Stress In The Marine Corps

The levels of stress and emotions varies in every profession. One of the careers known for having a lot of stress and mixed emotions is being a part of the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps is part of the United State’s military branch, and are known for their discipline, strength, and willpower. I interviewed one of my brother’s closest friend, Miguel. He’s a former Sergeant in the U.S. Marines, who explained what emotions and stress a U.S. Marine deals with on a daily basis. The question is, how exactly does a Marine cope with the stress and mixed emotions they receive on a daily basis? Through the eyes and experiences of an ex-Marine Sergeant, this paper will explain what emotions and stress he dealt with as a Marine during boot camp, school, …show more content…
Now, imagine experiencing this with “camis”, equipment, and military boots all day while completing drills and exercises for three months straight. Miguel, the ex-marine Sergeant, vividly remembers three months of bootcamp on the base of San Diego, California. Miguel said, “I was covered in sweat, pure sweat. Your whole body is just covered in sweat.” Boot camp, is the first phase of brutality where only few “graduate” and move on to becoming a US Marine. The ex-Sergeant explains how when you first arrive, you are young and naive. “It’s like jumping into a swimming pool, without knowing how to swim,” says the Marine. You have no idea exactly what to expect and when you do get there, it’s exactly the opposite. While you’re there, you decide your fate. He explained that, “if you bitch about the tasks, and you’re just unhappy, you will be unhappy.” Especially, with the base is right next to the airport, it is a mind game. Every night, you would look up and notice airplanes leaving every fifteen minutes, and you will think to yourself: “that could be me, heading home after graduation.” He said, that is the motivation you receive on a daily. Then, when you do graduate, it’s the best feeling in the world. You move on to the next stage, attend school, and get …show more content…
Whether you are an engineer, doctor, or a lawyer; there is a school for everything. Everyone has to go to a school in the Marine Corps, even if it 's general school. The First Class Private recalls being at school and hearing stories from his mentors and instructors about Marines being “not fit” and “unworthy” after getting stationed at base. “No way! No possible way there are fat marines. I used to tell them,” Miguel said to his mentors and instructors. This is something unbelievable to Miguel because the Marines have a titlement of training, strength, and tactics. If someone is in that kind of physical state, it contradicts everything about the Marines according to the newly made Marine himself. “Do well in school, get to know everyone as much as possible-your instructors, higher ranked Marines, and the workers that decide where you will be stationed,” said Miguel. It is important to get to know the inner circle, so you can have everything you want. With this advantage that the Marine had, along with doing well in his studies, Miguel had the opportunity to choose which base he 'd be stationed in