USMC turns 250-years old!

For anyone who didn’t serve the United States Marine Corps, it really is impossible to explain. I can also say when I enlisted a few weeks after graduating high school, I had no idea what I had volunteered to be a part of.

I suppose the idea was planted in my brain at the start of my senior year. It was half-time at a football game, I was hanging out with some guys talking about what they may or may not do after high school. One thought jumped out, as my pal Todd talked about the U.S. Marine Corps. I knew more about all of the other branches of service, but he talked about the unique challenge of it. I actually considered I would be heading off to college with most of my classmates.

That idea vanished with a lack of funds. 

I had enough saved up for maybe one semester at the city college in Denver, and my family at the time had zero collegiate resources.

I would say if you’re 18-years old without a backup plan, avoid backyard graduation parties with Marine recruiters in them. Coors Light beer and a dude in uniform asking how many sit-ups I can do, should set off some alarms. 

Unless you are up for that unique challenge. They at least warn you up front, this ain’t for everyone, and not everyone gets through Boot Camp. I bought in anyway. I’m glad I did.

I guess that’s one of those reasons the USMC has the track record it does, in peacetime or wartime, things get done. I should note, if I was writing this for a specific audience of Jarheads past and present, it would include a great number of swear words. However, since this is a family friendly reflection, I will leave out the requisite f-bombs that are a part of nearly every conversation I’ve ever had with a fellow Marine.

The upside of six years in The Corps, it is impossible to offend me. You may try, and others have tried, but I have heard far worse things, far worse real world stories from my brothers and sisters during my time with them.

I had some fantastic experiences as well, working at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, at Fleet Intelligence Center Pacific in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Fleet Intelligence Center Europe-Atlantic in Alexandria, Virginia, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and some time at some of those fine U.S. Air Force intel schools, at Strategic Air Command HQ in Omaha, Nebraska and the now defunct Lowry AFB in Aurora, Colorado.

Yes, that is correct, I was in intel. Or America’s favorite oxymoron — military intelligence.

I learned a bunch. A top-secret codeword clearance was fun. I mostly learned that most conspiracy theories are far too complicated. Humans, in general have a steep learning curve. When you mix in international politics and military planning, the mistakes are unending. People do unwise things, that’s really the answer. And people are horrible about keeping secrets — which is the other reason I don’t really buy into any conspiracy from either side of the political isle.

It’s the off-duty Marine activities you have to keep an eye on. Alcohol mixing with guys who think they are bullet-proof is a bad combination. I have life long memories of some of those adventures, but I will not share here, as I am not sure about the statute of limitations stands with a handful of them.

I’ve run into a bunch of former Marines I never served with, but they look out for me anyway, and I do for them. It’s one of those things I didn’t anticipate.

I only got to be a part of six of the 250 years, but I am proud of my fraction of time. While I did enjoy my days in the Corps— it was time for me to get out and see normal people again, and focus on my little family. 

Again, overall, the USMC experience is tough to relate, but I can say the challenges and the work I did then, made me ready for the challenges and curveballs life throws at all of us.

Of course, not everyone gets through their time, some sacrificed all, and I think of them too. I also think of those veterans continuing to deal with health and mental health issues. Most of my charity funds go to helping veterans who aren’t doing as well as they could.

I also know that no matter how upside down the world gets, I sleep well knowing today’s Marines are out there. We do need some hardcore (enter swear words here) on those walls and on those ships, and I am glad they are out there.

Happy Birthday Marines!