Anybody military read W.E.B. Griffin books?

WEB Griffin is good reading though. If you like his stuff, you'd like a book called Breakout by Martin Russ. It's about the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.

One correction to your OP: Marine Corps Policy states that there is no such thing as an Ex Marine... Once a Marine, Always a Marine.

Well I was an officer in the Army and I have read 5-6 of his books.  His books are very entertaining, but they take portions of the military that are true and bring them to a higher degree.

Personally, I think his bravado is over the top in some instances.  But it makes for fun and interesting reading.

Regarding following the books/manuals it's sometimes yes and sometimes no.  Generally the policies and procedures are accurate and necessary.  Now I was never in combat, but independent thinking can be dangerous.  If you have a mission to accomplish, then you need to operate as one organism in order to accomplish it.

However, independent thinking is highly necessary when the mission isn't going according to plan.  I was in communications and you can imagine all kinds of technical problems.  I've had to work 'outside the box' to get our communications links in.  You can imagine the phone call where the Colonel says "I don't care how it gets done, but you better get the internet/phones/link working"  I remember one time hacking into an Egyptian junction box...anyway...

And then you have certain types of people.  Some who are always by the book no matter what and some who don't care at all.

I would say Griffin is very accurate, but there may be a bit of hyperbolic characterization at some times.

Like the books and characters. I get tired of seeing the full name, rank and military branch of each character EVERY time he mentions them!

X2 on Duffleblog. Read the comments on the stories. I get a kick out of the posts from people who think the stories are real. The ensuing pummeling is usually entertaining as well.