What is sacrifice?
Have you ever looked at our military and asked yourself why or how they do it? In today's world, the acts of military personnel are subsided by questions -----
"How can you fight for something so violent?"
"Do you even believe in this war?"
"Why do you do it?"
-----As a civilian in the process of enlisting with the Marine Corps, I'll be the first to tell you that civilians will NEVER fully understand why and how they do it. I've been introduced into a world that's far different from civilian life, and even I don't understand everything, but I understand enough to bring me to my knees at the thought of a 21 gun salute, last letter home, and a family with a folded flag, framed and mounted as high as a fighters pride in remembrance of a selfless human.
Human.
That's what they are. They have families and feelings just like you. They bleed, sweat and cry, but not for themselves.
When most people think about the military, they think of the fighters; the boots on the ground that put their lives on the line, but the military is a world of it's own. Every job that a civilian can obtain is also available in the service. The only difference is that instead of a 9-5, its most likely a 7am-9pm, 3pm-3am, or a full 24 hour shift, leaving just enough time to eat, shower, shave, sleep, and say I love you for possibly the last time.
In 2015, there was a shooting in Chattanooga, TN (about 200 miles from where I live) where four marines and one sailor lost their lives at a Navy Reserve center and Marine Recruiting center. These brave men never once thought that day would be their last; that their last day would be spent on American soil. This shows that every job or occupation in the Military is always at risk. These men knew that before they signed the papers, so why did they? Well, it's hard to name a specific reason as it is different for everyone, but if you ask any service member, active or inactive, why they really did it, they will tell you either two things: For Country, or for People.
It's not something that can be taught; boot camp and basic training are not designed to 'teach' you sacrifice, but rather reveal the sacrifice that runs in the blood. The Marine Corps motto is "Semper Fidelis" which means "Always Faithful" to God, Country, Corps, Family, and everything in between. They can look at the face of death, accept it, fight it, and lie with it with no hesitation.
One question that many people ask me is, "Do you want to die? Is that why you want to go?", and I usually give a generic response, but the real answer is no, but yes. No one wants to die in battle, but if that moment ever comes, they will not back down and they will gladly face death, for you. I want to enlist because to me, sacrifice is the closest you can get to the acts of Jesus. In fact, we are called to sacrifice for others, to be selfless and humble. I want to fight because someone has to do it, whether you agree with it or not, someone has to fight, and I'd rather it be me than someone I love.
Sacrifice, in any form, is a true act of love. From working for a family, to lending money, to spending all day talking about life with someone, it's all sacrifice that originates from love. What are we called to do far more than anything else? To love, but sacrifice and love are not military exclusive, I've only used that to show the character behind sacrifice: To leave everything behind for the love of another. This is why, whether I become a Marine or stay a civilian, I will always put others before myself. I don't stand alone though; in a group of civilians, at least one is willing to put you first, but you would never know because of the humble attitude that flows with sacrifice.
So, what is sacrifice?
A love that you may never see or understand, but is always there.
Always.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you."
-John 14:18-20
