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Dear Lt. Grose,
I am 16 years old and am currently in Army ROTC in San Diego,
California.
I want to join the Marine Corps reserves after H.S. The
reason why I want to
go with the Reserves is because I'd like to pursue a career
in filmmaking....and the only way I can have time do that is
to be in the
reserves.
Now, here is a question: What do you think of the occupation,
Combat
Photographer? Sure, it's a little crazy, but I figure: if I'm
in the reserves, they're gonna send me off to war as soon as
it starts ANYWAY, so what's the point of not being a combat
photographer? But anyway, back to the question: what do you,
current Marine, think of this choice to be one?
Also, I'd like to say that I love your webpage, it is brilliant
and has given
me hours of entertainment. Keep up the outstanding work, and
I may be a little late in the game (I only found your webpage
recently), but congratulations on becoming an officer....::::salutes:::::
Finally, I also want to say that my father was a Marine,
1962-1968 (wasn't in
Vietnam, however), and went through bootcamp on Parris Island......seeing
FULL
METAL JACKET brought him back (which, BTW, should have been
just a boot camp
movie, because the Vietnam half can't compare with the Boot
Camp half). Also,
the reason why I'd like to be a Marine is because I love the
"character" of
the Corps, the uniforms (they have the best), and the whole
attitude in
general. It also helps that my dad served proudly ;).......(however,
I don't
want to join because of him...the reason I want to join is really
my own
personal willingness, which comes deep from my heart).
Well, it's been great writing you, and before I go I just
have to say again,
keep up the great work, and I loved all of your stories.....thanks
for your
time sir.
D.W.D.
First, I obviously think that going into the Marine
Corps for any young man is a good idea. In today's world, I understand
that youth in America cannot understand the ethos of the Marine
Corps and join it just for the reputation and benefits. But you
will stay for the love of the Corps which you cannot yet possess.
To answer your question about the combat photographer, I
think it is a great idea. I do not know if they can guarantee
you a slot but regardless of your job, I think it can only help
your ambition to become a film maker. You see, the Marine Corps
will give you a different perspective on life that will be eternal.
You will see life a whole lot differently than you do now and
your maturity and discipline will grow exponentially. I do not
usually point out the "what is in it for me" aspects of being
a Marine but if you want a life-changing experience (something
that might give a film maker an edge) I would encourage you
to pursue becoming a Marine.
I also have another agenda for this encouragement. You see,
the Marine Corps has survived so long not because the nation
absolutely needs us but because America wants us. We are the
keepers of what is right with America and work hard to maintain
that. We do not create mindless killing machines but rather
strive to create moral, righteous, intelligent leaders that
represent what our founding fathers envisioned as the ideal
American. Do we always live up to that mark? No, not always
and having such high goals makes us a target to those that would
like to see us fall on our swords. But that is the vast minority
in our ranks that unfortunately get a disproportionate share
of the press.
This is where someone like you can come in. You can help
give the other side of the story. Someone like you could become
a Marine and come to love the Corps and what it stands for;
what your father knows to be true. Ask him and he will verify
what I have said. As the teller of our story, you could use
your skills with the media not to manipulate or distort, but
just to help educate the rest of our society of the incredible
entity that is the Marine Corps. Our facts are better than any
fiction anyone could come up with.
To sum up, join the Marine Corps to become a Marine. Second,
apply your skills and talents to uphold the proud title of a
Marine whether it is scrubbing toilets, fighting the enemy,
or somewhere in between. We need warriors first and foremost
but your talents as a film maker, photographer, etc., might
help continue what me, your father, and millions before us have
sacrificed to maintain: Excellence and honor.
Semper Fi and God Bless.
-- Lt Grose
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