…don’t let it change your mind.
I’ve carried a card on my person since this date 21 years ago. It’s a card I received from Drill Instructor Sgt. Smith. It simply states the Marine Corps core values of Honor (integrity, responsibility, accountability) Courage (do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons) & Commitment (devotion to the corps and my fellow marines).
(Turn the card over) _________ is a Marine.
Marines:
OBEY THE LAW
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
RESPECT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS
MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF INTEGRITY
SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION
UPHOLD SPECIAL TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
PLACE FAITH AND HONOR ABOVE ALL ELSE
HONOR FELLOW MARINES, THE CORPS, COUNTRY, AND FAMILY
Sounds pretty simple? Could be. (if you aren’t a gay Marine) By the time I was given that card I have surrendered myself to them, to it. That meant suppressing my sexuality. Not only did I join during the countries global war on terror, but I joined under the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” era. Volunteering for the military is a selfless act. Period. During a time of war however is the epitome of selflessness.
We choose to put everything aside for our country.
Everything.
That everything has been a lot for me to carry over the last 21 years.
What defines me? The Marine Corps made me but they no longer want me. They need me but their machine has malfunctioned.
So who am I? What defines me? I’ve been searching for the perfect balance on how, who, what, where and even why to apply what’s on that card.
But today, today I feel.
defeated.
sadness.
sorrow.
betrayal.
disgust.
anger.
fear.
Our trans service member community is facing the very same thing 21 years later.
How do we settle the injustices?
(written 3/5/25)
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