his is splashed across the internet…this hurts his credibility and dishonors we Marines by extension.
Once a Marine, Always a Marine is what we are taught from the beginning so I’m saddened by your attacks against me for sharing my opinion [oddly one already pointed out that opinions are protected as free speech]. Whether you and I agree…this goes beyond the GySgt (nice guy or otherwise) and his politics to become a representation of all Marines.
Being a combat veteran (in Kuwait, Somalia, Kosovo, & Iraq)myself, I apologize if I seemed to not care about the Gunny’s safety nor appreciated his service to our country. Thanks Gunny and please be vigilant especially in your line of work. It is your honorable duty and continued faithfulness that should be the topic of conversation…not your tattoos or their location. Semper Fi!
Palin is beautiful, bad tatoo…his butt is broken out, bad condition…she deserves better…
Greg, do everyone a favor and never vote again.
Comments like yours are proof positive why an IQ test to be able to vote is probably a good idea.
Dean..You said it the best!!! What does it matter where a tattoo is…I have one of Mickey Mouse on my butt check…I wonder if that is disrespectful?
Martin, I still maintain that you are a Palin lover.
You can equate Palin with my mom and the Eagle Globe and Anchor and whatever all you want, but it does not hold up.
She is not in office but is a public figure and can (and in her case SHOULD) be held up to ridicule.
Are you saying that the guy can’t get a tattoo wherever the heck he wants? If he can get away with a full sleeve in the Corps then I am sure a tattoo on his ass is not violating any Marine Corps Orders.
And I am all for it if this Marine is used to mock Palin. Because she deserves it.
Just admit it, you are pissed off because it is Palin. If it was Heidi Montag you would not give a damn. You would not give it a second thought because it probably would not make the news. But your Queen Palin is getting mocked in the news and you are butt sore.
Get off your high horse about disgrace and “bla bla bla the Corps”. As long as he is out there risking his ass to defuse IEDs, the number one source of casualties, I don’t give a damn if he has Chesty Puller down there. He is saving our guys.
Former E5
0844 USMC Arty
Ooh Fricken Rah
Who let this moron in the Marines?
I personally know “Gus” and he’s far from being a moron, if anything, one of the smartest guys in his shop, unique personality and good friend, they wouldn’t promote someone in his field if they didn’t think they were qualified for it, so having a sense of humor has nothing to do with his performance as a marine.
Sarah Palin has every right to be where she is… right on someone’s ass for being so stupid.
Everyone in his shop know about the tattoo, including his commander, and guess what… he thinks is fcking hilarious too oh and by the way, he got promoted to Gunny after the tattoo, not before… I wonder why..
Mr. Lepping is putting his ass on the line along with my husband (i love you baby!) and what those guys are doing and dealing with gives them every freaking right to do with their asses whatever they want.
Martin, get back to your nursing home and get that diaper rash checked, maybe that’s why you’re so damn sore.
Gus, you’re awesome!
By the way… I wonder what Martin would do if he came over to one of Gus’ parties… HAHAHAHAHAHA
Any man that serves his country can put whatever he wants on his ass, and you all should thank him for defending you from an enemy that has no sense of humor.
Lighten up, sob sisters.
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Thank you everybody that thinks my tattoo is funny and lifting to morale, hell, thanks to those of you that I offended and don’t like it, Im glad you guys are upset:) And Martin, you sound like a great person, you just need to relax a little bit, put the Marine Corps regulation manual down for a little while, and perhaps get laid, you never know, whatever is stuck up your ass might come out. You are a little too high strung about somebody else’s ass, and quite frankly it worries me a little.
uh sorry martin did i say that your opinion wasn’t protected? I believe not. However, when you asked why the blogger posted this up in the first place, that is why I felt the need to explain that whatever he posts on this blog is protected and therefore you shouldn’t go off on him about how obscene and disrespectful he is. blah blah blah. He has that right to write whatever the hell he wants to and if you don’t like it, then dont read it. But who are YOU to tell him or any marine how they should act? Are you some kind of Marine captain that makes up all the rules and holds every marine to a specific standard? I think not. If you have anything else to say, I suggest you take it up with the wa-wa-wambulance.
P.s. every individual is different and no person in their right mind would judge the marine corp strictly by the actions of ONE marine.
Wow, funny to watch how all these readers get their panties in a bunch because someone “dares” to put a big kissy-lipped Palin on his butt. Hey you Palinistas! whatever happened to constitutionally protected free speech? Sigh, its like the blind leading the blind, except the blind are all hypocrites.
Martin,
It is obvious that you have reached the conclusion that Gus’ tattoo of Sarah is far superior than the one you have acquired.
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Lighten up Yanks – it is only a tattoo. It isn’t as if it is a WMD…..or maybe it is lol.
Interesting that Martin says that “Would it be honoring to put the American Flag or the Marine Corps emblem on his butt cheek?” … hangon a second buddy – he’s got a part of the Australian flag on his butt and that’s OK??? Do you think that it’s OK to offend millions of Australians?
Lucky I’m Aussie and think it’s hillarious! … as long as he leaves his pants on 😉
Love you Gus! Miss you and can’t wait to see you home soon 🙂
Love and miss you Gus! Get home safe!
As for those of you who are judging my cousin, whom you don’t know, you are reading way too much into it. He told you why he got the tattoo. It isn’t political. She happens to be a Republican and is a hot cougar. It isn’t a lack of diserspect and I think after his over 10 years of service, he knows the rules. And I doubt if he frequently broke them that he would be where he is today. He is doing a job that not many people would do, and I love him for it. After his numerous tours to the Middle East, he can do whatever the hell he wants. His tattoo, and things like this blog, keep those guys over there a little more upbeat and remind them that there is time to laugh and relax. So the tattoo is on his ass, if you don’t like it, quit looking at his ass and don’t read this article!
Again, thanks to all of you over there fighting for us! Come home safe!
Which one is the tattoo?
Martin,
i’d hate to see what you are like when it’s raining out, do you bitch and moan as bad as you did here…about someone’s tatoo on their ass….that you will never meet in your life…and has absolutely NO impact on you or sarah palin whatsoever????? only an asshole would get so worked up about this, were you REALLY in the Marines??? GySgt. Lepping is on his 8th combat deployment…and you’re upset about a tatoo he has??? how about thanking him for his continued service and decication to our country and its troops or asking if he or any of his friends need anything over there??? you have your priorities all screwed up…Gus has the responsibility of difusing live ordinance which could potentially hurt or possibly kill not only his fellow Marines, but afghan civilians in their area, yet you are getting a hard on about his tatoo??? it’s good to see you automatically throw out the UCMJ reference and get people’s heads spinning about charges…what a jerkoff you are!!! grow the hell up…..Gus keep up the good work buddy. stay safe. thank you and all your boys for your service….i’ll see you and palin in beantown baby!!!
and if anyone is looking for some great porno material…check out palins new feature film “who’s nailin’ Palin?” Martin i think that porn would be right up your alley…
Martin you’re an idiot…your speech may be “protected” and “free” but no one wants to hear you run your mouth about such bullshit. you may have been in, and you may have been a Marine…but the only one making the Marines look bad on this thread is you. get over it.
I meant lack of respect in my earlier post, not lack of disrespect. And by the way, Martin, I think if you knew Gus, you would know that he would find it totally hilarious if someone put his face on their ass!
I think this hero marine is very handsome and if he ever comes to New Jersey, I would like to have him over for dinner. And I hope he then shows me his tat.
Out of the famous butts out there, I think this one is about the only one that deserves a medal…
Hey Martin. Ever hear of Lee Harvey Oswald?? If you’re so gung ho , what kind of impression of an ex-Marine do you think he left? Get your head out of your rear end and lighten up. Gus, thankfully , couldn’t hold a candle next to that guy when it comes to “disrespecting the ideals of the Corps.
I love you Gus 🙂
OORAH! Gus I hope you are safe and doing well! Maybe you can publish your address so you and your unit can get some fan mail! As for SNO’s Gus is an outstanding EOD Tech and is highly regarded in the career field. I know that he has more Combat V’s for Valor than Martin probably had ribbons. And I am sure that he has prosecuted more IED’s than you ever processed PAR’s or MRE’s Martin. Gysgt. Lepping is an outstanding leader and a true life Friken Dagum Gun Slinger….Thanks for the Moral Booster! Make sure you have your two sccops of OOrah and a dash of maotivation this morning Marines!
What a great story! My son is in Marjah too. I would be honored to be tattooed on his ass. Gus, if you need the face of a Marine’s mom tattooed on your ass or anywhere else, contact me. I’m not saying my face would pretty things up, but it might help chase the fleas away.
Martin, thank you, sincerely, for your service to our country. Freedom of speech is ours thanks to great men like you. I got a letter from my son this week decscribing a Sgt in his platoon he wrote, “Sgt M is one of those guys who can spot every uniform regulation and Marine Corps order, but turns into a crying 3 year old when a bullet comes within 100 meters of him. He also gave a class to all the boots on how to use a 240 machine that consisted of, “It’s easy, rack the bolt twice and shoot.” You’re probably not laughing…”
Martin, I’m laughing now. Bless you.
Way to go Gunny! Get home safe.
Semper FI !!!
I expect Palin would get quite a kick out of this if she hasn’t heard about it already. It’s hard to believe somebody could be such a tight ass to get their knickers in a knot over it. Gus sounds like he loves life and is getting the most out of it. I wish more people were like him.
@martin hmmm i dont think many australians would be offended by “our” southern cross being branded on the ass of a soldier and besides its “Palin’s face” not the stars that are on your flag on that ass.
LMAO!!! Gus I didn’t have an opinion of your tattoo before because it was just a tattoo, but now I love it after seeing how fired up everybody got over it, hilarious!!! It’s funny that they don’t have more important things to worry about. Your comment to Martin cracked me up and I love how everybody came to your defense. You are awesome for who you are as a person and for what you do!!! I can’t wait to see you and Sarah P back here safe and sound!! Miss You!!!!
Hilarious! Good on him – I think Dean said it best. 😛 And if I may say so, as an Australian it doesn’t bother me in the slightest that he has the Southern Cross on his butt, so I don’t see why Palin would be offended either!
Whether you like her or you hate her, it seems like a perfectly appropriate place for her either way…
I can tell you for a fact, (becuase he came to support my shop for the range clearance) that it was out of fun and memories. So feel free to speak on your own behalf and be sure to clarify that it is just your opinion and your opinion doesnt mean squat.
Nice tat. Should’a been positioned a few inches over so the
Palin cartoon mouth would expel what the honorable former
Governer extrudes from her yap on a daily basis. Word.
Gus has been my friend for over 15 years and has got to be one of the most funniest people I know. He was always able to put a smile on my face no matter what. And this proves that he still can! I laughed when I first saw his tattoo and was not surprised one little bit! Anyone who is offended needs to chill out. Especially Martin! Gus deserves respect and if you can’t show him that because of a tattoo then you seriously have issues!!! Gus thank you for being a marine and protecting us. I miss you and love you Gussy!
Well gosh, whodathunkit? I’m flattered, boys.
With nice firm buns like that, I bet he could really make me scream for Jesus. Homina homina homina!
P.S. Where is Marjah, Afghanistan?
Martin, you’re obviously a REMF. Go push some papers.
Love the tattoo 🙂 Glad that you can have something to remember your good times by. Try not to worry about what all of the negative people on here are saying Gus, its your body so just take good care of it. Thank you for protecting our freedom and our country.
Politically speaking, shouldn’t Palin be on the right cheek?
And thank you, Sgt. Lessing, for what you do. Get whatever tatoos make you happy. You can put one of me on whichever body part you like, and I won’t complain.
I don’t know why I feel it necessary to wade back into this conversation. Of course, I’m hurt and offended by your comments towards me and the many personal attacks and ya’ll don’t know me but that is life. Though it is odd that in your comments and insults towards me as you defended the Gunny many accused me of being wrong just because I don’t know the Gunny…strange huh? I appreciated those that know the Gunny and what to defend him…good on you…you’re his friends and should. For those that just came to attack my differing opinion or to turn this into another anti-Palin blog or whatever I’m saddened and disheartened.
I never attacked the Gunny’s abilities, his service, his deployments, or even his sense of humor. I do admit to making assumptions of the Gunny based on the briefest of information but I do know the Corps and the expectations of SNCOs in the Corps. So if you think I have unfairly judged that was not my intent, my intent was that all Marines and especially SNCOs are to above the riffraff of politics and society’s whim. I merely pointed out that stuff like this whether funny or not is what hurts the Corps. It hurts the Corps from the inside out. It breaks down discipline. A Gunny should know that this goes beyond him and his freedoms. We know going into the Corps (or at least into our 2nd enlistment) that we give up certain freedoms to maintain good order and discipline as well as to sustain the image of the Corps. And I voiced my opinion that this action is something that someone can use to hurt the Corps’ image and is something that disrupts the integrity of leadership. I still feel this is true in spite of your comments and insults.
I’m in my 40’s and was medically retired a few years ago from injuries sustained in training for another deployment to Iraq. I have my CAR, 2 Combat V’s, and many other decorations from both peacetime and combat duty, so the comments that imply if your a Combat Vet you can do whatever is a shallow and misguided excuse. Or that I must be a REMF because I expect every Marines’ action to honor what the Marine Corps has stood for for over 234 years shows that either you’re not a Marine and will never get ‘it’ or you place the individual above the Corps and again you don’t get ‘it’. To think that I only draw attention to the Gunny’s tat of Palin and ignore the sleeve or the Southern Cross is both ridiculous and unnecessary. Regarding the sleeve I assumed he had been in long enogh to be grandfathered in with his tat sleeve. Regarding the Southern Cross this is not proper IMO but it is not something that is a ‘hot topic’ in the US and without assuming too much of the blog author it was the Palin tat that got the attention not the Aussie reference.
I don’t know any of you and while I’m sure this will be made to be about Palin or some nasty pogue meddling in a heroes’ business; I would hope that the issue goes back to being how all of our actions reflect on us as Leaders and on all Marines. By the way, I know many mean well but this isn’t about a combat grunt Marine or a peacetime admin Marine…all Marines reflect on all Marines.
Gunny, I hope it wasn’t taken as sarcasm when I wished the you safety and care in combat…I meant it. That goes for all of our military members deployed around the world. Stay safe and get back home soon! Semper Fi!
Hey Gus, Martin probably would think my tat was “disrespectful” too hunh!:)LMAO! Oh wait, I guess that would only apply if I was a Marine. 🙂
Go Marines! I served and we deserved respect !
So what he has a tat of her . Why is this news?
PS I would do her
Thank you everybody for your support, Im glad that I could make a few of you laugh. For those of you that know me you know thats what I do best, bring a smile to peoples face. And Martin, don’t get your panties in a bunch, I’m not mad at you. I have to deal with rule abiding marines like you everyday, so I am used to hearing people run their mouths. I have been bending and breaking the rules since I popped out of my mothers womb and guess what, I don’t change for anybody, not even the USMC. However, I do know when to draw the line, I would never do anything to hurt my unit or the USMC. What I did breaks no rules and as far as I can see from these blogs it has only shed a positive light on the Marine Corps. Besides, everybody knows that EOD guys are crazy, so cut me some slack:) God bless you all;) Especially the “querque” and the lovely ladies that want me for dinner and the ones that want to tattoo my face on them:)
What a moron.
Sarah Palin is either incredibly stupid, incredibly horrible, or both.
It’s pathetic that anyone would find that “hot.” Just pathetic and embarrassing.
Anyone who could support her political ideals is also either incredibly stupid or incredibly horrible. And, FOR SURE, incredibly uninformed and misinformed–add that under the category of “STUPID,” I suppose.
Hoo-boy!! Funniest part is watching the Lefty palin-haters heads explode. She’s inside their heads, and they can’t get her out. If she’s so ‘stupid’ [and I’m not a Palin fan], why do they spend so much time obsessing aver her?
I suspect it’s because “Ol’Stupid Palin” has gotten inside their and Teh Won’s OODA loop and they’re stuck for any rational response.
And my Dad (BARman, Gunny, Carlson’s Raiders) would have laughed his own butt off over this.
You should do a follow-up story in 20 years, by then the tatoo will look like Betty White.
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Gus, great tat. Keep up the great work and don’t worry about negative comments. You have your head on straight and represent our military and country honorably. I am proud of you and all you do for our country. God bless you and see you when you get home.
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Gus, keep that ass safe and you got a big breakfast when you get home. Folks,it took a lot of years for me to learn not to judge people without really knowing them. It is a great trait. May God bless all you Marines.
Gunny, from one EOD tech to another, you are awesome. Thanks for proving once again we’re just a little crazier than regular grunts. Keep your powder dry and come home safe.
Really all of this over a funny tattoo. It doesn’t get in the way of the front sight post. It doesn’t infer gang, hateful or racist themes. I know gus and would stand shoulder to shoulder with him in any fight and in the end that is the true mark. Get over it, get over yourselves. Not the internet tough guy but some of those comments are lame. Oh shout out to the querque that should have been the next tat. Stay safe gus, see you in a few brother.
I’m not a tattoo person myself. However, after seeing first-hand what the EOD techs have to contend with when I was deployed, it’s understandable their sense of humor would be a little warped. I’m convinced Gunny Lepping meant nothing bad by the tat.
Heck-the way the left has come after her on a personal and professional level with the help of the MM media since she was first named as Sen. McCain’s running mate is without precedent in modern history. Just the way her family has/is been under assault would never be tolerated if it involved a liberal of similar stature, and everyone knows it! They have made no bones they are dead serious about stopping at absolutely nothing to keep her from becoming a national political contender now or any time in the future. Something like this is got to be the least of her concerns.
I suggest all her supporters just let the Palin-haters continue to do what they have been the best at-making complete fools of themselves. And Martin-while you probably have a point about the larger issue, I wonder if it’s possible to give the Gunny a pass on this one. I seriously doubt Gov. Palin could give a rat’s ass (no pun intended).
Besides-is this all we can think of to talk about on a Sunday night?
I could give a rat’s ass about Palin.Where the hell is the First Marine Division?? A tat of the Southern Cross is the icon of the First!!!
Gunny Lepping should know better and should be ashamed.
I am appalled,and seriously pissed off!!!
Gunny,You are defaming the Corp!!!
Get your head out of your ass!
Just so everyone knows Gus is great at his job. I am deployed with him right now and seen first hand how good he is. Everyone that thinks poorly of Gus, or that he has done something wrong in his own life, my message to you is…who gives a s–t what you think!!! He is out here saving Marines and thats all I give a crap about. By The Way, Gus, you are a great guy and a great Marine. Don’t ever stop being you.
SSgt Hill USMC/In Combat (Not at my House, judging)
This guy is out fighting for my freedoms, and he can express his own freedom to his opinion without my permission. If you are risking your canvas defusing bombs to save other soldiers, I don’t care what you picked to display on it.
Hey MArtin, post your DD214 up, why dontcha. Nobody cares to read your sob story, wardog – who do you think is reading the Marine Times??? Most of us have been there, done that, you ain’t impressing noone. Keep your medals to yourself, silly goose, or show them around the civvie pool hall for a free beer.
Post up a mug shot, I’m thinkin of getting myself a new tat.
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A tattoo has alot of meaning. this one just took a whole new avenue. I like it, wish i had thought of it. I am a big fan of Samantha Fox, we have gotten to know each other on each deployment. I return to the States soon, and Samantha is getting placed somewhere.. Semper Fi! Gunny
LOL – @ Richard (Dick) Goziyna: Why not with the caption, “Drill baby drill!”?
A full-circle funny on that one! Thanks for the laugh on a day filled with grateful sadness for those who have fought for our rights and freedoms. Like the right to be ignorant and the right to be fine with it. And the freedom to be able to do and say things that are completely divisive. We really are an impressive lot.
I love it, this made my day. Keep on keepin on dude. Love the ink @ one time I wanted G.W Bush on my ass… my wife said no! =
F*&K the whiners! Love the Tat! EOD and Corpsmen are the two most important components of the Marine Corps. If Gus wants to tatoo his butt with a pic of the Pope, who am I or you to judge? If you don’t like it, don’t do it. But quit you’re whining just because you don’t like someone else doing it. Nobody likes a whiner.
Gus,
Maybe you remember a SSGT Tony Wojciechowski? He was 1st EOD 7th ESP also.
I’m no fan of Palin but if the guy wants to put a tattoo of her on his body, go for it! He’s out there willing to risk his life so he oughta be able to. Stay safe and thank you for your service.
Dear Gunny Lepping,I would like to apologize for my previous post regarding the Southern Cross tat.(Actually it was more of a rant )I was in a dark place at that moment.I was remembering my father,who was in the First Division.(Guadalcanal,New Britain,and Peleliu.)I came across this blog and started reading.I really enjoyed the comments,until I read that you had the Southern Cross on your butt.I saw it as disrespectful to the First Div.However, the next day I did not feel right.After some time,plus reading your buddies thoughts,I realized that the tat was just as you had intended.It did not fully represent the First.
So Gunny,I hope you and your buddies can find it in your hearts to forgive an ignorant civvy who loved and respected his father.
Godspeed to you all.
For those that do not know the role of the EOD. i have lost 8 good Marines’ in the past month from IEDs’. it could have been alot more had it not been for Gunny and his crew. Rather than bash on what is right or wrong, maybe you should thank him for taking care of your son’s and daughters and keeping them safe from the IED war. These guys are good at their job. And not for them, i would have had to treat alot more of my guys. 0311 Corpsman Always!!
Who cares? I would rather see what’s on her butt!!!!
I wouldn’t mind if my face was tatted on a cute Marine’s butt!
Gush; Wow; When i first met you here at the Yellow School 7 weeks ago, I knew you were almost as crazy as me but now seeing all the publicity that you’ve drawn, it is apparent that I could never have drawn that much attention no matter how hard I tried…With that said…I think we should be business partners….we could take this to a whole new level….j/k; For those of you that don’t know “Gush”..we call him that here at the yellow school because of the movie “Gone Fishing”. I proud to know you gush….as for the comment from TexasBest…. Im a cute Marine and if you’re a 7 or higher on a scale from 1-10 send me your pic and i’ll Tattoo it….after all, its JUST INK!!!!
And from the Marines’ at Yellow School; Thanks Gus for being so willing to always, daily take care of us when it comes to the things you deal with in your profession…EOD!! The grunts love you guys…thanks again! You save lives and that’s all that matters to me….
PS I hate Pizza
An awful tattoo of an awful woman. Fitting.
Hey Gus – When you get home you better come see me this time. I’m very proud of you in your continued service to our country and thought about you on Memorial Day. Now that I have your e-mail I’ll write to you and can e-mail pictures if you can receive them.
Now about that tattoo….LOL
Take care and know that you are in my prayers Gus. See you soon.
Delaney’s Mom
where are the pics for life at camp Hanson?
You know, I thought that Martin was the worst commentor on this page, until I read the political rant by Dennis T. Thanks, Dennis, for turning a discussion about a tattoo into a political diatribe!
For both you, Dennis, and anyone else who doesn’t care for Ms. Palin or a tattoo caricature of her, I offer these lines, from the movie, Stripes:
Psycho: The name’s Francis Soyer, but everybody calls me Psycho. Any of you guys call me Francis, and I’ll kill you.
Leon: Ooooooh.
Psycho: You just made the list, buddy. And I don’t like nobody touching my stuff. So just keep your meat-hooks off. If I catch any of you guys in my stuff, I’ll kill you. Also, I don’t like nobody touching me. Now, any of you homos touch me, and I’ll kill you.
Sergeant Hulka: Lighten up, Francis.
GUSS! Hey buddy, thanks for everything you and your kind do for us out here at the YELLOW SCHOOL, not on the couch. Just so the rest of you guys know this is the place where bullets fly over our heads on a daily basis. So for all of us putting our lives on the line you and your tattoo of such a lovely lady are a blessing to take our minds off of it. For those who want to judge… F off walk a click in our boots and live our life. With love, the only dude with a beard. Take that rule man!
I had a really demented thought about 5 days after seeing the tattoo… “Drill, Baby, Drill”…. I wonder how many of his Marine buddies thought of that one. Sick, Sick, Sick,,, but Oh So Funny !!
And the good news…. as age and gravity take command, his tattoo will continue to look just like the current Sarah… in 20 years.. 30 years.. etc..
Bapak Bohong — Murphy? Is that you? Ini kawan you, yah? Sila menulis surat kapada ku!
That said, the tattoo is hilarious and Gus, I hope you return safe home with your tattoo undamaged.
I say we all get tattoos on our ass. Gus you may have started a tradition in the EOD field. I love the guys directly to the UCMJ………………What A JOKE, they are the reason why good Marines leave the Corps, and head for the hills. Gus, you keep doing the do brother, and I will drink that case that you owe for this, well more like a keg. See ya back at the flag pole Gustav, and much love.
Keeping it real.
2336
Gus great job. Some people go through life wishing they can make a Difference, you and my other EOD brothers are, by keeping our young grunts safe and getting them home to Mom, Dad and Apple Pie.
Looking at the Post, the Marines still have 10 Percent of the non believers and non hackers, the Certain Person who’s name I wont repeat for his own self gratification and attention ,(You know who you are, you are probably the SNCO that I used to look at when I was in the Marines and said” That guys a piece of work shouldnt be in the Marines”)
Then Gus who I know personally and have Trained with, tilted a few back with, Looked at him and said to myself” Thank God the Marines have Gus and Real EOD Warriors that make the Country proud.
Go Gunny, Cant wait to be at your promotion Formation to Master Sgt.
Blast on Brother be safe and see you soon.
Semper Fi
Steve
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Is Sarah Palin’s husband significantly younger than her? Otherwise, I think Lepping’s assessment should technically be changed from “hottest cougar in the Republican Party” to “hottest GILF”. Because, if we’re going to obsess over trivialities like this, let’s do it right 😛
Gus was my roomate in Hawaii when I was pounding ground 0351 yut yut. One hell of a guy and a ballsy guy to join EOD with all the crap going down. He’s out there making it happen. I applaud him for still keeping his head up after 11 years. Semper Fi Gus. Hope I see you again one day. As I said, drinks on me anytime you’re home.
Oh and Clowns like Martin is why I got out. Probably sucking your thumb at night Pog!
Tattoo isn’t just a picture in the entire body, he is far more of a stunning art. great article, thanks a lots
I was thinking regarding this just this evening…. and voila, I’m reading about it right now on your site. Coincidence or what?
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I read a lot of the posts about My true love Sarah Palin. The Tattoo didn’t do her justice. Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin Lepping why didn’t you put her on your dick, you dick head. I cannot say that I respect this Gunny: if it had been Nancy Pelosi or Hillary Clinton then I would laugh. Oh well we all can’t be Conservatives.
Tattooing has an even richer historical past relationship as far back as the Ming Dynasty.
It’s just a joke. I’m sure Sarah would get a good laugh out of it.
Nice work! It seems appropriate that someone who spends their whole life talking through their ass should be tattooed on one as well.
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I am the grandmother of a Marine Corps helo pilot at Camp Leatherneck. I am so proud of him and found all of this worry about a tattoo amusing. We all need a little humor in life, not a Sarah Palin fan myself. But, (no pun intended) it is his butt and if he is doing his job. Semper Fi
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Semper Fi, Gunny…
Wow…”awful, horrible, stupid…”
Where does the hatred come from? She stands for less government intrusion, drilling our own oil, pro 2nd Amendment, less taxes, and keeping the idiots in government out of our healthcare…and she has the guts to keep charging, despite the opposition. Its not like she is threatening to cut military pay so she can make sure her union buddies keep their benefits…oh, wait, that is somebody else…
This “mouth-breathing, tea-partier” agrees that she would get a kick out of this. Oh, and, yes, I AM a Sarah Palin fan.
As a military brat, and someone who followed this blog through another story, simply out of curiosity, I was surprised at the number of people who took, what to me, was simply a funny, light story about a tattoo in a weird place, and made it into a mean,nasty run on. Those who used the story as an opportunity to bash Sarah Palin (whom I admire) should understand that their vitriol just makes them look as stupid as they say she is. Maybe I am naive, was Gus making a point, other liking Alaska, by putting this tattoo on his butt?
What would people be saying if it was Michele or Barak OBOMA’S image so located? Hmmm…
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Never knew you were a celebrity. Had a blast in 3rd Platoon. See ya around.
That’s one ass tattooed on another ass.
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