19, First Sergeant
April 24th, 2007 by Admin
This is from a Marine First Sergeant serving in Iraq and about to come home:
I guess I kinda had an epiphany two days ago when I walked outside and saw some Marines gathered around a convoy of 4 vehicles. I recognized that these were my Marines from another "Battle Position" so I thought I would go see what they were up to. Because of the fact that they are 40 miles away, I dont get to see them often enough, so I always welcome "face time" with this platoon.
As I walk over, all I see are young Marines and a single Corporal. "Who is the convoy commander?" I asked, expecting to see a Senior Sergeant or Staff Sergeant appear from nowhere. "I am, First Sergeant", said Cpl Jansen. All of the Marines started to close in on me as if to see what they had done wrong that caused me to be looking for the convoy commander. So I asked Cpl Jansen how old he was and he replied "19, First Sergeant".
Posted in Military PerspectiveThis just really hit home with me, so I decided to point out to all of them the significance. "Wow, 19 years old and you take 17 Marines and head out accross hostile foreign land. I bet that if you asked someone back home who was in charge of a convoy in Iraq, they would think it was a Lieutenant or Captain or Sgt. But here you are….a 19 year old Corporal leading Marines into combat." (Keep in mind that 45 days ago Cpl Jansen was a Lance Corporal-before he was promoted to his present rank Meritoriously for his actions in combat.)
So, as I walked away, I just kept thinking what other kids his age are doing in America. The level of responsibility he has is truly Awe-inspiring. Thirty minutes later, Cpl Jansen mounted up his troops and headed right back out the gate and into harms way on his 90 minute convoy back to his base. What a difference eight months makes! This is just one example of how this deployment has changed lives and turned boys into men.
You know, a lot of people look down on our current generation. People are quick to point out that they play too much video games, question authority, talk back to their parents, whatever.(I myself am guilty of saying these things). But I can assure you, that if you could see what I have seen here, you would stiffle yourself. They represent everything America stands for and they are perfect ambassadors of our country. My company is about 75% under 21 years old. These young men have a perfect understanding of patriotism and sacrifice.
Excellent post CJ. It is amazing~the level of responsibility. Boys become men quickly in the military and even faster in a war zone.
Thanks for sharing this.
I'd like to add that this First SGT also has a perfect understanding of Patriotism and Sacrifice. He is most impressive. He is my idea of what an Officer should be. His men are always first, and his duty is to them before all else. He is truly amazing.
Thanks for sharing this. This is a hope that I have for those I was in basic with. I complained about how they acted, but I knew that a little time in Iraq would make them grow up fast. I have seen it in my son as well as many soldiers I met in Iraq.
Yes, these are brave men and women!
Great story that makes me swell with pride for my brother Marines. Thanks for sharing it.
It does remind me though, of how we put so much responsibility on these young troops, give them the authority to lead those 17 troops or more – entrust their lives to him – but if he decides one hitch was enough, he goes home, and what kind of job will give him anywhere near that much responsibility? I would imagine it would be quite the let down for that young man or woman to get back, and find they have to re-earn the trust it takes to garner a fraction of the responsibility they had while in the military.
wow….
These young men and woman in our Armed Forces never cease to amaze me.
Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for sharing CJ. You bring up a fantastic point. It's too bad that sometimes even some of our older generation don't understand what Patriotism and Self-Sacrifice mean. This is an example of a young man that many twice their age should learn from.
Ooooooo, Sue, he's a senior enlisted, not an officer!! hahaha
And yes, America produces some astounding and awesome young men and women. I'm glad the 1st Sgt recognized that although the pup was young, he was steady and strong and true. I call them my pups and babies, but I DO know that they are men and women who have seen more in their short lives than I ever will and I NEVER mean disrespect when I say those words. I mean it with love and affection. What's funny is that as a mom, I want to shield and protect the young in our country, but if it came down to the nitty-gritty, THEY would be the ones front and center, protecting me. *sigh*
Bless them.
I wish more people would read stories like that, it just makes you so proud of all of our brave men and women. My son has expressed an interest in the military and when ever I hear about young men like in this story, well, I would love for my son to have those same qualitites. And I have been lucky enough to get to know several members of our military and let me tell you, they all show the same great attitude and they are all so proud to serve our country.
Isn't there some way to get stories like this one out there? The American public needs to start hearing more stories like this one. I am filled with such pride.
Leslie – believe it or not there are more stories like these out there than one could read in a life time. The media prefers to side with the terrorists and report only the news that helps to lead our nation towards not supporting our troops and their missions. One of the best ways you can help is to share this site with everyone you know so they can read it too. Additionally explore more of the military blog sites that report stories like this on a daily basis.
While this civilian cannot be more thankful for those like CJ, Cpl M, etc who spend so much of their time in order to get ALL of the news out to us I find it shameful that our nation continues to allow the MSM to feed us the garbage they do. Our military shouldn't need to be involved in telling their stories – our media should be PROUD and anxious to share these types of stories with us each day.
Leslie, we're all trying to get those stories out there. CJ does, we do at ASM, I know that TB's do as well. Most of your milblogs try to get out the stories that the media always fails/refuses to put out there.
So sorry LL, thanks for the correction!! lol
Wow! Thanks CJ for that post! What responsibility these young troops have. We as a nation should be so proud of our young men and women in the military. They are doing a job that few of us could do as ordinary citizens. They are risking their lives each day for our freedoms! God Bless all of our military!! You guys and gals rock!!
All I can say, stlview, is I hope when they come home they are even allowed to earn the same level of trust that they carry now. When I returned to America, having been more places and seen more "stuff" in half the number of years that it takes most people, all anyone could see was my age. And I'll admit, those Marines have likely seen more "stuff" than me. I can only hope they are shown respect despite their age and possible baby faces, but I'm not holding my breath. I also wouldn't discount those "video gamers". Number of years doesn't guarantee wisdom. That is a truism in America today.
Thanks so much for posting this! Our 19 year old Soldier's deployment date draws nearer and these post are a blessing! He's a video playing, sometimes talks back,
staying out all night with his buddies, and oh the girls, girls, girls, but on the other hand, he can become squared away in a heartbeat. God Bless Each & Every Man & Woman SERVING our Country!
This is all so very moving in my heart. I come from a family of servers. My father went in the Air Force at the tender age of 17. He served for 30 years and very proudly. He was there for the Viet Nam era also. My father in-law, ditto. All his kids, the boys, joined up also. My mother in-law was even in, back when women didn't join very often. Now, young women see it as an adventure; some join to get away from home, or just because they are board. I once had a job on base, Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Tx- I worked as a cashier in the mess hall. I witnessed many young ones coming in day after day. So proud to have been the one to smile at them and greet the day. Most were so scared, came in with long hair, the next day bald. Many had never been out of their own backyards. Well, they learned what adventure was all about quickly. As a nurse, I can't wonder what their bodies were doing in response to such changes- new foods, new sleeping quarters, new parents,sort of speak. Makes you wonder what keeps them going- running on fumes I guess.
Anyways, my son, who is 17, wants to join the service. If he does, I will be so ever proud. I was really scared for him, but after reading these stories and seeing the pictures, I'm ok with it. We have lost many neighborhood kids to drugs, suicides, and drinking accidents. Lots of them. It's very sad. I guess if I was to lose a son, I would rather see that it was for a reason. That it mattered. I am USA proud.