"Why Fi?"

There is an age old question that has been asked and is still being asked to veterans, military personnel, reservists, and active duty members alike; “Why do you do it?”  The question in itself asking why one would want to give up the luxury of everyday life and risk their life for their own country or be deployed thousands of miles overseas to fight in or for a country that is not their own.  There are other follow-on inquiries that come with this question, such as “’Why do you want to be stationed overseas away from all your friends and family?,’ ‘Why do you want to be told what to do all the time?,’ or even ‘Why not live a normal life?’”  These answer are different for everyone, but I’m here to tell you, the reader, why I personally serve.

Well known is a saying or motto that a civilian might have heard or seen in passing, but that a Marine is very fond of… “Semper Fidelis” or the most famous, “Semper Fi!”  This Latin phrase meaning, “Always Faithful.”  The most known extended version being, “Always Faithful…to God, Country, Corps.”  However, to a Marine there is no limit to what we can be faithful to, whether it is family, spouse, girlfriend, friends, neighbors, other Marines, or whatever you want to throw on the end.  As a Marine and have been asked the above question; I related the title of my post to my blog title and asked, “Why Fi?” or “Why serve in the Marine Corps."

To be a human, a person, a Marine and have this creed become a part of your life is by far the number one reason why I joined the Marine Corps.  Who wouldn’t want a creed like this to live by and engraved into their heart and mind?  The Marine Corps also has a set of Core Values, which are Honor, Courage, and Commitment.  ‘Core’ meaning these values are at the center of everything we do, how we think, and how we conduct ourselves.  They are a set of values by which we live by and build our character.  I could sit here and write down the meaning behind each value, but I figured I would let you look for yourself.  In the field of psychology, they say to learn something; you must do it yourself.  So, I urge you to look up these values together and take away something that you can possibly use in your own life.

These values are another reason I joined.  They give me something to live for and live by and they connect me to other Marines who WANT to live by the same set of principles and values.  Marines become a part of a brotherhood and form a bond with each other that no one will ever understand, except a fellow Marine.  This applies to any Marine no matter where he goes or what new Marine he meets.  We watch over each other and take care of each other because we know they will do the same for us.  We are a family.

 

The third reason why I joined is because of the follow-on question asked above, “Why not live a normal life?”  My answer...because I don’t want to live a normal life.  I want to live a life full of challenges and responsibility, risks, travel, and excitement; a life where I can expect consequences for my actions so that I can learn to not do the same thing twice.  A life where I can know that everything I do and every mission I endure will always have a purpose, and know that everything is done for a reason.  I want to be disciplined and know that I can perform better than my best no matter what the circumstance.  I don’t want to be another desk jockey sitting at a computer eight plus hours a day. Only a few people have ever done anything significant sitting at a desk...not that the world doesn't need people to sit at desks, but one of my favorite quotes epitomizes this:

Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem.” – Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America

I have plenty of time after the Marine Corps to live a normal life.  Yes, there is inevitably that risk no one wants to mention, but I pray to God that he will keep me safe during deployments.  However; it is always good to know that no matter where you are, someone loves you, and there will always be something worth fighting for to get back home.  Do I want a normal life; yes, of course?!  I want a family and children and home-cooked meals every night, but who says you can’t have that and still be in the Marine Corps?  It is just another one of those challenges one has to face for their sacrifice, and hopefully one has a wonderful, supportive significant other in their life like I do.

Another reason that links with the previous, is just wanting to serve others and for that tingly-goosebump feeling you get for doing so.  I not only get to lead my Marines by being an officer, but I get to serve my Marines as well because it’s not about me…it’s about that Marine to the left and right of me.  I do it also to serve and protect not only my country, but the countries of foreign distant lands, so that they may share in the same ideal we call, freedom.  My mother always told me to join the Army or Air Force because they get paid more and get promoted faster, which is somewhat true.  But a quote that sets us, as Marines, apart from the other services is, “If you did it for the money, you’re in the wrong profession!”  We don’t serve because of the money.  We serve because we have a duty to our country, to our fellow Marines…to follow in the footsteps of those who paved the way for the American people.

“If you can read, thank a teacher.  If you can read in English, thank a Marine.”

“The man who will go where his colors will go, without asking, who will fight a phantom foe in a jungle and mountain range, without counting, and who will suffer and die in the midst of incredible hardship, without complaint, is still what he has always been, from Imperial Rome to sceptered Britain to Democratic America.  He is the stuff of which legions are made.  His pride is his colors and his regiment, his training hard and thorough and coldly realistic, to fit him for what he must face, and his obedience is to his orders.  As a legionary, he held the gates of civilization for the classical world...he has been called United States Marine.” - Lieutenant Colonel T.R. Fehrenbach, US Army in "This Kind of War"

There are many reasons why young men and women want to become Marines.  For some it’s because they are kicked out of the house with nowhere to go, so they join the Marine Corps who then becomes their family.  For others, they grow up without being taught any values or morals, so they find those ideals in the Marine Corps.  For some, they aren’t making enough money working at low wage jobs, so they join to have a steady income.  For others, they want to follow in their mother or father’s footsteps.  For some, they want the government to pay for their college.  For others, they want to fly, drive tanks, and blow crap up.  And some do it for the same reasons as I have mentioned.

But no matter what the reason, every person willingly and knowingly joins the Marine Corps knowing the risk they are placing themselves in; yet, whether they learn it before or throughout their service time; every Marine comes to discover our way of life has an excitement and pride the protected will never know.  We stand up and proudly serve for what we truly believe in…protecting our country and the Constitution which holds us together.  It is about doing something bigger than yourself.

However; the Marine Corps isn’t for everyone, but that is why we have the quote, “If anybody could be a Marine, it wouldn’t be called the MARINES.”  It is a title we earn and a transformation that cannot be undone.  But just like America, we are trained in different professions.

“I still need Marines who can shoot and salute.  But I need Marines who can fix jet engines and man sophisticated radar sets, as well.” – General Robert E. Cushman, Jr., USMC

 

We are still warriors, but we all have a job to do in order to support each other.   We ARE all trained to kill, as our foundation is that every Marine is a rifleman, because you never know when you will be stuck in a situation where you have to pick up that rifle and fend for yourself or your buddies beside you.  Yet, all of this is why we are the Few, the Proud, the Marines!

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.  So help me God.

Not everyone is up for the challenge; but if you are…I highly urge you to look into all the options the Marine Corps has to offer.  You can take the enlisted route or even the officer route like I did.

Become one of the Few and the Proud – Enlisted

OR go to college and…

Become one of the Fewer of the Proud - Officer

University of South Carolina Gamecock Battalion - NROTC

If the Marine Corps isn’t for you, I still highly urge you to engage in many of the attractions that will help you learn and gain a knowledge of what the Marine Corps is all about…

Visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps and learn about our history

Take a tour of MCRD, Parris Island or San Diego

Attend the Evening Parade or Sunset Parade and marvel at the Silent Drill Platoon and “The President’s Own” Marine Band…

OR

Catch one of the many performances presented by “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps

Run the Marine Corps Marathon

BUT

If none of this is for you, at least take part in our annual Christmas fundraiser & donate to Toys For Tots!

All of this and more is why I do it.  Oh, and lets not forget about all the cool weapons and gear and our sweet rides!

Disclaimer:  "This post is of my own personal life, thoughts, and views and DOES NOT represent Marine Corps' policies and regulations, positions and opinions, nor do I gain any profit from this post."

Searching...Searching...Searching.....

Ok, so I mentioned getting to "Why Fi?" in my next post, but I'm going to sidetrack for a few minutes.  I wanted to go off on a tangent about significant others and getting them presents for special occasions.

My girlfriend's birthday was a month ago and I had the hardest time finding her something.  We've known each other for almost a year now and have been dating for a good eight months.  That's not too long for a lot of people, but for it to be eight months and still going, it's amazing to me.  Neither of us have had successful relationships in the past, but we both just seem to know that this one will last.  I've told her I love her and she's done the same.  No, she didn't say she loved herself, she told me she loved me. 

People, therapists, your parents always tell you not to say, "I love you" too soon, but when you say it and have that "feeling" come over you; you just can't help but to say it again.  It just becomes natural and more a part of you.  Now, don't get to thinking that, "Oh, he's a Marine, he sounds like a wuss!"  Every Marine, I believe, does or needs to have a soft side.

Now...to get back to the gift.  I have to say I do love her, and that for her present; I want it to come from the heart.  And coming from the heart, I mean I don't want to have to ask her for what she wants.  I want it to be that thoughtful-I know what I want to get her-surprising gift, that makes her want to jump in your arms and kiss you.  I want it to be that "perfect" gift.  I know a lot of guys have a problem with this.  It's hard.  However, we just don't know what to buy.  It makes it even harder when the present you WANT to get her just falls through and just isn't going to happen.  Then you move onto the next idea, and that doesn't happen either.

It's hard enough for men to shop for women, so helpful hint...give us clues!!!  That being said, I ran out of ideas and had to result to asking her...really pleading with her to give me some kind of idea.  After a month of asking her, what does she come up with?  A wine rack.  A wine rack!  How does that even compare to what I wanted to get her?  How is that going to make her jump in my arms and scream, "I LOVE IT!!!"  I don't really want to get her a wine rack, but she insists on me doing so.  It's just not from the heart, you know?!

Then I have to go through the whole selection process of the wine racks.  Do I get her wood or metal, floor or countertop, big or small, thing or wide, how many bottles should it hold, should it hold glasses or not?  All of this for a gift I don't even want to get her.  I mean a wine rack is something I would go out and get on a normal shopping day...and yes, us Marines do shop.

Well, it came down to the last week before her birthday and I still had not gotten her anything.  At this time I was panicking and begging to get something out of her...and out of the blue she tells me that she has always wanted a pearl ring, but she didn't want to ask because she thought it would cost too much.  I proceeded to tell her, "Ugh!  You couldn't have told me that from the very beginning instead of telling me at the last minute?"  Then she has the nerve to say that I should have planned better and been thinking about presents months ago (needless to say I was thinking about it 2-3 months before)...what a woman?!

 

End note...the pearl ring was a SUCCESS!!!  As well, the pearl ring made me remember another ring, which was more stylish than elegant, she said she liked awhile back.  But she has been getting compliments on both ever since.

The rest of the birthday was a success, as well, with taking her to dinner at Copper Canyon Grillin downtown Silver Spring, MD, and instead of buying dessert; I bought a fondue set and attempted to recreate The Melting Pot's dessert tray for a romantic night in.

So, if you got nothing else out of this blog than I'll leave you with this (kinda cheesey)...Men, don't mind to buy her something new; so women, be kind and for the love of God, give your man a clue!

THE NEW GUY TO WI-FI

I shouldn't have to go into describing myself anymore, but I would like to start off with why I am taking the plunge into this phenomenon of online social networking.  I think at this time and only time; I can actually say, "It's her fault!"  Yes, I am starting this blog because of my girlfriend.


I don't want you readers to think my blog is going to be just about me and my girlfriend because it's not.  I will disclose some personal information, whether it's worth reading or not, but overall I will be delving into my life, life as a Marine (training, deployments, duty stations, etc.), and my life as I indulge more into this life of social networking online.  I will have to tell you, that some information will be not be disclosed because of it being classified or it being personally identifiable information (PII), so don't get too excited!


However; my girlfriend's name is Crissy and her degree and job focus is around PR and social media/networking.  You can follow her on her blog, if you like, at:
www.crissylav.blogspot.com
On the other hand, my degree and job focus is based more on how the mind works, killing, and military evolution (military technology, advancements, etc.)  So, with that being said, I am not too into these different kinds of social networking.  I am more into face-to-face interaction and making friends and business contacts through meeting them in person.  Not to say she isn’t, but she is more into the whole Twitter, Facebook, and blogging world.  I asked her why she is so involved with these networking websites and she told me, “That’s how you make connections nowadays!”  I do have Facebook and just recently started the Twitter thing, but as any guy doesn’t like to say, she’s right!


I realized that the world and people in general are becoming more technological and with that, is coming a wide use of Wi-Fi or internet networking.  I mean, I still have trouble texting or BBM’ing.  Yes, I have a Blackberry and barely know how to use it and I hardly even get on the internet browser, as well.  I guess it is all about how you are raised and what you try to focus on in your life.  Texting or tweeting just isn’t that pertinent in my life or career.  Hand me a rifle and I’ll know how to use it, give me a radio and I’ll know how to call for artillery fire or an airstrike, give me a map and compass and let me find my way, hand me a phone and I can barely call my girlfriend.


Crissy is right, though.  Society is moving away from personal interaction and moving further towards internet connections.  Some businesses don’t even hold interviews anymore; they have some tech-guy come in and create an online application and resume that potential employees have to fill out.  Employers are now looking at your Twitter account, just to see how many followers or tweets you have because that somehow relates to how successful you’ll be in that job…even the tweets you post or get don’t even have to make sense or mean anything to you, but the follower of the follower of the follower might see your tweet and know somebody that could get you hired.  The more followers you have the more chances you have of being recognized.  I have 5 followers, right now.  Haha!


I don’t get it, but that’s this changing society for you.  I don’t know what the future holds for me, but if a military career isn’t what I want later on in life, then I need to do what my girlfriend says, and start networking to more people outside of personal interaction.  And I want more than anything for my girlfriend to advance in her career and if she says doing Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and who knows what else is out there, helps; then I’m going to be right there blogging and tweeting with her.  It sounds precious, I know, but if you are reading thus far; I will tell you I won’t be as involved, but I will do what I can and most importantly WHEN I can…coming next, “Why Fi?”