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.
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
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!
