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Another Personal Indulgence: The Crucible Edition
It is the last step, the last big test before graduation. Fifty-four hours of being stretched to the limit. Forty-five miles of marching. Two and one-half MREs. Seventy recruits that trained side by side for the last 12 weeks acting as one unit.
At the end they meet at a replica of the Marine Memorial from Arlington National Ceremony. Here, a Chaplain says a prayer, the Drill Instructors will shake each hand and then place in that hand the Globe and Anchor and address the recruit as “Marine” for the first time.
This past week, someone other than myself called my son “Marine.” This time it was for real. He’s made it through. And on Sunday afternoon he was granted some base Liberty and allowed access to a telephone. For five minutes we got to talk, to hear his voice. It was lower in register, more assured, not the voice of my baby boy but a glimpse of the man I’ll get to meet later this week.
Wednesday morning, puppy dog will go to the sitter, siblings will cram their stuff in the car, and along with Grandpa, Mom and Dad will begin the long journey south, through the mountains of West Virginia and into the Carolinas. On Thursday morning we’ll meet for the first time. I know I will recognize the eyes and the goofy grin but I’ll marvel at the changes the Corps has made to him in the last 13 weeks.
The question is, will he see the difference in me? Will he see that I will stand before him a much humbled individual? Will he see how proud I am that he has made more of himself at 18 than I accomplished in a lifetime?
Now, he is part of that brotherhood I will never truly know, those few, those happy few. While politicians squander, squabble, piddle and diddle, those few march on to their own drum. It beats out a constant rhythm: Honor. Courage. Commitment.
I have given my beloved nation a United States Marine. May the nation return to him and to his new brothers and sisters the same values that they are giving to her.
EJHill will not be Photoshopping this week. Mssrs. Long, Robinson and the Blue Yeti are on their own. They’ll manage fine without him.
Published in General
Mazal tov! This is a real accomplishment for him, and a great honor for his family. Prayers and warmest regards from an IDF mother of two combat soldiers. It’s so great to see our boys develop that basic drive to defend into the wider realm of service. What a blessing!
Congrats and Semper Fi! EJ. Be proud. And thank you to the entire Hill clan. God bless.
On Thursday, we are invited to the IDF Armored Corps base and museum at Latrun to see our own son officially receive his personal weapon. I will be thinking of you.
I love these posts, EJ. I’m very happy for you and your family, and vicariously proud, too. Enjoy your time with your Marine. And congratulations!
The best part, from this point forward he will never consider himself a “victim”. He is a man responsible for himself. Victimhood does not exist in the Marine universe. Congratulations.
Your whole family is on the front lines (and thanks to Obama we’re going to be there soon) and we salute you. The lights of freedom are being extinguished and instead of shoveling coal too many of us are shoveling manure.
EJ, thanks for sharing the tale of your Marine with us. And thanks for giving our nation your Marine.
Marine Dad!
First, a minor correction: It is the eagle, globe and anchor.
Second, I will assume that is your son’s first departure of any length from the family homestead. Write him letters. Tell him what you are seeing and hearing so that as you maintain your stake in your son, he’ll be mentally involved in his family albeit from a distance.
Third, that is even more true if he is deployed. He’ll need to remember that there are real people in real places outside of the combat zone who are his and to whom he belongs. He’ll have to remember places where life goes on without bullets and MREs, and people are not surrounded by Marines and an enemy who might not look like an enemy combatant.
You are the best one to do that for him because you are his dad.
Also, he might need socks so you might be prepared to get his size down when you can so you can send him the right size of sock, preferably with a cushion sole. Experience tells me this.
Congratulations! Semper fi. dt
re 39. Why letters? Letters can be saved and re-read as time and interest permit. One need not open a tablet and search emails. Letters are generally handwritten and therefore a bit more personal. If you can include some pictures as people grow and change, that will help.
Remembering someone at six years old and then seeing them at 10 years old means that part of you is stuck in the past. Pictures can intervene and aid one’s thinking.
Just awesome! Congratulations, and best wishes to him and you. I agree on the letter thing, he will be able to read them over and over. And you can remind him that the whole Ricochet family sends our prayers and good wishes too.
Congratulations mom and dad; well done!
Semper Fidelis.
You’re about to participate in one of the most moving ceremonies you’ll ever see. When your son marches across the parade ground with his platoon and comes to attention in front of you, if you don’t bust a gut with pride you aren’t human. The first time I saw my son during graduation weekend, he was standing at attention in formation after doing an early morning run. Being 6’10”, he towered over his platoon mates, and I was able to look him straight in the eye. There was something there I’d never seen before, my son was a man. Congratulations to him, and to you and your wife, as well, for raising a son who accepted a challenge that few of us would ever attempt. Grant that he stay safe, and best of luck.
Beautifully written piece. Congratulations to your son and to his entire (now) Marine family.
In Israel, it is incumbent upon us to bring an abundant picnic lunch (with meat). His sister informs me that we must also hold up an “embarrassing” poster of some sort. The IDF is fierce, but also homey.
and tell him to always be drying at least one pair of socks inside his pants. (he can thank me later)