Lost and Found in Transition.

If you read my blogs, you know I was in the Marine Corps. Well, after five years of active duty I was Honorably Discharged on September 18th, 2010. When given the opportunity to reflect on my five years in there are many things to think about. I joined the Marines because at the time I wanted to feel like I had given something back to the country I was fortunate enough to be born in. I come from a long line of military men and women, and I had no problem carrying on that tradition (nor did my sister when she joined in 2006). I had the opportunity to live in Okinawa, Japan for two years, went to Indonesia on a humanitarian mission after an earthquake and volcano eruption, and was deployed to Afghanistan. I won’t forget teaching kids how to play Go Fish in Indonesia, or eating some of the best food I’ve ever tasted with members of the Afghanistan National Army.

When asked the question, “Do you miss it?”, my answer is always the same. No, I do not miss it. One thing you learn fairly quickly is that it is always cooler in the movies. However, I do miss my friends. What most people who only are able to look from the outside in do not seem to realize is, probably since World War II the men and women of the military might not really care about the “why” we are at war. All we care about is our buddy to the left or right of us, we live the politics that most only read about. We also are humbled every day by the civilians who are so supportive. Although, if you are just supporting the troops because it’s trendy, do yourself a favor and stop. You’ll live a better life that way anyways.

That being said, I am lucky to have been able to serve now, as opposed to when my Dad and his peers served in Vietnam. I would get handshakes, free meals and a thank you for my service. They would get spit on and called names, and mostly by coward draft dodgers. That’s not to say I haven’t had my fair share of run ins with an angry civilian, but those are few and far between. I guess in that aspect our country has progressed. Everyone is allowed an opinion, but I don’t have to like their choices, just as much as they might not like mine.

This blog is going to progress as well. In the past I documented my missions, and life in the Marines. In March I was accepted by the Art Institute of Portland and have already completed one term in my quest for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Design. The transition from Marine to art student is a strange one, but I haven’t been this happy in probably 6-7 years. I know I made the right choice. I hope to better myself as a photographer, and eventually land a job as a documentary photographer.

If you came this far along with my on my journey, stick around. It’ll only get better.

Advertisement