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As a former Marine Corps recruiter I
discovered most parents, friends, and siblings often raise one
question in particular when someone they care for chooses to serve in
our Armed Forces. The question many ask is simply; why?
For many of young men and women the allure of serving our country is
self-serving; college money, enlistment bonuses, travels to exotic
lands, and oh yes, let’s not forget training for a future career.
Generally speaking careers which begin in such a way will last an
average of four years. Many of the lessons which were learned will be
forgotten after a few short months back on the block. Many who join
the service for these reasons usually feel they have been some how
short changed or betrayed by their recruiter, the service, and most of
all their country. This especially evident when such a person finds
themselves knee deep in a war time scenario in some God forsaken land,
which bring out the age old battle cry of “I didn’t sign up for this”.
Thankfully though, there still are many who join our armed forces for
what I like to call the “right reason”. A reason which is not only
selfless it reflects the very character of the men who risked their
lives and those of their families to draft the Declaration of
Independence; the desire simply make a difference.
As a parent, I too found myself asking this very same question about a
year prior when my only child asked what I would think about his
joining the Marines. His answer was; “I don’t like my job and I can
get college money”. Great benefits of serving ones country for less
than admirable pay for the sacrifice? Yes. Good enough reason to join
the service? No. You see, joining the armed forces is an honor; a
privilege if you will and a decision which should not be taken
lightly. You can get a new job, college money through FAFSA
(Financial Aid), and there are many fine places to find a new job.
This time however, when I asked the proverbial question I was met with
the one answer I could not reject. His answer; “I do not want to look
back twenty even thirty years from now and wonder whether or not I
have made a difference”. Dad he said, in your office you used to have
a picture of Ronald Regan and on that picture was a quote; “Many
people go through life wondering whether or not they have made a
difference; Marines don’t have that problem”.
Now he saw that when he was only seven years old, but what he said
next really said it all. “Dad, I just feel this is what I need to do;
it is something that has been burning deep inside my heart for a long
time”. It really is kind of ironic; those were the exact words I told
his Grandmother when I joined
It is a comforting thought that even in today’s society we can still
find those willing to give it all just to make a Difference.
Thank God for them; every day.
Scott McEldoon
GySgt USMCR Ret. |
