The Crucible was only as bad
as you believe it was.
If you’re going infantry
it’s only just a taste.
Three days came and went quicker
than I thought they would-
almost underwhelming.
We were so physically conditioned that all the
Running and
Jumping and
Fighting was
par the course.
Nights sucked, but I was only just learning
how shitty it is
to get out of warm sleeping bags
on below freezing mornings
to a sun that won’t help.
The pain is cumulative,
and the 9 mile hike in the sharp sleet
was grueling for a recruit,
but
Once we began the last leg
and trudged under the
“We Make Marines” arch
I knew I wasn’t a recruit anymore.
Hiking without warming layers
left me wet with sweat-
Shivering in the cold, aching
both physically and emotionally.
Standing at parade rest, waiting
The DI appeared in front of me
and asked
“what does this mean to you?”
I stared through him with all the discipline
he’d drilled into me
and replied “everything.”
He put the black Eagle, Globe, and Anchor in my hand
and shook it,
like a man
and I cried
like a baby,
then snapped back to parade rest
like the Marine
he made me.
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Learn more about Veterans Repertory Theater here. Listen to the Savage Wonder podcast here. See a live show at VetRep here.