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Sunday, September 13, 2009

My Story

I apologize to all you avid bloggers for my intense lack of consistency through the year 2009. But I plan to generously make up for it from this moment on. I now have a story to tell. As many of you know, I have enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. And as I have spread this news, I have received mainly reactions of surprise. (The best reaction yet has to be from my Grandpa Muir whose initial reaction was, “You know they use real bullets over there right?”). But I guess this fault is mainly mine, I have never really expressed this desire to anyone except my closest friends and my parents. So consequently, it has been a shock. The first two questions everyone asks are “are you still going on a mission?” and “why?”. To answer the first question, I give a resounding yes; I am still serving a mission. Wild horses couldn’t keep me from it. The second question however is slightly more complex. So as I explain my story, I hope to be able to make those who are disappointed with my decision, really understand why I have chosen to go to war.

My first experience with military was in the 2nd grade when we were having “Grandparents’ Day” at my school. My step-grandfather, Phillip Evans, had served in the army. This meant very little to me, except I knew I was proud that I was able to stand an American Flag behind our little booth, and as people walked by, they knew he was a war veteran. He even let me wear his old cami uniform with the “Evans” name tag across the chest. Though I was naive to the atrocities of war, and I had no experience of losing a loved one, I knew I was proud of the sacrifices my grandfather had made.

Then on the morning of September 11th, 2001, I woke up and told something terrible was happening in New York City. I watched a little bit of it on the news, and then went to school as I normally did. I had never heard of terrorists, Iraq, or Afghanistan. But they were terms I quickly became very familiar with in the coming days. When America declared war, many of the National Guard units were mobilized on very short notice, one of which was one of our third grade teachers, Mr. Nailwalker. I remember very specifically the entire school standing in the hallway all wishing him well as he walked away in his newly issued desert camis. That had been the first time I had been directly influenced by war, and sacrifices the men and women of the armed forces are required to make. I still was naive, but I knew the men who were willing to leave their families on a moment’s notice, for an undefined period of time, had some form of motivation I would later learn to describe at patriotism.

Eighth grade rolled around, and I was enrolled in Ms. Haight’s U.S. History class. I found the class stimulating and enjoyed her style of teaching. As part of the curriculum, we did a short segment on the military and the career opportunities it offered. I became extremely interested in the National Guard, but alas, as most fourteen year olds would, I lost interest fairly quick.

Military once again slipped into the back of my mind. Not really a career interest whatsoever. I had the upmost respect for those in the military and I admired their courage and honor, but I just assumed it wasn’t for me. It wasn’t a path people like me took, or so I thought.

Then I had a good friend named Joe Cowan, enlist in the USMC as a senior. I knew him well before he left, and my interest was sparked once again when I saw the stark contrast of his character and confidence when he returned. He asked me to come in to the station with him for an interview with the recruiters. I was obviously hesitant. Recruiter almost sounded like a dirty word and it carried such negative connotations. I had big plans for college, starting my own business, and living the high life of riches and success. The Marines just didn’t seem to fit into that plan. Nevertheless, I humored my friend and agreed to an interview.

During the interview, Sergeant Ybarra started using words I had always used to describe men of the military. But all of a sudden it seemed so real. I understood this was a career path very real, and that they needed men like me. Courage, Honor, Commitment, Confidence, Poise, Valor; were all words used to describe the United States Marine. Marines are rough and aggressive men, arguably to a fault. But they do it for their God and Country. I don’t claim to have always carried this parcel of patriotism with me. I grew up quite typically as any other boy. Even now, I don’t fully comprehend the price of freedom, it's a sacrifice I have just bugun to make. But I understand that it is not free. And no one since my Grandfather Muir has served in the military, even though my family in particular has generously reaped the benefits of freedom.

I started to have visions of a new plan. That wasn’t based on money, fame, or worldly comforts; but instead on Courage, Honor, and Commitment to my God and Country. My parents were obviously surprised, and less than encouraging of my new plan. They were justified in thinking it was just another phase I was going through. But little did they understand, I wanted to join because they raised me with a desire to be a man of valor, honor, and of noble character. I have no desire to go to any far off desert country, leaving home and family, and fight against people with a burning irrational loathing towards us, simply because we salute to the American flag. But if doing this will somehow bring peace to a war-torn country and to an innocent people that have been suppressed by unrighteous dominion for so long, it will be a price I gladly pay.

In regards to a survival instinct, it is counter-intuitive to enlist in any fighting force during a time of war. But the prophets have said it is by no mistake that the Angel Moroni, who is placed with honor on the tops of every temple, was a captain in the military. He was strong in his faith, an excellent leader, and despised the shedding of blood. He understood war is the most wasteful of the Lord’s resources. But he also knew of its importance, when used to bring safety and peace so the gospel can blossom. There is no doubt that Moroni’s experiences on the battlefield helped shape the man he became. If I can become more like that great leader by serving as an officer in America’s elite fighting force, I will do so.

Another question people typically ask is, “Why Marines?”. This is a valid comment. Especially for someone like me who has always expressed such ambition in earning money in the past. The Marine Corp. doesn’t give out bonuses, it’s more difficult to get rank advancements, and our basic training is longer, and infinitely more difficult than other branches. However, this ensures, that only the people who really want to be Marines, and who are ambitious enough to take the challenge of war will make it. Only eight of every one hundred servicemen are Marines, making them by far the smallest branch. Our slogan is, “the few, the proud”, for a reason. I researched the other branches and I was unable to find the same camaraderie or the same warrior ethos that is present with the Marines. We are the tip of the spear, and the first ones to the fight. I chose Marines because it will present me with a real challenge that will be infinitely rewarding, and will help me progress with self discipline and self direction.

It took eight months to get my parent’s consent to enlist. But on September 3rd, 2009, I was sworn in as an official defender of the constitution. And as such I have been expected to live my life as one.

I apologize if I came off overly sensitive, or sounding over confident in my decision. But I have found it very difficult to fully explain my heart to people when they want to know how I reached this decision. I assure you I mean this to be read strictly so I can be better understood by friends and family. And I hope to gain your support in doing so. Feel free to leave comments. I will be updating occasionally to give the status of my experiences in the delayed entry program. During basic training I will send a letter home once a week for my mother to post, so those who would like to can stay updated on my condition. Thanks for reading this; I know it’s been long. And I’d love to hear from you!

12 comments:

Michael Scott Sandberg said...

haha dude youre such a stud. i have always supported this decision. very honorable. not many have the courage you spoke of to do something like this. haha i know i dont. i look up to ya man. youre a shining example of what a good person is. ive been honored and blessed to call you my friend. i wish you all the best and luck in the world. love ya bud

Unknown said...

Adam I would like to congradulate you for becoming a Marine. I have a high respect for those who decide to serve our country and to allow others to experiance what our life is by spreading the joys of liberty. I hope that this experiance will open doors that will benifit your life in the future. My family has felt those experiances from my grandfather who served the US Air Force during WW II, as a mechanic, and he as told us countless experiances during his service during one of worlds worst wars.
One word of caution though that I hope you will take. Today's world is filled with the present of Satan more so than Soddam and Gormoa (spelling?) and even so like the later days of the Nefitas (can't spell it in English). Never let your standards down today's standards will be good for today, but come tomorrow those standards won't be good enough to survive the day. I hope and encourage you to keep your already high standards and keep them higher each day. I'm happy that your still planning to go on your mission it's the best thing that you could do. As you said be like Moroni and like wise like Helaman be thou an example. Think about like your one of the 2,000 stripping warriors who they where taught be the mothers and their families to remain strong in faith. I know that if you keep your faith that if your sent to fight for our county you will come home unharmed just as the strippling warriors.
I wish you good luck and I hope for the best for you. Sorry if I got churchy on you I felt inspired to write this when I read it. God bless and God bless America.

Clestial said...

Adam, you are such a fantastic person. I know sometimes my compliments seem random and unplanned, but I just love your passion and dedication to the things you really care about. We talked about Moroni in my sunday school class yesterday (my bro was teaching) and he pointed out how Moroni wasn't called as a missionary but he shared his testimony with all those around him by displaying the title of liberty. It's obvious that you are going into the Marines for the right reasons and I wish you well. I hope it's a challenge for you. You are AWESOME!

Barb Johnson said...

HOW OLD ARE YOU???????? Honestly, Adam, you have to be at least 40! You don't sound like ANY teenager I know. I want you to know that THIS aunt is so proud of you! You are the kind of man I want defending me, my kids, my grandkids, and theirs! You're my modern-day Moroni, and you'll be prayed for MUCHO! Thank you thank you for the insightful post, and the noble (yet fun) character you are. You're my hero, bud.

Lisa Moore said...

I'm so proud of you Adam! It's unfortunate that war has to happen and it's a scary job but someone has to do it. Our country would be so much more amazing if we had a whole bunch of men like you representing and defending us. I'm sure our kids will always look up to Uncle Adam!

The Rubens said...

Very cool steedly. You be careful out there.

Unknown said...

Adam:

Your father and I worked together 20 years ago and I will be seeing him again this weekend for a reunion of our old project team.

My son, Steve, also joined the Marines and I am quite proud of him. As I believe you know, I was a helicopter pilot in the Coast Guard and, at Boot Camp, my son was asked what his father did and he replied, "Sir, he was in the Coast Guard, sir. The Coast Guard is the hard core about which the Navy forms in time of war!" I am sure you are not aware that the Coast Guard becomes part of the Navy in time of war, but I think this comment from Steve earned him some "points" because evidently Marines do not have much respect for their parent service, the Navy.

Needless to say, I am proud of you also. Your blog gives me the impression that you thought about your decision to enlist and made the decision for the right reasons.

One of the reasons I joined the Coast Guard was because I was attracted to the humanitarian aspects of saving lives but also the fact that, in time of war, we did our part in the Navy to serve our country "in harm's way".

It is particularly pleasing to me to see that there are still young American men and women who believe in God, Honor, Country.

Dave Jones
Captain, U. S. Coast Guard (Retired)

jonlayne said...

Adman. It's hard to believe the man that wrote that is my goofy little cousin that I have known and loved for so many years. What a man you have become. It's astonishing. I cannot think of a better man for the job. I KNOW you will fight to protect the innocent with honor. I KNOW you will change lives forever in doing this great work. I'm so so proud of you.

jonlayne said...

Oops... this is Tracy, not Jon. :) But he is proud too.

Stacey-Marie said...

Adam. You are amazing, we all know that. I wanna be more like you when I grow up :D

Kenny the Magnificent said...

Good man, Adam. I'm going to do something similar; I'm interested in the Guard over the Marines though. The best of luck to you man. We all support you here in Murray.

kelli said...

Hm. I'm going to blame my emotion on being so sick. But Adam, I have always been impressed with you. That hasn't changed since we first met :)

I fully support your decision to serve God and our country. I'll be honest--I've never had an overly strong sense of patriotism, but perhaps your decision and friendship will boost that.

I just have such a hard time thinking of soldiers' poor families, who never know when their husband or father will have to leave, or be able to come back.. IF he comes back. It breaks my heart. And I would never wish that on anyone. However, I know you're doing the right thing. Thanks, buddy. :) Love yer guts.