George Johnson

Louisville, KY

I am not a Marine. Yet. I will be though. Serving in the Marine Corps and the American military is the highest extension of patriotism a single citizen can achieve. The dedication of your time, and possibly, your life for your country is the absolute purest form of love for your country. For me, I've always been attracted to the ideals embodied by the military and the pursuit of warfare itself. Joining the military is that childhood's most logical extension. Beyond logic there is a certain degree of romanticism. I love the American military. I especially love the United States Marine Corps. I used to vacation on an island close to Parris Island Recruiting Depot, and being in such close proximity to the crucible that forges young men such as myself into the pinnacle of honor and responsibility would set my young imagination aflame. I am not your "average" recruit material. I'm tall, well-built and muscular, granted, but I was not always this way. I struggled with weight problems in my middle school years. What contributed most to my weight loss and continued fitness efforts has been the Corps (and girls, of course). The Marines affect my day-to-day every day, if only subtly. I am extremely proud to merely share the same country as the Corps.