Comments | erunamiryene: 100 Things Entry 1: It's 99.999% Propaganda and Myth-Building

erunamiryene

100 Things Entry 1: It's 99.999% Propaganda and Myth-Building

May 21, 2012 09:14

(Note: These entries aren't in any certain order. It's basically just what I feel like writing about at the time.)

Today, I'm clicking through Tumblr, and I see this quote:
"Being a Marine is a state of mind. It is an experience some have likened more to a calling than a profession. Being a Marine is not a job - not a paycheck; it is not an ( Read more... )

100 things challenge

Comments 3

khronos_keeper June 20 2012, 01:56:53 UTC

Hi! You don't know me, but I came across your journal via the Gen Kill comm, and this entry made me grin, because I was precisely the person who drank the Kool Aid. My parents likened it to getting into a relationship and then having a falling out, but I think the cult metaphor is better.

I spent a year working on getting into Marine OCS, ultimately to be turned down at the regional boards. But damn did I feel something special, gearing to be a Marine Officer. And a female at that.

/pathetic wannabe

erunamiryene June 20 2012, 02:05:03 UTC

Okay, this is gonna be very, very strange. But ... did you comment to an annoyed anon over on fandom!secrets about Katy Perry wearing cammies for a music video when she didn't earn it? Cause that very irritated anon was me. XD

When I first signed up, I was as moto as all hell. Recruiting posters on my walls, I wore USMC shirts everywhere, it was all I talked about. XD I think it wore off ... about in comm school, so about 6 months in. That's when I realized that there was a lot of stupid shit in the Marines. And a lot of really stupid Marines. XD ( ... )

khronos_keeper June 20 2012, 03:23:52 UTC

That was me! Yeah not many people swanning around claiming to be rejected Candidiots lols.

I still sort of have that pang to want to join, but I remember the process of getting there, and this in an even worse economy and yeah. The application process was not fun, and extremely competitive. I was no stud, but I did pull a 1st class PFT, so at least I was up to par. And I was still a non select.

I am such a KoolAid drinker its not even funny. My future job choices are still a 3-way split between military officership, intel work, and political communication work for me. Maybe as a somewhat older person going into OCS (Marine or Army), it would be better for the enlisted guys. I once saw a comparison drawn between bootenants and puppies. Cute as hell and energetic, but you sure as shit don;t want to give them any kind of authority or command. Hahah.

But I'm glad I don't come across as a reject to servicemembers, active or former. I still feel bad not getting in the first time, but eh. What can ya do.