I was born in the church (COGIC) and from the streets of the hood. I saw a lot of bad things from both worlds and didn’t like either side. So as soon as I was old enough, I ran. I have been in the Boy Scouts; it wasn’t all great either. My grandfather was a merchant marine, and he won two Bronze Stars, so I learned a lot from him. He had a great work ethic. He came from the war with a pocket full of money and desired to get married. Their union produced 14 children, two businesses, and my mother, the baby girl, was spoiled. It was through my mother that her family was influenced to go to church and learn who Jesus was, for that I’m grateful. I wanted to travel and get out of the big city life. So I joined the Marines because I had too many cousins that joined the Army, so I figured the Army would take you if you were barely breathing. I had enough of their foolishness, so I wanted something different. I thought it was a smart move on my part and thought it would get me away from the church, so I could say, “Not now, God, I’m serving my country now.” The first night, laying in the top bunk with 67 other men, I wondered what I had gotten myself into now.
The screaming and hollering and being knocked around felt like home; that part was clear. The other part was unreal. We lost a lot of men there because only 27 graduated. From there, I learned that the Marines were governed by politics. I signed up under Public Communication/Broadcasting, and my scores were very high. It was then I found out that the position would be open in four years. They had immediate openings in Infantry-0311. I went to Camp Geiger for Infantry Training and from there to Camp Lejeune. I’ve learned about being in the south/racism, dealt with it hard and fast like in New York, and moved on. While on base, we learned how we need and rely on each other, regardless of color. There were a few bullies, so I handled them hard and fast and put them down quickly, regardless of rank (SMILE). I signed up to go overseas to Japan; we flew to Alaska, then took a ship to Mt. Fuji. It was there that the blood shed on the 3rd day there I got to see the fireworks.
New people are automatically put on fire watch. I worked at the outer gate. I had just gotten off duty while walking toward the office, toward my barrack. I see my company gunny coming toward me, talking to Himself, and He had red on the top of His shirt. When I got close enough to see it, it was blood. I called out to Him and he never responded back. He was mentally gone. I walked into the company office. I couldn’t call anybody because gunny had all the numbers. I screamed and got someone to watch Him while I ran back to the main gate. From there I called everybody: Military police, ambulance, emergency, and then ran back to the company office. From there, I retraced from where he was coming from. I followed the trail of the blood; some of it ran past our barracks and went a little ways toward the right, opposite past the showers. I kept going until I found a Jeep turned upside down. The closer I got, I saw 2 legs sticking from up under the Jeep. So I pulled the legs and panicked. He was dead with no head. I screamed and hollered, and the MP’s heard my screams and found me. When I calmed down, I filled out my report. The EMS and MP’S took care of the rest. I went down the mountain and got drunk. I was hospitalized and they had to pump my stomach. I woke up after the hospital stay and still had blood on me, on the base, in my bunk. I got up and went to the office.
They informed me that I was placed on International Legal hold, meaning I can’t leave the country. I asked them what happened, and they told me I got drunk, got into a fight, caused some damage, was hospitalized and treated in a Japanese hospital, and sent back to the base. They told me it would cost me about 14,000 to 17,000 yen. Still feeling a little tipsy from the drinks, I asked him how much would that be? I reached into my pocket, pulled out the money, and placed it on his desk and said, “I will see you tomorrow.” That’s when the anger grew; I became very bitter. I watched them empty the foot locker of my bunkmate, Platoon Sergeant. From there, I went to the rifle range and won it twice and won an expert badge. [The Anger Awakened A Sleeping Giant] was great for the Marine Corps, just bad for everyone else. Every year, they had a super squad, where twelve unique individuals compete against other divisions in the Marine Corps. We were 3rd Battalion 9th Marines, 1st Marine Division. We were kicking butt; you couldn’t outfight us, and you couldn’t outshoot us. We were HOTTT {UNSTOPPABLE}, so they started talking to each person on the squad about money and rank.
We were on our way to Quantico, Virginia, to fight the 2nd Marine Division. They came and offered money and rank, and I was a little hostile, so I told them no because, for the first time, everyone knew who we were because we beat everyone we went up against with HONOR AND PRESTIGE. So the guys went for the money and rank. And now here I am by myself. I stood on my NO. So they didn’t want me to be part of the company. Then I joined the Military Police. Because I didn’t go along with them, the word was I had become the number one drug dealer, so I was locked up and thrown in a cell with my UCMJ—Uniform Code of Military Justice. We call it the UCMJ Bible. I was locked up for 7 months. After 7 MONTHS have passed, I stayed 1 year and ½ in Japan. We rotated to California /Welcome TO HOTEL CALIFORNIA, what a Lovely Place. Here I won my second rifle range. I had the highest pro/con marks on base. I passed every inspection but was angry. Going back to Kilo company, 3 Platoon, we went to Catalina Island, and there I was on light duty because many of our men in our Platoon had got hurt by officers who couldn’t read a map. So I walked down to shore to collect clams for an evening meal. What got my attention was this blue and white boat and a couple shouting at each other.
The woman was at the back of the boat. She turned to face the water, and the short little man went inside the boat. Suddenly, he immediately came full steam and pushed her over the boat into the water, then turned around, went back into the boat, started it, and left. I’m on my knees looking in shock. She never came back up from where he pushed her. I had no blanks, nor real bullets, so I couldn’t make any noise that he could hear because the boat was loud. She never came up. If I was even an expert swimmer, I wouldn’t have made it to her in time; she was too far away. I grabbed my shirt that I had my clams in and made it back to the mountain where we were camping. I told the Corporal that was on Duty what happened. He stated I had to wait until the Platoon came back to report. I told my Platoon Sgt. and Lt. at the same time and stated we can make it back before the man can dock the boat.
They went and talked to the company captain. I was given a direct order: “Don’t get involved.” This pissed me off. I told him where he could go, and it wasn’t Heaven. He gave me an ultimatum: if I reported it, I would be in direct conflict with the order that was given, court-martialed, and kicked out of the Marine Corps, never to get any benefits. So, for two weeks, I gave them living Hell. When they gave me an order, I reminded them about the UMCJ, and I did it openly in front of everybody, and they were not happy about that. We were supposed to have been in Catalina Island for 90 days, but because I was relentless, we stayed two weeks, and they couldn’t take it anymore. I stopped doing anything they told me to do. I was angry and defiant. We went back to Camp Pendleton, where they removed me from the Kilo Company to LIMA Company. Even there at Lima Company, they felt all the frustration I had, and now it’s all on the news that the woman “accidentally fell overboard and drowned” as if she killed herself. The officers of Lima Company did the right thing. They called me and asked me what I wanted to do. I told them, “If you all aren’t going to follow the rules and regulations, I’m going home because that’s a lie, and if I’m going to follow a lie, at least I would know what I was getting into.”
We had a few disagreements: 1. I took the rifle range twice; 2. I had the highest pro and cons mark in the Battalion; 3. I passed every inspection because I was pressed and clean.
“But at this point, I came out as wrinkled as possible. I didn’t button my shirt, I didn’t take off my cap, I didn’t salute anybody, and I had on the dirtiest pair of boots. And I walked everywhere on that base, and nobody said anything to me, because they knew at this point I was openly defiant and would challenge anybody that stepped to me.
When I went to the mess hall, I sat and left my tray, and nobody said anything. And now they called me in to go over my discharge. They offered a BCD, and I said no I wasn’t going to sign that, because I had the highest Pro Cons Mark. And I wasn’t going to sign that.”
“They left me alone until they could come up with the right codes. So a week passes. I’m going to the mess hall and someone is screaming and hollering, ‘Hey, you!’ I didn’t turn around because my name isn’t ‘Hey, you.’ So this short guy comes running, saying, ‘Hey, buddy, you wait up!’ Someone I don’t know. However, as he gets closer, I see gold bars on his collar. So I said, ‘What have I done? I haven’t been in known fights and haven’t done anything.’ He asked if I was Quick. I said, ‘Yes.’ He was the new Battalion Commander. He asked me if I was going to the mess hall. I said yes. He said, ‘Come on, I’m going with you.’ He says while we are walking, he says he asked who was the number one man, and they said Quick. I laughed and I said, ‘Really? I said, do you all have a black book?’ He says, ‘Yes, we do have a black book, and your name is on the top.”
So, we went to the mess hall, and we got our food. I stated, “It’s against the rules to sit on the officers side. He said, “It’s okay; you’re with me.” We sat down, and we talked. He was blunt and straight down to the point. He said, “I need Marines like you. I need Marines like you, and you can train them.” I said, “You want them to take lives. I’m trying to save them.” I said, “Y’all took my rank.” He stated, “You can get it back in time.” I said, “Speaking of in time, y’all took seven months from me.” He said, “I need you to train some men.” I said, “I’m a private first class. Why would they all listen to me?” He stated, “The rank you will get back in time.” I stated, “Y’all have played some serious games that I don’t want to play with you all. No, I just want to go home.” He got up, and he left. The next day, Kilo Company, 3rd Platoon, requested me to come to their formation, so I went, and there they pinned colonel bars on my collar and saluted me. That was a sign of major respect. Months went by while they tried to find the proper code for my discharge. No one bothered me, no one came to my room, nothing. I didn’t go to any formations; I didn’t do anything. They came to the room and offered me General Under Honorable Conditions. I agreed, and I signed, and I left.
The officers of Lima Company did the right thing and asked me what I wanted to do. Going back to where I left New York, where I was running from God, this time going back to New York, I ran to Him. Now I have formed a company, VETERANS ARE WARRIORS, which I co-founded with my cousin and served. Once again, while trying to get my benefits years later, I found myself fighting politics. Back in NYC, we found ourselves in the Mayor’s office trying to help our brothers and sisters against the system—the same system who managed to call us for help several times. Once I finished, I left and went to Georgia to live.
The commissioner called me to come back to New York. They wanted to honor my efforts. They gave me a Proclamation for helping over 300 plus veterans, so my fight is still ongoing, and I have never forgotten: we serve and still need services today. It’s from this stand I have asked God to help me fight for my brothers and and sisters to allow them to get their benefits. I’m now in the Ministry and asking them to get Delivered from the pain of their past and get all their benefits: MIND, BODY, AND SOUL.
IN HIS SERVICE,
Bishop Marrvin Quick
Endnote
His Unit: 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines
3/9 is an infantry battalion that was reactivated in May 2008 for the War on Terror, including
Operation Enduring Freedom.
• India Company
• Kilo Company
• Lima Company
• Mike Company
• Weapons Company
Its mission was the classic Marine infantry role:
“Locate, close with, and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver.”
E‑2 (Private First Class)
Patrol Operations (Core Mission)
• Foot patrols through villages, valleys, and rural terrain
• Route security
• Presence patrols to deter insurgent activity
Counterinsurgency Tasks
• Clearing compounds
• Searching structures
• Providing security for key leader engagements
• Supporting Afghan National Security Forces
Combat Engagements
3/9 operated in high‑threat areas. A PFC would:
• Provide suppressive fire
• Maneuver with his fire team
• React to ambushes and IED threats
Daily Infantry Responsibilities
• Guard duty
• Vehicle security
• Standing post
• Maintaining weapons and gear
• Supporting squad‑level missions
He would have:
• Carried an M16A4 or M4
• Operated as part of a 4‑man fire team
• Executed fire‑and‑maneuver tactics
• Provided perimeter and convoy security
“Veterans Are Warriors” was Marrvin’s own creation
This was not a government program, not a national organization, and not a slogan borrowed
from elsewhere.
It was his own phrase, used to honor:
• His Marine brothers
• All veterans
• The warrior identity that continues after service
It became the way he expressed:
• Pride
• Brotherhood
• Recognition
• Respect for all who served
He became active in veteran advocacy in New York, where he used the phrase:
“Veterans Are Warriors.”
This became his personal message, identity, and mission.
His message has been used in memorials, tributes, and veteran events.
Because the phrase is powerful and simple, it has been adopted by:
•Local veteran groups
• Memorial displays
• Social media tributes
• Community events
But its origin traces back to him.
Legacy
Marrvin Phillip Quick’s legacy is built on two pillars that defined his life: the pride of a United States Marine and the purpose of a man determined to uplift every veteran he met. His service with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines placed him within one of the Marine Corps’ most storied lineages — a battalion known for courage, sacrifice, and an unbroken tradition of answering the nation’s call. Though his time in uniform was brief, his commitment was unwavering. He earned the title Marine, and he carried it with the same seriousness and honor as those who served decades before him.
But Marrvin’s legacy did not end when he left the Corps. In many ways, it began there.
He understood the struggles veterans face — the silence, the pride, the invisible weight carried long after service. From that understanding, he helped create Veterans Are Warriors, not as a formal organization, but as a movement, a message, and a mission. It was his way of reminding every veteran that their service mattered, their battles were seen, and their strength was never forgotten.
As co-founder, Marrvin shaped “Veterans Are Warriors” into a banner of identity and belonging. He used the phrase to lift others up, to connect veterans across generations, and to give voice to those who felt overlooked. What began as his personal message grew into something larger — shared by friends, fellow Marines, community members, and families who recognized the truth in his words. Through him, “Veterans Are Warriors” became a statement of pride, resilience, and unity.
Marrvin’s legacy is the fusion of these two worlds — the Marine he was, and the advocate he became. He leaves behind a name spoken with respect, a message carried forward by others, and a reminder that one person’s conviction can ignite a movement. His life stands as proof that service does not end with a uniform; sometimes, it evolves into a mission that continues long after.
This is the legacy of Marrvin Phillip Quick:
A Marine. A brother. A warrior for veterans.
The Love For The Lord
And the heart behind a message that will outlive him.