Goodbyes

The day has arrived. Tomorrow afternoon I will begin the drive to Marine Base Quantico in Virginia to embark on Marine Officer Candidate School. I have all but finished packing, some of the more notable items being $458 to purchase uniforms,gear, and haircuts, waterproof notepads, make-up remover pads, and a flashlight (more of a headlamp) that goes around your forehead.



My final civilian weeks have been a blast, especially the 9th. Bryan and Adam planned a small 'suaree' for me. The outpouring of friends was overwhelming. I must have had thirty people came in and out throughout the evening to send me off. I'm lucky to have such a great group of people around me.

It's interesting how much your feeling change for an event like this as it gets closer. Two months ago I was invincible, nothing could stop me from graduating OCS. I didn't have a doubt in my mind. As the situation has become more tangible in the last few days, that little doubt monster that gets in everyone's mind begins to creep in. It has not helped that I've talked to a number of people recently who think I'm crazy for 1) Going into the service and 2) For joining the Marines of all the branches. I shrug them off because I know why I'm doing it, and my decision has been made by me for reasons for others just cannot fathom. I want to make a difference in this world, I want to join the hardest branch and go through the toughest Officer training, I want to go on dangerous assignments, I want the respect that comes with being a Marine, I want to lead people now and I want to go in first when America calls. My skill set just doesn't allow me to do some of those behind a desk or in another branch of service.

So as the doubt monster creeps in questions start popping in my head,; Am I cut out for the Marines? Will they see that I'm a good or even great candidate like I know I am? How will I deal with the cold? Will I "get it"? Am I really ready to committ four or more years of my life to the Corps? I think most of these also stem from what I'm leaving behind: Ohio. As much as I curse Ohio sometimes, it's people and places have made what I am today, and for that I am extremely grateful. Among those people are my loving family (with a shout-out to my sis doing her thing in Nashville), the most supportive and fun group of friends I could ask for, and my absolutely wonderful girlfriend. Most of these people are dreamers like me though so they know what I'm going after. The best to all of you.

In a futile attempt not to get ahead of myself, I will give you all the website to follow my conquests. This journal obviously, which I am going to try and update Week 4 (around the middle February) and at least every other week after that, but also http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/. On this website is Graduation and Family Day information as well as photos that will be posted of my company throughout each phase of my training. Thanks for reading.