Sunday Evening Post #1

I'm supposed to post something up here every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday per the guidance of my English 312 teacher - she either assigns us a topic or skill to employ in the post, or leaves the assignment up to our choosing. Because the last few days I have neither been near school nor had chance to work on anything school-related, I will describe why every month I have a few days just like the last few have been. I will in the future find a person in my section to relay assignment information to me when I am not present, but this time a free post will have to do.

I am a reservist in the United States Marine Corps. Because of my commitment to the Corps, I spend one weekend of every month training with my unit in Nevada and consequently am forced to miss a number of my classes. Although it creates a small bit of chaos in my life (as far as missing important lectures and assignments, etc.), I am in no way disenchanted with my decision to serve my country in my beloved Marine Corps. The feeling I get from the service that I render, and the amazing things I'm able to do with my fellow Marines is beyond anything possible for me to experience outside of the Corps. I suppose that my motivations lie primarily in my love for my country, and pride in the ideals and values that we hold dear as citizens. Nothing else - at this point in my life, anyway - would give me the kind of satisfaction, thrill, or fulfillment that serving in the Corps gives me. I just feels so darn good.

I look up to many of the men I serve alongside. Most of them are young and their prime, and have chosen to sacrifice much of their time, energy, and efforts to provide a needed and valued service to our country. Many of them have endured hardship after hardship for their fellow countrymen in harsh environments and under much duress. So many of them dedicate more than just a couple of days a month to their commitment, but rather "go the extra mile" to excel and become more than proficient in their specialties as Marines. I have learned discipline at many of their feet, learned to deal with volatile and dangerous, stressful situations through following their examples, and learned to value and hone leadership ability in myself and others. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities I have had thus far in the Marine Corps, and pray that I will be strengthened to continue for many glorious years to come.

Semper Fidelis.