Private 1st Class Jung Lee

Las Vegas, NV

I am a United States Marine. Not many people in this world can say that. The title is not given, it is earned through all those sweat, blood, and tears. I just graduated from Recruit Training and it's so hard to describe in words how I feel. Charging up that last hill of Reaper, the last part of Crucible, I knew that I was about to become a part of the brotherhood, that 233 years of great tradition and history. Hearing the National Anthem for the first time as a Marine and receiving the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor from my Drill Instructor, I could not stop those tears running down. I still recall what my Drill Instructor said to me that day. Especially from the fact that I earned my Eagle, Globe, and Anchor on September 11, I will never forget this day. To whoever is willing to join the Corps in the future: Recruit training is challenging, it is not meant to be easy. If it was easy, being a Marine wouldn't mean much. As long as you have heart and remember why you joined to become a United States Marine, and focus on the training, the graduation day will come sooner than you think. And once you earn the title, never forget the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment and apply them to your daily life. Each and every Marine is responsible for carrying that legacy. They are the direct representation of the Corps. Semper Fidelis, PFC Jung H. Lee