Good Marine, Bad Marine?

Obviously the Marine above is a "Good Marine." As a young Marine myself, I am finding it hard to define what a "Good Marine" is. Most service members are familiar with the term "Squared away" it is defined as "Someone or something that makes a good impression. Well maintained uniform or a successful exercise." So basically you can be a squared away Marine, but at the same time be a bad Marine?

The reason I'm having such a problem with this is because of the bad example some Marines my age get. A very raw bad one. Sayings thrown around loosely by Staff NCO's to the young Marines such as: "You're not a real Marine until you get a page 11 or NJP."Even one of the greatest Marines to ever walk across the parade deck Chesty Puller said, "Take me to the brig, I want to speak to the real Marines!"

Excuse me Chesty, but I thought Marines were clean-cut, disciplined men, that always follow a lawful order. Men who are perfectionists at being a professional, Men who will never back down from any challenge, and MOST importantly are Always Faithful.

Webster told me this:Professional (1): characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2): exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace. I didn't hear anything about spending time in the brig, or and page 11's nor NJPs. We have it drilled in our heads as Marines from the very beginning to uphold the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and aways maintain professionalism.

And what has upset me the most the people that drilled this into our heads, from Corporals to Sergeant Majors have been total hypocrites. For one instance, at a certain unit, a Captain (O-3), leader of Marines, was caught having consensual sex with the Battalion Sergeant Major's wife, while he was doing his duty in Iraq. Wow way to set the example Marines! And everyone calls us "Lance Criminals."

(Now let me stop and explain something, that term doesn't bother me. During the summer in The Marine Times, junior Marines were complaining about the term "Devil Dog", I am NOT one of those Marines. It gives me pride and makes my day when I am called a Devil Dog.)


I really hope a fellow Marine reads this, especially a boot. Hopefully they will question themselves, and answer "Am I a good Marine?"

-Semper Fidelis

One of those fucking days.....

Shit. That's all I can really say. What is a "vibe" really? I had a vibe today and I dont know how to explain it. The way the sun shined down on me reminded me too much of Iraq. I felt this vibe before, but how do you explain a vibe?!

I experienced a mood today, I really never have experienced. Things were going in slow motion. I felt like hurting anyone that stood in my way. I miss Iraq. I want to get on a plane right the fuck now and just fly over, but I cant, so I'm going nuts, and I have this rage built up.

People tell me, "Cody just relax, everything will be ok, just wait and see." Well I say fuck that I've waited, and it's time for me to get mine. When will it get better then? Because I've been getting told this for almost 2 years and shit has only gotten worse. I'm out for me now, you aint down get out my way.

But back to that Sun. It just felt like a magnet, something is calling for me. I need to follow the path that I know I was born for. Just like the B.S movie Jarhead, I'm still in the desert in mind.

See me
Hear me
But don't touch me
You should fear me
Lived your life dearly
'Cause I'm seriously disturbed
That's my word
Straight to my mother
Wayne, my brother
Who found another one to play sucker
'Cause I ain't the one
Who put shade in your sun
And took all your shine
Watch me get mine
Feel my love burn
Me for my sins
Watch the world turn
The cycle begins
Losses and wins
Angels and sins
Dancin' on top
O' the head of a pin
Don't know where I'm going
But I know where I've been
I can't hear a sound
I clapped a full round
I came to get down
I came to get dirty
I came to get even

Do you have bad drems?
All I have is bad dreams.

How could such a young life go so wrong
Momma dont cry, you did nothing wrong

-Everlast

After Drill....

Well another drill weekend gone and past. I hate to see them come, but hate to see them go. After drill I feel so replenished, a feeling of euphoria rushes over me all day. That to me was the breaking point; I'm going active duty finally. I got the paperwork, now I have to run it up the chain of command.

But after drill, it's like I'm totally recharged. I tackle any obstacle in front of me. The Marine comes out in me and I love it. The Corps is not a thing to me anymore, it simply is just me. I am the Corps, the future, and I hold my head high always looking ahead, never alone, and never scared.

Semper Fi.





PS - For you civis here ya go ;)

The United States Marine Corps adopted the motto Semper Fidelis in 1883, on the initiative of Colonel Charles McCawley (January 29, 1827 – October 13, 1891), the 8th Commandant of the Marine Corps^[5].

There were three mottos prior to Semper Fidelis including "Fortitudine" (meaning "with courage") antedating the War of 1812, "Per Mare, Per Terram" ("by sea, by land"; presumably inherited from the British Royal Marines, whose motto it already was), and, up until 1843, there was also the motto "To the Shores of Tripoli". "Semper fidelis" signifies the dedication and loyalty that individual Marines have for "Corps and Country", even after leaving service. Marines frequently shorten the motto to "Semper Fi".

• "Semper Fidelis" is also the title of the official march of the United States Marine Corps, composed by John Philip Sousa in 1889. Sousa was director of the United States Marine Band ("The President's Own") when a replacement for Hail to the Chief was requested, but later rejected. Sousa considered it to be his "most musical" march. It was prominently featured in the movie A Few Good Men. Charles Burr wrote the lyrics to the march.

• On the United States Marine Corps Seal, the eagle of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem holds a ribbon emblazoned "Semper Fidelis".

Yesterday....

"Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday

Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be
There's a shadow hanging over me.
Oh, I yesterday came suddenly

Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday

Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterday

Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday

Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterday
Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm"


-The Beatles

Years later their songs still apply, amazing huh? Yep I'm going mushy on this one, get out your fucking tissues emo kids. I'm just in one of those moods, I want to find a place to hide. Yeah I know everyone has their fucking problems, and mine aren't special. This big shitty world wont stop spinning because Cody Byrdic feels down "Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away Now it looks as though they're here to stay Oh, I believe in yesterday." Well look at the world, things are pretty fucked up right now. Two wars, horrible economy, a false hope called Obama, and a America slowly slipping into a socialistic state. On top of that pressure, the people I'm around put me down and make it seem, that I am the problem for every argument, bad day, or sleepless night I have.

That my friends is when that beatles song comes into affect. Man I miss yesterday! We're not supposed to live in the past but we're constantly reminded by it everyday. We cant run from it, it will follow you, and I'm speaking from experience! My life experiences are somewhat rough, it pretty much started with Iraq. I was 20 when I went to Iraq. I came back with an anger and drinking problem. Saw the world for what it was then other major events happened that I've decided not to put here. Point being when you want a new beginning when you honestly want to change, what do you do? Run, no thats the coward way out.....Stick around and fight...no that makes things worse. So let me introduce you to the way I deal with it. Being a fucking asshole.