The Mighty Shield

My Time in the Corps

My first time on a commercial airliner. Twelve hours prior, I said my final goodbyes to my family and friends. I had never been away from home like this. I was excited, scared, and determined to see this next adventure. We had a layover at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, where more soon-to-be recruits joined us on our final flight to Savannah, Georgia. Everyone was excited on that last stretch. Talking, laughing, and wondering what the next portion of our journey was. When we arrived in Savannah and stepped off that Boeing 747, it became much more quiet.

A Marine in his Service Charlie uniform met us at the exit and moved us in a single line to walk through the airport; as if we were waiting to step into the slaughterhouse like cattle. When we got to the entrance of the airport, we were told to stand there and wait. More recruits were waiting in the same manner. Buses began arriving and we were told to get onto them. When we were all seated, the Marine returned and instructed us to “shut the fuck up and keep your heads in your laps. If you look up, I will fucking end you now”. Welcome to the Marine Corps is what I assumed he was trying to say. It felt like hours until we were at our destination. We seemed to have been driving in circles on Parris Island to disrupt our internal compass. When the bus finally parked, the fun began. The Drill Instructors got onto the bus and pushed us cattle onto the infamous yellow footprints. It was time to earn my title as a United States Marine.

The Marine Corps, in my opinion, had perfected the art of creating warfighters from the ground up. For thirteen weeks you are broken down from being worth less than a sandflea, to earning the title of Marine. There’s a trial in week twelve called the “Crucible” where, for seventy-two hours, you’re dragging through mud, sand, sweat, and pain working on a couple of hours of sleep (if that). At the end of it, you do your final hike back to the main side of the Island. Once you reach the end, you walk under an Arch that states “We Make Marines”. From there, you all gather in formation around the Iwo Jima Monument where your drill instructors present you with an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. Emotions are running high and for the first time, you sing the Marine Corps Hymn as a United States Marine.

For most of us that were there, you’ve never felt a moment like that before. The joy, the pain, the excitement in what you just accomplished. A week after that, you’re marching around the parade grounds with your company for your graduation ceremony. You’re on top of the world at that moment; no one can beat you down. It’s been ten years since I graduated on September 13th, 2013 and I can’t even comprehend how much has happened since that day in such a short time.

I later went on to Camp
Lejeune for Marine Combat Training. Afterward, I continued my training in Military Police at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After training there, I was
placed in the 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Some of my closest friends who I still talk to this day I met in that unit. Our job was to provide security elements to line companies and logistics. Most of the time outside of training at 29 Palms, CA was focused on partying hard. Not a care in the world except for drinking and fighting. At 19 years old, I entered a world that I loved to its core. Afterwards, I was transferred to the Provost Marshal’s office on the base. The Law Enforcement side of being an MP.

After my tour there, I was transferred to Germany to work at Marine Forces, Europe and Africa, where my first son was born in a German hospital, and finally to Quantico, Virginia where I ended my time in the Marine Corps. “If the Marine Corps wanted you to have a family, they would have issued you one”. My wife moved back home early in preparation for me to get out. We bought a house and, while in Virginia, I would do the 10-hour commute home every other weekend to
see her and my two children. It was a hard time and I had missed about a year and a half of my oldest son’s life. I knew I didn’t want to do a career in the Corps. I loved it but it was time for me to move on.

So, in March 2020, I signed my DD-214 discharge papers and began the trip back home. I served in the Marine Corps for seven years and nine months. I will be the last person to say that it was easy and perfect; the easiest part was boot camp. I lost friends, relationships, and part of my soul. I wouldn’t trade my time for anything else though, except to see the Marines I served with one more time. The bonds I made while in I will cherish forever. As a Sergeant of Marines, I was fortunate to lead some of the most amazing men and women I have ever met. I pray that they are all safe to this day and fulfilling every single goal they have in life.

The Core Values of the Marines are Honor, Courage, Commitment. These are the foundation of the Marine Corps.

Honor guides Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral
behavior. Never lie, never cheat or steal; abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; respect human dignity and respect others. Honor compels Marines to act responsibly, to fulfill our obligations and to hold ourselves and others
accountable for every action.

Commitment is the spirit of determination and dedication found in Marines. It leads to the highest order of discipline for individuals and units. It is the ingredient that enables constant dedication to Corps and country. It
inspires the unrelenting determination to achieve victory in every endeavor.

These values don’t just relate to the Marine Corps. We can utilize them in our daily lives. Teaching and showing our children to honor one another, to be responsible and accountable for our actions. Our children watch EVERYTHING we do and hear EVERYTHING we say.

We must be courageous both mentally and physically. To take care of our bodies and minds. Having the discipline to get up and workout, to eat right, to
read, write, and set the example for our little ones to live a fulfilling and healthy life. We can’t cower away when something happens such as the power going out, a natural disaster, or any danger that comes our way. We MUST stand and fight to live and show our children to do the same.

Above all, we must be committed to our loved ones. We must show empathy, support, love and encouragement. Most days that is one of the hardest things you have to do! We don’t get a full night of rest, the kids are making you consider living in an insane asylum, it happens! I struggle with this every day and every day I focus on being more committed to their development. They will
see when you are struggling. Don’t show them that its okay to quit.

They need you. We need you.