I enjoyed reading this and am happy that you were able to give it your all for 5 years. This context helped me put my 20-year Marine Corps career into a different perspective. I can really only claim to have given my all for 17 years, which I am immensely proud of. But those other 3 years injured me in ways that I may never fully recover from. However, since retiring I am doing better personally and professionally (dare I also say financially?) than I ever thought possible. It took me a bit longer, but I did find my way back.
Well written. Transition from service, especially from the Marine Corps, is hard to process at the subconscious level. On the surface, I was less stressed and embraced in a new freedom, but inside of me was this struggle to unwind the parts of the Marine Corps that were no longer present in my life. I image what some of us experience is similar to what intutionalized prisoners feel when they are released. Not intentionally indicating service is a sentence, but you are sort of on contractual probation while you serve.
Service members are creatures of nature and it's a master class on "form follows function." The Marine Corps excels at that!!! That is why we identify differently to everyone. Semper Fi.
I also didn’t realize the mental toll it was taking until it was lifted. I know the feeling. It’s a difficult lifestyle and worth for a time, but everyone’s limit is different. But you earned the title and no one can ever take it from you.
I left after my second enlistment, and it was a hard decision and filled with mixed emotions. Thank you for your honesty and courage in sharing your emotions.
Beautiful message and something I think we can all relate to...The beauty of it is that we all cherish the sentiment "Once a Marine, Always a Marine," regardless of how many years we spent serving! You are a shining example of the best of us. Knowing when to walk away is the key to everything and anything in life!
Well stated. People need to find their own path and with the military it could be 4 years it could be 24 years. For me I knew at 18 that I was going to make 20 years and would only go further than that if I was selected to Senior Chief before that (no offence but I had no desire to go before the CWO board). Like me you did what was best for you, for your happiness and well being. Sometimes that is scary but sometimes those are the best things.
The loss of your talent is truly a negative for the Marine Corps, but I completely understand. The Marine Corps does not love you back...
I do wonder though if yours was like so many Marines that I've known whose decision to leave the Marine Corps was shaped by the fate of the duty stations in which they served. 8th & I without a doubt was a demanding spot; certainly a life and career lived out under a microscope. Do you think things might've gone differently had you avoided duty there?
I respect you and thank you for your service to our Country. That said, I wasn’t living anyone else’s dream each day of my thirty-three year career that I was privileged to wear the cloth of our Nation as a Marine. Some good days & some hard days, but great people throughout - it has been one of my best life choices!
That’s great to hear — thank you for your many years of service. As I said in my post, I’m deeply thankful for those who choose to devote their lives to service in the military or any other calling that demands great sacrifice. I admire and respect them wholeheartedly. This was a deeply personal reflection and eventually I realized it was not MY dream.
You nailed it…it is a deeply personal journey for every person who serves, even when the institution(s) purpose is served as a collective team. I applaud your service and I applaud your personal decision to move onto a different path! Semper Fi and that means something too!
I enjoyed reading this and am happy that you were able to give it your all for 5 years. This context helped me put my 20-year Marine Corps career into a different perspective. I can really only claim to have given my all for 17 years, which I am immensely proud of. But those other 3 years injured me in ways that I may never fully recover from. However, since retiring I am doing better personally and professionally (dare I also say financially?) than I ever thought possible. It took me a bit longer, but I did find my way back.
Well written. Transition from service, especially from the Marine Corps, is hard to process at the subconscious level. On the surface, I was less stressed and embraced in a new freedom, but inside of me was this struggle to unwind the parts of the Marine Corps that were no longer present in my life. I image what some of us experience is similar to what intutionalized prisoners feel when they are released. Not intentionally indicating service is a sentence, but you are sort of on contractual probation while you serve.
Service members are creatures of nature and it's a master class on "form follows function." The Marine Corps excels at that!!! That is why we identify differently to everyone. Semper Fi.
“Life’s too short to ignore the quiet pull of your own soul” - That’s such a great message!
I also didn’t realize the mental toll it was taking until it was lifted. I know the feeling. It’s a difficult lifestyle and worth for a time, but everyone’s limit is different. But you earned the title and no one can ever take it from you.
I left after my second enlistment, and it was a hard decision and filled with mixed emotions. Thank you for your honesty and courage in sharing your emotions.
Beautiful message and something I think we can all relate to...The beauty of it is that we all cherish the sentiment "Once a Marine, Always a Marine," regardless of how many years we spent serving! You are a shining example of the best of us. Knowing when to walk away is the key to everything and anything in life!
Well stated. People need to find their own path and with the military it could be 4 years it could be 24 years. For me I knew at 18 that I was going to make 20 years and would only go further than that if I was selected to Senior Chief before that (no offence but I had no desire to go before the CWO board). Like me you did what was best for you, for your happiness and well being. Sometimes that is scary but sometimes those are the best things.
The loss of your talent is truly a negative for the Marine Corps, but I completely understand. The Marine Corps does not love you back...
I do wonder though if yours was like so many Marines that I've known whose decision to leave the Marine Corps was shaped by the fate of the duty stations in which they served. 8th & I without a doubt was a demanding spot; certainly a life and career lived out under a microscope. Do you think things might've gone differently had you avoided duty there?
I respect you and thank you for your service to our Country. That said, I wasn’t living anyone else’s dream each day of my thirty-three year career that I was privileged to wear the cloth of our Nation as a Marine. Some good days & some hard days, but great people throughout - it has been one of my best life choices!
Semper Fidelis
That’s great to hear — thank you for your many years of service. As I said in my post, I’m deeply thankful for those who choose to devote their lives to service in the military or any other calling that demands great sacrifice. I admire and respect them wholeheartedly. This was a deeply personal reflection and eventually I realized it was not MY dream.
Semper Fidelis!
You nailed it…it is a deeply personal journey for every person who serves, even when the institution(s) purpose is served as a collective team. I applaud your service and I applaud your personal decision to move onto a different path! Semper Fi and that means something too!
Beautifully said, Kayla. I’m so glad you are finding peace and happiness in your new path!