Left is port, right is starboard, windows are portholes,
and the floor is the deck.
Parris Island was interesting. You can sense the intensity. Hours are generally 4:00 a.m. to lights out
at 8:00 p.m. No electronics, no phones,
and 30 minutes of free time per day.
The drill instructors are intimidating and perhaps more
intense than depicted in a Hollywood movie.
Picture a stereotype then multiply by two. They issue discipline for any infraction or
sometimes just because they can. Aye,
Aye, Sir is the expected and inevitable response. The recruits will repeat this response over
and over and over.
I can see that my son gained three years of maturity,
perhaps much more, in three months of training.
This is a serious business.
I value independent thought. I also believe in accountability. There are logical consequences to actions and
inactions. However, I think that there
are certain values that hold civilization together. My interpretation may be wrong but I from
what I have read and think I learned about this entire “Semper Fi” business is
that they follow the following values:
Honor
The quality
that guides Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior;
never to lie, cheat, or steal; to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity;
to respect human dignity; to have respect and concern for each other. The
quality of maturity, dedication, trust, and dependability that commits Marines
to act responsibly; to be accountable for actions; to fulfill obligations; and
to hold others accountable for their actions.
Courage
Courage is the
mental, moral, and physical strength ingrained in Marines to carry them through
the challenges of combat and the mastery of fear; to do what is right; to
adhere to a higher standard of personal conduct; to lead by example, and to
make tough decisions under stress and pressure.
Commitment
The Spirit of determination and dedication within members
of a unit that leads to professionalism and mastery of the arts of war. It is
the ingredient that enables 24-hour a day dedication to Corps and Country;
pride; concern for others; and an unrelenting determination to achieve a
standard of excellence in every endeavor. Commitment is the value that
establishes the Marine as the warrior and citizen others strive to emulate.
One could do worse…..
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