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We take recruits, strip them, scrub them, and shear off their hair. We began making them Marines who are proud to be citizens of the greatest country in the world. We have just 12 weeks at recruit training; and since unfortunately, we have to allow for sleeping and eating, we measure our curriculum in terms of hours and fractions of hours. The recruit learns, for the first time perhaps, that reality is not something to make fun of; that rumor to the contrary, God is not dead--grace is said before each meal. A Marine recruit learns the meaning of professionalism: standing ready to meet our country's needs at any time, and doing so coolly and capably. The recruit is trained neither to hate, nor is he "Whipped up" emotionally for battle. Marine are not dangerous to anyone, except to the enemy they face. At a time when it seems we are suffocating from all the "isms" that afflict modern society, a Marine concerns himself with only two: patriotism and professionalism. Each Marine learns the meaning of discipline--the attitude that ensures prompt obedience to orders and in the absence of orders, the initiation of appropriate actions. He learns that discipline is a way of life, and that his own life may depend upon it. When the fifth and seventh Regiments of Marines are fighting their way down from the Korea Chosin Reservoir, a blown-out bridge made Sinchilin Pass impassable. The Yawning Chasm had to be crossed if those 7,000 Marines -- many wounded and frostbiten-were to continue down to safety. The Marine Engineers air-dropped bridging and the infantrymen came down, bringing their dead and wounded. They did it with moral discipline that is the Marines antidote to fear and despair. When aching muscles and bursting lungs screamed "Quit!" their hearts and their guts shouted back "Do it"" and do it they did-as a fighting team. A Marine learns other things, too. He learns that a man's word is his bond. He learns that success is not how much you can get away with-that you don't cheat, steal, and lie. But that you are a Marine and proud of it. Intellectuals "jet-setters" may consider us to be hopelessly archaic (if they're even aware of our existence). Actually, we're remarkably uncomplicated people. We believe in things and tend to be a bit sentimental and rather simple-the type for whom morning and evening colors are important rituals. We are the type who snap to attention at the opening notes of the "Star-Spangled Banner". As long as we live, we will stand when they play "The Marines Hymn" we remember "things endured and things achieved such as regiments hand down forever". The next time someone looks at me and says "Oh, You're a Marine." I'll thank him, "Yes, I'm a Marine". Our men don't have to go looking for employment. There are always jobs for men of their caliber. But the price they pay for the privilege of serving their country can be high. There are Americans graves all over the face of the Earth, and our Marines fill there share of those graves. They never ask what their country could do for them, and now they never will. Yes. I'm a Marine-and Proud of it! Captain G. E. Rector, U.S. Marine Corps Proceedings / November 1983 |