The Beginning At Last

Semper Fi!

—

by

Kevin
in ,
Daily writing prompt
Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.
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I would have to say joining the service was a risk I didn’t regret.

It was a time in my life when I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with myself, so it gave me a direction and a purpose when I needed one.

It also showed me that I was capable of far more than I gave myself credit for.

While it certainly wasn’t always a bed of roses, it’s something I am glad and proud that I did.

Some of the lessons I didn’t necessarily appreciate at the time, but later in life, I would have those “a-ha” moments where the dots would connect. Sometimes, I am still learning and understanding things all these years later.

It was an experience I will carry with me always.

Comments

27 responses to “Semper Fi!”

  1. MaryG Avatar
    MaryG

    My dad said something similar. He was young for his grade in school and the Air Force was where he “grew up” after high school.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      It definitely makes you grow up fast if it doesn’t chew you up lol

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    It doesn’t get said often enough – thank you for your service. 😊 🙏 A very powerful life experience to be had and one of purpose, for sure.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you, Laura. 🙏
      It’s definitely a game changer. lol

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. AdamFenner Avatar
    AdamFenner

    Always good to see more Jarheads on the platform.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Another of Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children?
      Semper Fi!

      Like

      Reply
  4. Kymber Hawke Avatar
    Kymber Hawke

    Thank you for your service, Kevin. 🩷🌷🌺

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you, Kymber. 🙏

      Like

      Reply
  5. Mary K. Doyle Avatar
    Mary K. Doyle

    Thank you for serving, Kevin. What arm of the military did you serve in?

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you, Mary. I was in the Marines. 🙏

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Mary K. Doyle Avatar
        Mary K. Doyle

        Once a marine, always a marine. One of my sons-in-law was a marine. The other was in the navy.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Kevin Avatar
        Kevin

        My thanks and respect to them for their service.
        We used to make fun of the Navy. As Marines, it was pretty much expected lol

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Mary K. Doyle Avatar
        Mary K. Doyle

        Yep. That goes on here. And the sailor is ok with that. He said choosing the navy was a conscious decision. He doesn’t like fighting, camping, crawling . . .

        Liked by 2 people

      4. Kevin Avatar
        Kevin

        It goes both ways, trust me. The Navy, and the other branches, all take shots at us jarheads 😄

        Liked by 2 people

  6. Darcy Branwyn Avatar
    Darcy Branwyn

    My son is in the Army. While it’s not all sunshine, it has been good for him.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      My thanks to him for his service. It is indeed not always a fun ride, but it is often a worthy one.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Darcy Branwyn Avatar
        Darcy Branwyn

        Thank you. 😊

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Mthobisi Magagula Avatar
    Mthobisi Magagula

    Good blog post Kevin. Since you were in the Marine and a SOLDIER, I just want to say “SALUTE”🙏🙏🕴💂💂, You have served your country and all the best.

    Being a Soldier is not an easy thing as I see in the movies, Guns and Bombs are what you guys handle and those can be dangerous to use.🔫🔫

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you again for the kind words. Much appreciated. I hope you have a great day 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. mchelsmusings Avatar
    mchelsmusings

    Semper Fi my vet sibling! Army Brat became Army DAV! Hugs

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you M’chel! And thank you for your service! 🙏🙏

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. mchelsmusings Avatar
        mchelsmusings

        You’re welcome ☺️ and Thank You!! 🇺🇸

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Kevin Avatar
        Kevin

        😊

        Liked by 2 people

  9. signalman Avatar
    signalman

    likee wise good one K

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you, man! 🤘

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  10. rugby843 Avatar
    rugby843

    That saying “once a marine, always a marine” must be true, as it seems your strength from the experiences still helps you. We people who have not had the same life will never be able to understand any of it, how you endured. I read many personal accounts and also fiction about different military wars and actions, and am amazed how anyone gets through training, much less being in combat. So my hat, if I wore one, is off to you, and wish you the best.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you very much. 🙏🙏
      The training is, of course, meant to frustrate and test to the maximum degree possible, to ensure that you’re able to withstand working in a high pressure environment. Hence drill instructors screaming all the time, making you work as fast as possible, and doing things over and over and over.
      Truly, at the end of it all, you realize that boredom and complacency are the worst things to overcome at times. It’s a struggle, but succumbing to boredom or complacency could have a high cost in the wrong environment.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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