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Once a Marine, Always a Marine…

A Marine recruit’s injury and return to training illustrate resilience, determination, second chances, and the power of refusing to quit.

5 min read

Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo Inc.

This is the third in a series depicting the author’s experience in Marine Corps boot camp; the story continues just after the “recruit” is injured in training and is given two choices.

After discovering I had popped a hernia during the third week of boot camp, my drill instructors quickly shipped me to the nearby naval hospital for examination.

The next morning a Marine Corps major strode into my ward, which I shared with several others, collectively called the “sick, lame, and lazy,” and stopped at my bed.