The branches of our military share very little in common. On purpose. A master mechanic’s toolbox isn’t full of just hammers. Of course, there’s some overlap. But essentially, they are vastly different, with different missions, different cultures, different expectations, and different levels of misery … and different levels of pride and discipline.
To be fair, the Army and the Marine Corps have more in common than the other branches. But we’re still different. People who choose the Marine Corps are already a different breed before they ever even go to boot camp. Back in the day, all four branches had recruiting offices next to one another in a strip mall. Young men stood in the parking lot debating which door to open. (The year I became a Marine in 1975, only 1% of the Marine Corps was female, compared to the 10% today.)
Behind door #1 was an Air Force recruiter telling the young prospects about the awesome opportunities in aviation technology. “Also, when you get out, you’ll have money for college. So, what do you think, young man? You look smart enough to be an Airman.”
Behind door #2 was an Army recruiter telling the young man to think about how cool it would be to join the same army that won the Revolution and defeated Hitler. “You’ll do more before 8 am than most people will do all day, or all week! Do you like to travel? The Army has bases all over Asia and Europe. And after you get out, you’ll have money for college.”
Behind door #3, you’d find Navy recruiters dressed in that famous “Cracker Jack” uniform telling the prospect about the adventures that await them at sea and at exciting ports of call all over the globe. Want to add sailing with aviation? We got that! How about the secrecy and excitement of submarine duty? Cool, huh? So, you ready to go anchors aweigh?”
Behind door #4 were five Marine recruiters battling one another in a push-up/pull-up contest, with the loser buying beers after work. The young man stepped in and said to the recruiters, who didn’t seem to notice him at all, “Excuse me, I’d like to talk to someone about what the Marines can offer me.” The five stop, look the young man over, and start laughing. Then the senior Marine yells at the young man, “Shut the F up, kid, and get the F out! Men are training here!” If the young man leaves, but then comes right back, he “might” have a chance. If he doesn’t leave, but instead yells back, “F all y’all! I’ll take some of that ‘push and pull’ action, what’s the winner get?”
I spent the weekend with Marines. It’d been a while, and it felt really really good. I was reminded why I’d joined all those years ago. I listened to two generals, one colonel, and two lieutenant colonels speak. Most generals have at least two master’s degrees and a PhD. Most colonels have the same number of master’s degrees and are looking to earn a PhD at some point. Lieutenant Colonels also have the same number of master’s degrees with the same academic plans.
They were all so incredibly impressive. The caliber of Marine officers and senior enlisted Marines is beyond impressive.
One random critic referred to my “kid” in the Marines as if he were an 18-year-old loser adrift. So, here’s my “kid,” a 43-year-old combat veteran in his 26th year in the Corps, assuming command of a battalion of Marines. I might be a bit proud. And ladies and gentlemen, you should be proud of our Marines, too.
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