Prospective Marines

It’s not a matter of whether you are smart enough or strong enough to be a marine; it’s a matter of having the drive to push yourself to be what it takes, to give your all, and to earn the title of being the best.  Your determination; or lack thereof, is your primary obstacle.


Ask yourself, “How bad do I want to be a Marine?” before you discourage yourself with “I won’t be able to pass the ASVAB,” or “I can’t do one chin-up let alone 20!”  If you are determined to be the best, you will be.  All you have to do is keep your head in the game.  Study! Work out! Mainly, don’t quit and don’t let others dissuade you.  The decision is ultimately yours.


Are you ready to take a stand? To serve your country? To acquire a sense of belonging?  Are you looking for adventure and travel? To be someone others look to in times of need? Or do you just want to be the best?  Life is about taking chances and challenging your self to be better.  Challenge yourself to overcome the fear of enlisting.  Recruiters are there to help you make a decision, not pressure you into joining.  Speak with one to find out what your options are before you deny yourself the great opportunity of being a marine.  You may find that many of the circulating stereotypes are nothing more than rumors. 


It took a lot of courage for me to walk into my first interview.  I was being overwhelmed by the negativity coming from family and friends about the Marine Corps.  Everyone kept saying “The Marines? Why the Marines? You don’t want to do that… it will be too hard.”  So I asked myself, “Do I really want it to be easy?”  I would have no sense of accomplishment if it was just handed to me. 


Aside from the challenges I would be faced with, everyone kept stressing that “everyone who comes out of the Marine Corps is crazy, or has issues” and “Marines are the first to fight, so that means they are the first to die.”  Everyone was trying to scare me out of choosing the Marines.  They wanted me to choose a branch that would be safe.


But what is more safe than being surrounded by other marines, who you have learned to call brothers and sisters, who are the most effective, feared, and respected group of men and women, and who would risk their own life to try and save yours?  You want me to be safe, where I will have people I can depend on.  Then there is only one branch to choose, the United States Marine Corps.

Making My Decision

It only took one time hanging from that chin up bar for me to know I was ready to change my life.  It was something I never considered before, but once I said those words “I want to be a Marine”... I knew right then, it was the best decision I ever made….

I had always wanted to join the Air Force, mainly because I wanted to be a jet pilot (height and speed.. my two favorite things.)  But then again, I was always going to be an astronaut, veterinarian, and actress too.  Being a US Marine was never part of the game plan. 

I met SSgt. Verduce at the Hookstown Fair, where him and a few other marines where scouting out possible recruits.  At first I was hesitant to even walk up to the tent, knowing how all recruiters act like vultures.  I didn’t plan on joining the Marines, or any other branch for that matter.  I just wanted to see how long I could hang from that chin up bar, I wanted that 70 seconds, I wanted that shirt!  I was going to pass it up though, so I didn’t have to give the recruiters my information. I didn’t want them to contact me.  But that bar kept calling to me.

I wasn’t able to hold the flexed arm hang for the full 70 seconds, but I wasn’t going to give up that easily either.  So I came back the next day and tried again.  Still, no 70 seconds hang.  That feeling I got, however, from just getting back up on that bar… it was a feeling I knew from somewhere… and it was a good feeling, and it sparked something inside. 

I decided to give SSgt my phone number so we could set something up where I could get information.  At first I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do… I just wanted options.  I was surprised at how quickly SSgt called me.  I got a message during my lunch break, so I called and scheduled to go to the office right after work that day.  SSgt Verduce set me up with one of his recruiters, Sgt Hall.  Even though Sgt Hall made the Corps sound like the place to be, I was still hesitant.  There are so many negative feeling towards the Marines from people I have known my whole life, I was skeptical. I didn’t want to disappoint my parents, and I didn’t want to come out “changed”.

However, within just one week of meeting with Sgt Hall, I knew what my decision was.  Seeing how passionate he and SSgt Verduce are about the Marine Corps, was evidence enough for me. I was going to be one of the few and one of the proud.  The words felt perfect as I said them, and they are the most meaningful 8 words that I have said in my 20 years, “SGT HALL, I WANT TO BE A MARINE”