The Marine Corps has been my life for the past 13 years and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.  I am an electronics technician by MOS, but I could do that in the real world and obviously make more money than I am in the Corps.  So what is it that keeps me doing this?

Junior Marines

The mentoring of Junior Marines is the most gratifying part of the job that I do.  I currently have 7 guys in my shop that are between the ages of 18 and 20 and while yes technically they are men most of them have not had the experience of a steady paycheck and the responsibilities of living on their own.  Some of these guys are married while others are single and living in the barracks.  My responsibilities to these guys are what really keeps me going.

I mentor these young men on everything in their lives not because I have to but because I truly do care.  Upon coming to the unit I do an initial counseling with them.  I explain to them what is expected of them both personally and professionally and to my pet peeves.  I try to give them sound advice that will not only help them in the Corps but also advice that if followed will make them productive members of society if and when they decide to separate from the Corps.  I feel that this is my duty to them and my commanders.

Camaraderie

Another thing that makes the Corps great are the bonds that are forged between myself and other Marines that I serve with.  I have friends that I served with over 5 years ago that I rarely see anymore as I am on the West Coast and they on the East, but we always make it a point to drop an email or call to each other every month or so.  Also when any of us is on the other coast for whatever reason there is an open couch or bed at the other’s house.  Also there will be a homecooked meal for the visitor as well.  I talk to some of the civilian friends that I have and rarely do I hear about a bond like that between them and their co-workers, because that is what they are is co-workers not brothers like us Marines.

These are the reasons for staying Marine.  This is what gets me up in the morning.  This is what makes me want to be the best that I can be.  I owe it to myself the Corps and to the people paying my check to continue to keep this gun club the strongest that it can be.

SEMPER FIDELIS

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