1000 Words on Why I Joined the Marine Corps

1000 words

Never thought I would be the one writing an essay about myself messing up. Since the very first day I swore to protect this country, I have always done the right thing. Out of all the people I knew from my childhood, I am the only one making something of myself. Alot of them are in jail, on their way to jail, or dead. I wanted something better for myself. I craved a challenge. Since anything is better than death, the Marine Corps provided the challenge that I long wanted.

The very first day I met my recruiter, I was dumb found by what I saw. In front of me stood an average sized man. Mismatched blue trousers with a red stripe down the middle, a khaki blouse with strange ribbons on his chest. I knew a little about what the Marine Corps was about, the most elite fighting force known to man, guardians of the pearly white gates. Naturally, I walked up to him. We started a basic conversation, mostly about school and what my plans where after graduation. I told him I planned on continuing my education, and earning a degree in medicine. He told me about the benefits of enlisting in the Marine Corps, not only did he promise me an education but also the opportunity to travel the world and see new things. Growing up middle class, I didn’t have the money to travel much. Needless to say, I was intrigued. I asked more about becoming an officer in the Marine Corps. Even though I wanted to get out of the house as soon as I could, my education came first. He told me about a program I could do, that would let me become an officer, while going to college, while still working my job as an enlisted marine. That was the last thing I needed to hear. I was in, and I was ready for an adventure.

My recruiter failed to mention the thirteen weeks of hell and five weeks of nonstop hills and forced marches. A challenge that I would sometimes think was not worth the pain. I dug down deep inside, and found the courage to keep pushing forward. I had to prove to the people that...