One Good Decision For The Marine Corps

We were told to get in rows and stand at the positon of attention, this was frightening. We were told to run to the bus from here, this is where I was split up with everyone I came with. The base was three hours away from the airport. On the bus ride over there I called and texted everyone I knew for three hours. I called Jed first, he could not talk long because he had a meeting, although I knew if I called my mom or Ayden they would both cry and that would make things harder on me. After I talked to Jed and he convinced me everything was ok after 20 minutes of me crying to him as if he could come pick me up and take me home. After this I texted Boone to be sure he made it on a shuttle, he did. Boone was on the Shuttle behind me. That was the last time I talked to him until the day after graduation. We made it to the reception building at nearly 11 o’clock and briefed until about one. We finally got to bed at 2, and we were woken up at 4:30 the following morning. During reception they checked our dental, blood type, eye sight, etc. this is where we received our uniforms, and most importantly where we met our first Drill Sergeants. In receptions Drill Sergeants are almost done with their contracts, they cannot make you preform corrective action, or give you RBIs, all they can do is get really close to you and scream as loud as they could. I was here for seven days, and then after those seven days were

Prior to September 11, 2001, I had no idea about what I wanted to do with my life. After the tragic events of September 11 and talking with several people at each branch's recruiters' stations- I decided that I would join the United States Navy. On November 14, upon arriving at Naval Station Great Lakes, I did not know what to expect. Over the next 8 weeks I was taught not only things to help me survive the Navy but life lessons to help me get through life in general. When I arrived at boot camp, I was given a complete health and dental physicals to ensure I was healthy enough to endure the stringent activities that I was going to go through. Along with my physicals, I was given shots to ensure that I would stay healthy. After shots, I was given

Throughout History The Marine Corps has had a very long and distinguished history of their remarkable service to the world. Marines have been known to uphold the highest moral character with or without having their uniforms on. From that, their foundation of Honor, Courage and Commitment becomes indisputable and very evident in every single Marine.The three Corps Values: honor, courage, commitment make up the bedrock of the character of each individual Marine. They are the foundation of his Corps. These three values, handed down from generation to generation, have made U.S. Marines what they are today. The U.S. Marine Corps: the most respected and revered fighting force on earth.

November 10, 1775, is revered as being the Marine Corps birthday, and its birthplace being at Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern, to establish two battalions of Continental Marines, under the command of Cpt. Samuel Nicholas, as an amphibious fighting force who would later in March of 1776, participate in their first foreign raid, in the Bahamas (www.globalsecurity.org ). After the Treaty of Paris

Ideal- The Marines Embody more of my personal views and ideals then the other branches of the armed services.

There are many different cultures or social groups that have a language barrier whether that is because of religion, race, or social differences. These language barriers eventually will have to be overcome so that we can all communicate with each other. Out of these social groups, comes the greatest fighting force in the World, The Marine Corps. Marines have a very unique language dialog that has been preserved for hundreds of years Unfortunately, there comes a point in time when a Marine must transition out of the Marine Corps into the “Civilian World” (as we call it). Transitioning is a very exciting time for Marines but it also is very difficult time due to the strong language community that we belong to.

Haha! Believe it or not I was always methodical - despite what Marine Barracks portrayed me to be. For example, the reason why I went active duty wasn't because "I needed discipline" or "had no direction in life" but because of politics. My father (RIP) was a local and county statesmen. Before he passed away (when I was 11 years old on Christmas), he made me promise him that I would achieve 3x the amount of success he achieved. And considering my grandfather is an Army Veteran and a 32nd degree freemason - who wanted me to join his colleagues local lodge in Washington, DC, I figured Marine Barracks "was the perfect opportunity." Especially! How I would be in close proximity with my congress members: Gary Miller & Mimi Walter - who worked alongside

I’m cold, I can’t breath through the thick smoke, and a quarter of the men I went to war with are dead. At Valley Forge we have extremely poor living conditions. 3,989 out of 8,000 soldiers are ill. I decided to re-enlist for three reasons which are honoring my country, helping the unfortunate soldiers, and destroying Great Britain’s tyranny.

The moment I strolled into the Marine Corps recruiting office was the first time I experienced conformity without any reluctance. Which turned out to be absolutely shocking since I spent my teen years doing the opposite of what was expected from me. I understood by joining the military, I would need to conform my expectations and beliefs in order to successfully enter and exit the Corps.

It was Friday, December 19th, 2003, in Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Just six short days before my 19th birthday. A recruit screams, "Lights! Lights! Lights!". The overhang lights flashes to life, I look outside and see that was still dark outside. All 80 of my fellow recruits jumped up and began the preparation for our big moment. Racks were stripped of sheets and blankets, folded, and then set on top of the footlockers. As we did the last bits of field day, I imagined that we were somewhere between well oiled machines and ants. Time seemed to slow down to a crawl. As we got dressed in our pickle suits I was shaking. To this day I don 't if I was from the sheer excitement or from nervous. The process of getting dressed was beyond tedious and deliberate. Socks, corframs, white shirt, long sleeve khaki shirt, shirt-stays attached from the bottom of the shirt to the top of the socks, tie, standing on top of a foot locker to step into our trousers, getting the help of your rackmate to help put on your blouse, and lastly putting on your cover.

I thought to myself this is the day that I join. I have filled out all the papers and I just got dropped off at the bus station. My mom had said to me,¨Stay safe and I love you Brandon.” The bus took about 45 minutes to get at the bus depot. As more and more people came seeking either adventure or to serve their country, I was there for a different reason and that was to get somewhere in life and to someday be a somebody. As the bus came around the corner to a screeching halt, we all boarded the bus. I found a seat in the back of the bus next to a tall attractive girl or so to become soldier. She had silky blonde hair that glistened when light hit it, she also had pearly white teeth. I could barely keep calm she was the perfect girl and I got to sit next to her. I just could not believe it.

My father swayed me to rethink my MOS choice and instead pick an MOS that is transferable to the civilian world, in case I decided to get out. I reported into Parris Island for boot camp on September 9th, 2014. I was in Delta Company starting out and graduated as a Marine on the 11th of December. That was the most important day in my life up to that point. I later went to Marine Combat Training on Camp Geiger. Which is also where I found out what my MOS was going to be. The administrative marines told me I was going to be a Maintenance Management Specialist. My buddies and I at the time thought that meant I was going to be a janitor. That was not a happy moment. Until later on when I made my way over to Camp Johnson for my school house as a 0411. I graduate from the School house as a PFC on May 8th, 2015 and arrived in my current duty station and command. Being Camp Lejeune, 2nd Maintenance Battalion, Electronics Maintenance Company

It is interesting how sometimes it is he smallest decisions that can change your life forever. For me it was deciding to enter a submission in the VFW Voice of Democracy competition that changed the course of my life. Achieving success in the contest and the opportunities I experienced afterwards led me down a different path than I first planned and was a call to action to pursue a career in public

Recognizing Marines who in the face of difficult decisions exhibit the courage to face the situation and exert a positive outcome has positive effects on the unit. The situation surrounding Sergeant Mitchell illustrates how rewarding an individual can have a positive effect on a unit. Lance Corporal Bowers could have continued past Sergeant Mitchell’s door; however, Lance Corporal Bowers acquired enough courage to face a sergeant, outside of his section, to prevent the possible loss of a Marine. Lance Corporal Bowers’ leadership chose to recognize him for his actions in front of the entire unit and afterwards had a genuine discussion about suicide and suicide attempts. Over the next few months, Marines from private to chief warrant officer chose to talk to their leadership about suicidal thoughts they were dealing with. When asked why they came forward, the consensus among these Marines was the leadership genuinely cared and would not jeopardize their career over how they were

I joined the Marine Corps looking for a challenge. I wanted to open doors for a new career and longed to have a positive impact on the world around me. Looking back five years later, I realize I found all that I originally sought, but I’ve also found something profoundly satisfying and meaningful that I never knew I was missing.