United States Marine Corps Well, I know, "hate" is a potent word. But coupled with the word "love" might suggest some hidden deep dark emotion. "People." Hmmm.
You know love-hate relationships. All of us experience this, if you will, at least once in our lifetimes, whether we ever admit it or not. In my case, I just never thought it would be with people whom I've never met. Sometimes I've wondered if they are truly of the human race. I mean, maybe they are Super Heroes! Indeed. That's the category I'm leaving them in. Them? You know to whom I'm referring
to, right? USMC Recruit Training SDIs (Senior Drill Instructors) and their sidekicks... DIs (Drill Instructors). Kill Hat. Heavy Hat, etc.. Even their names ignite ((fear)) and ((trembling)) to your very soul! Yet, who else could yell & scream orders 24/7 and make perfect sense (well, mostly)? Dance and choreograph steps that could win awards and make Recruits cry with either nervous laughter or mostly involuntary tears? Spit farther, jump higher, leap what seems like buildings, then shake rattle & roll 90 well able-bodied YOUNG men into shape, all in one single moment in time? Alas, then continue to don the "stage" effortlessly, seamlessly for three solid months? Certainly, not EVEN the above average human. ((Super-Heroes, I tell you!))
There is no "mean" (i.e., average) for them, except being Mean, Lean, Marine Machines. They own THE category; they are The Few of The Few. They are the crème de la crème of any military branch of service. ONLY about 600 serving this particular volunteer billet. Yes, VOLUNTEER! They are far from being God. But I think in so many ways, that's who they represent to our young men. Though there are times, I'm certain the Recruits think their DIs are the devil himself. Certainly, these men of valor could have found an occupation that brought them more money and prestige; yet, not the reward of knowing, come the end of the day, that they were transforming lives. I have endeavored to remember and take comfort from the promise they made to my son on that first encounter,
Drill Instructors Creed:
"These recruits are entrusted to my care. I will train them to the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained marines, thoroughly indoctrinated in love of the Corps and country. I will demand of them and demonstrate by my own example, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality and professional skill." Still, at times, I find myself wavering on the matter. One minute, I'm fighting them. The next, I'm sweetly acquiescing to them, to do their best at redefining who my son is for the cause and love of the Corps. Truthfully, I guess, I never "hated" them; I just didn't understand them. How could I? In conclusion, I've grown to love these men whom I have entrusted my Recruit. To respect them. To embrace who they are in his life and mine. The essence of Semper Fi. To believe that they have my son's best interest at heart. They do have heart, don't they? Ah, yes! I think I hear those hearts beating now, for the purpose of what they love and have invested their lives in... The United States Marine Corps! What more could I ask? To shake their hands and say, "Thanks for pouring yourselves into 'making' and growing my son into a young man, and an honorable United States Marine!"
I will forever be thankful for the time, energy, and dedication they provided in helping him, but also helping me to become a United States Marine.
10/07/2023
10/07/2023
08/29/2021