Before there was a veteran, a civilian existed.
In a small city in southern Virginia, I was born into a strict household. My father was a veteran of the Air Force and my mother’s father a Navy man. Daily life was regimented and schedules were rarely flexible. I knew discipline.
When I was 14, my older brother got a recruiting ad in the mail for the Marines. All I had to do was return the postcard filled out and they would send me a set of shiny dog tags. I had seen movies, read books, and was driven by a sense of adventure. I knew I wanted to join.
I stole the postcard, put my name on it and mailed it back. After awhile I got a letter in the mail from HQMC Recruiting Command. Age 15 and 16 I got a letter each year. Finally, when I was 17 and got my fourth and final letter.
My mother absolutely did NOT want me to join the Marines. She made me promise that I would go to college for two years before I made any decisions. I put my hand behind my back, crossed my fingers, and told her I’d go for two years.
By the beginning of second semester my freshman (and only) year, I couldn’t take it. I went to the recruiters office in February and got into the Delayed Entry Program. My ship date was scheduled for September 17, 2001.
The morning of September 11th, 2001
I got up and turned on the morning news, something I rarely did. I had no idea that American Airlines Flight 11 had just crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center and the building was ablaze. I stood in awe as I watched United Flight 175 impact the South Tower. When American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, I began to wonder when this would end. How many other targets had been designated?
Individuals that knew I DEPed into the Corps called and express their concern. I reminded them I had already signed the line and wanted to go anyway. 6 days later, I departed for Parris Island, SC.
The beginning of a new life
Recruit training felt natural to me. I was used to a strict way of living and existing on a regimented schedule. Halfway through my time at PI, I was promoted to platoon guide. I was series high shooter and platoon honor graduate, receiving a meritorious promotion. I was proud to have been part of Plt 3104, Lima Co, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion.
Assigned to recruiters assistance, I spent extra time in my home town prior to attending Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC. It was a cold and wet month in the field…
Why does any of this matter?
Through this series we must talk about where we come from, what we’ve gone through, and who that makes us today. The process should be exposed and understood. Civilians and Veterans need to understand the changes that take place mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually to men and women who serve(d) in the Armed Forces.
The young Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, fresh from their respective recruit training, has had a mental shift away from their former civilian self. They will also not be the same person after the completion of their enlistment. This isn’t simply a function of aging 4-6 years during the contract. It’s true, we all change, grow, and hopefully mature with age but that’s not what we’re talking about here.
What do you want others to know / What do you want to know?
Please leave a comment below with a bit of your story. Why did you join?
If you’re a civilian, what questions do you have for members of the military and veteran community that you would like answered?
I won’t be answering those questions from only my experience. I have a large panel of veterans that I submit questions to for a broader perspective.
Over
Psalm 144:1-2 “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”
-Drew OUT!
Barb
September 11, 2020 05:51Hey Drew,
Excellent post. This story is part of who you are, and I welcome hearing it. Here’s my civilian question, respectfully submitted:
How does it feel to be asked questions by a civilian about your military service, the history of how you came to join, how and why you chose a branch of service, what your job was, or if you sustained an injury, what that injury is and how it happened?
Thank you, for your service.
Drew
October 8, 2020 11:26How is just as important as what is asked. I love to talk about service in an educational way. Dispelling misconceptions and bringing light to drive out confusion makes my day. There are times where it feels like an inquisition and the depth of my answers will change. It’s a common thing for us to compare what we know to what we’re hearing. How many deployments did you do? where were you? what was your job? did you fire your rifle/kill? All these questions add up to an opinion the listener is forming. As the speaker, I try and head them off and explain that not all deployments are equal, many jobs went on long convoys and were hit by multiple IEDs and took small arms fire/RPGs/mortars. All we can do is take it one person at a time- be real: open and honest as we can be.
There are days where I wish I lost a leg so I had something to point to. The wear and tear on the body adds up. I’ve got arthritis throughout my body, had both my feet reconstructed, suffered a mTBI, and live with the ripples of PTS- but no one can see that at a glance and I don’t go around complaining about it either. I have joy in my heart and would prefer people to see that. You can emerge victorious from the pit. It’s a LOT of work, but SO worth it.