Monday, January 28, 2008

A Leader Preparing To Launch

My son just enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps. He will begin boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina on April 7th. His recruiter told him there is a 95% chance he will be sent to Iraq after training.

Naturally, I have some radically mixed feelings. Fear, pride, guilt, worry, and surprise are just a few. My first reaction was to question his sanity; then his motives.

“What made you choose the Marines? Why not the Air Force? Didn’t you think about auditioning for the Marine Band? How much research have you done? Please, please, please talk to someone other than your recruiter. You need to talk to people who have been Marines. Are you just doing this because you don’t know what else to do with yourself? Is this your way of feeling like a real man? Is it too late to change your mind?”

On and on the barrage went. Understand, Ryan is not the kind of person you think of as a Marine. He is tall, strongly built, and quite handsome. But he is a gentle soul; a true phlegmatic if there ever was one. Easy-going, relaxed, likeable, loyal, quiet, kind, witty, calm, patient, competent, compassionate, and friendly. To know Ryan is to like him.

Like many phlegmatics however, he is not terribly motivated or disciplined, doesn’t get enthusiastic about much, is unlikely to take the lead in any situation, can be rather indecisive, and dare I say…lazy! I cannot think of a worse combination than a phlegmatic son with a choleric mother who did not understand the personality types. Which I am, and I didn’t even know there were personality types until Ryan graduated from high school.

Until then, he drove me crazy!!! Nothing ever bothered or worried him; not school assignments, not chores, not money, nothing! When report cards were issued, Ryan usually got one of everything: A, B, C, D, and E. He always got the E in whatever class was held first hour. Sometimes his low marks were given because he didn’t turn in homework; often the assignment was in his folder but he didn’t feel like getting it out and turning it in.

As for college, let’s just say it was a long, painful, and expensive ordeal.

So what on earth would make him decide to join the Marines? His answer was one I could not argue with. He believes that this is what God wants him to do. Period.

Yes, he spoke with several former classmates who joined the Marines; two have completed their enlistments and are on to other endeavors; one has chosen to make it his career. He has read everything he could find online, both for and against. He is sure the discipline will help him throughout his life. But the bottom line, the compelling force, is the belief that God wants him to be a Marine.

How can I argue with that?

Since the day last month that Ryan was sworn in, he has blossomed. He stands taller. He exudes confidence. He hired a personal trainer and gets up at 5:00 am each morning to work out. He told the trainer to be tough! He has totally changed his diet. He asked his recruiter what he needs to do to be the Honor Graduate for his group, and has set that as his goal.

Mind you, this is from a kid who wouldn’t try out for a seat in the orchestra because there were only four seats available and five kids who wanted it. He let the other four have them.

This is from a kid who joined the wrestling team but wouldn’t compete because he didn’t want to beat anyone else.

This is the kid who was on the swim team for years but hated competitions because, you guessed it, he didn’t want another kid to lose.

I think there is something to be said for feeling that your actions in life have a purpose; that you are going in the direction that God wants you to go in. For the first time in his life, Ryan knows what it is he is supposed to do, and that has filled him with a desire to do his very best.

There isn't anything more gratifying than doing what you were put on this earth to do. That is where the seeds of true leadership bloom. Life is just preparation for the moment when it is our turn to take charge.

And I am just bursting with pride.

Submitted by Chris F

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