Welcome from a fellow 0311 Marine turned Naval Officer (Chaplain Corps).
Thanks Chaplin. I am who I am now because of the lessons I learned at Parris Island. I became a man on the ginder!
(Ok, perhaps I became a man on a quarterdeck in Third batt in a pool of my own sweat holding a front leaning rest position, but you get the idea!)
Semper FI.
One of the pastors that retired from my mom and dad's church was a Marine - was in the Korean War, and then involved in the open air nuke tests. Said he saw the fireball going up and that was his Calling.
He substitute teaches in our school system now - when he goes into the high school classes he tells them "My name is Mr. Bradshaw. I'm a combat veteran Marine and a retired pastor - so this class can be heaven or it can be hell. It's your choice."
He's never had a problem with his students.