“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines don’t have that problem.” — Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, 1981-1989
Courage, sacrifice and honor — all these assets and more make up the United States military, but what separates a Marine?
I was once told that a strong person wakes up every day and does their best, a stronger person wakes up every morning and tries to push their limits and surpass all expectations, a Marine does just that while laughing in the face of adversity and breaking any barriers they face. The determination and skills obtained by Marines is bred in them, but not all are born for such a rigorous and demanding field of work.
I recently had the privilege to witness a Marine Corps boot camp graduation on the recruitment depot in San Diego, Calif. Although not all who entered the three-month-long training were able to call themselves full-fledged Marines, those who did upheld the highest honor in knowing their strength and resilience through the most difficult training in the entire military. Being a Marine isn’t just a title, it’s a mindset, a way of life, a commitment to your country and yourself.
For three months these participants put their minds, bodies and souls into learning the ways of a Marine, from learning how to walk, talk, run, eat, sleep, breathe and know their way around a rifle as a Marine should. These men who enlisted were motivated in taking their bodies to the limit and passing it to make it through each day. With no outside contact to the world, no internet, just 24/7 training to know what it takes to defend a nation.
I was able to get some insight into just how grueling yet rewarding it is to be a part of our nation’s Marine Corps from Capt. Manuel Ramirez, an officer in the service who I met during some of the graduation ceremonies.
After high school, he made the decision to accept a full-ride scholarship at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., a four-year military institution to start his military career. After graduation, he chose to become a United States Marine. With his degree, he was able to become an officer. The officer field is only eligible to those who have graduated with a degree.You have the burden of command and responsibility over everything that your Marines do. You do a lot of planning and operations. Anything that your Marines do, you’re the one that forecasts it and plans it out,” Capt. Ramirez explained the role of an officer.
He is serving as a series commander, who is in charge of the daily training and welfare of all Marines in the depot — including inductees and drill sergeants under his series — to ensure they are following the schedule and getting the best training possible.
Being a Marine on and off the battlefield is a physically demanding task, which includes training, performing a physical fitness test and staying in shape.
“Being a Marine, in general, you’re constantly doing strenuous activity, constantly having to run, exercise, being able to hike with a lot of weight on your back. It takes a toll if you’re not constantly doing it, but that’s why we constantly work our way up to it,” Ramirez said.
So, just what does it take to be a Marine?
“Be motivated at what lies ahead and just be comfortable with being uncomfortable.,” the captain said.
Maybe we all can’t be Marines, but we can aspire to keep these attributes in mind when accomplishing our own goals whether in a sport, in school, or in our daily jobs.
