In 1986, I was a Second Lieutenant in Quantico, Virginia, and going through a 6 month school for new Marine Corps officers. There was a great deal of infantry and leadership training. I remember one Marine Major quite well – whenever we were deep in the field after a few days and nights of tiring training, he would look at us all and say, “...you have to wear the cammie green, before you can wear the Dress Blue.” The Marine Corps Dress Blue uniform is world famous – the cut and look of the uniform is second to none and Marines consider it a real privilege to wear it in all of its splendor. But you have to earn it – which is where the “cammie green” comes in. The cammies, of course, are worn out in the field, night after day, and day after night. It’s a right of passage – boot camp, officer’s training, infantry training, and follow on schools – all hard work. But making it, getting through it, is pretty awesome.
Many people are facing tough times today, but these tough times will pass. What cammie green training are you going through today to get to your own version of the Dress Blues? Now is the time to sacrifice. Now is the time to work harder than the other guys, work smarter, go to more training and seek out more advice.
Are you just going along, or are you out in front? Are you settling because everyone else is settling? Are you taking no for an answer?
In the employment sector, Dress Blues time might not come until late 2010 or 2011. Will you have yours ready to put on?
Friday, August 7, 2009 at 08:49AM