Semper fi . . The stuff brave men say to each other before heading out. I have to say, i've always harboured intentions to join the military. In particular, the US Marine Corps. Not just a regular military unit. To the lay person, it's just some guys in uniform following orders from the top. That's where people misconceive our men in uniform. Just so you know, Marines are different. Particularly, they're frontline troops that are charged in heading an amphibious assault on any enemy beachhead. Remember Normandy? Da Nang? Desert Storm? Yeah those were the guys you saw. Those are MARINES. Not Army, Navy or Air Force. MARINES. Moving at the front from the main strike force to deal the killing blow. Landing behind enemy lines and providing recon for command. One has to admit, it takes serious balls and discipline to do shit like that.

Of late i've been thinking to myself. I have so many deficiencies as to my character. Yes i've been soul searching again of late. So many trials and tribulations yet i never think of any of it as a barrier. I yearn for challenges. But then again, i know i can do better than i am now. Trying to understand what are my limiting beliefs. What i noticed that i'm missing is that hard man in me. That man that can totally stand up and openly say 'You're Wrong'. That man that can stare at death in the eye and tell him to bugger off and take a claymore to his other friends.

Yes ! I have looked at Marines. They really impress me. Not because of the guns or action they see. But because they're the standard of what a hard man is to me. They're the type of people who you can really trust and depend on not to run on you. Because they take pride in their roles. If it's one thing they protect most, it's their honor and duty. I want to be such a person. Not the mean streak killing machine (i wouldn't mind that thought). But the honorable person they are. Principles make a man who he is. Principles distinguishes a man from an animal. And standing for your principles shows how much of a real man you are within.

What's a man without his principles?

... A zombie

... A terrorist

... A blind wanderer

... A liar

I've seen so much of late and if there's one thing it has done is to really boost my confidence that no matter what the odds, i've been able to pull through. Seeing how these guys are, dayum i envy them. But the phrase that really got to me was one that said:

I will surpass failure. I will exceed all the limits set. And i might just achieve what God could even imagine. Military history and doctrine has played a crucial role in my upbringing. Not some childhood fantasy but the honor in being the honorable role men used and still play . . . Warriors !

Semper fi! Hoo-ah!

(P/s: Semper fi is short for semper fidelis in Latin which means always faithful. The motto of the United States Marines Corps.)