Kayla, thanks for your honesty and authenticity! I really appreciate how your story has formed the perspective you carry now: we are meant to grow where we’re planted, to be fully committed to the mission/purpose of the present, so that we can gradually become our best selves. And your North Star, your faith in God, is refreshing to hear in a world where professional success is often described in very individualistic terms.
Well said. Change is difficult. You made two decisions - leaving the Corps and going to work at Rivet. I know you've had bumps along the way; but when you leave any service after some intense times, the adjustment is a challenge. No services transition process really does a great job for junior/mid career officers and Junior NCO's/Senior NCO's. (I retired in 1995 after 22 years in the Marines and Army Airborne so it probably has changed a bit.) You prepared for it and thought it thru. I know a good many officers and NCO's who didn't and things were rough. When you leave Rivet (very few people work their entire career for one company now), it's not about the money - it's about waking up without an alarm clock because you love what you.
This is really good. Getting comfortable in my own skin took me a long longer than it seems to have taken you, and it’s no small accomplishment. Well done!
Kayla, I want to compliment you on being such a fantastic writer! I’ve always enjoyed your posts! I think you really hit the nail on the head with this article. It should really speak to a lot of folks going through that decision matrix in their head. Very fitting that I am reading this on my 10 year anniversary after getting out of the Marine Corps and beginning my life outside the Corps. I too have been very blessed in everything that has been a result of my decision to join the Marine Corps. 17 year old me standing on the footprints 36 years ago would never have imagined I’d be where I am now. Lots of peaks and valleys along the way, but the journey has been amazing. Thank you for writing this, and please keep posting. This article really made my day!
Great essay. Clearly you have a real gift for writing.
I am of the belief that we all need structure more than we know or choose to believe. Most of us need an anchor otherwise we become unmoored. We won't realize that until the anchor is no longer there.
A large factor in success in all areas of life is knowing when to end something (job/career, relationship, affiliation w/ an organization, etc). You seem to have known the right time to leave the Marine Corps.
Best of luck on your new career in corporate America. I look forward to reading more of your material.
Congrats on the year. As someone with a DD214 that's old enough to have graduated college, your old you may eventually show back up. Not all of it, but some of it.
Kayla, thanks for your honesty and authenticity! I really appreciate how your story has formed the perspective you carry now: we are meant to grow where we’re planted, to be fully committed to the mission/purpose of the present, so that we can gradually become our best selves. And your North Star, your faith in God, is refreshing to hear in a world where professional success is often described in very individualistic terms.
Well said. Change is difficult. You made two decisions - leaving the Corps and going to work at Rivet. I know you've had bumps along the way; but when you leave any service after some intense times, the adjustment is a challenge. No services transition process really does a great job for junior/mid career officers and Junior NCO's/Senior NCO's. (I retired in 1995 after 22 years in the Marines and Army Airborne so it probably has changed a bit.) You prepared for it and thought it thru. I know a good many officers and NCO's who didn't and things were rough. When you leave Rivet (very few people work their entire career for one company now), it's not about the money - it's about waking up without an alarm clock because you love what you.
Thank you. 4 months out and I needed to read this right now.
This is really good. Getting comfortable in my own skin took me a long longer than it seems to have taken you, and it’s no small accomplishment. Well done!
i guess you just figured out why they say there no such thing as a former Marine.
You captured this phenomena so perfectly. Very relatable!
Kayla, I want to compliment you on being such a fantastic writer! I’ve always enjoyed your posts! I think you really hit the nail on the head with this article. It should really speak to a lot of folks going through that decision matrix in their head. Very fitting that I am reading this on my 10 year anniversary after getting out of the Marine Corps and beginning my life outside the Corps. I too have been very blessed in everything that has been a result of my decision to join the Marine Corps. 17 year old me standing on the footprints 36 years ago would never have imagined I’d be where I am now. Lots of peaks and valleys along the way, but the journey has been amazing. Thank you for writing this, and please keep posting. This article really made my day!
Semper Fi!
Kent
Great essay. Clearly you have a real gift for writing.
I am of the belief that we all need structure more than we know or choose to believe. Most of us need an anchor otherwise we become unmoored. We won't realize that until the anchor is no longer there.
A large factor in success in all areas of life is knowing when to end something (job/career, relationship, affiliation w/ an organization, etc). You seem to have known the right time to leave the Marine Corps.
Best of luck on your new career in corporate America. I look forward to reading more of your material.
I'm still transitioning into civilian life, 30 years later :) You wrote about it better than I could.
Open & insightful. A refreshing read
I don't like reading what you write but I love visualizing your story. SF
Congrats on the year. As someone with a DD214 that's old enough to have graduated college, your old you may eventually show back up. Not all of it, but some of it.