My Corps Identity

I was 12 years old when I decided to join the Army – as I thought of military service at the time. I didn’t know the right words, but I was sold on the concepts of going on adventures, learning new skills, and making friends for life that I saw in Army commercials on television. At 17, when the time came for me to sign up for one branch, a single thought wouldn’t leave my mind: “Could I make it as a Marine?” Would I always wonder the answer if I chose another service? I went ahead and found out.

It has been over 20 years since I graduated from Parris Island and 12 years since I last put on my cammies. Despite the flow of time, I still think of being in the Marine Corps as one of the best times of my life. I did learn skills, I did have adventures, and I did make friends for life. My time in the Marines still influences how I view myself and how I view others.

The standards I use for myself were solidified in the standards I was held to while in service. When I criticize myself, it’s my gunny’s voice that I hear saying “C’mon Burns!” The way that I lead others is a direct result of trying to emulate what I saw in my supervisors. I’ll never run another fitness test but I still beat myself up over my three-mile time. My affinity for Marines expanded to my affinity for veterans and that affinity led to my wanting to help veterans file claims with the VA.

I try not to let “Marine” be my only identity. I’ve done other things and I have other identities. However, it’s difficult for “Marine” not to be dominant. Some of my best and longest friends are Marines or Marine veterans. I love to bring up the Marine Corps whenever I learn that someone else served. I wear my old unit t-shirts to the gym. I mention my service in my work as a VSO representative at Navy Mutual because it adds to my credibility for clients. I’m still so proud of having done what I did.

This post was supposed to be about what being a veteran means to me, but I almost never say I’m a veteran. While I love veterans, and helping them and their families is a job that I love, I always say I was a Marine.

Happy Birthday, Devil Dogs. Don’t forget one for the Commandant, one for the Corps, and one for Chesty, wherever he is. Happy Veterans Day to all Veterans!

To learn more about my employer, Navy Mutual, and the services they offer the military community, visit https://rly.pt/3NOtlLh