How do you explain to a civilian

[jetdawgg]

What it is like to be a Marine?

I have been asked by several men who are later on in life and missed the opportunity to even attempt to become one of us. They did not serve the nation at all.

With my limited knowledge, I have tried several adjectives, suggested a few books and movies in an effort to present a competent understanding of what it is like to be a Marine.

They don't seem to understand how come I always feel so good about any and every challenge that I face. How I can communicate with my brothers and sisters no matter where I meet them and who they are.

They just don't understand that bond that we share with each other. If you Marines can help me a bit here I would appreciate it.

Maybe it is something that cannot be done without becoming one of us, I am not sure, however, it does appear to me that I am not doing a good enough job in advising them how different it is than just a mere college fraternity.

SF:usmc:

[sparkie]

They will never "know" as we know. But they can sometimes "feel" it
I just watched the USMC Silent Drill Platoon, and I know any civilian watching "felt" something, and had a small light turn on. Maybe that is as close as it will ever come.

[Osotogary]

They can't know, in exact terms, what it is like to be a Marine. I know, I'm a civilian. Now, I can certainly catch wind about what it is like to be a Marine from literature, both published and on video, as well as personal discussions with Marines, including my Marine son.. but even with all of this assorted media available I can't and will never know exactly (that's the key word - exactly) what it is like to be a Marine.
I will never know, exactly, what it is to ride protective escort to convoys in Iraq with his band of brothers like my other son did but I will and do have a general idea.
None of you will ever know what it is like to go to an Orpanage/Boys School, at least the one I went to, but you might have a general, knowledgeable idea what it was like.
I understand group dynamics and loyalty but until I have experienced being a Marine, I will never know.There is something to that "Walk a mile in my shoes" line of thought.

Jetdawgg- You may be doing the best job possible to pass on avenues of available information to those who have asked you what it is like to be a Marine. Now it is up to them to move on and learn for themselves.

[JordanB]

I really think its something that your born for. My whole life before I became a Marine I always felt like something was just missing, like I had friends who were like me but somehow they were diffrent from me. All my buddys that I made in bootcamp are really close to me and Ive only known them for 3 months, infact one even let me spend my 10 days of boot leave with him. I also cant get over the fact that Ive got a job where I actually get paid to work out, shoot, take martial arts, and kick ass for my country!