Many times I've questioned the wisdom of my choices and one that seems always at the top of that particular list was my decision to enlist in the Marines. In a practical sense, the choices I made during my tour of duty and after my enlistment ended, gave me no advantage in the realm of career choices or advances. For example, the civilian world has no real opportunities for a rifle expert with special skills in operating a PRC-77 radio. However, I could have been very successful if I began a career in shining boots or mopping floors for a living.
I relish my time-in not for what it could've done for me career-wise as a civilian, but because of the men with whom I served, the camaraderie, the values, customs, courtesy and traditions. Anyone who has shared the experience honorably, needs no further explanation.
In regard to the original question about what advantage I have resulting from my enlistment, it's determination. I have to say that regardless of the assignment, we were to do it no matter the cost. Our personal opinions or feelings about the viability or level of difficulty did not factor in, regardless of how I felt, my mood or attitude. The weather was no factor. It could be hot, cold, raining, or snowing and the time of day or night wasn't important, and it didn't matter where we were.
It's singularly noteworthy that the specific value of "do or die" is more than just a tattoo and also some of these values, in my case, really did not resonate with me until in my later years of self-employment.
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