Correction on Action Packed Dec 2009

[molinski4611]

In your story on John Loomis photos about Marines in training, you did not properly capitalize the word "Marine."

The Army has soldiers, the Air Force has airmen, and the Navy has seamen.

The Marine Corps has Marines. It's a proper noun and title. The editor should check his/her AP Stylebook because last I checked, that's what journalist are taught.

I was a Marine combat photographer from 2001-2005 and I take it personal when we're not given our proper credit.

Thanks,
Sgt. Michael J. Molinski

[clmonk]

Welcome, Sergeant! And thanks for setting them straight! Hoo-Ahhh!

[mudman]

Thanks for the heads up Sgt. Molinkski, and Thank you for serving our country.

[Miriam]

I'm sorry that it seemed as if we weren't giving the Marine Corps the respect it deserves.

While the AP Style Guide does suggest that the term for members of the Marine Corps be capitalized in all circumstances, our copy desk is now following the Chicago Manual of Style, which says that in this context the word should appear in lowercase. Here's a link: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/CMS_FAQ/CapitalizationTitles/CapitalizationTitles35.html

[JeffA]

Modifications of the usage over time are not always desirable. Much of it is simply the lowering of standards and the dumbing down of the language.

"Marine" should be capitalized, as a sign of respect to the Corps and the men and women who proudly wear the uniform.

Semper Fidelis.

Jeff (son of a Marine who served during the Korean war)

[clmonk]

Welcome, Miriam!!! Although you may not believe it, we really do WELCOME the PopPhoto staff to this board and wish more of you would participate with us in trying to make this board, and your magazine, better. I hope you will chime in more often now that you know where we are. Hope to hear more from you!!!

[WRon]

In my view, not capitalizing the initial m in marine is not a sign of disrespect; rather, it's a sign of following a house style (in this case, the Chicago Manual of Style), which keeps written articles consistent and therefore less confusing.

Moreover, many people today make the error of capitalizing the first letter in words that are not proper nouns. For example, " The Photographer took many pictures." The word photographer is not a proper noun; it's a common, or improper, noun. Similarly, the word marine is not a proper noun; it's a common, or improper, noun.

I hasten to add that those who serve in the United States Marine Corps are not, for the most part, common, or improper, people; most are a cut above. I have nothing but the highest regard for marines.

Ron

[elvatoloco]

Maybe you should try German, in which, at least by custom, all nouns are capitalized.

Sometimes we lose sight ofthe fact that writing is a somewhat poor attempt to put speech into another form, and the conventions used in various languages can be a fright. English is a wild example, with all its phonics (sounds) that can be spelled different ways. No wonder kids in school have such a time learning the ropes.

to, too, two, fare, fair, need, knead, stake, steak -- you get the idea.