I got back last night from a week with the Marines in San Diego. It was an amazing experience. I saw recruits in training, walked on the airstrip at Miramar, witnessed men weep as they got called Marine for the 1st time after surviving the crucible, and stumbled my way through one of their obstacle courses with a fake rifle. It gave me a lot to think about. Briefly:
1. God disciplines those He loves- I just spent one day being yelled at by a drill sargeant and later saw his kindness and patience. To see the hard transformation of loser to warrior helps me understand God a little more and why survival and sweat and pain can lead to greatness.
2. I've always been a little skeptical of the military. I've known some angry, mean men who seemed warped by the experience. But getting to meet really great men won me over to something more fierce than what I usually consider as a white democrat from the burbs. I have a new respect for the need to have men who know how to attack, kill and win. Hallmark sentments about bravery shrink in contrast to the real thing.
3. Guys who train that hard have a different respect for their bodies and what they can do. I hope I remember that and push myself a little harder than the minimal workouts I put in. It makes you curious about your own potential.
1. God disciplines those He loves- I just spent one day being yelled at by a drill sargeant and later saw his kindness and patience. To see the hard transformation of loser to warrior helps me understand God a little more and why survival and sweat and pain can lead to greatness.
2. I've always been a little skeptical of the military. I've known some angry, mean men who seemed warped by the experience. But getting to meet really great men won me over to something more fierce than what I usually consider as a white democrat from the burbs. I have a new respect for the need to have men who know how to attack, kill and win. Hallmark sentments about bravery shrink in contrast to the real thing.
3. Guys who train that hard have a different respect for their bodies and what they can do. I hope I remember that and push myself a little harder than the minimal workouts I put in. It makes you curious about your own potential.
1 comment:
sounds like a great experience! made an impression on you.c
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