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Recruit McCurry,
I just got your address so I thought I would shoot off a
quick note before you complete your training. By now, you have
probably figured out what makes the Marine Corps such a special
honor. I know that right now, all that you have experienced
has been the initial shock of recruit training and may be wondering
what you have gotten yourself into. On the other hand, as the
end draws near, you might be feeling the jubilation and pride
that surviving bootcamp provides. Take it from me, these feelings
will be with you until the day that you depart topside.
Think back over the last three months and remember what
you have gone through. The endless days on the drill deck. The
long, hot, boring days on the rifle range wondering if you were
even going to qualify. The freezing mornings in the field when
the last thing in the world you wanted to do was to get out
of your warm sleeping bag and start another arduous day. The
thrill of victory when you overcame whatever little monster
was hiding inside you, whispering that you would not make it
another day. Those days are now just a memories!
Now you are on the edge of opportunity. Soon, you will be
a Marine at the start of your career. No longer will you have
a drill instructor to scrutinize your every move. You will have
the opportunity to get away with many things in the absence
of constant observation. The best definition of discipline,
and I want you to remember this, is to do what you know is RIGHT
when no one is around and you know you could get away with taking
the easy path. You are now a United States Marine and because
you claim that coveted title, remember that the price you pay
is upholding the honor and reputation paid in blood by those
that came before you. Not only must you uphold the standards
yourself, but your must have the courage to enforce and demand
them from all Marines around you. Do not allow wrongdoing and
undisciplined behavior to occur around you. Observing it and
not doing anything about it is as bad, if not worse, than participating
yourself. You have the DUTY to square away your corner of the
Marine Corps and I charge you to complete this mission.
I hope you understand what I am trying to say here. I congratulate
you on your completion of the toughest training our Nation has
to offer and now I want you to become a Marine worth leading.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Brotherhood where we
will both be forever linked. Semper Fi and God Bless,
Jason D. Grose
2nd Lieutenant
USMC
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